San Francisco Bay Area, CA family weekend: Friday, November 27 – Sunday, November 29

Glowfari at Oakland Zoo

Oakland Zoo — Oakland · Alameda Co. · East Bay

Illuminated animal lantern trail at Oakland Zoo (closed some nights incl. Nov 9, 10, 16, 17, 26).

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

ZooLights at the San Francisco Zoo

San Francisco Zoo & Gardens — San Francisco · San Francisco Co. · San Francisco

The zoo's all-new nighttime holiday light program, back for the first time since 2018, with rides open.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Separate evening ticket: adults $30, children 2-11 $21

Nov 6, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027, Wed–Sun; Fri and Sat until 10pm. Closed Mon–Tue.

Holidays at Filoli

Filoli — Woodside · San Mateo Co. · Peninsula

The historic house dressed for the holidays plus family-friendly Thistlewyck Village by day and garden lights by night.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Daytime and Holiday Lights tickets sold separately

Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027.

Lightscape at San Francisco Botanical Garden

San Francisco Botanical Garden — San Francisco · San Francisco Co. · San Francisco

One-mile evening trail of a million lights through Golden Gate Park's botanical garden.

• Ages 0-2
• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Big outing
• Paid: Adults from $32 ($27 members); youth tickets available

Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027.

Christmas in the Park San Jose

Plaza de César Chávez — San Jose · Santa Clara Co. · South Bay

Free downtown San Jose holiday tradition with decorated trees, displays and a giant tree.

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

Family Astronomy: Mysteries of the Sun

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

Join us for a family-friendly evening inspired by our closest star!

• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed
• Indoors

Unveiling the Invisible Universe

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

Unveiling the Invisible Universe 28 minutes Ages 8 and up For thousands of years humans observed the light coming from the night sky with their eyes.

• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed
• Indoors

Several showtimes; check the listing for times.

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

The Sun: Our Living Star

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

25 min Ages 6 and up, Adults The Sun has shone on our world for four and a half billion years.

• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed
• Indoors

C360: Year of the Dwarf Planet

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

35 minutes Ages 8 and up Everyone’s favorite underdog among the planets, Pluto has been an icon of dark mystery and murky expectation…until now.

• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed
• Indoors

Mars: The Ultimate Voyage

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

(25 min) Ever wondered what it will take for astronauts to travel to the Moon, Mars and beyond?

• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed
• Indoors

Mexica Archeoastronomy

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

20 min, 8 and up Through impressive scenarios, “Mexica Archaeoastronomy: between space and time” illustrates the important role played by astronomical observation for…

• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed
• Indoors

Several showtimes; check the listing for times.

Worlds of Curiosity

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

(15 min) Worlds of Curiosity dives into the questions of “What it would be like to live on an Earth with no Moon?” or “What if the Earth was tilted on its side, like…

• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed
• Indoors

Several showtimes; check the listing for times.

Big Astronomy

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

26 minutes Ages 8 and up Big Astronomy explores three observatories located in Chile, at extreme and remote places.

• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed
• Indoors

Ohlone Skies (mur taaraxtak)

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

(40 Min) Developed in partnership and solidarity with Cafe Ohlone, mur taaraxtak , or Ohlone Skies, weaves science and storytelling into a rich tapestry of Indigenous…

• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed
• Indoors

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

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

Several showtimes; check the listing for times.

Waiting Far Away

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

10 minutes All ages An explorer of the cosmos has traveled too far…and can’t find home.

• Ages 3-5
• Ages 6-10
• 11+
• Cost not listed
• Indoors