Here are this month’s top family activities around the Bay Area.
1
Avenida de Altares
Celebrate Día de Los Muertos with a glowing river of lights, altars and music, including a performance by the Grammy-winning band Ozomatli. There will be hands-on art activities, a costume contest, lucha libre matches and more.
5:30-11pm. FREE.
Mexican Heritage Plaza, 17 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose
schoolofartsandculture.org/avenida-de-altares
Día de los Muertos
This celebration honors departed ancestors and loved ones with sand painting with stencils, vibrant cultural storytelling, giant skeleton puppets and a lively Calaveras procession led by Teatro Familia Aztlán.9:30am-4:30pm. FREE with admission of $18, infants FREE.
Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, 180 Woz Way, San Jose
cdm.org/event/dia-de-los-muertos
Halloween Hoopla
Enjoy family-friendly frights and delights for children under 10 and their adults. The event will feature performances by Circus Bella, crafts and activities and a Halloween costume parade. 12-3pm. FREE.
Children’s Garden, Yerba Buena Gardens, 799 Howard St., San Francisco
ybgfestival.org/event/halloween-hoopla-2025
Zoppé Italian Family Circus
THROUGH NOV. 30. This legendary European one-ring circus returns for its 18th year with a central story featuring acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, clowning and plenty of audience participation. Ticket prices TBA.
Main Library Parking Lot, 1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City
2
30th Annual Día de los Muertos Festival
Enjoy live music and food, altar exhibits, Aztec rituals, rides and games, local artisans and more. 10am-5pm. FREE admission.
Fruitvale Village, International Boulevard at Fruitvale Avenue, Oakland
unitycouncil.org/program/diaoakland
5
Safeway Holiday Ice Rink
THROUGH JAN. 19. This beloved holiday tradition kicks off today at 5pm with on-ice performances and special appearances. The first 100 guests skate for free at the 5:30 and 7pm sessions. There are special events throughout the season, and hour-long sessions start every 90 minutes. $22, $17 ages 8 and under; prices include skate rental.
Union Square, Geary and Powell streets, San Francisco
7
“Annie”
THROUGH NOV. 23. Palo Alto Players presents this heartwarming musical about a spunky orphan seeking her forever home. Tonight is pick-your-price preview night with tickets from $20-40. A “relaxed” performance for those with special needs and young children is scheduled for Nov. 15 at 2pm. Recommended for ages 4 and up; no one under 3 admitted. $53-63 adult, $35-39 ages 3-18.
Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
Glowfari
THROUGH JAN. 25. This popular festival returns with larger-than-life lanterns celebrating animals and conservation. 4:30-9pm. Ticket prices TBA.
Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland
Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink
THROUGH JAN. 4. The rink opens for the season with skating performances, carolers and Olympic gold medalist Yamaguchi cutting the ribbon. 6pm. See website for season details.
City Center Bishop Ranch, 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon
https://www.citycenterbishopranch.com/events/kristi-yamaguchi-holiday-ice-rink-grand-opening/
8
“Disney’s Newsies”
ALSO NOV. 9, 12-16. Playful People Productions presents two casts of teen and adult performers in this Tony Award-winning musical based on the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899. $30 adult, $25 ages 13-17, $22 ages 12 and under.
Historic Hoover Theatre, 1635 Park Ave., San Jose
“Shrek the Musical”
ALSO NOV. 9, 15-16. Peninsula Youth Theatre presents the tale of an unlikely hero, a wisecracking donkey, a feisty princess and more. $28 in person, $32 online.
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts MainStage, 500 Castro St., Mountain View
14
“Fiddler on the Roof”
ALSO NOV. 15-16, 21-23. Children’s Musical Theater San Jose Rising Stars, ages 11-15, present this beloved tale about family and tradition. Ticket prices TBA.
1545 Parkmoor Ave., San Jose
San Mateo on Ice
THROUGH JAN. 11. This outdoor ice rink features 11,000 square feet of real ice for skating in the sunshine or under the stars. Free community skate days are scheduled for Nov. 18 and Dec. 10 and 17. Tickets must be purchased online. Public skate sessions are $19-23.
Central Park, 50 E. Fifth Ave., San Mateo
15
“IlluminOdyssey”
THROUGH JAN. 25. Explore this annual wintertime light exhibit which combines art and science in fun hands-on activities. $27.95 adults, $23.95 youth over age 1.
CuriOdyssey,1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo
“KAWS: Family”
Through MAY 3. This is the first major museum exhibit on the West Coast of the artist KAWS, including paintings, drawings and sculptures, as well as advertising interventions, product collaborations and limited-edition collectible toys using recurring characters and pop culture appropriations. $30 admission, 18 and under FREE.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 151 Third St., San Francisco
20
“Glow”
THROUGH JAN. 25. In this annual winter exhibition, artists illuminate the Exploratorium with luminous artworks that dazzle and surprise. Listen to the sounds of color, relax under giant mechanical bubbles, wander a city of shadows and more. Included with admission of $39.95 adults, $29.95 ages 4-17, under 3 FREE.
Exploratorium, Pier 15, Embarcadero at Green Street, San Francisco
exploratorium.edu/visit/calendar/glow
21
Blinky’s Holiday Drive-Thru
ALSO NOV 22-23 and NOV. 28-DEC. 31. Drive through more than a mile of holiday displays with 200,000 lights synced to holiday tunes. New this year is a holiday festival with rides and food. 5-9 Mon.-Thu., 5-10 Fri.-Sun. Purchase timed tickets online. $40 per car.
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road, San Jose
https://christmasinthepark.myshopify.com/products/blinkys-drive-thru-2025-opening-weekend-november-17-2025-november-23-2025
Walnut Creek on Ice
THROUGH JAN. 16. Celebrate the 20th anniversary of this seasonal outdoor rink. There is also an ice slide. 90-minute sessions are $20, including skate rental.
1365 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek
22
Holidays at Filoli
THROUGH JAN. 11. See the historic estate and gardens transformed into a winter wonderland. New this year, there will be three different experiences: “Gilded,” a daytime journey through the timeless elegance of the decorated house and garden; “Thistlewyck,” an enchanting village in the redwoods, and “Holiday Lights,” an immersive evening of glowing wonder. See website for details. $39-49 adults, $29-19 ages 5-18.
Filoli Historic House and Garden, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
THROUGH DEC. 21. This sprawling recreation of 19th-century London is populated by hundreds of costumed characters from literature and history, with entertainment, food, children’s activities and more. This year pays special tribute to Lewis Carroll and his “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” 10am-6pm Sat.-Sun., plus Nov. 28. $45 adult, $25 youth.
The Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City
Polar Play Days
THROUGH JAN. 4. Explore the magic (and science) of winter and the joy of the holiday season with creative activities, hands-on experiments and fun-filled adventures from DIY holiday crafts days to a Sock Skating Rink. $28 and up.
The Tech Interactive, 201 S. Market St., San Jose
Welcome Winter Night
The California Academy of Sciences kicks off the winter season with visiting reindeer (for one night only this year), crafts, magic shows, cookie decorating and evening access to the exhibits and planetarium. 6-9:30pm. $44.99 adults, $19.99 ages 3-17, 2 and under FREE.
California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco
calacademy.org/events/special-events/welcome-winter-night
23
“Home Alone”
Celebrate the 35th anniversary of this beloved holiday classic with a screening and post-show interview with star Macaulay Culkin. Also Nov. 24 in Oakland. 7:30pm. $61-306.
San Jose Civic, 135 West San Carlos St., San Jose
28
“Barbie the Movie: In Concert”
ALSO NOV. 29. 7:30pm. Watch “Barbie the Movie” as the San Francisco Symphony performs both the score and beloved pop songs from the iconic soundtrack. Rated PG-13. 7:30pm. $59 and up.
Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
Christmas in the Park
THROUGH JAN. 1. This 2-acre event is a holiday fantasy with over 40 musical and animated exhibits and glittering lights. It opens today with the lighting of the 60-foot Community Giving Tree. 12-10pm daily. FREE.
Plaza De Cesar Chavez, Market Street, San Jose
29
“The Velveteen Rabbit”
THROUGH DEC. 7. ODC/Dance returns to the stage with the 39th anniversary of this Bay Area holiday tradition based on the beloved classic children’s book. Featuring students from ODC’s Youth and Teen Program, it has larger-than-life storybook and madcap characters, a delightful musical score and the perfect amount of holiday cheer. 11am weekdays and Sat., 2pm Sun. $30 and up.
Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA, 700 Howard St, San Francisco