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he Great Big BOO! is full of sweet, silly, and not-too-spooky Halloween fun for the entire family. Photo courtesy of Gilroy Gardens
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10/8/25 - By Sandra Lee

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list!

Families have so much to look forward to this weekend as San Francisco gears up for Halloween. 

Reserve your spot for the The Great Big Boo Camp Night at Gilroy Gardens, which includes dinner and admission to all the park's awesome special activities. Hear from children's book creators for two days of FREE meet-and-greets, book readings, and more to benefit the public K-5 schools in the Bay Area at Kidquake in San Francisco. Finally, immerse yourself in Mexican culture at the Dia de Los Muertos Celebration in San Mateo, complete with ofrendas, music, and games for the whole family. 

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

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Best Things To Do This Weekend in San Francisco Bay Area with Kids

Kidquake

San Francisco - FREE
Thursday & Friday, October 9 & 10
As part of the annual Litquake Festival, Kidquake consists of two days of in-person and virtual talks and meet-and-greets with a diverse array of children’s book creators, paired with activities run by the Bay’s best interactive educators. Each student leaves with a new book, and teachers receive a bag of books and other goodies for their classrooms. READ MORE

29th Annual Nostalgia Days Cruise + Car Show

Novato - FREE
Friday & Saturday, October 10 & 11
With the sound of classic rock ‘n roll floating in the air and a live band playing, thousands of visitors can admire hundreds of vehicles of all types, including classic cars, hot rods, trucks and customs.  Admission is FREE. The afternoon is capped off with a full slate of awards given to the best in each category as well as cash prizes for Best in Show and the People’s Choice.  READ MORE

Fall Fun at The Village at San Antonio Center

Mountain View - FREE
Saturday, October 11
Decorate pumpkins, dance to a live DJ, play lawn games, and be amazed by the magical bubbles from The Bubble Guy. READ MORE

In-Person Studio Series | Animate a Were-Creature (Youth Session)

San Francisco
Saturday, October 11
Beware the full moon, lest you dare face what lies beyond in the dark. Grab your gear for this spooky workshop as you look at how transfigurations from human to animal have been illustrated in animation. READ MORE

Dia de Los Muertos Celebration in San Mateo

San Mateo - FREE
Saturday, October 11
Celebrate Día de los Muertos at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park in San Mateo. Enjoy a free community event filled with activities for the whole family including games, altars, music, and more.  READ MORE

Art Walk Livermore

Livermore - FREE
Saturday, October 11
Mote than 200 artists display their works on sidewalks and plazas, in parks and galleries, surrounded by boutique shops, wine tasting rooms and restaurants in historic downtown Livermore. Art works range from contemporary to classical, abstract to realism, pottery to mixed media, handmade bags, ceramic garden art and jewelry, with subject matter from floral to figurative and much more. READ MORE

Fall Family Day in Richmond

Richmond - FREE
Saturday, October 11
Come celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with a performance by Danza Azteca Teokalli, hear from artist Luis Garcia, and get creative with hands-on art-making activities. READ MORE

Petaluma Pride Festival

Petaluma - FREE
Saturday, October 11
Bring the family for a free-to-attend, all-ages festival, featuring live music and performances, food trucks, libations, activities for kids and adults, and a community fair highlighting local resources, artists, and businesses. READ MORE

Diwali Celebration at the Purple Museum

San Jose
Saturday, October 11
Discover the meaning and rich traditions of Diwali at this festive celebration. Make a Diya lamp, learn about traditions, delight in Rangoli artwork by Tanisha Shah, and enjoy music and dance. Diwali is one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists.  READ MORE

The Great Big BOO Camp Night at Gilroy Gardens

Gilroy
Saturday & Sunday, October 11 & 12
These fun overnight experiences include dinner and a movie with popcorn at night, camping out under the stars, then breakfast and a full day of fun in the park the next day. READ MORE

San Carlos Art and Wine Faire

San Carlos - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, October 11 & 12
Check out more than 200 local artists showcasing their work, along with beer, wine, delicious food, and entertainment. The Kids Famiy Zone features magic shows, entertainment, puppet shows, and more. READ MORE

Woodside Day of the Horse Family Fun Fair

Woodside - FREE
Sunday, October 12
The annual Woodside Day of the Horse celebrates the unique equestrian heritage of Woodside and the extraordinary contribution horses make to the quality of life throughout San Mateo County.  This year the theme is "Safari Into the Wild." READ MORE

Crockett Oktoberfest

Crockett - FREE
Sunday, October 12
The fourth annual Oktoberfest celebration in downtown Crockett featuires live music, axe throwing, raffles, local vendors, and a jumpy house for the kids. Enjoy traditional favorites, including beer, pretzels, sausages, and more as you stroll around the downtown district full of shops, art galleries, restaurants, and bars. 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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