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Presidents Day Weekend 2025 in San Francisco: 12 Best Things to Do with Kids

Penguin Valentines at Cal Academy. Photo courtesy of the event.
Penguin Valentines at Cal Academy. Photo courtesy of the event.
2/12/25 - By Sandra Lee

Happy Presidents Day and Valentine's Day weekend! See Penguin Valentines at Cal Academy, where felt hearts line the nests of the resident African Penguins in a pair-bonding annual tradition. Chinatown is hosting its most popular event of the year: the Chinese Lunar New Year Parade and Festival celebrates the Year of the Snake. Great Scott! Families can go where you don't need roads to the Orpheum Theater for the opening weekend of Back to the Future: The Musical. 

More Things To Do in San Francisco Bay Area This Week with Kids:

 

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Celebrate the Year of the Snake. Photo courtesy of the Chinese New Year Festival and Parade
Celebrate the Year of the Snake. Photo courtesy of the Chinese New Year Festival and Parade

Best Things To Do Presidents Day Weekend in San Francisco with Kids

Back to the Future The Musical at the Orpheum Theater

San Francisco
Opens Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Great Scott! Back to the Future, the beloved, cinematic classic is now a Broadway musical with its destination set for San Francisco in 2025. When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself... back to the future. READ MORE

Penguin Valentines at Cal Academy

San Francisco
Friday, February 14, 2025
See African penguins line their nests (great for pair bonding) with felt hearts at the Cal Academy for this adorable annual tradition. Learn about the important husbandry work done by the Steinhart Aquarium biologists and get in the Valentine's Day spirit.  READ MORE

Chinese New Year Festival and Parade

San Francisco - FREE
Saturday, February 15, 2025
It's the Year of the Snake and the city of San Francisco is celebrating with a big parade through downtown! Families can see all the floats, entertainment, and more starting on 2nd and Market St. and through Union Square.  READ MORE

Aquarium of the Bay Treasure Hunt

San Francisco - FREE
Friday - Sunday, February 14-16, 2025
Start yer adventure outside the Aquarium of the Bay or any participating locations around Pier 39. As you follow the map you will find collectible trading cards at each location. After you have collected them all return to the Aquarium to try and solve the puzzle where you will unlock treasures and discounts! READ MORE

WildCare's Wildlife Ambassador Zone Grand Opening Celebration

San Rafael - FREE
Saturday, February 15, 2025
This fun and family-friendly event will let you get “nose to beak” with WildCare’s wonderful educational animals, including Baja, the Brown Pelican, Trill the Western Screech Owl, Mohave the Desert Tortoise, and WildCare's newest Ambassador animal, Quercus the Acorn Woodpecker! The day will feature live animal encounters with WildCare’s Wildlife Ambassadors “on the glove,” with special presentations full of fascinating facts, wildlife-related crafts, raffle prizes, and more! READ MORE

Valentines Day Bird Loving Chocolate Tasting at Crab Cove

Alameda
Friday, February 14, 2025
What better way to show your love than to learn about and taste Bird Friendly Chocolate! Some cocoa is now grown under and alongside the shade of native trees, which provides food and shelter for birds and other wildlife. Attendees can taste some samples of organic, sustainable and certified chocolate guaranteed to help birds. READ MORE

Love and Peanuts Holiday Workshop at the Schulz Museum

Santa Rosa
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Celebrate the month of love with hands-on crafts. Make a mini “warm puppy” kissing booth, a Sweet Babboo sweetheart tree, and a cookie pizza for Snoopy. Led by Norene Cox, creator of partypinching.com and author of Sweet Treats for the Holidays and Party with Sweet Treats. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration at The Crossing

San Francisco - FREE
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Welcome in the Year of the Snake at The Crossing's Lunar New Year Celebration with lion dancing and festivities.  Lion dancing and speaking programs will begin at 2 pm. Other crafts and fun festivities will start at 1 pm.  READ MORE

Kids Night Out at Aran's Art Studio

Castro Valley
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Parents can enjoy a night out and kids can have a blast creating art at Aran's Art Studio. For 2.5 hours, teachers will guide kids to paint a fun design on canvas with step-by-step instructions. Pizza dinner is included! READ MORE

Community Street Fair SF Chinatown

San Francisco - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, February 15 & 16, 2025
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of San Francisco’s exhilarating Chinatown during one of the community’s most exciting times of the year. The SF Chinese Chamber of Commerce has activities and entertainment for all ages including Chinese folk dancing, opera, drumming and much more at the entertainment stage on Pacific St. below Grant Ave. Make sure to get a family photo with the giant puppets, dragon and other memorable artifacts from the Parade. READ MORE

Flight Simulator Rally at Hiller Aviation Museum

San Carlos
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Take up the challenge in the Flight Sim Zone at the Hiller Aviation Museum. The Flight Sim Zone features a full lab of high-fidelity flight simulators, each equipped with realistic flight controls, high-speed graphics processors, and dramatic widescreen-format monitors.  Using state-of-the-art flight simulation software, the Flight Sim Zone provides exceptional flight recreation suitable for non-flying novices and veteran aviators. READ MORE

Napa Lighted Arts Festival

Napa - FREE
Closes Sunday, February 16, 2025
This walkable, outdoor light experience is great for families of all ages to explore and admire the fantastic work of artists. 11 lighted art sculptures like the "Waterlight Graffiti" and "Elementa" display will be up for 5 weeks around downtown Napa.  READ MORE

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About the Author

Sandra Lee
Sandra Lee is the community publisher and social media manager for Mommy Poppins Bay Area. With nearly a decade of writing in the parenting space, she’s passionate about helping parents create unforgettable memories with their kids. Her work has appeared in Tiny Beans, Zulily, and more. When she's not exploring or creating content, you’ll find her baking or practicing her hip-hop moves.
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