Experience the magic of the Mountain Play! Mamma Mia! premieres on Sunday, May 20.

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, May 18

• Endangered Species Weekend
  San Francisco Zoo
  Friday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Did you know SF Zoo has dozens of threatened and endangered animals? We’re celebrating all of them and raising awareness about Endangered Species Day (Friday, May 19) from Friday-Sunday. Conservation is at the heart of the Zoo's mission and you're invited to learn the importance of protecting endangered species as well as everyday actions you can take to help protect them.  Location: 1 Zoo Road, Sloat Blvd., at The Great Highway, San Francisco. Event details.
• Contra Costa County Fair
  Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, Antioch
  Friday–Sunday,
  The 2018 Contra Costa County Fair features the Xtreme Sports Zone, Kids Town America, Ag Venture Land, Midway of Fun Carnival live entertainment, animal shows, and more. Event details
• Maker Faire Bay Area
  San Mateo Event Center
  Friday, 1–5 pm, Saturday, 10 am–7 pm & Sunday, 10 am–6 pm
  Maker Faire is the Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth—a family-friendly festival that's part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new! It's an all-ages gathering of tech enthusiasts, engineers, tinkerers, hobbyists, artists, and more sharing what they've made and learned. Tickets: $25 and up. Location: 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo. Event details.
• Family Fun Night
  Children's Museum of Sonoma County
  Friday, 4–7 pm
  Have a family date night and play late at the Children's Museum! Explore interactive exhibits after hours. Or just have fun playing as the sun sets. Bring your appetite to enjoy pizza slices from Mary's Pizza Shack for $2 slice. Museum admission applies. Location: 1835 West Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. Event details.
• Friday Night Jazz Concerts
  Marin Country Mart, Larkspur
  Friday, 6–9 pm
  Come on down to hear Marsha Campagne at Friday Night Jazz. Free. Event details.
• 23 Elephants presents: Shrek the Musical Jr.
  The Playhouse San Anselmo
  Friday, 7 pm and Saturday & Sunday, 1 pm
  Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek the Musical Jr., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical.  It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance.  Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek Jr. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family. Tickets: $15 general, $28 reserved. Event details
• Campfire Program
  Chicken Ranch Beach, Inverness
  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. This event is ideal for all ages. All skill levels are welcome and no experience is necessary. Dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes. Don’t forget to bring a flashlight. We’ll provide all hot chocolate and s’more fixings. Friendly dogs are welcome, but must be leashed. Event details
• Katia and Company: Aladdin
  Marin Center Showcase Theater, San Rafael
  Friday, 7 pm, Saturday, 1, 4 & 7 pm
  Join Katia & Company on a magic carpet ride through Agrabah! Featuring 130 young performers from all over Marin County, this charming musical is sure to delight patrons of all ages. Directed and choreographed by Katia McHaney. Katia & Company offers fabulous summer camps and year round theatre programs. Tickets: $15–$18. Event details
• Spreckels Theatre Company: Peter Pan
  Spreckels Center for the Peforming Arts, Rohnert Park
  Friday & Saturday, 7 pm, Saturday & Sunday, 1 pm
  Based on the 1904 play by J.M. Barrie, the musical has been lifting spirits of young and old since its debut in 1954. When Peter sprinkles fairy dust on Wendy and her brothers and they soar into the London night headed for Neverland, the magic works on us, too, whatever our age. Join Capt. Hook, the Lost Boys, Tiger Lily and all the other fantastical characters as they fly through their adventures in Neverland. The show will make you feel just like Peter—“I gotta crow!” Tickets: $16–$26. Location: 5409 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park. Event details

Saturday, May 19

• 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). Event details.
• Free Saturday Morning Zumba
  Mill Valley Community Center
  Saturday, 9–10 am
  We take the "work" out of workout, by mixing low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness party on the lawn. Once the Latin and World rhythms take over, you'll see why Zumba Fitness classes are often called exercise in disguise. Check in at the Aquatics & Fitness Center front desk when coming for class. Location: Community Center on the lawn triangle behind the Center at 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Marin Eichler Home Tour 2018
  Various locations in San Rafael
  Saturday, 9:30 am–4:30 pm
  Marin Eichler Home Tour 2018 - The Marin Eichler Home Tour will feature a curated, diverse group of 12 Eichler homes, each one an exemplar of its model, in the Lucas Valley and Terra Linda neighborhoods of San Rafael.   Additionally, the tour will include a design raffle with some fabulous modern items that have been donated by Design Within Reach, Heath Ceramics, Rypen, Bend, and many other respected “modern” companies.Home Tour tickets are $75 each (design raffle tickets are $5 each) and all proceeds will benefit Can Do!, a 501(c)(3) non-profit education foundation in support of the Dixie School District. You can learn more about the event and purchase tickets now at www.MarinEichlerTour.com.    
• Novato Parks & Recreation Camp Day 2018
  Downtown Recreation Center, Novato
  Saturday, 10 am–1 pm
  Join the Staff at Novato Parks & Recreation for a morning of information, registration, & fun! This is the perfect opportunity to register your child for any of our awesome summer camps, meet camp counselors, and participate in some free family fun! Location: 950 7th Street, Novato. Event details.
• Safari West at Children's Museum of Sonoma County
  Santa Rosa
  Saturday, 10 am–1 pm
  Join Safari West the 1st & 3rd Saturdays of every month for hands-on scientific discovery at the Children's Museum! Our guides will share the wonders of nature through our rotating programming, featuring our bone collection and animal bio-fact collection. Safari West is a 400-acre AZA certified wildlife park in the hills of Santa Rosa, featuring African mammals and birds from around the world. Guests are personally guided on three hour educational safaris in vintage safari trucks to explore wildlife and natural wonders. Museum admissio applies. Location: 1835 West Steele Lane, Santa Rosa. Event details.
• Wildcare Family Adventures: Hiking Up Ring Mountain
  Ring Mountain Preserve, Tiburon
  Saturday, 10 am–1 pm
  Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve, has some unique characteristics to offer. As you climb the grassy slopes fantastic views of Mount Tamalpais, the bay, and San Francisco are all visible. Trails wind through rock formations, across tiny creeks, through wildflower-dotted hillsides, and under old coast live oaks and California bays. Petroglyph Rock, near the preserve’s highest spot, has rock carvings created by Native Americans. And the unusual geology of the preserve supports plants that grow nowhere else, most prominently the Tiburon mariposa lily, which blooms in May. Join Family Adventures in exploring this beautiful gem of an open space. Space limited; RSVP required. Event details
• Open for Exploration
  Martin Griffin Preserve, Stinson Beach
  Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
  Bring your family and friends! The Martin Griffin Preserve is open to the public. Learn about the wonders of nature and hike through redwoods, mixed evergreen forests, coastal scrub, and enjoy sweeping vistas of the Bolinas Lagoon and Pacific Coast. Hike 8+ miles of trails, learn from nature guides, view abundant plants and wildlife, visit newt ponds, discover natural wonders in the Curiosity Room, and more. Admission: Suggested donation of $20 per person. Event details
• The 124th Luther Burbank Rose Parade and Festival
  Downtown Santa Rosa
  Saturday, 10 am
  This is one of Sonoma County's most honored traditions and one of the oldest and largest events of its kind in Northern California. Parade takes place from 12:15–2 pm with marching bands, floats, roses, horse-drawn carriages, clowns, roses, roses, and more roses. Following the parade will be music, family activities, and food vendors at Juilliard Park. The awards ceremony for all parade categories will take place at approximately 2 pm. Juillard Park is located on Santa Rosa Avenue just south of Sonoma Avenue. Event details.
• Open Cockpit Supersonic 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. On May 19-20 we present four planes noted for their supersonic speed: The F-4C Phantom II, the F-106 Delta Dart, the Blue Angels F-4N Phantom II Cockpit Simulator, and the T-38 Talon trainer. Museum admission applies. Event details.
• St. Anselm Festival of Fun
  St. Anselm's School, San Anselmo
  Saturday, 10 am–8 pm
  This free family fun festival offers over 25 attractions, including carnival rides, prize games, music and entertainment, face painting, jumpy houses and slides, and more. Food and drink available for purchase. Admission is free, but tickets must be purchased for rides and games. Location: 40 Belle Avenue, San Anselmo. Event details.
• Help Build Novato out of LEGO Bricks: with Play-Well TEKnologies!
  South Novato Library
  Saturday, 10 am–2 pm
  Drop by the South Novato Library and help build Novato out of 40,000 LEGO Bricks! Families will have the opportunity to create the city of Novato, as they would like to see it at this free event. Location: 931 C Street, Novato. Event details.
• Water Safety Fair
  Coast Guard Motor Boat Station Golden Gate, Sausalito
  Saturday, 10 am–1 pm
  An exciting, free, fun family event at beautiful U.S. Coast Guard Station Golden Gate, near the north tower of the Golden Gate bridge. Come get a free life jacket (while supplies last), watch friendly Coast Guard dogs as they demonstrate how they detect explosives, witness thrilling helicopter rescue demos, take tours of Coast Guard vessels and the Coast Guard station, learn about boating safety, get a free boater environmental kit, bring your boat for a courtesy vessel safety exam, and take one of three free boating seminars. Free parking. Location: 435 Murray Circle, Fort Baker in Saualito. Event details.
• Open Cockpit Supersonic 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. This weekend, climb aboard a F-4C Phantom II, F-106 Delta Dart, a Blue Angels F-4N Phantom II cockpit simulator, and the T-38 Talon trainer.  Museum admission applies. Event details.
• Marin Home & Garden Expo
  Fairgrounds, Marin Center in San Rafael
  Saturday, 10 am–6 pm and Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Remodeling, Building, Landscaping or Redecorating? You MUST come to this show! Many of our vendors offer special "show only" discounts when you purchase/book their products or services at the show. Free admission & parking. Location: 10 Avenue of the Flags, Marin Civic Center, San Rafael. Event details.
• Salute to American Graffiti
  Dowtown Petaluma
  Saturday, 10 am–8 pm
  Celebrate the classic movie American Graffiti in the streets where it was filmed! Dance to live bands, check out classic cars, visit local merchants and vendors, and dine on delicious food. See Saturday schedule of events here. Location: Downtown Petaluma. Event details.
• Freighter Tots
  Freight & Salvage, Berkeley
  Saturday, 10 am
  In this song circle for kids 18 months–6 years, we’ll sing, dance to, and act out folk songs about things kids care about: things like animals, nature, vehicles, their bodies, family, friends and being silly. Little children can start to understand tempo and rhythm using toy instruments; parents and other caretakers can learn songs to sing and games to play with their children. Make music part of their lives! Music builds community. Cost: $10 per family. Event details
• Open for Exploration
  Stinson Beach
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
  Audubon Canyon Ranch's Martin Griffin Preserve is open for their spring and summer season. Visitors are encouraged to hike over eight miles of fern-lined trails, discover ponds with newts and other aquatic life, enjoy a picnic under the redwoods and explore our bookstore, as well as take in views of the birds on Bolinas Lagoon. Volunteer ranch guide naturalists are on hand to lead hikes and answer questions. Suggested donation: $15 per person. Location: 4900 Highway 1, between Bolinas and Stinson Beach. Event details.
• Bon Air Center Spring Fair & Market
  Greenbrae
  Saturday, 11 am–2 pm
  Visit the annual Spring Fair & Market, a free, family-friendly day of fun along the promenade. Enjoy locally grown and produced snacks, sips and desserts, chef demonstrations, live music, sidewalk sales and specials, prizes, giveaways, hands-on children’s activities, face painting, balloons, food trucks and more. Meet the people behind the products from nearby farms, food producers and businesses. More than 70 food and beverage purveyors, from Mollie Stone’s Markets and Bon Air shops and restaurants will share delicious bites and refreshing beverages. Event details
• Coleman Festival
  Coleman Elementary School, San Rafael
  Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
  Come celebrate art and the fantastic Coleman Elementary community at the annual Coleman Festival! Fun for the whole family and open to the public. Enjoy food, games, prizes, auction items, art and wonderful performances by our talented Coleman kids.The proceeds of the event benefit music, art, technology, and physical education at the school. Admission is free. Location: 800 Belle Avenue, San Rafael. Event details
• Taste of Town Center
  Corte Madera
  Saturday, noon–2 pm
  This free festive afternoon will offer bites of the tastiest seasonal dishes, as well as live music, face painting, balloons, prizes and more. Event details
• Spring Family Hike
  Spring Lake Regional Park, Santa Rosa
  Saturday, 1–4 pm
  Explore your local watershed! Learn how water flows through our parks and open spaces, and your own backyard. Join us the third Saturday of the month for short hikes to learn about our local plants and animals, while participating in a citizen science project. Program starts at 1 & 3 pm. Free. Parking $7 or free for Regional Parks members. Location: 5585 Newanga Ave, Santa Rosa. Event details.
• Young Performers Theatre presents: Peter Pan
  Fort Mason, San Francisco
  Saturday & Sunday, 2 pm & 4:30 pm
  Peter Pan loves to hear Wendy tell the Darling children stories through the open window of the nursery. Then one night after Peter has to sneak in to find his shadow. After Wendy has sewn it back on, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell whisk the children off to Neverland to be part of their adventures. Wendy, John and Michael become friends with the Lost Boys and Tiger Lily. Wendy takes good care of them all, so when Captain Hook captures her, Peter Pan and his friends comes to her rescue. Together with the ticking crocodile, Peter Pan puts Captain Hook in his place and the Darling children return to their home. This play is suitable for all ages. Event details.
• Music for Families: The Bold and the Brave
  Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
  Saturday, 2 pm
  The history of classical music is full of adventurous artists who did exactly that, from Haydn to Stravinsky to John Cage! This concert explores how these brave thinkers paved the way for future musical innovators, and even invites the audience to help the orchestra create a brand-new musical spectacle together! Come early and collect stamps for your musical passport, enjoy lobby activities such as the instrument petting zoo, coloring stations, and our conductor photo station. For ages 5+. Tickets start at $13.50 for youth. Purchase tickets here. Location: 201 Van Ness, San Francisco. 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.
• Headlands Nightlife: Family Night Hike & Campfire
  Marin Headlands, Sausalito
  Saturday, 6-8:30 pm
  Explore the mysterious lifestyle of nocturnal animals that start their day just as you're going to bed! Learn about special adaptations that allow owls, bats and other nighttime critters to hunt by moonlight. Cost: $15 per person. Register here. Location: 1033 Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito. Event details.
• Astronomy Night on Mt. Tam
  Mt. Tamalpais State Park
  Saturday, 8 pm
  This educational program is designed to give the public and students of all ages and backgrounds a better understanding of our universe by hearing about current theories and discoveries followed by an opportunity to observe through telescopes. Following the lecture, audience members are invited to the Rock Spring parking  area to view through telescopes provided by members of the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers. The observing session (or “starparty”) lasts from 1 to 1 1/2 hours, depending on the seeing conditions and the size of the crowd. Speaker: Laura Peticolas, Associate Director of Education & Outreach, Sonoma State University. Event details

Sunday, May 20

• 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.
• Spring Garage Sale
  Tam Valley Community Center
  Sunday, 9 am–2 pm
  Come shop 30 local vendors for amazing garage sale bargains and treasures. Location: 203 Marin Avenue, Mill Valley. Event details
• Sonoma County Kids! Gran Fondo
  Lucchesi Park, Petaluma
  Sunday, 9 am
  Children from all over will have the chance to challenge themselves on any of 3 different routes from which they choose. They can also choose to ride a bike, walk, run, roller skate, skateboard, wheelchair etc. on one of the 3 courses which include a 1-mile, 4-mile and 7-mile route. Parents (strollers included) and dogs are also welcomed to accompany their kids. The PKGF raises money for families of children facing life-threatening illnesses or disabilities. Event details
• Annual Plowing Play Day
  Jack London State Historic Park, Glen Ellen
  Sunday, 10 am–3 pm
  This free popular family event features historic farming practices, and free wagon rides around the historic ranch buildings. Enjoy learning about mules along with Clydesdale, Percheron, Shire, and Belgian draft horses. Demonstrations include blacksmithing, horseshoeing, early day gas engines and more. Travel back in time and experience real live horsepower at the Beauty Ranch, home of the famous author Jack London, who also raised English Shire draft horses. Event details
• Presidio Picnic
  San Francisco Presidio
  Sunday, 11 am–4 pm
  Presidio Picnic is a great family event that takes place Sundays on the Presidio’s beautiful Main Parade Ground, a seven-acre lawn with views of the park, the city, and the San Francisco Bay. Presidio Picnic features a rotating lineup of 25 international mobile food creators, ​free yoga class, free Presidio Y Bike learn to ride lessons for kids on the first Sunday of the month, a cultural dance program every 4th Sunday, and more. Event details
• Folkish Festival
  Marin Country Mart, Larkspur
  Sundays, 12:30–2:30 pm
  Get your groove on and enjoy the early summer sun (or fog, this is the Bay Area after all!) with Blithedale Canyon at Folkish Festival. The festival coincides with the weekly Off the Grid food truck extravaganza, so grab a bite to eat and listen to some great tunes! For more info, visit their website.
• Love2Dance Little Feet/Mini/All-Star Performance “Lights, Camera, Action”

  Showcase Theatre, San Rafael
  Sunday, noon
  Love2Dance will showcase its youngest dancers (ages 2-6) as well as the nationally ranked competitive dance team, the Love2Dance All-Stars in this fun and entertaining show. Dancing to popular kid’s songs in styles of dance that include ballet, jazz, hip hop, ballet and tap, the studio’s Little Feet and Mini dancers will warm your hearts and make you smile. Tickets: $20. Event details.

• MFCA 2018 Walkathon
  Shoreline Trail, San Rafael
  Sunday, 2–3:30 pm
  Walk for foster kids! The annual Walkathon provides crucial funding for Marin Foster Care Association’s educational programs, tutoring and enrichment, clothing, supplies, advocacy and support for foster children and the loving families that open their hearts and homes to local children in need. Event details.
• The Mountain Play: Mamma Mia!
  Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre on Mt. Tamalpais
  Sunday, 2–4:30 pm
  The Mountain Play Association presents the hit Broadway musical—featuring the music of ABBA—Mamma Mia! as its 105th production. All shows begin at 2 pm. Please arrive at least one hour prior to the show. Tickets range from $25–$45 general admission. Information for group discounts, reserved seating, and tickets are available at the Mountain Play website.