Get in the holiday spirit with a visit to the Christmas House at San Rafael’s West End Nursery.

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.

Friday, November 16

• Holidays Along Farm Trails
  Sonoma County
  Friday–Sunday, various times
  'Tis the season to celebrate with our community. Join Sonoma County farmers and producers as they open their gates and barn doors to offer a behind-the-scenes peek at life on the farm. Shop their unique farmstands for your holiday meals, cut your own Christmas tree, make a gift at DIY workshops, greet farm animals, and so much more. Free. Register online for a complete list of participants. Event details.
• Christmas House at West End Nursery
  San Rafael
  Friday & Saturday, 8 am–5 pm, Sunday 9 am–4 pm
  Get in the holiday spirit and visit the amazing Christmas House at San Rafael's West End Nursery. This magical setting includes lights, decorated trees, and more. It's a holiday must-visit in Marin. Free admission; ornaments and decor are for sale. Location: 1938 5th Avenue. Event details
• 'Tis the Season for Science
  California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
  Friday & Saturday, 9:30 am–5 pm, Sunday, 11 am–5 pm
  Visit the Cal Academy this holiday season for indoor snow flurries, ice skating, live reindeer, a hands-on polar-themed exhibit, and live festive music. Event details
• Holiday Ice Skating in Union Square
  San Francisco
  Friday–Sunday, 10 am–11:30 pm
  Union Square, San Francisco's main shopping district, gets into the ice skating spirit during the holiday season with an outdoor ice rink sponsored by Safeway. 90-minute sessions start on every even hour. Admission: $11 for adults, 7 children 8 and under. Skate rental $6. Event details
• Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center
  San Francisco
  Friday–Saturday, 10 am–11:30 pm, Sunday, 10 am–9:30 pm
  Get ready to skate under the sun and stars along the beautiful waterfront at the largest outdoor rink in San Francisco. Admission: $12, $7 children 7 and under, skate rental $5. Event details.
• Novato Warehouse Fall Sale
  Bel Marin Keys, Novato
  Friday & Saturday, 10 am–5 pm
  On Friday and Saturday, many of the warehouses in the Bel Marin Keys will open their doors for direct-to-seller deals waiting for you. This semi-annual sale is one of the hidden shopping gems in Marin County and has been in existence for over 20 years! Shop for a wide variety of goods from food and wine to decor and fine art. Event details.
• French Storytime (L'Heure du Conte)
  San Anselmo Library
  Friday, 10:30–11 am
  For children of all ages and their parent or caregiver. Talk, sing, read, and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music in French. No registration required. Parents/caregivers are expected to stay with children during all storytime sessions. Free. Location: 110 Tunstead Avenue, Council Chambers, San Anselmo. Event details.
• NorCal Ice
  Northgate Mall, San Rafael
  Friday, 2–9 pm, Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–10 pm
  The NorCal Ice (formerly known as Marin on Ice) outdoor skating rink in San Rafael's Northgate Mall returns to offers al fresco skating. The rink will once again be located near the center's Oaktree Plaza and features 6,400 square feet of real ice. Skating costs $15 per person, which includes skate rental and all-day in-and-out privileges. "Skate Buddies" (the blue plastic chair-like supports) are available to rent for beginnners ($5 per hour). Event details.
•  2018 Winter Fireworks, Free “Disney on Ice” Show & Lighting Ceremony
  Embarcadero Center, San Francisco
  Friday, 4–7 pm
  Four iconic buildings lit with 17,000 holiday lights, fireworks bursting in the sky, and a magical show presented by Disney on Ice. The Building Lighting Ceremony at Embarcadero Center is a San Francisco tradition and the official start of the holiday season in the City.  The festivities begin at 4 pm with a family fun carnival followed by the building lighting ceremony at 6 pm. Free! Event details
• Tam Valley Craft Fair
  Tam Valley Community Center, Mill Valley
  Friday, 5–9 pm & Saturday, 10 am–3 pm
  Browse through a wonderful selection of gifts, holiday decorations, and handcrafted specialty items created by local Bay Area artists. Wood art, glass art, dolls, pottery, jewelry, hand-knit items, and more!  Free admission. Location: 203 Marin Avenue, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Friday Nights at the de Young
  de Young Museum, San Francisco
  Friday, 5–8:30 pm
  Join us for the return of Friday Nights at the de Young! All Friday nights will feature reduced admission to the special exhibition Contemporary Muslim Fashions, and free admission to the main-level galleries. Advance tickets to the exhibition are recommended and can be purchased below. Admission: Free to the main-level galleries and performances in Piazzoni Murals Room and Wilsey Court; tickets to Contemporary Muslim Fashions are reduced to $14 adult and $6 youth on Friday Nights. Event details
• Parents' Night Out
  Habitot Children's Museum, Berkeley
  Friday, 5:30–9 pm
  Drop off the kiddos (ages 2-7) for play and fun at Habitot while you enjoy an evening out! Cheese pizza for dinner included. Cost: $42 child/ $32 siblings. Register here. Location: 2065 Kittredge Street, Berkeley.
• Friday Night Jazz Concerts
  Marin Country Mart, Larkspur
  Friday, 5:30–8:30 pm
  
• Berkeley Playhouse: The Wizard of Oz
  The Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, Berkeley
  Friday, 7 pm, Saturday, 1 & 7 pm, Sunday, 2 pm
  Brimming with classic songs and Technicolor spirit, The Wizard of Oz blows its way into the Julia Morgan Theater for an all-new production of this American classic.  One of the most treasured stories of the 20th century, filled with the songs that made it an instant classic, this musical journey of finding home—and yourself—is this holiday season’s must-see family event! Tickets: $20–$45. Purchase tickets here. Location: 2640 College Avenue, Berkeley. Event details
• 23 Elephants Theatre Company: Les Misérables, School Edition
  The Playhouse, San Anselmo
  Friday, 7:30 pm, Saturday, 2 & 7:30 pm, Sunday, 2 pm
  Les Misérables is the world’s longest running musical—a true modern classic based on Victor Hugo's novel and featuring one of the most memorable scores of all time. Epic, grand and uplifting, with a powerful affirmation of the human spirit, Les Misérables is a popular masterpiece that has thrilled audiences all over the world. Tickets: $15 general, $28 reserved. Location: 27 Kensington Road, San Anselmo. Event details
• Mark Day School Presents Gulliver's Travels
  Showcase Theater, San Rafael
  Friday & Saturday, 7 pm
  Join us for the misadventures, of Lemuel Gulliver as he’s buffeted by the sea to the fantastical lands of little Lilliputians, giant Brobdingnags, strange scientists who float above the earth, talking horses more civilized than humans, and immortals who just want something good to eat.  Jonathan Swift’s scathing political satire is adapted into a frolicking spectacle of fun for young actors and audiences. Tickets: $$15 General Admission $32 Skylion (Plus Fees). Purchase tickets here. Location: 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. Event details
• Shrek the Musical
  Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma
  Friday and Saturday, 7:30 pm
  Everyone’s favorite ogre is back in the hilarious stage spectacle based on the Oscar-winning, smash hit film.B ased on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek The Musical is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure, featuring all new songs. Shrek brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there’s more to the story than meets the ears. Tickets: $20  Adults/Seniors 62+, $10  Child and $10  Child Front Row (Ages 3-9). Purchase tickets here. Location: 3333 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma. Event details

Saturday, November 17

• Free Ice Skating Lessons
  Union Square Ice Rink, San Francisco
  Saturday, 8:30–9:30 am
  Don’t know how to skate? Kaiser Permanente is inviting beginner skaters to the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines to come learn from professional skate instructors every weekend. Lessons are free (including skate rental) to those who sign up in advance, thanks to Kaiser Permanente. Signups are limited to 50 participants per session. Available for ages 3 to 300, lessons will take place every Saturday and Sunday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am throughout the season. RSVP here.
• Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
  Larkspur Landing
  Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
  Enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo for the kids from 10 am–2 pm, crafts by from 9 am–2 pm, children's music or storytelling from 9:30–10:30 am, and more live music from 11 am–12:30 pm, as well as fresh produce, prepared foods, and great local restaurants. Event details
• Tam Valley Craft Fair
  Tam Valley Community Center, Mill Valley
  Saturday, 10 am–3 pm
  Browse through a wonderful selection of gifts, holiday decorations, and handcrafted specialty items created by local Bay Area artists. Wood art, glass art, dolls, pottery, jewelry, hand-knit items, and more!  Free admission. Location: 203 Marin Avenue, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Open Cockpit Weekend: Acemaker Weekend
  Pacific Coast Air Museum, Santa Rosa
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
  Open Cockpit weekends at the Pacific Coast Air Museum are your chance to get up close to selected aircraft and look inside. We raise the canopies and open the doors to give you an unobstructed view so you can see what a genuine fighter plane, attack plane, transport, helicopter, or other type is like from the inside! This weekend, climb aboard training aircraft. Admission: $10 adults, $7 seniors 65+, $5 youth 6–17, free for children under 6 and active or retired military with ID. Location: One Air Museum Way, Santa Rosa. Event details
• Reindeer Romp
  San Francisco Zoo
  Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
  Zoo admission applies. Location: Sloat Blvd. at the Great Highway, San Francisco. Event details.
• The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
  Cow Palace, San Francisco
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–7 pm
  Experience Victorian London with hundreds of costumed players, shops offering one-of-a-kind gifts and Christmas treasures, dining, and pubs. Meet Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist, Tiny Tim, Jules Verne, David Copperfield, Charles Darwin, and 700 costumed characters. Of course, Father Christmas himself will be on hand to join in the fun. Tickets: Adult $30 (ages 13 and up), child $15 (5-12 years) and 5 and under are free. Location: Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave, Daly City. Event details
• Thanksgiving Feast with Snoopy
  Charles Shultz Museum, Santa Rosa
  Saturday, 1–4 pm
  Enjoy and help prepare a re-creation of Snoopy’s Thanksgiving meal of toast, popcorn, and jelly beans from the classic television holiday special, along with hands-on crafts, an ice cream dessert provided by Cold Stone Creamery of Sonoma County, eggnog from Clover Sonoma, and other fun family activities! Museum admission applies. Location: 2301 Hardies Lane Santa Rosa. Event details
• Family Nature Walks
  Spring Lake Regional Park, Santa Rosa
  Saturday, 1–4 pm
  Get the kids outside and let them explore Spring Lake Regional Park with a naturalist from the park’s Environmental Discovery Center. One-hour hikes start at 1 and 3 p.m. at the Discovery Center. Families can return to the Center after each hike for nature-themed crafts and to explore the touchable tide pool and other exhibits. The Discovery Center is at the park’s Violetti Road entrance. Parking is $7 or free for Regional Parks members. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bing a bottle of water. Heavy rain cancels. Location: 393 Violetti Road, Santa Rosa. Event details
• Lighting of the Historic Sonoma Plaza
  Downtown Sonoma
  Saturday,  5–8 pm
  The kick-off to the popular Holidays in Sonoma, join thousands of residents and visitors as we fill the historic Sonoma Plaza with the bright glow of a quarter-million lights. The evening will include music, performances, food trucks and the chance to visit the holiday displays around the 8-acre Sonoma Plaza. Event details
• Indoor Power Play
  Cal Star Gymnastics, Novato
  Saturday, 6–9 pm
  Drop the kiddos ( K-8th 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
• Campfire Program
  Sonoma State Historic Park, Sonoma
  Saturday, 7 pm
  Fall is here and our campfire fun continues. Join us for this fall warmup at our pre-Thanksgiving campfire in the historic Sonoma Barracks Courtyard next to the mission. Join in the fun with a short talk, songs and a marshmallow roast! All ages, free of charge, steady rain cancels. Event details
• Sing the Beatles II with the Quarry Persons
  Osher Marin JCC, San Rafael
  Saturday, 7:30 pm
  Bring the family and friends to “Pub J” for a fun evening singing along to Beatles songs accompanied by live performance by the Quarry Persons. Come and sing along to your favorite Beatles songs with all those memorable lyrics projected on the Hoytt Theater screen, sing, and get up and dance! Fun for all ages. The Hoytt will be set up pub style with concessions inside, cabaret table seating and cozy couches in the back. Tickets: $22 advance, $25 at the door; $5 17 and under. Event details
• Christmas House at West End Nursery (see Friday for details).
• NorCal Ice (see Friday for details).
• Holiday Ice Skating in Union Square (see Friday for details).
• Holidays Along Farm Trails

Sunday, November 18

• 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
• Alternative Christmas Fair

  Westminster Presbyterian Church, Tiburon
  Sunday, 9:15 am–11 am
  Westminster Presbyterian Church's Alternative Christmas Fair gives you the opportunity to give gifts benefitting charities and nonprofits locally and internationally. Location: 240 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon. Event details

• Nature for Kids at Las Gallinas
  Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, San Rafael
  Sunday, 10 am–1 pm
  Stroll around Las Gallinas Ponds to observe waterfowl that inhabit the area and look for signs of river otters often seen swimming in the ponds. No registration is required. Rain may cancel. Event details
• Songs & Stories with Megan
  Book Passage, Corte Madera
  Sunday, 10:30 am
  Bring the kiddos for songs and stories with children's music teacher, performer, and recording artist, Megan. Free. Location: 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. Event details.
• Family Mini Golf
  McInnis Park, San Rafael
  Sunday, 11 am–1 pm
  Rangers host a fun afternoon of miniature golf at McInnis Golf Center. Prizes for anyone who gets a hole-in-one! Meet at the Hillside Picnic area for Q&A and healthy snacks. This event is for children age 12 and under, who must be accompanied by an adult, though kids of all ages are welcome. No experience necessary. Water and healthy snacks provided. Rain will cancel. Event details
• Just Dance Academy Winter Performance
  Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium
  Sunday,  2 pm
  Audiences will enjoy an abbreviated version of the classical ballet The Nutcracker. This ballet is complete with beautiful costumes, classical ballet choreography, and all the characters and places audiences have come to love such as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, Clara, and the Land of the Sweets! Tickets: $27 adults, $22 seniors 65+ and children 12 and under. Event details.
• San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra
  Davies Symphony Hall
  Sunday, 2 pm
  Hear this “splendidly ferocious” (San Francisco Chronicle) ensemble of young instrumentalists perform Rachmaninoff’s hypnotically beautiful Piano Concerto No. 2 and Edward Elgar’s enchanting Enigma Variations. Tickets: $15. Purchase tickets. For more info, visit their website.
• Christmas House at West End Nursery (see Friday for details).
• NorCal Ice (see Friday for details).
• Holiday Ice Skating in Union Square (see Friday for details).
• The Great Dickens Christmas Fair (see Saturday for details).
• Holidays Along Farm Trails