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Holiday Theater, Physics Show, and More Great Things To Do in San Francisco This Weekend with Kids

Celebrate the season with the classic
Celebrate the season with the classic "A Charlie Brown Christmas - Live ." Photo by Kristen Loken courtesy of the San Francisco Symphony
12/17/25 - 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!

This weekend has winter films with live orchestras, fun with science and so many other events that are great for the whole family.

Check out Home Alone or A Charlie Brown Christmas in San Francisco played on the big screen while the score is performed live in real time.

Winter is a great time for science, and Chabot in Oakland is hosting its popular WinterFest, a two-day festival filled with icy worlds, planetary missions and more. Older kids can check out The Physics Show in Los Altos where they can learn all about the laws of nature in a fun, family-friendly show. 

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

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

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

Rudolph and Scrooge: A YC Holiday Double Feature

San Francisco
Thursday, December 18-Saturday, December 20
See young actors in a family-friendly play for all ages. The Fall Junior Actors Ensemble (grades 3–6) presents the classic animated TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jr. as act one. Act two features the Middle School Actors Ensemble (grades 6–9) in A Christmas Carol Project – a collection of scenes and songs from various adaptations of the classic Dickens story. Together, the shows explore themes of redemption, belonging, and the true spirit of the holidays. READ MORE

Storytime for Kids | Santa J. Claus is Comin' to Town

San Francisco
Friday, December 19
This December, the Walt Disney Family Museum is continuing a beloved tradition by welcoming back a very special holiday guest! Santa J. Claus will be making a stop at our theater to read T’was the Night Before Christmas and share his own favorite Disney memories and holiday traditions. READ MORE

Home Alone Film with Live Orchestra

San Francisco
Friday, December 19-Saturday, December 20
Experience the beloved holiday hit Home Alone on the big screen like never before, with John Williams’ exuberant score performed live by the San Francisco Symphony. Starring an adorable Macaulay Culkin, this hilarious and heartwarming comedy is holiday fun for the entire family.  READ MORE

Holiday Movie Night! A Charlie Brown Christmas and How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Larkspur—FREE
Saturday, December 20
Bring the family for a special holiday double-feature movie night. Start the night with Frozen followed by Eloise at the Plaza. Hot chocolate with marshmallows and hot toddies are available under the heated tent. READ MORE

Bayer Ballet Snow Queen

Mountain View
Friday, December 19-Saturday, December 20
See Hans Christian Andersen's Snow Queen live on stage for the holiday season. The ballet celebrates friendship, love, and courage, and resembles the top-rated Disney movie we all know.  READ MORE

The Physics Show

Los Altos
Saturday, December 20-Sunday, December 21
A fun science show for kids, The Physics Show is teaching families about the laws of nature. Exciting demonstrations and information for kids 5 and up, this 75-minute show is for both little and big kids alike.  READ MORE

Celebrating 60 Years of A Charlie Brown Christmas

Santa Rosa
Saturday, December 20
Celebrate the 60th anniversary of the classic animated special, A Charlie Brown Christmas with special guests, including Jason Mendelson of Lee Mendelson Film Productions and original chorus and cast members. Also, enjoy a live performance of music from the special by the Maria Carrillo High School Jazz Choir. READ MORE

WinterFest

Oakland
Saturday, December 20-Sunday, December 21
Bring the family for a two-day celebration that marks the launch of Winter at Chabot! The Center comes alive with festive energy. Enjoy live music, face painting, and special activities that blend holiday cheer with cosmic exploration. Meet Chabot’s science and astronomy experts as they share real research about icy worlds, planetary missions, and the search for life beyond Earth. READ MORE

Hip-Hop Nutcracker at the Fox Theater

Redwood City
Saturday, December 20
A cast of 35 all-star hip-hop artists come together to perform the Nutcracker in a whole new way. Keeping Tchaikovsky's score, but adding some musical twists, the story of a gifted wooden nutcracker takes Clara into a world of hip-hop dancing that is completely different than the world back home.  READ MORE

Winter on the Wharf

Santa Cruz—FREE
Saturday, December 20
Celebrate Winter on the Wharf with holiday decorations, Wharf specials and see Santa arrive on the Wharf by a vintage fire engine. Letters to Santa can be mailed out in a special mailbox, and kids can play in the snow with Elsa and Anna from Frozen, while enjoying custom balloon designs and face painting. READ MORE

Oogubi Wonderland: SantaGrinchCon Sensory

San Francisco
Saturday, December 20
Kids can enjoy three hours of calming, brain-developing sensory attractions, including foam parties, glow rooms, balloon globes, and messy play zones. Adults can hang back and enjoy food trucks, a beer garden, music, and uninterrupted conversations. It's an event for all families.  READ MORE

A Charlie Brown Christmas- Live!

San Francisco
Sunday, December 21-Monday, December 22
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the entire Peanuts gang are back at Davies Symphony Hall to bring this television classic to life. With live actors, an animated backdrop, and Vince Guaraldi’s timeless music performed live by the SF Symphony, this is a beloved holiday performance you won’t want to miss. READ MORE

Nutcracker Dance-Along at War Memorial Opera House

San Francisco
Sunday, December 21
Share the wonder of ballet with your family and experience the joy of dancing together. Led by SF Ballet’s professional teaching artists and SF Ballet School faculty members, this interactive, hourlong dance-along features workshops on choreography, and music, and the characters of some of ballet's most beloved productions. READ MORE

San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Spectacular

Rohnert Park
Sunday, December 21
Ring in the holidays with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus as it sings and dances to your favorite holiday classics, as well as some new surprises. Hear amazing music, laugh at the hilarious skits, and see sparkling costumes. 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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