Here are this month’s top family activities around the Bay Area.
Sept. 1
“9 to 5: A Labor Day Celebration”
Join the Golden Gate Park Band for a free concert honoring working people everywhere. 1pm. FREE.
Spreckels Temple of Music, Music Concourse, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
goldengateparkband.org/concerts
Sept. 3
“Into the Woods”
THROUGH SEPT. 7. It’s not too late to catch Sondheim’s ever-popular twist on classic fairytales, presented by Santa Cruz Shakespeare. Ages 6 and up. 2pm, also 7pm Sat. and Sun. From $48 adult, $23 ages 6-18.
The Grove, Upper Delaveaga Park, 501Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz
Sept. 4
“Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga Concert Experience”
THROUGH SEPT. 6. Watch favorite films on the big screen as the scores are performed live by the San Francisco Symphony. 7:30pm Thu. and Fri., 2pm Sat. $149 and up.
Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
Sept. 5
“The Addams Family”
THROUGH OCT. 5. What happens when Wednesday Addams falls in love with a boy from a seemingly “normal” family? Hilarity ensues when Berkeley Playhouse performs this musical based on the film and television series. 7pm. $39 and up, $34 under age 30, previews discounted.
Berkeley Playhouse, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley
“The Day the Sky Turned Orange”
THROUGH OCT. 5. This world premiere R&B and hip-hop musical takes place in San Francisco in 2020 and is a testament to living through its trials, from the pandemic to the Black Lives Matter protests to the day the sky turned orange from wildfire smoke. Ages 10 and up. 7:30pm. $25-69.
Z Space, 450 Florida Street, San Francisco
Sept. 6
Ember Stomp
This free, family-friendly festival is dedicated to wildfire education, preparedness and resilience. 10am-4pm. FREE.
Marin County Fairgrounds, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael
firesafemarin.org/ember-stomp-2025
Saturday Storytime
Enjoy 30 minutes of stories, songs and movement activities designed to help children develop early literacy skills through talking, reading, singing, playing and writing. 11am. FREE.
Hayward Public Library, 27300 Patrick Ave., Hayward
hayward.librarycalendar.com/event/saturday-storytime-22215
7
Berkeley Mapathon
Enjoy highlights and secrets of Berkeley as teams of one to five use a custom map to navigate checkpoints along a marathon or half-marathon route, by foot or bike, answering simple multiple-choice questions at each stop. Enjoy refreshments and socializing at the finish. 10am, 9am check-in. $40-60 and up, $20-30 and up students and juniors.
Live Oak Park, Picnic Area 2, 1275 Walnut St., Berkeley
https://go-terraloco.blogspot.com/2024/12/0907-berkeley-mapathon-half.html
NUMU 60th Anniversary Community Day
Enjoy art activities, tours and more. 11am-5pm. FREE, registration required.
New Museum Los Gatos, 106 E. Main St., Los Gatos
numulosgatos.org/events/60th-community
Sept. 9
“Shucked”
THROUGH OCT. 5. This Tony Award-winning musical comedy is about an unlikely hero, an unscrupulous con artist and a battle for the heart and soul of a small town. Recommended for ages 10 and up due to adult themes and language; no one under 5 allowed. $62 and up.
Curran Theatre, 445 Geary St., San Francisco
Sept. 10
Santa Cruz County Fair
THROUGH SEPT. 14. Enjoy horse and livestock shows, pig races, food, a midway, daily professional wrestling, nightly drone shows and more. Kids 12 and under are free on Thu. Admission $24 ages 13 and up, $12.75 ages 6-12, 5 and under FREE; parking additional, FREE for vehicles with five or more people.
Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave. (Highway 152), Watsonville
Sept. 13
Family Nature Adventures: Reptile Roundup
Head into the forest with expert guides to learn about local reptiles, from snakes to lizards to turtles, and discover how they survive in their unique environments. 10:30am. $25 adult, $35 ages 3-8.
Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
Harvest History Festival
The seventh annual festival includes music and entertainment, children’s activities, art projects, garden tours and demonstrations, and more. 9am-12pm. FREE.
Heritage Park, 771 N. Rengstorff Ave., Mountain View
mountainview.gov/our-city/departments/community-services/special-events/harvest-history-festival
Sept. 14
Family Sunday Fundays
Enjoy drop-in STEAM activities led by Maker Studio Kidz or local museums. For ages 5-12. 11am-2pm. FREE.
Hilton San Francisco Union Square, 333 O’Farrell St., San Francisco
visitunionsquaresf.com/park-program
Sept. 20
Boardwalk Pride
Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with free live entertainment, giveaways and info booths. Enjoy rides and games plus fun photo ops and exclusive merchandise available throughout the park. Tribute band ABBAFAB plays at 6pm. Opens 11am. FREE admission, rides and activities extra.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz
Bay Area Parent Kids Day in the Park
Lisa Loeb and the Hollow Trees perform nostalgic, feel-good tunes at this second annual event. In addition to the concert, there will be dozens of vendors, face painting, bounce houses and exhibits, as well as food trucks and beer, wine, water and other beverages available for purchase. Bring a blanket (no chairs allowed). Doors open at 11. $10 presale, $15 advance, $20 at the door, plus fees.
Plaza de Cesar Chavez, 1 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose
caltix.com/e/kids-day-in-the-park-san-jose-2025/tickets
Sept. 21
“Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!”
This new musical stage show is based on the global preschool sensation from DreamWorks Animation and follows Gabby’s adventure as she and the Gabby Cats must repair a broken a rainbow. 4pm. $51 and up.
Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor St. San Francisco,
Sept. 24
Family Story Hour
Enjoy a fun combination of books, finger plays, rhymes, songs, movement activities and more every Wed. 11:15am-12pm. FREE.
Danville Library, 400 Front St., Danville
“Les Miserables”
THROUGH OCT. 5. The world’s most popular musical returns in a revamped production that tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption set against the backdrop of 19th century France. Recommended for ages 10 and up. No children under 5 allowed. $72.54 and up.
Orpheum Theatre, 1127 Market St., San Francisco
Sept. 26
Starlight Movies in the Park
See “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” (rated PG) at this outdoor showing. Gates open at 6:30pm with pre-show activities including games and crafts; movie starts between 8:15 and 8:30pm. FREE.
Leydecker Field, 3221 Mecartney Road, Alameda
alamedaca.gov/Departments/Recreation-Parks/Starlight-Movies-September
27
“Art of Manga”
THROUGH JAN. 25. This is the first large-scale manga art exhibition in North America, featuring rarely displayed original drawings by 10 major artists, plus exclusive programming with acclaimed manga artists and editors, and exciting on-site activations including cosplay days. Timed tickets required. $35 adult, $20 ages 6-17.
de Young Museum, Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco
