San Francisco Bay Area, CA family weekend: Friday, December 4 – Sunday, December 6

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Scouting Stars: Winter

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

Brief tour of the night sky. 15 min, all ages.

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

Several showtimes; check the listing for times.

Sunstruck

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

Sunstruck 21 minutes All ages Explore the sun in all its glory in this fulldome show.

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

C360: Inspired by Space

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

35 minutes Ages 8 and up Astronomy discoveries and art often go hand in hand.

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

Maya Archeoastronomy

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

20 minutes Ages 8 and up In a feast of colors and sounds, Maya Archaeoastronomy: Observers of the Universe makes a tour of six Mayan temples: San Gervasio, Chichen…

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

Einstein’s Gravity Playlist

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

23 minutes Ages 8 and up Einstein’s Gravity Playlist is an original planetarium show that explores the ripples in space-time known as gravitational waves.

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

c360: Cosmic Dance

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

35 minutes Ages 8 and up Got restless feet?

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

C360: When Things Collide

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

C360: When Things Collide 31 minutes Ages 8 and up Movies, mythology, and popular culture paint many pictures of the ways that our world might end.

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