Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, starts on this Saturday, January 28.
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, January 27
- French Storytime (L'Heure du Conte)
San Anselmo Library
Friday, 11–11:30 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. For more info, Visit their website. - Free Chess Night
Mathnasium of Mill Valley
Friday, 6–7 pm
Stop by Mathnasium on Friday night for an hour of free supervised play for K–8th graders. All skill levels are welcome. Free pizza! Location: 247 Shoreline Highway, Suite A3. For more info, visit their website. - Penguins+Pajamas Sleepover
California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco
Friday, 6 pm–Saturday, 8 am
Experience your own night at the museum! Explore the exhibits after-hours and discover the deepest depths of the oceans, travel to the tops of rainforests, blast off into outer space at your own private planetarium show, and then settle in for story time after snacking on milk and cookies. When the lights go out, roll out your sleeping bag next to the California Coast tank or the Swamp window face-to-face with Claude the albino alligator. In the morning head over to the Academy Café for breakfast. Cost: $109 per person. For more info, visit their website. - Outdoor Movie Night: Escape from Alcatraz
PIER 39, San Francisco
Friday, 6–8 pm
Grab your blankets and head to the Carousel Stage at the Bay End of the Pier for outdoor Movie Night! Before the show, get a bite to eat at one of PIER 39’s restaurants, or take advantage of special giveaways and Movie Night discounts at participating PIER 39 businesses. At 6 pm, settle in for a free screening of the classic San Francisco film Escape from Alcatraz. For more info and to download coupons, visit their website. - Disney's Peter Pan Jr.
Showcase Theatre, San Rafael
Friday, 7:30 pm & Saturday, 5 pm
Come and see the amazing talents of the third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students of Good Shepherd Lutheran School’s musical theater class under the direction of Gretchen Simon mesmerize you with their live performance of Disney’s Peter Pan Jr. Based on the Disney film and J.M. Barrie’s enchanting play, it's a modern version of the timeless tale. Tickets: $25 adults, $15 student 8th grade and under. Purchase tickets here. Location: 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. For more info, visit their website.
Saturday, January 28
- Golden Gate Kennel Dog Show
Cow Palace, San Francisco
Saturday & Sunday, 8 am–5 pm
Dog lovers of all ages will not want to miss the upcoming annual Golden Gate Kennel Club (GGKC) dog show - the west’s premier “benched” show.Showcasing over 175 breeds, with 1500 entries a day, the GGKC event is an exciting and unique event for dog lovers who will have a rare opportunity at this “benched” show to learn about and get to know hundreds of breeds of dogs, all in one location over two days.Tickets: general admission $15, children (2–12 years) $9 and family plan (2 adults, 2 children) $42. Purchase your tickets here. For more info, visit their website. - Free Saturday Morning Yoga
Old Mill Park Amphitheater, Mill Valley
Saturday, 9–10 am
Practice a modification of alignment-based anusara-inspired Hatha yoga with a combination of breathing, standing, and seated postures in front of the beautiful redwood trees. Prepare to sweat, breathe, align, and stretch. Enjoy a fun unique environment of mindfulness and acceptance while strengthening your core, balance and long muscles. All levels welcome. Bring a mat and water bottle. No registration required. Location: Throckmorton and Cascade Drive. For more info, visit their website. - Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
Enjoy the best local and organic produce, flowers, pastured meats, seafood, organic cheeses, yogurt and milk, breads, baked goods, pasta, confections, olive oil, and brunch and lunch offerings! Kids can take a pony ride and visit the petting zoo (10 am–2 pm), try out some arts and crafts (9 am–2 pm) and listen to music (9:30–10:30 am). For more info, visit their website. - San Francisco Zoo Lunar New Year Celebration
San Francisco Zoo
Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
To commemorate the Year of the Rooster, the San Francisco Zoo hosts two weekends of Lunar New Year celebrations. Marvel at traditional Chinese lion and folk dance performances, go on a zodiac scavenger hunt through the zoo to learn fun facts about the animals found on the Chinese calendar, and stop by the Family Farm to see the roosters at the zoo. Guests born in the Year of the Rooster (1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, and 2017) will receive free admission to the zoo! Location: 1 Zoo Road, San Francisco. For more info, visit their website. - Lumacon-3rd Annual Youth Comic Convention
Lucchesi Park, Petaluma
Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
Meet well-known artists, illustrators, and writers of comic books and graphic novels, and gives local youth artists the chance to display and sell their artwork alongside the professionals. Children’s crafts, Live Action Role Play (LARP), a “Magic the Gathering” tournament, and a cosplay (costume) competition, and vendors will offer books, comics and food for sale. LumaCon! is brought to you by the Petaluma Regional Library, the Petaluma High School Library, and the Casa Grande High School Library. Location: 320 North McDowell Blvd, Petaluma. For more info, visit their website. - 7th Annual Whalefest Monterey
Downtown Monterey
Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
The event is a free fun family activity, celebrating the migration of the gray whales along the California coast. Whalefest also benefits local and national marine organizations that help bring awareness through their education outreach on the importance of protecting the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. For more info, visit their website. - Open House: Marin Waldorf School
San Rafael
Saturday, 10 am–1 pm
Marin Waldorf School, which offers eduction for children from early childhood to 8th grade, holds its open house at its San Rafael campus, 755 Idylberry Road, from 10 am–12:30 pm. For more info, call (415) 479-8190 or visit their website. - Open House: Marin Montessori
Corte Madera
Saturday, 10 am–noon
Get to know Marin Montessori at an admissions open house at their Corte Madera Campus, 5200 Paradise Drive. RSVP required; call (415) 924-5388 ext. 0. For more info, visit their website. - Marin Wedding Fair
Mill Valley Community Center
Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
The one stop shop to plan your special day. Stop by and meet a variety of talented photographers, caterers, bridal fashion designers, and event planners who can fill your needs and help make your wedding special. Free admission & parking! Location: 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. For more info, visit their website. - Civil War Living History Day
Fort Point, San Francisco
Saturday, 10 am–5 pm
Join reenactors from the American Civil War Association as they bring this 150-year-old fort to life with period uniforms, military music, talks, and demonstrations. We attended this event last year—read our article here. Free admission. For information, call (415) 556-1693 or visit their website. - Doing and Viewing Art: Processes of Painting
de Young Museum, San Francisco
Saturday, 10–11:30 am & 12:30–2 pm
Children ages 4 to 12 are invited on a guided tour of a current exhibition or the permanent collection, followed by a studio workshop led by professional teaching artists. Children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Free after museum admission and to museum members. Space is limited and on a first-come-first-served basis. Register 15 minutes before the start of class. Location: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco. For more info, visit their website. - Alladin and His Wonderful, Magical Lamp
Cowell Theater, Fort Mason, San Francisco
Saturday, 10:30 am and 1 pm
This year’s adaptation of Aladdin And His Wonderful, Magical Lamp tells the story of a poor street boy, Aladdin, in ancient Arabia who (with the help from 3 Genies, a dragon, a monkey, and his family) uses his wits to outsmart the evil and powerful magician, Jammal, and win the Princess Jasmine’s hand in marriage. Admission: $15 plus $2 processing fee. For more info and to purchase tickets, visit their website. - Bay Area Children's Theatre: Pippi Longstocking
Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 am & 1:30 pm
Annika and Tommy's new neighbor Pippi Longstocking has crazy red pigtails, a pet monkey named Mr. Nilsson, and a tendency to get caught up in one outrageous adventure after another! Whether she's fending off burglars, wrestling a circus strongman, or sailing away on a pirate ship, Pippi wins over even the sternest of hearts in this rollicking musical adaptation of Astrid Lindgren's beloved book. Location: 2020 Addison Street Berkeley. For more info, call (510) 524-2941 or visit their website. - Chinese Lion Dancers
San Anselmo Town Hall Lawn
Saturday, 11–11:30 am
Welcome the Lunar New Year with the famous Lion Dancers of the Marin Chinese Cultural Association. The lion dance is an important part of the rich cultural heritage of the Chinese people all over the world, and is thought to cleanse darkness and bring good luck, prosperity, and happiness. Free. Location: 525 San Anselmo Avenue, Town Hall Lawn, San Anselmo. For more info, visit their website. - Beads, Baubles, and Found Treasures
Paradise Beach Park, Tiburon
Saturday, 11 am–3 pm
Bring your creativity and a “found treasure” (sea shell, souvenir stone, bead, etc.) and join us at Paradise Park, where rangers will provide instruction in the ancient Viking skill of Nalbinding, a technique similar to knitting or crocheting. You’ll be able to use your found treasure in creating a pendant that you’ll be proud to wear! This event is ideal for all ages. We provide supplies and healthy snacks. No pets (except service animals) are allowed at this park. Rain will NOT cancel. Reserve your spot in advance, as this event is limited to 12 participants. Questions or to RSVP: Contact Ranger Maggie Guiott at (415) 435-9212 or visit their website. - Creative Family Fun: Lunar New Year Pellet Drum
Presidio Officers' Club, San Francisco
Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
Happy Lunar New Year! Pellet drums have been a New Year tradition in various Asian countries for thousands of years. Drum in the Year of the Rooster with your own pellet drum! Drop-in anytime between 11 am–4 pm. Free. Location: 50 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco. For more info, visit their website. - Kids Lego Club
Belvedere Tiburon Library
Saturday, 1–2 pm
Come and create something wonderful with Legos! We will supply Legos for you to make your own creations. Join the fun, no age limit. Kids under 5 must be accompanied by an adult. Location: 1501 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon. For more info, visit their website. - Music for Families: Music Around the World: Latin America
Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
Saturday, 2 pm
Join the San Francisco Symphony on a musical journey through the works of some of our favorite Latin American composers. From vibrant Mexican folk rhythms to the enchanting allure of the Argentine tango, guest artists like folkloric music group Vinic-Kay and vocalist Diana Gameros help bring the experience to life with unique instruments and musical traditions from different cultures. Tickets: $13.50–$64. For more info, visit their website. - Chinese New Year Celebration with the Flying Angels Chinese Dance Company
San Francisco Public Library, Presidio Branch
Saturday, 3–4:30 pm
Celebrate the Year of the Rooster with a performance of traditional and contemporary Chinese dance in the Presidio Meeting Room at the Presidio branch of the San Francisco Public Library. Free. Location: For more info, visit their website.
read more
This post first appeared on Marin Mommies | Resources, Events, And Activities, please read the originial post: here
