Have fun with your family at these September events taking place around the Bay Area. For even more items, visit our online calendar.
Aug. 28
PokémonXP & World Championships
THROUGH AUG. 30. The PokémonXP fan convention and the Pokémon World Championships are taking place in San Francisco. Trainers from around the world battle it out to determine who is the best at the championships. Fans can enjoy workshops, special guests, panels, performances, the Pokémon Center Store and more. Passes for the event are limited; check website for details.
Moscone Center, 747 Howard St., San Francisco
Aug. 29
Chicano Soul Fest
Encapsulating the essence of Chicano culture, the event includes art exhibits, lowriders, live music, food and more. There will be more than 200 lowriders throughout the park. 11am-7pm. General admission is $40/30 early bird; car registration is $60/$50 early bird.
History Park, 635 Phelan Ave., San Jose
eventbrite.com/e/5th-annual-chicano-soul-fest-tickets-1984652009586
Aug. 30
BonPOP 2026
KOHO and Gardens of Golden Gate Park present this annual event, which reimagines Bon Odori (ancestral dance festival), where the community can immerse itself in the Japanese tradition of honoring ancestors through dance, song and ritual. The festival features taiko drumming, live folk music and Bon Odori dancing. 2-6pm. FREE.
Golden Gate Park, Celebration Garden, 1199 Ninth Ave., San Francisco
Sept 1
Dinos Rule
THROUGH SEPT. 12. Experience 21 realistic, scientifically informed robotic dinosaur models and interactive activities such as a 5-foot-tall dinosaur egg photo op, a 6-foot-long Sauropod footprint and a 4-foot-long Tyrannosaurus Rex footprint, plus a giant “dig pit” with dinosaur fossils. $9, plus zoo admission of $32 general, $22 ages 2-11, under 2 FREE.
San Francisco Zoo, Sloat Boulevard at the Great Highway, San Francisco
Sept 2
Bubble Bash
THROUGH SEPT. 7. Dive into fuzzy foam at the Foam Party, enjoy bubble-inspired programming at the beach and indulge in a magical midday moment filled with swirling bubbles. Bring a change of clothes. 10am-4pm. Included with admission $25.
Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Rd, Sausalito
bayareadiscoverymuseum.org/bubble-bash
Sept. 3
Family Game Night
Enjoy family fun with classic and new board games. 5:30pm. FREE.
Berkeley Public Library West Branch, 1125 University Ave., Berkeley
berkeleypubliclibrary.libnet.info
Movies on the Square
Catch the last outdoor movies of the season, with independent short films at 8pm and “Freakier Friday” (rated PG-13) at 8:30pm. FREE.
Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City
redwoodcity.org/residents/redwood-city-events/movies
Sept. 4
Ocean Film Festival World Tour
The festival returns with a powerful and visually stunning line-up of films that celebrate the ocean from every angle. 7pm. $26.58
Rio Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
riotheatre.com/events-2/2026/9/4/oceanfilm
Sept. 5
Free Shakespeare in the Park
THROUGH SEPT. 7 and SEPT. 12-13. San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s 44th season of Free Shakespeare in the Park presents “Antony and Cleopatra,” a timeless tale of power, passion and politics. 2pm. FREE.
McLaren Park’s Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, 40 John F Shelley Drive, San Francisco
sfshakes.org/performance/free-shakes/ac
Sept. 6
World Arts West Dance Festival
It’s the final weekend for this festival with the theme of “Legacy of Liberation!” 1-4pm. FREE, parking additional.
Presidio Tunnel Tops, 10 Lincoln Blvd., San Francisco
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-wawdf-weekend-3-performances-workshops-registration-1990760489213
Fall Neon Scorpion Hikes
ALSO SEPT. 12-13. Led by an experienced naturalist, experience the excitement of finding scorpions glowing like green neon signs in the dark. Registration required. Ages 6 and up. 7-9pm. $25, $6 parking.
Mount Diablo, Mitchell Canyon Visitor’s Center, 96 Mitchell Canyon Road, Clayton
http://lindsaywildlife.org/events/2026fall-neon-scorpion-hikes
Sept. 8
“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast”
THROUGH SEPT. 13. Experience this tale as old as time about the power of true love. Family Night on Broadway will be held on Aug. 9 with free pre-show activities from 6-7:15pm. $63.75 and up.
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose
broadwaysanjose.com/shows/disneys-beauty-and-the-beast
Sept. 11
“Legally Blonde The Musical”
THROUGH OCT. 11. Berkeley Playhouse presents the story of Elle Woods, a bubbly blonde sorority sister who appears to have the perfect life – until her boyfriend Warner dumps her and she follows him to Harvard Law. 7pm. $33.95and up.
The Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley
berkeleyplayhouse.org/event/legally-blonde
Sept. 12
Family Nature Adventure: Owls
Step into the magical world of owls with an interactive workshop, guided nature walk and snack to fuel your adventure. 10:30am. $25 adult, $35 ages 3-8.
Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
chabotspace.org/calendar/family-nature-adventures-owls
http://chabotspace.org/calendar/family-nature-adventures-owls
Creative Play and Foam Fun
Paint your own bird house, enjoy a lively puppet show and jump into a foam party. 4pm. FREE.
The Village at San Antonio Center, 645 San Antonio Road, Mountain View
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creative-play-foam-fun-tickets-1989067899632?aff=oddtdtcreator
13
Book Launch with Raina Telgemeier and Gale Galligan
Linden Tree Books presents bestselling authors Raina Telgemeier and Gale Galligan for the launch of The Baby-Sitters Club Super Special graphic novel, “Baby-Sitters on Board.” Each ticket includes a copy of the book, with a bookplate signed by the authors. 4pm. $27-35.
Spangenberg Theater, Gunn High School, 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto
Sept. 16
Santa Cruz County Fair
THROUGH SEPT. 20. With a theme of “Apple Pies and Starry Skies,” this year’s fair includes favorites including a carnival midway, food, livestock and daytime and evening entertainment, including drone shows Fri., Sat. and Sun. evenings. $20, $10 ages 6-12, 5 and under FREE.
Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville
Sept. 17
“My Hero Academia in Concert”
From Deku’s first steps to the thrilling battles, this live concert experience immerses fans in the anime’s full eight-season journey. The concert blends dynamic music with striking visuals of the anime’s most memorable scenes. Also Sept. 23 in San Jose. Rated TV-14, no children under age 5 allowed. 7pm. $42.70 and up.
Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor St., San Francisco
us.atgtickets.com/whats-on/san-francisco
Sept. 19
Bay Area Games Day
Join a full day of convention-style open gaming at the library. Learn to play a new board game or bring an old favorite. 10am-8pm. FREE.
Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos
Books and Bunnies: Alan Barillaro and Dashka Slater
Two award-winning children’s authors share their tales of brave bunnies at this family-friendly event of hoppin’ good fun. 11am. From $10 general, $5 student.
Kepler’s Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park
20
Bay Area Parent’s Kids Day in the Park
Enjoy live music, activities, demonstrations, strolling entertainment, food trucks and bounce houses at this annual family-friendly event.
The Plaza, 1 Paseo de San Antionio, San Jose
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
Discover Chinese and Vietnamese traditions as you explore the joy of giving thanks to the moon and the harvest season. Watch an exciting lion dance performance, get hands-on by making your own play dough mooncake, and enjoy a special video presentation. 11am-3pm. Included with admission of $22, under 1 FREE.
Children’s Discovery Museum San Jose, 180 Woz Way, San Jose
cdm.org/event/mid-autumn-moon-festival
Sept. 26
“Bluey’s Big Play”
ALSO SEPT. 27. Join the Heelers in their first live theater show featuring brilliantly created puppets. This is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life. 10am, 1 and 4pm. $30.50 and up.
Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St, San Francisco
us.atgtickets.com/whats-on/san-francisco
Chalk2Heal
Join the nonprofit Kids & Art Foundation for a family-friendly community event celebrating the healing power of creativity during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Sunset Dunes Park becomes a vibrant outdoor canvas as children, families, artists and community members come together to create colorful sidewalk art in support of children navigating cancer. 12-3pm. FREE.
Sunset Dunes Park, Ocean Beach, San Francisco
Sept. 27
Family Day at LEAF Urban Farm
Enjoy a day of hands-on fun for all ages with environmentally friendly crafts, composting methods, kid-friendly activities, honey tasting and touring the farm. 11am-1pm. $10 per family.
LEAF Urban Farm, 38339 Mission Blvd., Fremont
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/family-day-at-the-garden-tickets-1992801320394?aff=oddtdtcreator
