For those of you who like to plan ahead, below are fun family events for next month and beyond. This list is updated weekly, so check back often. Please confirm in-person events with the organizer in advance to ensure they can accommodate your visit.
Return to this month’s events or check out this weekend’s highlights to find out what’s happening now.
December 2024
Holiday Cirque ~ San Francisco, December 2
Troupe Vertigo’s spellbinding performances ignite the imagination through stunning physical feats choreographed into works of art. In their return to the San Francisco Symphony, the company brings their innovative mix of circus, dance, and theater to a festive new holiday show.
Deck The Hall ~ San Francisco, December 8
It’s never too early to plan a holiday tradition—let Deck the Hall be yours! Treat your family to a concert of holiday favorites and sing-alongs led by conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser with members of the San Francisco Symphony, guest artists, and beloved costumed characters.
The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert ~ San Francisco, December 12 & 14
Join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and all the hilarious Muppets in this merry, magical version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. Michael Caine stars as penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge who learns the true meaning of Christmas. Watch this beloved holiday classic on the big screen as the Symphony performs the score live. Rated G.
Reindeer Games by People’s Circus Theatre ~ San Francisco, December 14, 15, 21, 22
Santa’s Reindeer anxiously await Christmas Eve when they get to fly Santa’s sleigh. How will they pass the time? Playing Reindeer Games, of course! Peek inside the secret lives of Reindeer with this festive tale of inclusion, collaboration, and managing emotions. People’s Circus Theatre’s unique blend of world-class circus, live music, and delightful storytelling makes Reindeer Games a must-see holiday tradition for the whole family.
Peter and the Wolf ~ San Francisco, December 15
Prokofiev’s tale of a boy and his animal friends’ bravery is brought to life with a guest narrator. The San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra performs this classic musical fable, along with other seasonal and holiday favorites for your family to enjoy!
Elf ~ San Francisco, December 19-21
Experience your favorite Christmas film transformed with the music of a live symphony orchestra in Elf™ in Concert! For the first time ever, audiences can rediscover the magic of this holiday classic while a live symphony orchestra performs John Debney’s wonderful score and Santa Claus soars across the big screen.
Model Railroad Show – Walnut Creek, December 1
Family Storytelling at the Asian Art Museum – San Francisco, December 1
Native Stories and Sounds with Paul Steward – San Francisco, December 1
Nutcracker Sweet with The Puppet Company – Berkeley & Palo Alto, December 1
Holiday Sing-a-long – Pleasanton, December 1
Glider Discovery Day – San Carlos, December 1, 26
Panto in the Presidio: Peter Pan – San Francisco, December 3-29
First Friday at Chabot: Shooting Stars – Oakland, December 6
Holiday Night with Santa – Palo Alto, December 6
The Secret Garden – Mountain View, December 6, 7
Telescope Viewing (Free) – Oakland, December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
SF Jazz Family Matinees – San Francisco, December 7
Stonestown Math Festival – San Francisco, December 7
Storytime Science for Kids – San Francisco, December 7
The Ohlone Sisters – San Francisco, December 7
Agents of Change Puppet Show – Mill Valley, December 7
Kids Night at the Museum – Santa Rosa, December 7
Lego Build With Ace Makerspace – Berkeley, December 7
Music with Val – Redwood City, December 7
Storytime: Snake! – Los Gatos, December 7
Rialto Family Matinees: Prancer (Free) – El Cerrito, December 7, 8
Planetarium Shows – Cupertino, December 7, 14
Holiday Lego Show – Palo Alto, December 7 – January 11
Family Day at Marin MOCA – Novato, December 8
Holiday Arts Festival (Free) – Richmond, December 8
Family Cooking: Donuts and Hot Cocoa for Hanukkah – Palo Alto, December 8
Family Tour at de Young – San Francisco, December 14
Family Dance with Luna Dance (Free) – Berkeley, December 11
North Pole Party – San Jose, December 13
Buggin’ Out with Eric – Santa Rosa, December 14
Family Nature Adventures: Hibernating Animals – Oakland, December 14
Roundtable Reading: The Silver Arrow – Berkeley, December 14
Pop-up Chemistry – Redwood City, December 14
Second Saturday on the Farm (Free) – Watsonville, December 14
Winter on the Wharf (Free) – Santa Cruz, December 14
Visit to the North Pole – Walnut Creek, December 14-22
Fairy Winterland – Oakland, December 14-30
Gingerbread Doghouse Workshop – Santa Rosa, December 14, 15
Peter and the Wolf with SF Symphony – San Francisco, December 15
Hanukkah Craft Party – Palo Alto, December 15
Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet – Santa Rosa, December 17
Shrek the Musical by Broadway San Jose – San Jose, December 17-22
Family Yoga Storytime (Free) – Berkeley, December 18
Reading with Dogs at Pup Plaza (Free) – San Jose, December 19
The Biggest Gift by Fantasy Forum – Walnut Creek, December 20-22
Family Astronomy: Winter Solstice – Oakland, December 21
Winter Snowflakes with Clay (Free) – Berkeley, December 21
Winter Fun with Hey Balloon Lady (Free) – San Jose, December 21
The Gingerbread Man – Palo Alto, December 21-23
Welcome To Karamu! Kwanzaa Cooking (Free) – Berkeley, December 27
Happy Birds Performance – San Carlos, December 27
Family Astronomy Workshop: The Wonders of Stars – Oakland, December 28
Winter Magic Show (Free) – Fremont, December 28
Open Cockpit Day – San Carlos, December 28
New Year Balloon Drop at Chabot Space & Science Center – Oakland, December 31
Happy New Year Charlie Brown – Santa Rosa, December 31
January 2025
Music for Families ~ San Francisco, January 18
Share the joy of music with all your loved ones in captivating performances created with your entire family in mind. Featuring music from John Williams, Tchaikovsky, Brahms + more! Recommended for ages 5–12.
First Friday at Chabot: Blast Off – Oakland, January 3
Glider Discovery Day – San Carlos, January 5
Buggin’ Out with Eric – Santa Rosa, January 11
Puppylocks and the 3 Bears Puppet Show – Mill Valley, January 11
Berkeley Math Festival – Berkeley, January 11
Roundtable Reading: Breadcrumbs – Berkeley, January 11
Storytime: Over in a River Flowing Out to the Sea – Los Gatos, January 11
Naturalist Storytime – Berkeley, January 13
Aesop’s Fables – Mountain View, January 17, 18
Penguins and Pajamas Sleepovers at Cal Academy – San Francisco, January 17, 31
Finding Nemo by Pleasanton Youth Theater – Pleasanton, January 18
Music for Families – San Francisco, January 18
Lunar New Year Lion Dance – San Francisco, January 18
Lunar New Year Festival – Santa Rosa, January 25
Salamander Search at Sanborn – Los Gatos, January 25
Lunar New Year Lion Dance – San Jose, January 25
Beauty and the Beast – Palo Alto, January 25-26
James and the Giant Peach – San Francisco, January 26
The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Palo Alto, January 29-February 16
Lunar New Year Celebration – San Jose, January 31
February 2025
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus – San Francisco, February 1-16
Very First Concerts – Berkeley, February 1
Black History Month with Wee Love Art – San Jose, February 2
James and the Giant Peach – San Francisco, February 2, 8, 22, 23
The Peking Acrobats – Santa Rosa, February 4
SF Jazz Family Matinees – San Francisco, February 8
Very First Concerts – San Francisco, February 8
Roundtable Reading: By the Great Horn Spoon! – Berkeley, February 8
Storytime: Vulture Verses: Love Poems for the Unloved – Los Gatos, February 8
Very First Concerts – Menlo Park, February 9
Back to the Future: The Musical – San Francisco, February 12-March 9
Furry Tail with a Twist – Mountain View, February 14, 15
The Endless End Puppet Show – Mill Valley, February 15
Teddy Bear and Me Party – San Jose, February 15
Tom Sawyer by Children’s Musical Theater – San Jose, February 15-23
Penguins and Pajamas Sleepovers at Cal Academy – San Francisco, February 15, 28
Afrique en Cirque – Santa Rosa, February 19
Salamander Search at Sanborn – Saratoga, February 22
Little Red Riding Hood – Palo Alto, February 22, 23
March 2025
Storytime: Everybody’s Welcome – Los Gatos, March 1
James and the Giant Peach – San Francisco, March 1
Glider Discovery Day – San Carlos, March 2
Open Cockpit Day – Oakland, March 2
DLUX Puppets’ Peter Pan – Walnut Creek, March 6, 7
Tuck Everlasting – Mountain View, March 8-16
Dragons and Mythical Beasts – Santa Rosa, March 13
Once Upon a Time by Fantasy Forum – Walnut Creek, March 13-16
Penguins and Pajamas Sleepovers at Cal Academy – San Francisco, March 14, 29
Salamander Search at Sanborn – Saratoga, March 15
Flying Leprechaun Sky Dive – San Carlos, March 15
SF Jazz Family Matinees – San Francisco, March 22
Aquatic Exploration at Alum Rock – San Jose, March 22
One Grain of Rice – Palo Alto, March 22, 23
Bubble Bonanza – San Carlos, March 23
Boardwalk Fun Run – Santa Cruz, March 29
Easter Egg Hunt at Gamble Garden – Palo Alto, March 30
April 2025
The Wizard of Oz – Mountain View, April 4, 5
Storytime: Verdi – Los Gatos, April 5
Penguins and Pajamas Sleepovers at Cal Academy – San Francisco, April 12, 25
Sensory Friendly Family Concert (Free) – San Francisco & Menlo Park, April 12
Community Passover Seder – Palo Alto, April 12
Sensory Friendly Family Concert (Free) – Berkeley, April 13
Newsies Jr – Walnut Creek, April 14, 15
SF Jazz Family Matinees – San Francisco, April 19
Birding at Alum Rock – San Jose, April 19
Frog and Toad – Santa Rosa, April 23
Once Upon a Mattress by Children’s Musical Theater – San Jose, April 24-27
Elephant & Piggie’s We are in a Play! – Palo Alto, April 24-May 11
The Flying Karamazov Brothers – Palo Alto, April 26
The Princess and the Frog – Palo Alto, April 26, 27
The Amazing Bubble Man – Walnut Creek, April 27
May 2025
Legally Blonde Jr – Pleasanton, May 2
de Youngsters Day Out – San Francisco, May 3
Glider Discovery Day – San Carlos, May 4
Wizard of Oz by Fantasy Forum – Walnut Creek, May 8-10
Stanford Powwow – Stanford, May 9-11
Penguins and Pajamas Sleepovers at Cal Academy – San Francisco, May 9, 30
Storytime: Crickwing – Los Gatos, May 10
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical – San Francisco, May 10-25
Kids’ Carnival at Hiller Aviation Museum – San Carlos, May 11
Doktor Kaboom! – Santa Rosa, May 16
Alice in Wonderland by Diablo Ballet – Walnut Creek, May 16, 17
SF Jazz Family Matinees – San Francisco, May 17
Super Scaly Critters – Los Gatos, May 17
The Aristocats Kids – Pleasanton, May 17-25
The Sound of Music by Berkeley Rep – Berkeley, May 23-June 29
The Little Mermaid – Palo Alto, May 24, 25
June 2025
Open Cockpit Day – Oakland, June 15
James and The Giant Peach by Children’s Musical Theater – San Jose, June 25-29
Alice in Wonderland Jr – Mountain View, July 24-27
August 2025
Scottish Highlands Gathering and Games – Pleasanton, August 30, 31
September 2025
Fiesta on la Playa – Santa Cruz, September 6
Open Cockpit Day – Oakland, September 7
Fall Campout on the Boardwalk – Santa Cruz, September 26-27
