Family Weekend Guide

San Francisco Bay Area family weekend: Friday, October 30 – Sunday, November 1

226 events for the weekend of Oct 30–Nov 1, with 211 free and 223 indoors.

Updated

Age
Area
Cost
Weather
Days (pick any)

Top picks this weekend

Big outings first: festivals, farms, shows and attractions, mixing free and paid, for a range of ages.

Oct 17 – Nov 1

Boo at the Zoo at Oakland Zoo

Oakland Zoo — Oakland · Alameda Co. · East Bay

Weekend Halloween festivities with trading-card hunts and Saturday costume contests.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Paid

Saturdays and Sundays, Oct 17–Nov 1. Admission details on the zoo site.

Details at Oakland Zoo ↗
Oct 17 – Oct 31

Goblin Jamboree at Bay Area Discovery Museum

Bay Area Discovery Museum — Sausalito · Marin Co. · North Bay

A just-spooky-enough Halloween festival that takes over the museum with hands-on activities.

  • Ages 0-2
  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Big outing
  • Paid: $30 general admission; $5 members

Weekends Oct 17–18, 24–25 and Oct 31. Tickets required, including for members.

Details at Bay Area Discovery Museum ↗

Museums, gardens & more

Fri, Oct 30 · 1pm–2pm

SPACETIME

Chabot Space & Science Center — Oakland · Alameda Co. · East Bay

12 minutes all ages Telescopes built to detect electromagnetic waves, like visible light, infrared, radio waves, and other forms, give us the ability to see objects and…

  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Cost not listed
  • Indoors
Details at Chabot Space & Science Center ↗
Fri, Oct 30 · 2pm–3pm

Phantom of the Universe

Chabot Space & Science Center — Oakland · Alameda Co. · East Bay

Phantom of the Universe: The Hunt For Dark Matter 25 minutes Ages 8 and up An exciting exploration of dark matter, from the Big Bang to its anticipated discovery at the…

  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Cost not listed
  • Indoors
Details at Chabot Space & Science Center ↗
Sat, Oct 31 · 11am–12pm

Lunaverse

Chabot Space & Science Center — Oakland · Alameda Co. · East Bay

16 minutes All ages “ Lunaverse ” explores the nature of Earth’s moon: its motion and phases, lunar and solar eclipses, tides, and the Moon’s origin.

  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Cost not listed
  • Indoors
Details at Chabot Space & Science Center ↗
Sat, Oct 31 · 12pm–1pm

Phantom of the Universe

Chabot Space & Science Center — Oakland · Alameda Co. · East Bay

Phantom of the Universe: The Hunt For Dark Matter 25 minutes Ages 8 and up An exciting exploration of dark matter, from the Big Bang to its anticipated discovery at the…

  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Cost not listed
  • Indoors
Details at Chabot Space & Science Center ↗
Sat, Oct 31 · 2pm–3pm

Tales of the Maya Skies

Chabot Space & Science Center — Oakland · Alameda Co. · East Bay

35 minutes All ages Through the magic of technology and imagination, you are about to take a trip across time and space to visit a world as it no longer exists today:…

  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Cost not listed
  • Indoors
Details at Chabot Space & Science Center ↗
Sat, Oct 31 · 3pm–4pm

Aurora Storm

Chabot Space & Science Center — Oakland · Alameda Co. · East Bay

Aurora Storm 11 minutes Ages 8 and up Aurora Storm explores the captivating northern lights and how different cultures and explorers have experienced them.

  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Cost not listed
  • Indoors
Details at Chabot Space & Science Center ↗
Sun, Nov 1 · 11am–12pm

Aurora Storm

Chabot Space & Science Center — Oakland · Alameda Co. · East Bay

Aurora Storm 11 minutes Ages 8 and up Aurora Storm explores the captivating northern lights and how different cultures and explorers have experienced them.

  • Ages 3-5
  • Ages 6-10
  • 11+
  • Cost not listed
  • Indoors
Details at Chabot Space & Science Center ↗

Library storytimes & programs (211, free)

From San Francisco, Oakland, San José, Alameda County, Contra Costa County, San Mateo County and Santa Clara County public libraries. Some need registration; check the library page.

Friday, Oct 30

Time variesAll Hallow's Read · Morgan Hill Library, Morgan Hill 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
10:15amSTORYTIME · El Cerrito Library, El Cerrito 0-2 · 3-5 · Free
1pmA Taste of West · West Oakland Branch Library, Oakland 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
2pmArt Studio · Half Moon Bay Library, Half Moon Bay 6-10 · 11+ · Free
2:30pmThe Bike Fix · 81st Avenue Branch Library, Oakland 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
3pmLego Club · Portola Valley Library, Portola Valley 6-10 · 11+ · Free
3pmLEGO Club · Woodside Library, Woodside 6-10 · 11+ · Free
3pmMaker Exploration · Millbrae Library, Millbrae 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
3:30pmChess Club · San Pablo Library, San Pablo 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
3:30pmVideo Game Zone · Seven Trees Library, San Jose 6-10 · 11+ · Free
4pmFriday Fun · Willow Glen Library, San Jose 6-10 · 11+ · Free

Saturday, Oct 31

Time variesAll Hallow's Read · Morgan Hill Library, Morgan Hill 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
9:15amTalk & Clean · Elmhurst Branch Library, Oakland 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
10amLEGO® Fun · Evergreen Library, San Jose 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
10amOpen Sewing · Millbrae Library, Millbrae 6-10 · 11+ · Free
10amOpen Sewing · Half Moon Bay Library, Half Moon Bay 6-10 · 11+ · Free
10:30amFamily Storytime · Rockridge Branch Library, Oakland 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
10:30amFamily Storytime · Main Children's Room Library, Oakland 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
10:30amMusic and Movement · Educational Park Library, San Jose 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · Free
10:30amSaturday Storytime · Half Moon Bay Library, Half Moon Bay 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · Free
11amChess Hour · San Ramon Library, San Ramon 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
11amFamily Storytime · West Valley Library, San Jose 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · Free
11amLEGO Club · Rose Garden Library, San Jose 6-10 · 11+ · Free
2pmFamily STEAM · Calabazas Library, San Jose 6-10 · 11+ · Free
2pmLego Builders Club · Pleasant Hill Library, Pleasant Hill 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
2pmMaker Hangout · Belmont Library, Belmont 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
2:30pmHalloween Party · Berryessa Library, San Jose 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
3:30pmHalloween Crafts · West Oakland Branch Library, Oakland 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free

Sunday, Nov 1

Time variesGratitude Tree · Vineland Library, San Jose 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
12:30pmFamily Storytime · Hillview Library, San Jose 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · Free
1pmArt Club · Alum Rock Library, San Jose 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · Free
1pmEngineering Hub · Half Moon Bay Library, Half Moon Bay 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
1pmLego® Club! · Educational Park Library, San Jose 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
1:30pmMath Club · Vineland Library, San Jose 6-10 · Free
2pmBoard Game Zone · Seven Trees Library, San Jose 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free
2pmMaker Hangout · Belmont Library, Belmont 0-2 · 3-5 · 6-10 · 11+ · Free