Here are our picks for great events and activities for children and families this weekend. Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar.

Check out our list of Halloween Pumpkin patches in Marin and Sonoma counties—see our list here.

Friday, October 19

• Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch
  Santa Rosa
  Friday–Sunday, 9 am–10 pm
  Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch offers eight acres of pumpkins, a huge seven-acre corn maze, kiddy corn mazes, hay and sunflower mazes, jack-o-lantern tether ball, tire swings, a 10-bale-high hay pyramid, a huge jumpy pillow, pedal trike races, a corn play box, a petting zoo, face painting, and more. Location: 5157 Stony Point Road (at Rohnert Park Expressway). Event details
• Peter Pumpkin Patch
  Spring Hill Jersey Farm, Petaluma
  Friday–Sunday, 9 am–6 pm
  Pick your own organic pumpkin, dig for potatoes, take a tractor ride, visit farm animals, taste homemade ice cream and Spring Hill cheese, milk a cow, and get lost in the hay maze. Peter Pumpkin Patch also offers fresh fruits and vegetables and picnic baskets. Activities are free and so is the parking. This is a wonderful and fun pumpkin patch on a real working farm. Location: 4235 Spring Hill Road (off Bodega Ave.). Event details
• Halloween House Workshops
  Habitot Children's Museum, Berkeley
  Friday, 9:30–10:30 am & Sunday, 3–4 pm
  Work together on building a Hansel & Gretel-style gingerbread house and decorating with Halloween candy and spooky shapes. Costumes welcome! Cost: $40 per house - includes admission for one child and one adult and free for Grandparent Circle Members. Pre-registration required [email protected] or call 510-647-1111 ×14. Location: 2065 Kittredge Street, Berkeley. Event details
• Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
  Nicasio
  Friday–Sunday, 10 am–6 pm
  Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch offers a wide variety of certified organic pumpkins spread out in an expansive meadow on the farm. Kids activities: jumpy houses, inflatable slide, hay rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, farm animals to visit, a climbing wall, and face painting. Some of these attractions have an admission fee, and some are available only on weekends and select days. Shaded seating area with picnic tables, so you can relax and take in the scenery, listen to some great live music, and even eat lunch. Tim Cain performs on Sunday from 11 am to noon. Location: 5300 Nicasio Valley Road, Nicasio. Read our review here.
• Petaluma Pumpkin Patch
  550 Stony Point Road
  Friday & Saturday, 10 am–10 pm, Sunday, 10 am–6 pm
  Over 50 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, as well as a 4-acre Amazing Corn Maze (admission $6, 5 and under free; $9 on Friday and Saturday nights 6–10 pm), farm animals, a zip line, weekend pony rides, face painting, jumpy houses and inflatables, food vendors, covered snack area, and more. Some of these attractions have an admission fee. Event details
• Godmothers Pumpkin Patch
  St. Vincents, Marinwood
  Friday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  This long-time favorite pumpkin patch at St. Vincent's near Marinwood offers a variety of pumpkins as well as attractions and activities like bounce houses, a hay pile, face painting, snack shack, and a picnic area. Groups welcome. Read our review of St. Vincent's Pumpkin Patch. Event details
• Kids Night Out - E.T.
  Mill Valley Community Center
  Friday, 6–9 pm
  Drop your kids of at the Center for an exciting night of fun! Participants will get to play games, make desert and watch a movie while their parents get a night to themselves. For ages 4–10. Cost: 37. Register online here. Location: 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Movie and Craft Drop Off Date Night
  Little Tree Studios, San Anselmo
  Friday, 6–9 pm
  Drop off your kiddos (ages 5–13) and have a night out! Join us tonight to watch the movie Trolls, and make a colorful coiled Sculpey clay bowl using multiple tiny coiled ‘coins’ stacked together to make the bowl shape. Use this baked clay bowl later at home for all your treasures, jewelry or maybe all your Troll glitter! Please bring cozy clothes and pillows to curl up with during the show. We will serve pizza and popcorn. Cost: $50. Location: 14 Ross Avenue, San Anselmo. Event details
• Novato Horsemen Haunted House
  600 Bugeia Lane, Novato
  Friday & Saturday, 7–10 pm
  Bring the kids out for a night of scare and fun at the Novato Horseman Haunted House in Novato. Admission is $5 per person. Event details
• Outdoor Movie Night: Jaws
  Robin Sweeny Park, Sausalito
  Saturday, 6:30–9 pm
  See Jaws for free in Sausalito's Robin Sweeny Park. Location: Caledonia Street, Sausalito. Event details
• Campfire Program
  Stafford Lake Park, Novato
  Friday, 7–9 pm
  Join rangers for an evening of fun with local lore, legends, and campfire tales! Enjoy making s'mores and sipping hot chocolate 'round the campfire as the sun sets. Location: 3549 Novato Boulevard, Novato. Event details
• 2018 Grand National Rodeo
  Cow Palace, Daly City
  Saturday & Sunday, 7–10 pm
  The Cow Palace is bringing back the Wild West to the Bay Area with the annual Grand National Rodeo, Livestock Exposition and Horse Show. Now in its 72nd year, the Grand National Rodeo will celebrate the time-honored tradition of America's West by presenting the best of the best in the competitive sport of rodeo. Tickets: $3–$45. Event details

Saturday, October 20

• Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party
  Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton
  Saturday & Sunday (various times)
  Dress up for Halloween with favorites Thomas and Percy for a 20-minute train ride, entertainment, and fun filled activities for the entire family. Activities include temporary tattoos, Face Painting, Story Telling, Videos, Train Play Tables, small pumpkins for little ones, cookie decorating, photos with Sir Topham Hatt, a Thomas store, and live entertainment. Also, Thomas the Tank Engine will be able to talk to his fans! Event details
• 30th Annual San Francisco Old Car Picnic
  Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
  Saturday, 7 am–4 pm
  Celebrate the 30 years of San Francisco Old Car Picnic (formerly Jimmy’s Old Car Picnic) showing off cars from 1993 or older at Hellman Hollow (Speedway Meadow) in Golden Gate Park. Free for spectators. Event details
• 2018 Bioneers Conference & Family Fair
  Marin Center, San Rafael
  Saturday & Sunday, 8 am–6 pm
  The Bioneers Conference highlights breakthrough ideas for solving our most pressing ecological and social challenges. Come learn from some of the country’s top nature-inspired education masters and have fun exploring a wide array of experiential education activities. Free events on-site including the Family Fair (10 am–4 pm). Event details
• Busy Bees—Indoor Play Days
  Hamilton Community Center, Novato
  Saturday, 9 am–noon
  Parents and little ones are invited to join Recreation Staff for a morning of safe and secure indoor fun! Enjoying learning and playing with your toddler/preschooler in this parent-participation class featuring age appropriate toys, tumbling mats, sensory bins, crafts and parachute play. No registration required. Drop-in fee is $5 per family at the door. Parents and/or caregivers are required to stay the duration of class and are responsible for their child(ren). Event details
• Cornerstone Harvest Pumpkin Patch Festival
  Cornerstone Sonoma
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
  Bring the entire family for a weekend of fun, fall festivities at Cornerstone's first annual Harvest Festival + Pumpkin Patch! Activities include: pumpkin patch, lawn games, face painting + games, food for purchase, live music and more. Location: 23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma. Event details
• Goblin Jamboree Fundraiser
  Bay Area Discovery Museum
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
  Bring the whole family in costume to explore all the fun at the Bay Area Discovery Museum’s Goblin Jamboree Family Fundraiser. Experience the museum as it’s transformed into a spooktacular Halloween wonderland complete with Witches and Wizards school, pony rides, petting zoo, kid-sized hay maze, live entertainment, and more. Tickets available at the door. Admission: $17.95 general, $14.95 members, free for children under 6 months. Event details
• Fall Harvest
  Slide Ranch, Muir Beach
  Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
  Fall Harvest is one of Slide's most festive farm events of the year! A day-long celebration featuring animals, nature exploration and farm discovery, guided hikes, fascinating workshops, live music and performances, arts and nature crafts, gardening activities, cooking activities, delicious food, special guest presenters, local, organic and farm-fresh food and so much more! Don't miss it! An iconic event, fun for all ages! Cost: $35 advance / $40 at the gate, Kids 2 and under are free. Location: 2025 Shoreline Hwy, Muir Beach. Event details.
• Spirders!! Hikes, Spider Mask Making & More
  Martin Griffin Preserve, Stinson Beach
  Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
  Bring the family to hike the trails in search of spiders with ACR’s Resident Biologist and Director of Education Gwen Heistand at 11:30 and 2pm. Come in your nature-inspired costume or create an anatomically correct spider mask! Suggested donation $20. No dogs. RSVP for your hike here. Location: 4900 Shoreline Highway One (across from the Bolinas Lagoon), Stinson Beach. Event details.
• East Bay Mini Maker Faire 2018
  
  Park Day School + Studio One Art Center, Oakland
  Saturday, 10 am–5 pm
  The 9th Annual East Bay Mini Maker Faire is a celebration of the Do-It-Yourself spirit. Bring the whole family for a day of cool projects, workshops, beautiful crafts, great food, music, and more. All on the beautiful 4-acre Park Day School campus + adjacent Studio One Art Center in Oakland. Tickets: adult (ages 18 and up) $23, child (ages 4–17) $18. Children 3 and under don't need a ticket. Location: 360 42nd Street, Oakland. Event details
• International Archaeology Day
  Presidio of San Francisco
  Saturday, 10 am–2 pm
  Have you ever wondered what an archaeologist actually does? Did you know that there are archaeologists working and studying right here in San Francisco? To find out more, come join Presidio archaeologists at International Archaeology Day with activities for all ages. See archaeology in action as Presidio Trust archaeologists uncover the foundations of the Spanish colonial settlement and view the adobe walls of the original Spanish fort inside the Presidio Officers’ Club. Free. Event details
• ZOOtoberfest
  San Francisco Zoo
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Bring the family and navigate through San Francisco’s largest hay maze, a 5,000-square-foot structure made from 600 bales of straw and incorporates play areas within the design. Jump in the bounce house, challenge your friends to a friendly game of ring toss and use the festive Harvest Hallow setting for photo ops. SF Zoo’s “Zoo Brew Haus” at the Depot Grill is pouring a great selection of brews, and cooking a full smorgasbord of German-inspired dishes. During lunch, dine to the upbeat sounds of a live band playing traditional polka music. Free after zoo admission. Event details
• Annual Pumpkin Patch Festival
  Western Railway Museum, Suisun City
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Get your Halloween pumpkins and Jack-o-Lanterns, test your strength with the pumpkin launcher, explore our huge hay bale fortress, and enjoy a train ride too. Gather the family and begin at the Western Railway Museum. Doors open at 9:30; the first electric express train leaves at 10 am with departures every half-hour until 4pm. Cost: adults $14, children (2–14 yrs) $10 and seniors $12. Event details
• Bay Area Children's Theatre presents: The Cat in the Hat
  BACT Berkeley Center
  Saturday, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm & 4 pm and Sunday, 10:30 am & 1:30 pm
  Expect a brother, a sister, a much put-upon goldfish, some Things, and tons of clowning around in this new production of Seuss's classic rainy-day tale that brings the Cat in the Hat's outrageous antics--and Dr. Seuss's wondrous rhymes--to life in Spanish and English. For children ages 3 to 10. Tickets start at $20. Location: 2055 Center Street, Berkeley. Event details
• El Día de los Muertos Community Celebration 
  Santa Rosa Junior College
  Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
  El Día de los Muertos Community Celebration is a family-friendly and rain-friendly event! Our booths, performances, and activities are under covered walkways or indoors. Event schedule here. Location: Sonoma Mountain Parkway between E. Washington St. and Corona Rd. Event details.
• Touch A Truck
  Lynwood Elementary School, Novato
  Saturday, 11 am–3 pm
  Bring your kids and let them climb in and explore their favorite vehicles! We'll have food, games, activities, and fun surprises throughout the event! This fundraiser will benefit Lynwood Elementary School! $5 Admission, 3 & under Free, $20/family. Open to the public. Loction: 1320 Lynwood Drive, Novato. Event details.
• Crissy Field Day
  Presidio of San Francisco
  Saturday, 11 am–2 pm
  Join us at East Beach for a free celebration kicking off Crissy Field’s next chapter! Delicious food & drinks, live music, family-friendly activities and much more. RSVP required so we know you're coming and for a chance to win a special prize! Free. Event details
• Potrero Hill Festival
  San Francisco
  Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
  Experience the flavor of the Potrero community in this event for all ages, featuring local food vendors and chefs, artists, musicians, historians, homegrown entertainment, and much more! Location: 20th Street between Wisconsin and Missouri Streets. Event details
• Aki Matsuri—Fall Festival
  Japan Center, San Francisco
  Saturday, noon–4:30 pm
  Come celebrate Aki Matsuri, fall festival marking the 50th Anniversary of Japan Center! Featuring top Japanese cultural groups of San Francisco and greater bay area in Japanese drumming, dance, martial arts, and more!  Two stages of performances, demonstrations, and workshops. Bring the whole family for a day of culture and art! Free. Event details
• Not So Scary Halloween Party
  Marin City Library
  Saturday, 1–3 pm
  Please join us for our 4th Annual Not So Scary Halloween Party filled with ghoulish games, creepy crafts, and terrible treats! Location: at the corner of Donahue and Drake in the Gateway Shopping Center (behind Target). Event details
• Pumpkins on Pikes
  Tara Firma Farms, Petaluma
  Saturday, 2–10 pm
  The festivities start in the afternoon with great food, music and pumpkin carving. Everyone will get the chance to display their Jack-O-Lantern on a pike in the corn field. When the sun goes down the pumpkins are lit. It is a truly heart warming feeling looking over the glowing corn field to see the individual creations of all who attend. Free pumpkin with admission. Cost: $20 per person, children 6 and under are free. You can also purchase a $10 BBQ plate. Location: 3796 I Street Ext., Petaluma. Event details
• Ohlone Big Time Gathering
  San Francisco Presidio
  Saturday, noon–10 pm
  The Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe will host the 7th Annual Big Time Gathering in the Presidio of San Francisco at Rob Hill Campground. This year’s theme is “7 Generations”. Full day of cultural presentations and prayers by our California Native Communities, our relatives to the south, and our relatives across the ocean, all celebrating the seventh generation. Raffles, storytelling, clapstick competition, special guest speakers and much more! Event details
• Trick-or-Treat Trail & Boo Bash
  Main Street, Tiburon & Belvedere Community Park
  Saturday, 4:30–9 pm
  Trick or treat down Tiburon's Main Street with our downtown merchants from 4:30–6:30 pm. Follow the pumpkin-lit trail all the way to the Belvedere Park for a Halloween carnival and Halloween movie in the park from 6:30–9 pm; movie begins at 7 pm. Bring your carved pumpkins prior to the event to be a part of the pumpkins lining the streets from Tiburon to Belvedere! The goal is to have 500 carved pumpkins. Event details
• Oktoberfest
  Greek Orthodox Church, Novato
  Saturday, 5:30–10 pm
  This traditional October celebration features live polka music and dance lessons, and a dinner of traditional Oktoberfest fare, like brats, sauerkraut, potato salad, and more. And it wouldn’t be Oktoberfest without pretzels and beer, served up at the Rotary’s no-host bar. Tickets: $50, includes dinner and one drink. Event details
• The Not-So-Scary Halloween Magic Show
  Novato City Hall
  Saturday, 6–7 pm
  It's a magic show full of Halloween fun appropriate for all ages! Bring your ghosts and goblins, your superheroes and your fairies as tricks reign over treats in this silly, fun, laughter-filled show. Free. Location: 901 Sherman Avenue, Novato. Event details
• Indoor Power Play
  Cal Star Gymnastics, Novato
  Saturday, 6–9 pm
  Drop the kiddos ( K-8 th grade) for some indoor fun. They can run, jump and play in an open gymnastics environment. Bring the kids in on a rainy day or any day to burn some energy. Cost: $30/ per child. Location: 70 Digital Drive, Suite #3 in Novato. Event details
• Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• The Great Peter Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Petaluma Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Godmothers Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• McClelland's Dairy Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).

Sunday, October 21

• Civic Center Farmers' Market
  Marin Civic Center, San Rafael
  Sunday, 8 am–1 pm
  There's lots of organically grown produce, breads, eggs, and fresh cut flowers, as well as live music, bounce houses, and more. This farmers' market is a great one to take the kids to. It’s located in the main Civic Center parking lot. Event details
• Jog with a Ranger
  Rush Creek, Novato
  Saturday, 9–10 am
  Join a ranger for great exercise and awesome morning views of the marshland. This slow-paced (10-minute mile) trail run begins at the park entrance off Binford Road. We'll continue for 3.3 miles on a relatively flat fire road. Fun for all ages. Friendly dogs on leash are welcome. Location: Meet at the Pinheiro Fire Rd gate on Binford Rd in Novato. Event details.
• MALT Day at the Pumpkin Patch
  Nicasio Valley Farms
  Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
  Bring the kids to this Marin Agricultural Land Trust-protected farm in Nicasio for pumpkin picking, pony rides, hay rides and mazes, music, delicious food, activities, farm animals, farm stand, and bouncy house, and slide. Pick an organic pumpkin, taste local cider and treats, and let the kids go crazy with crafts at MALT Day! Tim Cain will perform at 11 am. Location: 5300 Nicasio Valley Road (1/4 mile north of Nicasio square). Free admission. Event details
• Petaluma Mothers Club Fall Carnival
  Kenilworth Junior High School, Petaluma
  Sunday, 10 am–1 pm
  Bring the entire family to the annual Fall Carnival! This event is open to all. Admission is free, with tickets available for purchase that can be used for a variety of games, amusements and concessions. Location: 800 Riesling Road, Petaluma. Event details
• Community Music Day
  Crowden Music Center, Berkeley
  Sunday, 10 am–3 pm
  Community Music Day is Crowden's annual musical carnival for all ages. Join Crowden, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, San Francisco Girls Chorus, and East Bay Music Together for musical fun throughout the day. Free. Location: 1475 Rose Street, Berkeley. Event details
• Free Community Day
  Exploratorium, San Francisco
  Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Come visit the Exploratorium on October 22 when they open our doors to the public for free. Pier 15 (Embarcadero at Green Street), San Francisco. Event details
• Sunday Special: A Gentle Halloween with Silly Goose and Val
  Mill Valley Public Library, Main Reading Room
  Sunday, 11–11:45 am
  Families will laugh and sing, hoot and holler with Silly Goose and her human friend Val. From songs like “Halloween,” that deals with friends wearing masks and pretending to be frightening, to “Ghostie Pie,” about the ghost who is afraid of Halloween, children will walk, jump, hop to the Haunted House; dance with skeletons, witches, pumpkins, and goblins; and help one little ghost learn who to boo! Location: 375 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Tim Cain Performs at the Pumpkin Patch
  Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
  Sunday, 11 am–noon
  Tim Cain will perform at Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch in Nicasio on Sunday at 11 am. Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch is located at 5300 Nicasio Valley Rd (1/4 mile north of Nicasio square) and are open daily from 10 am–6 pm. Pumpkin picking, hay rides, farm animals, jumpy houses, farm stand, BBQ on the weekends. For more info, call (415) 662-9100.
• Presidio Picnic
  Presidio, Main Parade Ground in San Francisco
  Sunday, 11 am–4 pm
  Presidio Picnic is free and open to the public, and takes place rain or shine on the Presidio’s beautiful Main Parade Ground, an expansive seven-acre lawn with amazing views of the park, the city and San Francisco Bay. In addition to the new monthly cultural dance performances, Presidio Picnic will feature more than 25 international mobile food creators, music, lawn games, yoga, bike safety classes, and nature-based crafts for kids. Location: Presidio, Main Parade Ground in San Francisco. Event details
• Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• The Great Peter Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Nicasio Valley Farms Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Petaluma Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Godmothers Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• McClelland's Dairy Pumpkin Patch (see Friday for details).
• Halloween House Workshops (see Friday for details)