All aboard the Pumpkin Patch Express, headed straight for Halloween fun. Photo by @thelizw, via the Sacramento River Train, Facebook
Best Halloween Events in San Francisco for Kids and Families
Find spooky Halloween fun around San Francisco with our guide
GUIDE
Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for San Francisco Kids
Fall into pumpkin season at Rancho Siempre Verde Christmas Tree and Pumpkin Farm. Photo courtesy of the venue
Best Harvest & Pumpkin Festivals in San Francisco for Fall Family Fun
Pick apples at Apple Ridge Farms and do all the favorite fall traditions at Apple Hill. Photo courtesy of Gina Ragland
Apple Picking Near San Francisco: Best Bay Area Orchards to Visit With Kids
GUIDE
San Francisco Fall Guide: Apple & Pumpkin Picking and Weekend Trips 2024
Delight in the wonders of the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Photo by Gina Ragland
37 Great Things To Do with Preschoolers & Toddlers in the San Francisco Bay Area
Swing by The Outpost at the Presidio Tunnel Tops for all the free fun. Photo by Sandra Lee
100 Fun Free Things To Do in San Francisco with Kids
Kiddos will love the arched drum bridge. Japanese Tea Garden photo by Nicole Findlay
Visiting Golden Gate Park with Kids: Everything You Need To Know
See giant redwood trees is an experience every family should have.
Best Places to See Giant Redwoods in California: A Family Travel Guide
Discover culture and cuisine when strolling through Chinatown with kids in San Francisco. Photo by Nicole Findlay
Chinatown with Kids: 18 Best Things To Do in Chinatown, San Francisco
Explore the City by the Bay. Photo courtesy of Gina Ragland
GUIDE
San Francisco Visitors' Guide for Families
San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf is packed with things to do for kids of all ages. Photo by xiquinhosilva, via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Fisherman's Wharf with Kids in San Francisco: 24 Best Things To Do
​Riding a cable car is a must when in San Francisco! Photo by Gina Ragland
Guide To Riding San Francisco Cable Cars with Kids: Everything You Need to Know
There's so much to see and do in San Francisco with kids. Cable Car by Vasile Cotovanu via Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
3 Days in San Francisco with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Kidmoto car service addresses the all-too-common challenge of getting families with young kids to the airport safely.
Kidmoto’s Airport Car Service Offers Safety & Comfort with Up To Five Car Seats
Hike amongst iconic landmarks. Photo courtesy of Nicole Findlay
Family-Friendly Urban Hikes in San Francisco
Admire the hundreds of animals at the Oakland Zoo. Photo courtesy of the Oakland Zoo
Oakland with Kids: 34 Best Things To Do in Oakland, CA
GUIDE
Weekend Getaway Guide and Day Trips for San Francisco
Take baby to the beach to admire San Francisco's most iconic landmark. Crissy Beach photo by Nicole Findlay for Mommy Poppins
39 Things To Do with San Francisco Babies Before They Turn 1
It feels like sitting on top of the world. Or, at least, on top of the Tops.
Exploring San Francisco's Presidio Tunnel Tops with Kids
Enjoy pretend play, art, science, and so much more at the Sacramento Children's Museum. Photo by Gina Ragland
Sacramento with Kids: 50 Surprising and Fun Things To Do in Sacramento, California
The Bay Area Discovery Museum has the most stunning view of any kids' museum. Ever. Photo courtesy of the Museum
100 Things To Do in San Francisco With Kids Before They Grow Up
Photo by Dnaiel Gorosteita via Pexels
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in San Francisco with Kids Guide

Fleet Week, Water Lantern Festival, and More Fun Things To Do in San Francisco This Weekend

The Blue Angels at 2023 Fleet Week. Photo by David Yu, via Flickr 2.0
The Blue Angels at 2023 Fleet Week. Photo by David Yu, via Flickr 2.0
10/2/24 - 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!

The Bay Area has some great events this weekend so the whole family can celebrate all things Fall, including much cooler weather! The biggest event that always draws crowds is Fleet Week, where you can see the famous Blue Angels do amazing tricks and turns in the air. Halloween is on the tracks at Roaring Camp for Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party, and don't miss Wicked in San Francisco before it closes for the year. 

Read on to see what else is happening this weekend, including a Swifty dance party, pumpkin splash, and more! 

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

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Wicked production photo ©Broadway
Wicked production photo ©Broadway

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

Fleet Week SF

San Francisco - FREE
Now Through Monday, October 14
Families with little ones who love planes, jets, and anything that flies won't want to miss Fleet Week in San Francisco The annual event is back, with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels performing a fully choreographed act for fans to enjoy. READ MORE

Kidquake

San Francisco - FREE
Friday, October 11
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

Water Lantern Festival Foster City

Foster City
Friday, October 11
Make some beautiful memories at the Water Lantern Festival. Each ticket includes a floating lantern kit, marker, LED candle, and bag to make a wish as you set your lantern to float away.  READ MORE

Wicked - San Francisco

San Francisco
Closes Sunday, October 13
Wicked returns to the Bay Area to again cast a spell on audiences. The Broadway sensation looks at what happened in the Land of Oz but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin who is smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets an exceptionally popular bubbly blonde, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships, until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other “wicked.” READ MORE

Storytime Science for Kids at the Exploratorium

San Francisco
Saturday, October 12
Bring your little scientist to the Exploratorium for a science-themed story about Halloween followed by a themed-related activity. Free with admission ticket.  READ MORE

Thomas and Percy’s Halloween Party

Felton
Saturday, October 12 - 27
Roaring Camp Railroads is hosting the opportunity to take a ride with Percy and Thomas all decked out for Halloween. Other activities include storytelling, video viewing, temporary tattoos, a pumpkin patch, and an Imagination Station with arts and crafts. Sir Topham Hatt will be there for meet n' greets.  READ MORE

Biketoberfest

Fairfax
Saturday, October 12
Take in the gorgeous Marin weather at Biketoberfest where families can see amazing bikes, jump on a group ride, and see all the new things happening in the bike world.  Hang out for the day and sample local brews, hear live music, and enjoy family activities at the Oktoberfest celebration! READ MORE

Thrive City Dance Party featuring Swifty

San Francisco - FREE
Saturday, October 12
Bust out your best outfit, bring friendship bracelets to share, and dance to your favorite songs! This event is all ages. RSVP while supplies last. READ MORE

Oktoberfest in Brentwood

Brentwood - FREE
Saturday, October 12
Downtown Brentwood is hosting a single-day festival to celebrate Oktoberfest with fun for the whole family.  Admission is free, with live music, dancing, raffle prizes, a dog costume parade, delicious food, and so much more.  READ MORE

Dia de Los Muertos Celebration in San Mateo

San Mateo - FREE
Saturday, October 12
Celebrate Día de los Muertos at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park in San Mateo. A free community event filled with activities for the whole family including games, altars, music, and more.  READ MORE

Art for All Family Day

Stanford - FREE
Sunday, October 13
ART for ALL Family Day is for all families and ages. Learn about artworks in the Stanford museums through hands-on art-making activities. Enjoy live music, storytime and scavenger hunts around the galleries. READ MORE

Sunday Streets SF

San Francisco - FREE
Sunday, October 13
This FREE, family-friendly program is all about bringing the community together in San Francisco neighborhoods. Streets are blocked from traffic, allowing kids to play freely, seniors to stroll, and local businesses to connect.  READ MORE

Day on the Bay 2024

San Jose - FREE
Sunday, October 13
Santa Clara County Parks and Supervisor Otto Lee's D3 office proudly present this fun-filled festival along the beautiful South Bay shores of Alviso. Enjoy community and wetland wellness resources, fun multicultural entertainment, kids activities, food trucks, free pumpkins for kids, free kayak rides, and more. READ MORE

BrazilianFest SF

San Francisco - FREE
Sunday, October 13
  This family-friendly and admission-free series of events has a rich entertainment program that includes dance classes, performances, live music, various Brazilian treats curated by local chefs, activities for kids, and much more. READ MORE

Pumpkin Splash in Pleasant Hill

Pleasant Hill
Sunday, October 13
Jump into PH Aquatic Park's floating pumpkin patch and pick your favorite pumpkin for Halloween. Once you pick your pumpkin, give it a silly face at the pumpkin decorating station on deck. READ MORE

Family Fun Horse Fair

Woodside - FREE
Sunday, October 13
The Horse Fair located near the Woodside Town Hall draws more than 1,000 people for free equestrian activities and info booths designed to encourage and educate the next generation of horse enthusiasts. Free pony rides, face painting, equine crafts, listen to a horse’s heartbeat, blacksmith demonstration, visit the Woodside Community Museum exhibition, live music and more. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: