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Free alligator education at Brazos Bend State Park. Photo by Sarah Banks.
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Veterans Day Weekend 2025 in San Francisco: Best Things To Do With Kids

Glowfari glistens throughout the Oakland Zoo. Photo courtesy of the zoo
Glowfari glistens throughout the Oakland Zoo. Photo courtesy of the zoo
11/5/25 - By Sandra Lee

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

Tuesday is Veterans Day, but honorable events are happening all over the Bay Area this weekend.

Have fun at Six Flags during its Veterans Weekend Celebration in Vallejo or in San Francisco at the city's Veterans Day Parade, both of which honor those who have served. Take advantage of Free National Park Day with a day trip to Yosemite or Muir Woods (valid on Tuesday), just be mindful that services might be limited if the government shutdown continues. Or, head over to the Oakland Zoo for the opening weekend of Glowfari.

To see all of our Veterans Days event, head over to our calendar and find an event near you. In the meantime, enjoy fall fun with fabulous family road trips, and discover more autumn adventures in our Fall Fun Guide for San Francisco Bay Area Families. 

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

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Best Things To Do Veterans Day Weekend in San Francisco Bay Area

STEM Fest at Bright Horizons

Multiple locations
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Join Bright Horizons centers across the country for STEM Fest. This is your chance to see science, technology, engineering, and math in action with fun, hands-on activities for you and your child. READ MORE

Glowfari

Oakland
Starts Friday, November 7
Oakland Zoo is up in lights for Glowfari, featuring hundreds of beautiful glowing animal lanterns scattered throughout. Families can walk around the animals of the forest with iconic wildlife, frosty friends of the Arctic, the deep ocean, and the Bayou swamp.  READ MORE

First Friday Night at CuriOdyssey

San Mateo
Friday, November 7
Come early and stay late on the first Friday of the month for CuriOdyssey's First Friday Night. With music, science, animals, and a cash bar, it's an event for parents and kids to enjoy together.  READ MORE

Legion of Honor 100

San Francisco—FREE
Friday, November 7-Tuesday, November 11
This year marks the museum’s 100th anniversary as part of the Bay Area’s vibrant cultural community.  Join the Legion of Honor for an opening weekend extravaganza and return throughout the year to explore a dynamic exhibition schedule, hear engaging stories about the art directly from curators through a new free audio tour and lecture series, and (re)acquaint yourself with beloved collection highlights and new gallery additions.  READ MORE

Second Saturday at Gamble Garden

Palo Alto—FREE
Saturday, November 8
Spend the morning at Gamble Garden exploring the three-acre garden with themed instruction and tours. Find flowing fountains, learn about worms and why they love certain months of the year, explore the cool properties of water and immerse yourself in the understanding of the ecosystem.  READ MORE

Family Nature Adventures: Fungi

Oakland
Saturday, November 8
  Learn about the fascinating life cycle of mushrooms, their role in the ecosystem, and how to identify various species. Enjoy a guided nature walk and venture into the forest with expert guides to discover different types of fungi growing in the wild and uncover their unique characteristics. READ MORE

Water Lantern Festival San Jose

San Jose
Saturday, November 8-Sunday, November 9
Make beautiful memories at the Water Lantern Festival in San Jose. Each ticket includes a floating lantern kit, marker, LED candle, and bag to make a wish as you set your lantern to float away with others in the community at Almaden Lake Park.  READ MORE

27th Annual San Francisco International Hip Hop DanceFest at the Palace of Fine Arts

San Francisco
Saturday, November 8-Sunday, November 9
Celebrate the art of hip hop at an all-ages showcase featuring iconic performances by premiere dance companies from around the globe at the two-day festival at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.  Enjoy a freestyle (soul train style) dance contest and a kids' freestyle dance session onstage after the Sunday 12pm show.  READ MORE

Veterans Weekend Celebration at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Vallejo
Sunday, November 9-Tuesday, November 11
Six Flags in Vallejo is hosting a Veterans Weekend Celebration to honor and appreciate the brave men and women who have served in the armed forces. This special event features patriotic ceremonies, military discounts, and exclusive experiences recognizing and celebrating veterans and active-duty military personnel. READ MORE

Family Day at Marin MOCA

Novato—FREE
Sunday, November 9
Spend a day making art at the Marin MOCA in this special, family-friendly program held every month. Kids have a chance to work with mixed media, clay, and painting taught by professional art instructors Wendy Ricks and Lauren Volk. READ MORE

San Francisco Veterans Day Parade

San Francisco—FREE
Sunday, November 9
Check out the annual Veterans Day Parade, starting at Fisherman's Wharf. Musical performances, floats, and more honor and celebrate all of our veterans.  First held in 1919 to honor the San Francisco 363rd Infantry Regiment of the 91st Division as it returned from France after the end of World War I, this year’s parade will include marching color guards and bands, including the S.F. Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band. READ MORE

Free National Park Day

Multiple national parks—FREE
Tuesday, November 11
Enjoy free admission to a variety of local parks as well as historical vessels for Veterans Day. Local parks include Cabrillo National Monument, Muir Woods National Monument, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Yosemite National Park, and others.  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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