862 listings in 41 counties. Family-friendly events and outings everyone can enjoy together. Details can change. Check with the venue before you go. This is page 2 of 3, with 17 counties and 320 listings.
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Outings near you
Sonoma County
37 picks
Section: Family outingsevent
Los Colores de Otoño at Jack London State Historic Park
Oct 25, 2026Free
Free family day with costumes, food, Halloween and Día de los Muertos crafts and wildlife displays.
Dates
Oct 25, 2026
Hours
Sun Oct 25, 11am-3pm
Cost
Free
Where
Beauty Ranch parking lot, 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, CA 95442
Museum Mondays for Little Ones: Trick-or-Treat, Charlie Brown!
Oct 26, 2026
Stories, crafts and a screening of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown for ages 1-5 and caregivers; come in costume. Trick-or-treating starts at 11am.
Dates
Oct 26, 2026
Hours
10am-12pm
Cost
$12 per child; up to two adults per child free before 11am; members free
Seeds and Reads: Recycled Papermaking at the Cloverdale Regional Library
Monday, November 2, 2026Grades K-6
Participants learn how to make their own paper sheets and bookmarks using a mould and deckle, with additions like native wildflower seeds and dried flowers. Limited to 20 participants; registration is encouraged.
Dates
Monday, November 2, 2026
Hours
3:00 pm–4:00 pm
Ages
Grades K-6
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Cloverdale Meeting Room, Cloverdale Regional Library, 401 North Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale, CA 95425
Ancestral Sounds of Mesoamerica for Kids at the Cloverdale Regional Library
Monday, November 16, 2026Grades K-6
Jesus Bravo of Manos Mexicas explores hand-carved instruments commonly used throughout Mesoamerica before colonization, explains how they were created and used, and plays some music.
Dates
Monday, November 16, 2026
Hours
3:00 pm–4:00 pm
Ages
Grades K-6
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Cloverdale Meeting Room, Cloverdale Regional Library, 401 North Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale, CA 95425
A 5k fun run/walk on Thanksgiving Day that loops through the quiet streets of Healdsburg with a backdrop of Fitch Mountain. Start and finish are at 333 Center Street in front of Healdsburg Running Company. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise with the City of Healdsburg; register on the event page.
Dates
Thursday, November 26, 2026
Hours
8-9:30am
Cost
$25 adults, $20 kids under 12 ($5 off with no shirt)
Where
Healdsburg Running Company, 333 Center Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Family Fun Weekend with Joe Wos at the Schulz Museum
Nov 27 – Nov 28, 2026
Cartoonist and storyteller Joe Wos gives live performances and cartoon workshops for the whole family throughout the day; in between, explore the galleries and watch animated specials on the big screen.
Dates
Friday, November 27, and Saturday, November 28, 2026
Hours
Friday 11am-5pm; Saturday 10am-5pm (museum hours; performances throughout the day)
Cost
Included with museum admission ($15 adults, $7 ages 4-18, free for 3 and under); free for members
Where
Charles M. Schulz Museum, 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Celebrate the holidays on the Plaza with the Merry Healdsburg tree lighting: horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, a holiday night market, photos with Santa and holiday crafts for all ages. Arrive by 6pm for the tree lighting ceremony.
Dates
Friday, December 4, 2026
Hours
5-9pm
Cost
Free
Where
Healdsburg Plaza, Matheson Street and Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Gingerbread House Workshop for Kids at the Windsor Library
Saturday, December 5, 2026
The library's annual gingerbread house workshop: build a holiday house from candy, graham crackers and frosting to take home. For grades K-6; registration required.
Dates
Saturday, December 5, 2026
Hours
10:15 am–11:15 am
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Windsor Regional Library, 9291 Old Redwood Highway Building 100, Windsor, CA 95492
Winnie-The Pooh: A Christmas Tail at the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center
Dec 11 – Dec 13, 2026Ages not listed
A holiday show in the Hundred Acre Wood: Eeyore has lost his tail and Pooh, Piglet and friends organize a search. Each performance opens with Storytime with Mrs. Claus and ends with a visit from Santa live on stage.
Dates
Friday, December 11 – Sunday, December 13, 2026
Hours
Opens Friday, Dec 11 at 7:00 pm; final show Sunday, Dec 13 at 2:00 pm
Ages
Ages not listed
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Cloverdale Performing Arts Center, 209 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, CA 95425
Gingerbread Doghouse Workshops at the Schulz Museum
Dec 12 – Dec 13, 2026
Assemble and decorate Snoopy's doghouse out of gingerbread, complete with a marshmallow Snoopy on top. A parent-and-child workshop is designed for children ages 3-6 and an adult; two afternoon workshops are for children in grades 1-6. Advance registration required; sign up for a session on the museum's page.
Dates
Saturday, December 12, and Sunday, December 13, 2026
Hours
Parent and child: Saturday 10am-noon; grades 1-6: Saturday 1-4pm and Sunday 1-4pm
Cost
$40 per person or parent-child team; members receive 20% off
Where
Charles M. Schulz Museum, 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
The Muffin Man Puppet Show at the Roseland Library
Saturday, December 19, 2026
Possibly Puppets performs The Muffin Man, and children and families pretend, sing and dance with the puppets. For grades PreK-3; first come, first served.
Dates
Saturday, December 19, 2026
Hours
11:30 am–12:15 pm
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Roseland Regional Library, 470 Sebastopol Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Noon Year's Eve Dance Party at the Sonoma Valley Library
Thursday, December 31, 2026
A story, a dance party and a balloon countdown to noon, with crafts in the children's space. This session is for school-aged kids; registration is available.
Dates
Thursday, December 31, 2026
Hours
11:30 am–12:00 pm
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476
Museum of the Peanuts creator, with exhibitions, a recreation of Schulz's studio, animated specials in the theater and a place to draw your own comics. Tickets are sold on arrival only; free parking.
A 2-mile beach on Bodega Bay where south-facing waves are usually calmer than elsewhere on the coast, with a dune trail, an accessible boardwalk and a jetty for exploring sea life.
Buildings and a reconstructed stockade of North America's southernmost Russian colony, founded in 1812 on the ancestral lands of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians, 12 miles north of Jenner on Highway 1.
Hours
Daily: compound 9am-3:30pm; visitor center 10am-4:30pm
The 1,565-acre home and ranch of writer Jack London, with his cottage, Beauty Ranch, the Wolf House ruins, the House of Happy Walls Museum and more than 29 miles of trails. Allow about three hours.
Hours
Park daily 9am-5pm; museum 10am-5pm; cottage noon-4pm; closed Dec 25
The huge adobe at the center of the largest private rancho in California between 1834 and 1846, one of the most prosperous estates of the Mexican period.
Hours
Daily 10am-5pm; adobe closes 4:30pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Cost
Museum entry adults $3, youth $2, 5 and under free
Beaches from Bodega Bay to the Russian River with secluded coves, rugged headlands, natural arches, tide pools and, in winter, some of the best whale watching in California.
Hours
Hours vary by beach; Bodega Dunes day use 8am-sunset; call (707) 875-3483
Cost
Vehicle day use $10
Dogs
Dogs allowed on specified beaches: Marshall Gulch, Carmet Beach, Schoolhouse Beach, Portuguese Beach, Duncan's Cover, Wright's Beach.
Free and discounted tickets to museums, science centers, zoos and theaters. You must be at least 15 and live in Sonoma County; up to 2 reserved passes per card, up to 3 months ahead.
Historic sites around Sonoma Plaza in the birthplace of the California Bear Flag, including Mission San Francisco Solano, General Vallejo's home and the Sonoma Barracks.
Hours
Daily 10am-5pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Cost
Museum entry adults $3, youth $2, 5 and under free
Nearly 10 miles of trails, including the 2.3-mile paved Spring Lake Loop, plus fishing, picnic areas and the Environmental Discovery Center, with hands-on exhibits for children and families.
Hours
7am to sunset
Cost
Parking $8 (fall-spring)
Dogs
Allowed on leash, except at swimming lagoon no dogs are allowed.
The headwaters of Sonoma Creek run through gorge, canyon and meadow beneath rock outcroppings, with redwoods and ferns and views from the 2,729-foot summit.
Hours
Day use 6am-10pm
Cost
Vehicle day use $8
Dogs
Dogs allowed only in historic zone and developed areas.
Self-guided trails among petrified redwoods from the Pliocene Epoch, about 3.4 million years old. Family owned since 1914. Arrive by 4pm to finish the trail walk.
Halloween Spooktacular at El Dorado Hills Town Center
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Family-friendly Halloween at Town Center: trick-or-treating at participating businesses, a costume contest and pet parade, and DJ music in Theatre Plaza.
Two nights of USAC National Midget racing on the red clay at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, with Winged 360 Sprint Cars as the companion division each night. No outside food or drinks.
Dates
Nov 13, 2026 – Nov 14, 2026
Hours
Fri-Sat Nov 13-14: gates 1pm, cars on track 2pm
Cost
No fee listed; tickets sold online
Where
Placerville Speedway, 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville, CA 95667
Lighting of the 65-foot fresh-cut Christmas tree at The Shops at Heavenly Village, hosted by Senator Alexandra Duarte and Sheriff Jeff Leikauf, with a live performance by Mark Mackay. Afterward, Santa lights the tree daily at 5:30pm through Christmas. Parking in the Bellamy Way garage.
Placerville's annual tree lighting festival, with live music, food and drinks, Santa Claus and the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Bell Tower. Dress up for the Whoville costume contest at Placerville Antiques.
"All American Christmas" parade with floats, a marching band, carolers and Santa, starting on Broadway. Grand Marshal: Kris Payne. Main Street and Broadway close to traffic noon-4pm.
The Cameron Park Fire Department's annual Santa Parade winds through neighborhoods over three nights, with a schedule of stops posted for each evening. Weather permitting; Santa makes photo stops along the route.
Old-fashioned Christmas at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park: historic holiday house tours with docents, wreath making, Christmas crafts, warming fires, local gift vendors, hot food and visits with Santa.
Apple Hill farm market open year-round, with fresh pastries, pies, cider and produce, BBQ lunch, wines and hard ciders. Leashed dogs are welcome on the property, but not in the open market.
Hours
Daily 7:30am-6pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
A volunteer-run observatory with 17-inch and 14-inch telescopes, free public night viewing on Friday and Saturday nights, and safe solar viewing on the first Saturday of each month. Weather permitting; check the calendar before you visit.
Hours
Fall/winter (Oct 2-Mar 6): Friday and Saturday 7:30-9:30pm, holidays excluded, weather permitting; Solar Saturday 1st Saturday 10am-noon
Cost
Free
Where
Next to the El Dorado Center of Folsom Lake College, Placerville, CA
Nearly 2 miles of Lake Tahoe frontage, dense forests of pine, fir, aspen and cedar, and the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion (Pine Lodge), a summer home built in 1903. Dogs are allowed in developed areas only, not on beaches or dirt trails.
Hours
Sunrise-sunset
Cost
Vehicle day use $10
Dogs
Dogs allowed in developed areas only, which include campsites, paved roads and paths, dirt fire roads, and paved parking areas.
A Gold Rush-era hard rock mine with a self-guided audio tour, plus the Hendy Stamp Mill, a blacksmith shop, and a mining museum and gift shop. Picnic areas, nature walks and trails.
Hours
Apr-Oct daily 10am-4pm; Nov-Mar Sat-Sun 10am-4pm; last mine tour 3:30pm
Cost
Mine tour $12; seniors 55+ and military $10; youth 6-17 $8; 5 and under free
The largest Apple Hill farm, on more than 155 acres, with an on-site restaurant and bakery serving homemade pies and barbecue, plus farm attractions for kids and families.
The site in Coloma where James Marshall first found gold in 1848 on the South Fork of the American River, setting off the Gold Rush. Visitor center and museum, interpretive exhibits, trails and river beach. Leashed dogs are welcome on trails and in the river, but not in buildings.
Hours
Day use 8am-5pm; visitor center and museum 9am-4pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Forest Service visitor center and interpretive site for Tahoe Basin flora, fauna and history, with flat, easy trails including the Rainbow Trail. Reachable from the South Lake Tahoe Bike Path. Visitor services close for the season after Oct 25; the grounds stay open year-round.
Hours
Thu-Sun 9am-4pm through Oct 25
Where
Visitor Center Rd, off Highway 89, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Six monster trucks compete in best trick, freestyle and racing, plus the car-crushing dinosaur Megasaurus. Free pre-race party two hours before each show; monster truck rides for a nominal fee.
Dates
Oct 24, 2026
Hours
Sat Oct 24, shows at 2pm and 7pm (gates 12pm and 5pm)
Cost
Adults $22, kids 2-12 $15, under 2 free; At The Grounds may charge for parking
Where
All American Speedway, @the Grounds, Event Center Dr at Junction Blvd, Roseville, CA 95678
Halloween haunted house at the 1908 Watson Cabin, the oldest log structure remaining in the North Lake Tahoe area, from the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society. Free 5th annual haunted house during the Tahoe City Trick or Treat event.
Thanksgiving-morning 5K and 10K that start and finish at Vernon Street Town Square, with refreshments after the race and food donations collected for Saint Vincent de Paul.
Dates
Thursday, November 26, 2026
Hours
10K 9am; 5K 9:05am
Cost
5K $40, 10K $45 (youth $35), plus processing fee
Where
Vernon Street Town Square, 311 Vernon St, Roseville, CA 95678
Downtown Roseville Gingerbread House Contest Display
December 2-11, 2026
Part of the Downtown Holiday Celebration: gingerbread house entries on display in the lobby of 316 Vernon Street, where the community votes for its favorites.
Local businesses, organizations and schools decorate trees around The Square: watch the grove light up, make holiday crafts, enjoy music, visit Santa and shop local vendors.
Breakfast with the family, crafts in the elves' workshop, reindeer games and a visit with Santa. The 8am seating is sensory friendly; everyone needs a ticket.
Dates
Saturday, December 5, 2026
Hours
Seatings 8am (sensory friendly), 8:30am, 9:30am
Cost
$20 per attendee
Where
Mahany Fitness Center, 1545 Pleasant Grove Blvd, Roseville, CA 95747
A Treehouse Players production of the musical based on Mo Willems' Caldecott Honor picture book. The December 5 show is ASL-interpreted; tickets go on sale October 22.
Dates
December 5 and 12, 2026
Hours
2pm (per performance list)
Where
Roseville Theatre Arts Academy, 241 Vernon Street, Roseville, CA 95678
Holiday photos of your pet with Santa, a fundraiser by the Roseville Puppy Raisers for Guide Dogs for the Blind. The whole family is welcome in the photo; a $25 donation includes a flash drive of the photos.
Dates
Saturday & Sunday, December 5-6, 2026
Hours
10am-5pm
Cost
$25 donation
Dogs
Get your furry friend's holiday photo with Santa at Pet Food Express in Roseville! The whole family is welcome to join in the photo.
Where
Pet Food Express, 1009 Galleria Blvd, Roseville, CA 95678
A passport adventure through Santa's Workshop: the Toy Assembly Line, Elf Creation Station, Santa's Cocoa Corner, Mrs. Claus' Kitchen and the North Pole Post Office. Time slots run every 45 minutes with limited capacity.
Dates
Friday, December 11, 2026
Hours
Entry slots 4:15, 5:00, 5:45pm
Cost
$18 for one adult and one child
Where
Maidu Community Center, 1550 Maidu Dr., Roseville, CA 95661
A holiday gingerbread-house afternoon: decorate your own house with hot chocolate on hand. Each registration includes one house and entry for up to five guests.
Dates
Friday, December 18, 2026
Hours
5-6:30pm
Where
Mahany Fitness Center, 1545 Pleasant Grove Blvd, Roseville, CA 95747
A 60-minute family musical version of the Pixar film, staged by Roseville Theatre Arts Academy's Treehouse Players. The January 24 show is ASL-interpreted; tickets go on sale December 10.
Dates
January 23, 24, 30 and 31, 2027
Hours
2pm
Where
Roseville Theatre Arts Academy, 241 Vernon Street, Roseville, CA 95678
Built in 1851 as the Traveler's Rest Hotel, with a furnished Victorian-era farmhouse, docent-led house tours, an 1874 winery, an 1881 wine processing building and 19th-century wagons in the carriage barn.
Granite Bay entrance to Folsom Lake State Recreation Area at the base of the Sierra foothills, for hiking, biking, picnicking and boating. Dogs are allowed on trails and in the water, but not in the Granite Bay swim area.
County regional park with more than 30 miles of trails, including trails to the falls. Parking reservations are required on weekends and designated high-use days.
Hours
Sunrise-sunset
Cost
Parking reservation (fee) required on weekends and designated high-use days; free other days
Sandy beach and picnic tables shaded by Jeffrey pines on Lake Tahoe's north shore. Dogs are allowed only at Dog Beach, the rocky area east of the boat ramp.
Hours
6am-9pm
Cost
Vehicle day use $10
Dogs
Leashed dogs allowed on sidewalks and in picnic areas, and on Dog Beach (the rocky area east of the boat ramp). Not on the main beach.
Learn about the Nisenan Maidu, who have lived here for thousands of years: exhibits on acorn processing and basket weaving, contemporary Native art, and an outdoor trail past petroglyphs and hundreds of bedrock mortars.
Hours
Tue-Sun 9am-4pm
Cost
$7; students and seniors $6; under 5, military and tribal members free
Free county history museum on the first floor of Auburn's historic Courthouse, from the Nisenan people to the late 20th century, with the Placer County Gold collection, the Pate Collection of American Indian artifacts and Thomas Kinkade's original "Auburn Centennial". A docent-led Old Town walking tour starts here Saturdays at 10am.
Year-round ice rink in Roseville with public skating sessions.
Cost
General admission $16, skate rental $4; holiday rate (Nov 2-Jan 18) $22 with or without skates; 4 and under free with an adult; weekday 12:15pm session $13-$15 with skates
The final Music of Nature morning of the fall: little ones 0-5 and their caregivers wiggle, stomp, sing and shake along to Ms. Liz's ukulele in the outdoor amphitheater.
Amazing Dogs Rescue Adoption Days at Petco Arden Way
Nov 8 – Dec 20, 2026
Every other Sunday, Amazing Dogs Rescue brings lovable pups, from cuddly puppies to wise old souls, to meet potential forever families. Reserve a dog online or walk up.
Dates
Sundays, November 8 and 22, December 6 and 20, 2026
The 48th annual Jewish Food Faire, a celebration of culture, community, and culinary delights: traditional Jewish foods served fresh, a Best Bagel contest, live music, family activities, a wine garden and a vendor market. No pets (service animals welcome); bags are searched at the entrance.
Dates
Sunday, November 8, 2026
Hours
11am-4pm
Where
Sacramento Scottish Rite Center, 6151 H Street, Sacramento, CA
Toddlers and preschoolers ages 2-5 learn through play, creativity and outdoor discovery with a caregiver at Effie Yeaw. Parking passes provided at check-in.
The evening starts with Polar Express characters in the passenger station, then a one-hour train ride to the North Pole with hot chocolate and a treat, carols, and Santa handing every passenger a silver sleigh bell. Santa visits afterward in the Eagle Theater.
Dates
Nov 13, 2026 – Dec 21, 2026
Hours
Wed-Mon (select days in November): 3:30, 5, 6:30 and 8pm; Dec 21 no 8pm train
Cost
Coach $80-$85; first class $100-$110 (fees included); under 2 free on a lap
Where
Central Pacific Passenger Station, 930 Front Street, Sacramento, CA
International Railfair Model Train Show at Cal Expo
Nov 14 – Nov 15, 2026
28,000 square feet of model railroads: operating layouts in Z, N, HO and G scales, club displays, vendors, a children's layout kids can run and full-size railroad motorcars.
Dates
Nov 14, 2026 – Nov 15, 2026
Hours
Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Cost
Sat $12 (13+, good both days), Sun $10, kids 12 and under free; parking $10
Where
Cal Expo Building C, 1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815
Fall camp for ages 4-9 with hands-on learning, stories and activities. Morning session 9am-12pm, with optional Afternoon Adventures to 4pm; early drop-off $15 per child per day.
Dates
Nov 23-25, 2026
Hours
Morning Session (9 AM to 12 PM); Afternoon Adventures (12 PM to 4 PM)
Craft Fair and Holiday Sale at Effie Yeaw Nature Center
Saturday, November 28, 2026
Kick off the season at the nature center: stroll vendor booths of handmade, nature-inspired gifts, sip something warm, and support the American River Natural History Association.
B Street's family holiday hit returns as a best-of, with sketches and scenes from four seasons: global holiday traditions, folktales and fables, and hometown celebrations. Run time 1 hour 15 minutes.
Dates
December 5-20, 2026
Ages
5+
Cost
$29 adults, $24 kids
Where
The Sofia, Home of B Street Theatre, 2700 Capitol Ave, Sacramento, CA 95816
Celebrating 57 years of handmade holiday tradition: juried artisan booths stretch along Sutter Street to the Historic Folsom Plaza, with twinkling lights, festive storefronts and a joyful, family-friendly atmosphere.
Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens breathe fantastic new life into Dickens' story in this spectacular musical adaptation. Children under four aren't admitted.
Dates
December 11 - 20, 2026
Hours
Evenings 7:30pm; matinees 1:30pm on Dec 12, 13, 16, 17, 19 and 20
Ages
Children under four (including infants) will not be admitted
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
UC Davis Health Pavilion (Broadway At Music Circus), 1419 H St, Sacramento, CA 95814
Sacramento Ballet's holiday Nutcracker with Tchaikovsky's score performed live, at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center. About two hours, including one 15-minute intermission.
Dates
December 12-24, 2026
Hours
2pm and 7pm performances (see schedule)
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, 1301 L St., Sacramento, CA 95814
Sacramento's original certified farmers' market, running since 1980, with the region's biggest selection of produce, flowers, nuts, breads, eggs and honey. Open rain or shine; closed Christmas Day.
Hours
Sundays 8am-noon, year-round
Cost
No entry fee listed; vendors' prices vary
Where
Under Hwy 50 at 6th St & W St, Sacramento, CA 95818
The interpretive heart of the Lower American River Parkway for more than 50 years, inside Ancil Hoffman Park, with nature trails. The center stays open during a remodel whose first phase begins in October 2026. Enter by car from Tarshes Drive and California Avenue (the San Lorenzo entrance is locked). Dogs are not allowed in the Nature Center.
A five-block Saturday market in Midtown's Lavender Heights with over 200 vendors: local agriculture, prepared foods, artisans and live music every Saturday. Dog-friendly, on a leash.
Hours
8am-1pm
Dogs
Yes! The Midtown Farmers Market is a dog-friendly events. Please keep your dog on a leash at all times and pick-up their waste. Dogs must also be kept at least 20 feet away from all agricultural producer and food vendor booths.
Museum of Sacramento history in Old Sacramento and home of the Old Sacramento Underground Tours. The Play Ball! baseball exhibit runs through Jan 24, 2027.
Hours
Daily 10am-5pm (last tickets 4:30pm)
Cost
Adults $12; seniors 65+ and college students $10; ages 6-17 $6; 5 and under free
Sacramento Public Library Discover & Go museum passes
Free with library card
Free and low-cost museum, zoo and science center passes for cardholders 16 and older in the library's service area; up to two reservations. Government-issued ID required; the person named on the reservation must be present.
Cost
Free and low-cost passes
Where
Central Library, 828 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Yuba City's annual Sikh parade on the first Sunday of November: a 4.5-mile procession that starts and ends at the Sikh Temple Gurdwara on Tierra Buena Road, with festivities earlier that weekend.
Dates
Nov 1, 2026
Where
Sikh Temple Gurdwara, 2468 Tierra Buena Road, Yuba City, CA
Free and low-cost passes for museums, science centers, zoos, theaters and other cultural destinations. You must meet the library's minimum age and live in its service area.
The story of the Yuba-Sutter region, from the Nisenan people to the Gold Rush, farming, floods and the area's many cultures, plus a handmade 3D relief map of the Sutter Buttes. Now showing Abuelita's Kitchen: Mexican Food Stories, through Nov 21.
Hours
Wed-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat noon-4pm; closed Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and the day after; occasional unexpected closures, call 530-822-7141 before visiting
A high-flying homage to 1980s amusement parks, built around a giant Ferris wheel and mechanical rides, with acrobatics, aerial feats and juggling. About 1 hour 45 minutes with one intermission.
Dates
Oct 25, 2026
Where
Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616
Halloween Spooktacular with Fratello Marionettes at the Davis Library
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Fratello Marionettes' Halloween variety show is family-friendly fun for all ages, with happy ghosts, Frankenstein, the Purple People Eater, a not-so-scary spider and a witch. Come in costume; no reservation required.
Dates
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Hours
4:00 PM
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Mary L Stephens Davis Branch Library, 315 E. 14th Street, Davis, CA 95616
Voice of the Wood: Halloween Show at the Davis Library
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Voice of the Wood, an educational performance group, brings stories to life for children and families through sound effects, dramatic narration and masked movement in their Halloween Show, on Halloween. No reservation required.
Dates
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Hours
3:00 PM
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Mary L Stephens Davis Branch Library, 315 E. 14th Street, Davis, CA 95616
Día de los Muertos Doll Making Workshop at the Davis Library
Sunday, November 1, 2026Ages 8 through 14
Children ages 8 through 14 join artist Ramona García to make and decorate traditional Mexican Lupita dolls and learn the doll's history as a folk toy from Central Mexico. Registration is required; the workshop is limited to 20 participants.
Dates
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Hours
2:00 PM
Ages
Ages 8 through 14
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Mary L Stephens Davis Branch Library, 315 E. 14th Street, Davis, CA 95616
Free, family-friendly open house at the Bohart Museum, home to about eight million insect specimens and a live petting zoo of hissing cockroaches, stick insects and tarantulas. UC Davis entomology students share their research. Weekend parking is free.
Hours of creation, design and play with LEGO bricks; parents and caregivers are encouraged to stay and play alongside their children. Small parts not recommended for children under 3.
Dates
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Hours
12:00 PM
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
South Davis Montgomery Library, 1441 Danbury St., Davis, CA 95618
Disney's Lion King, Jr at Davis Musical Theatre Company
November 14 through December 6, 2026Ages Recommended for all ages
DMTC's Young Performers' Theatre, with actors ages 7 through 17, tells the story of Simba with songs such as "Circle of Life" and "Hakuna Matata." Recommended for all ages.
Sunday Funday: Triple Raptor Rally at the Davis Library
Sunday, November 22, 2026
Meet three raptor family members (falcon, hawk and owl), get an up-close look at the feather types and wing shapes that help these predators survive in the wild, and watch a live flight demonstration. No reservation required.
Dates
Sunday, November 22, 2026
Hours
2:00 PM
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Mary L Stephens Davis Branch Library, 315 E. 14th Street, Davis, CA 95616
A holiday tradition since 2015: local farmers' tractors decked out in lights roll through downtown Winters, with a holiday vendor market and visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
James and the Giant Peach JR. at the Woodland Opera House
December 11 - 13, 2026
Based on the classic story by Roald Dahl, young James escapes his dreary life and embarks on a magical journey inside a giant peach. This education program production features the Opera House's award-winning Junior Theatre Festival Troupe.
Dates
December 11 - 13, 2026
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Woodland Opera House, 340 Second Street, Woodland, CA 95695
Peter and the Wolf & The Nutcracker "Sweet" at the Woodland Opera House
December 17 - 20, 2026
Two ballet one-acts in one production: Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, performed by dancers from the Opera House's Education Department dance program, then after a brief intermission a short and "sweet" re-telling of the traditional Christmas Ballet, The Nutcracker.
Dates
December 17 - 20, 2026
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Woodland Opera House, 340 Second Street, Woodland, CA 95695
Legally Blonde Jr at Davis Musical Theatre Company
January 16 through February 7, 2027
DMTC's Young Performers' Theatre follows Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Recommended for ages 11 and up.
Free guided caravan along the auto tour route of more than 400 acres of reconstructed wetlands, oak woodland and native plants, with stops to watch birds. Registration required.
Hours
First Sundays, year-round, 9-11am
Cost
Free
Where
City of Davis Wastewater Treatment Plant, 45400 County Road 28H, Davis, CA 95616
The heart and soul of Davis: local farmers and purveyors in Central Park with fresh produce, farm products, crafts, baked goods, hot food and coffee. Open year-round, rain or shine.
Home of the Yolo County Historical Collection, 13,000 objects from the 1830s to the 1930s showing early county life. Current exhibition: Glass From the Past, through May 15, 2027.
Hours
Tue and Thu 12-4pm; also Sat Nov 21 and Dec 19, 8am-4pm
UC Davis art museum with rotating exhibitions, including the ongoing Together Again, 1956-2026, plus the Margrit Mondavi Sculpture Garden. Art Spark offers drop-in art-making for all ages Saturdays 1-4pm. No timed tickets.
Hours
Wed-Sat 10am-5pm through Dec 5; closed Nov 11, 14 and 26
Cost
Free
Where
UC Davis, Old Davis Road and Alumni Lane, Davis, CA
More than 100 acres of demonstration gardens and collections along the Arboretum Waterway, with a 3.5-mile main loop path, picnic tables in the Terrace Garden and Redwood Grove, and three suggested walking loops. Leashed dogs welcome.
Hours
Open 24 hours, every day
Cost
Free; campus parking free on weekends and holidays
Where
UC Davis campus, Davis, CA 95616 (headquarters: Valley Oak Cottage, 448 La Rue Road)
Free driving tour with an experienced field trip leader through flooded wetlands, native grasslands and young riparian forests, looking for waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors and wading birds. Registration required.
Hours
Third Sundays, Oct-Jun, 9am-noon
Cost
Free
Where
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters, east end of Chiles Road, Davis, CA
Free and low-cost passes for museums, science centers, zoos, theaters and other cultural destinations. You must meet the library's minimum age and live in its service area.
Paul Hawes Memorial Sprint Spooktacular at Marysville Raceway
Oct 24, 2026
Annual Halloween-themed night of sprint car racing (Sat Oct 24). Kids are invited to wear costumes and go down onto the track to collect candy from drivers and crews, so bring a 'track or treat' bag.
Dates
Oct 24, 2026
Hours
Sat Oct 24: gates and hot laps 5pm, racing about 6pm
Cost
No fee listed; tickets sold online
Where
Marysville Raceway, 1468 Simpson Lane, Marysville, CA 95901
Naturalist-led car caravans of about 2 hours through District 10, 23,000 acres of flooded rice fields north of Marysville with one of the valley's largest seasonal concentrations of tundra swans, plus ducks, geese, herons and raptors. Little to no walking; limited to 8 vehicles; registration required.
Dates
Saturdays, November through early January
Hours
9:30am and 1pm
Where
District 10 rice fields north of Marysville, Marysville, CA
Holiday evening on D Street that brings the community together while collecting toys and raising funds for local children through the SoYouCan nonprofit.
A 1,600-acre foothill lake with 12 miles of shoreline, a sand swimming beach, playground, marina and boat rentals, picnic area and general store. Weekly private trout plants run from October into May.
Hours
Winter (mid-August through Memorial Day): dawn to dusk
Guided tours of the Warren P. Miller house, a Gothic Revival landmark, tracing Marysville from trading post to Gold Rush city through exhibits, artifacts and period furnishings. Free street parking nearby.
Hours
Tours Sat 1-4pm (the museum's FAQ also lists Fri 1-4pm) or by appointment; call (530) 743-1004 to confirm
A foothill reservoir about 45 minutes east of Marysville with 55 miles of shoreline and more than 20 miles of trails. The easy, fairly level 11.9-mile Bullards Bar Trail follows the shoreline from Vista Point Road to Willow Creek, with another access point from Dark Day; Dark Day has 14 picnic sites, restrooms, parking and a boat launch. Bears are active, so store food securely.
Early literacy story time and craft for children from birth to 5 years at the county library in the Government Center. Registration is required, so contact the library before you go.
After-dark fall celebration with glowing jack-o'-lanterns, giant hand-carved pumpkins, illuminated railroad displays and trick-or-treating on Oct 31; route navigable with wheelchairs and mobility aids. Free parking.
Dates
Oct. 2 - Nov. 1
Hours
Nightly 6-10pm (closes promptly at 10pm)
Cost
Non-member adult $29-$52; child (2-12) $19-$37; under 2 free
Where
1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
The Arboretum's first Día de los Muertos: a twilight garden celebration with a community altar, music, a marketplace of Latin-owned makers, food and drinks, and children's crafts.
Dates
Sunday, October 25
Hours
4-8pm
Cost
Non-member adult $18; member adult $15; child (3-12) $8; 2 and under free
LA's wildest holiday tradition: an outdoor, self-guided walk through glowing birds, butterflies, flowers and Ice Age giants, with an ice rink (separate ticket), carousel, cocoa and Santa on select nights. Meant for all ages; wheelchairs and electric scooters can be rented.
Dates
November 20, 2026 - January 10, 2027; closed November 26 and 30; December 1, 7, 14-16, 24, 25 and 31, 2026; January 4-7, 2027
Hours
Box office 5:45-8:45pm on event nights
Cost
Non-member adults (13+) $29-$35, children 2-12 $19-$25 depending on the night; under 2 free
Where
Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Holiday light walk marking its 10th year, with a new laser light show and 'snowfall' finale, Giant Koi for the Japanese Garden's 60th anniversary, and a Holiday Market Dec. 2-6.
Dates
Nov. 22 - Jan. 9
Hours
Nightly 5:30-10pm; closed Nov 26 (Thanksgiving) and Dec 25
The region's longest-running holiday tradition returns, with music, merriment and reimagined scenery in this family-friendly Scrooge story for ages 5 and up. The theater is fully ADA compliant with accessible seating, and parking is free.
Dates
November 28 - December 24, 2026
Ages
Ages 5 and up; babies and toddlers will not be permitted
Cost
Tickets via A Noise Within; price not listed. Pay What You Choose tickets ($10 or $20) go on sale the Monday before each performance
California's State Regional Indian Museum, with exhibits on Native American cultures of the Antelope Valley, California coast, Great Basin and Southwest. Wheelchair accessible.
Long Beach aquarium with sea otters, sharks, sea jellies and frogs across Tropical, Northern and Southern California galleries; reservations required weekends and holidays.
Exposition Park museum with dinosaur halls and the new exhibition Orcas: Our Shared Future. L.A. County residents get free admission 3-5pm weekdays (onsite only).
Hours
Daily 9:30am-5pm; closed the first Tuesday of every month and select holidays
Cost
L.A. County residents free 3-5pm Mon-Fri (onsite only); members free
Brentwood cultural center with exhibitions, the Bloom Garden, Noah's Ark (timed entry), a Family Art Studio and an Archaeology Dig Discovery Center; free to all on Thursdays.
Hours
Tue-Fri noon-5pm; Sat-Sun 10am-5pm; closed Mondays; box office check-in closes 4:30pm; also closed Nov 11, Nov 26, Nov 27 and Dec 25, 2026
Cost
General $20; seniors, full-time students and children 2-17 $15; free to all on Thursdays; free on-site parking
Tanaka Farms' Costa Mesa fall field: admission covers the pumpkin and flower fields, wagon rides, barnyard, Jurassic Fright Corn Maze, kids play area, photo ops and education stations.
Volunteer-led OC Parks nature hike of 2.5-3 miles through Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, one of Southern California's key coastal wetlands. Minimum age 6; not stroller friendly; walk-ups welcome, registration recommended.
Dates
Sun, Nov 1, 2026
Hours
9:30-11:30am
Cost
Program and parking free
Where
Upper Newport Bay, Newport Beach, CA (directions shared on registration)
SCR's timeless holiday classic with festive music, joyful dancing and the heartwarming story of Ebenezer Scrooge's magical night, a cherished family tradition.
Dates
Nov. 28 - Dec. 27, 2026
Hours
About two hours with one 15-minute intermission
Ages
6 and up
Cost
Tickets via South Coast Repertory; price not listed
A festive evening of holiday magic in the gardens: twinkling lights, Santa, a Wishing Tree, a charming model train, Mexican cuisine and a lively holiday dance party.
Dates
December 3-6, 10-13 and 17-22, 2026
Hours
5-9pm; entry times 5:00pm or 7:00pm
Cost
Members $45; non-member adults, children (4-17) and seniors $65
The 118th Christmas Boat Parade, one of the country's oldest running holiday traditions, organized by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce; you can view the parade from almost any place on the shore free of cost.
Dates
Wednesday, December 16 - Sunday, December 20, 2026
1,400-square-foot interpretive center at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve with aquariums (swell shark, sea stars), live local reptiles, taxidermy birds and panels on wetland ecology and history.
Hours
Mon 9am-1pm; Tue-Sun 9am-4pm
Cost
Free parking (lots fill quickly on weekends)
Where
3842 Warner Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 (North Lot)
Historic Spanish-style estate with museum exhibitions, ocean views and botanical gardens, plus Wednesday storytime and children's activity booklets; free for all on the first Sunday of every month. Currently closed: the Amphitheater & Woodland Garden and the Native Bowl.
Hours
Tue-Thu 10am-4pm; Fri-Sun 10am-2pm; closed Mondays and federal holidays
Cost
General $8 ($10 starting January 2027); 12 and under and active military free; free for all on the first Sunday of each month
Small zoo inside Irvine Regional Park focused on animals and plants of the southwestern U.S., many injured, orphaned or not releasable: black bear, mountain lion, bald eagle, ocelot and more, plus a barnyard with goats and sheep.
Hours
Mon-Fri 10am-3:30pm; Sat-Sun 10am-4:30pm
Cost
$2 per person ages 3+; 2 and under free; plus Irvine Regional Park entry $3/vehicle weekdays, $5 weekends ($7-$10 major holidays)
Ocean education center in Dana Point Harbor with interactive marine science and maritime history exhibits for all ages; weekend whale and marine life cruises and tall ship sails.
Hours
General admission Sat-Sun 10am-3pm; gift shop daily 7am-4pm
Cost
Adults $16; children (19 months-13) $12; seniors (55+) and military $14; under 19 months free
Seal and sea lion rescue center in Laguna Canyon; visit the Bob Barker Visitor Yard, rehabilitation pools and interactive displays with volunteer docents. Free, reservations encouraged.
Hours
Daily 10am-4pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Day
City of Santa Ana zoo with weekend and Friday rides; free for Santa Ana residents on the third Sunday of each month. Zoo Lane between 1st St and Chestnut Ave closed to through traffic through Oct 30, 2026; enter parking from Chestnut
Surf City Nights Certified Farmers Market & Street Fair
Every Tuesday Main Street closes to traffic for Huntington Beach's only certified farmers' market, plus crafters, specialty food booths and live music; families and "fur babies" welcome.
Hours
Tuesdays 4:30-8:30pm (weather permitting)
Cost
90 min free parking at Main Promenade Parking Structure, 200 Main Street
Dogs
Organizer welcomes "fur babies"; no leash rules stated.
Where
Main Street between Pacific Coast Highway and Orange Avenue, Huntington Beach
The world's largest rotating tram car climbs 2.5 miles up Chino Canyon to 8,516-ft Mountain Station in Mt. San Jacinto State Park, with restaurants, observation decks, a natural history museum and 50+ miles of trails. Stations and cars are handicap accessible. Children under 2 ride free with a boarding pass from the ticket booth; under 16 must be with an adult 21 or older. Ride 'n' Dine (after 4pm) adds dinner at Pines Café.
Hours
Winter hours Oct 5, 2026 - May 27, 2027: first tram up 10am weekdays, 8am weekends/holidays; last tram up 8pm, last down 9:30pm
Cost
Adults $36.95; children 3-10 $20.95; seniors 65+ $33.95 (online, incl. $2 fee); Ride 'n' Dine adults $45, children (3-10) $31.50
Desert zoo and gardens with African Safari, Australian Adventures and Wild Americas areas, giraffe feeding and nature trails. Cashless. Advance ticket purchase required; reservations recommended for animal encounters.
Hours
Oct 1-May 31 daily 8am-5pm (last admission 4pm); Jun 1-Sep 30 daily 7am-1:30pm; closed Dec 25
Cost
Adult $44.95; ages 3-17 $34.95; under 3 free (prices may vary by date); military (active and retired) $37.95
San Bernardino County regional park preserving an 1881 silver-mining town, restored by Walter Knott and named California's Silver Rush Ghost Town; cabins and camping at the base of town. Due to the historic nature of the town, not all areas are ADA accessible.
Hours
Daily 9am-5pm; closed Christmas Day
Cost
Adults $8; youth (4-11) $5; 3 and under free; festival weekends adults $10-$20, youth $5-$10; attractions extra
Dogs
Dogs $1 each; must be on a 6-ft leash at all times; pets welcome at the attractions
Free, family-friendly three-day celebration with more than 40 altars (ofrendas), folkloric dancers, papel picado and sugar-skull craft stations, and a candlelit procession from Twiggs Street to El Campo Santo Cemetery on Monday evening. Free parking at the Caltrans headquarters, 2994 Sunset Street.
Dates
Oct. 31 - Nov. 2
Hours
Oct 31 and Nov 1 10am-5pm; Nov 2 10am-7pm (candlelit procession 6pm)
Cost
Free
Dogs
Leashed dogs in outdoor areas; not inside museums or buildings.
Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at The Old Globe
November 4 - December 31, 2026
The Old Globe's whimsical family-favorite musical returns for its 29th year, turning the stage into snow-covered Who-ville. Running time one hour and 20 minutes, no intermission; ages 3+ except at 10:30am all-ages shows. Wheelchair seating and assistive listening in all theatres; group rates for 15 or more.
Dates
November 4 - December 31, 2026
Ages
Ages 3+: children under the age of three will not be permitted, except at the 10:30 am all-ages performances
Ebenezer Scrooge's BIG San Diego Christmas Show at The Old Globe
November 20 - December 27, 2026
A fast, funny Dickens mash-up with a comic local twist, packed with music and laughter for audiences of all ages (5 and up). Running time one hour and 15 minutes; wheelchair seating and assistive listening available, plus group rates for 10 or more.
Dates
November 20 - December 27, 2026
Ages
Ages 5+: children under the age of five are not permitted
Cygnet's annual, visually stunning staging of Dickens' tale of hope and redemption, a holiday tradition for the whole family (ages 5+), at The Joan in Liberty Station. About 2 hours with one intermission; wheelchair and ADA seating by request.
Dates
November 24 - December 24, 2026
Ages
Children younger than 5 not permitted in the theater
The City of San Diego's largest free holiday festival fills Balboa Park with the lights, the sounds, the attractions and the amazing food. Family friendly; the San Diego Museum of Art is free 5-9pm and the Japanese Friendship Garden's upper garden is free 3-9pm.
Balboa Park science center open 365 days a year with Kid City, Space Gallery and a Heikoff Giant Dome Theater film included; sensory-friendly accessibility hour the third Saturday of every month.
Hours
Daily 10am-5pm; accessibility hours third Saturday 9-10am; Dec 10 10am-4pm; Dec 24 10am-5pm; Dec 25 12:30-5pm
Cost
Adults (13+) $21.95; seniors (65+) $19.95; juniors (3-12) $18.95; 2 and under free
City park that is the largest aquatic park of its kind in the country: over 4,235 acres of land and water with 27 miles of shoreline and lifeguard stations in designated areas.
Historic buildings and living history programs bring Mexican California's Rancho period and frontier life back to life. Dogs welcome in outdoor areas like the plaza.
Hours
Visitor center and select museums 10am-5pm; museums closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Cost
Free
Dogs
Dogs allowed only in outdoor areas like the plaza. Dogs not allowed inside museums or buildings.
Aviation and space museum in Balboa Park with something for the whole family; widely accessible for visitors with disabilities, with reduced prices for seniors 65+.
Hours
Daily 10am-4:30pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Cost
Adults (12+) $35; seniors 65+, students and retired military $29
Balboa Park museum with five floors of exhibitions and a giant screen theater; Fridays it stays open until 11pm for Nat at Night, half-price after 5pm with rooftop food and drinks.
Hours
Daily 10am-5pm; Fridays until 11pm (select Fridays; check calendar)
Cost
Adult $24.95; youth (3-17) $16.95; 2 and under free; Nat at Night adult $12.50
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's safari park in the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido, with the Africa Tram included in admission, the new Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, and Wildlife Safari, Cart Safari and Roar & Snore Safari experiences. Some paths are steep; a free ADA shuttle serves guests with mobility disabilities. Kids free Oct 1-31
Hours
9am-5pm (hours vary by date; see the source's calendar)
Cost
1-Day Pass $78; child (3-11) $68; Value Days online $73/$63; parking $20 per vehicle (oversized $55; preferred from $45)
Where
15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027
Over 125,000 square feet of exhibits and grounds, including the Air Force One Pavilion; from Nov 7 admission includes the special exhibit Diana: Love Life Legacy.
Hours
Daily 10am-5pm; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day and Dec 5.
Cost
Through Nov 6: adults $16, seniors (62+) $13, youth (11-17) $9, children (3-10) $6, 2 and under free. From Nov 7: adults $29.95, seniors $26.95, youth $22.95, children $19.95. Online tickets add $2.50
Hour-long guided walking tour, for all ages, through Baldassare Forestiere's hand-dug underground rooms, courtyards and passageways, where some fruit trees are over 90 years old. The tour is on earthen terrain. Street parking only (no lot or designated handicap parking), and High-Speed Rail construction surrounds the site.
Hours
Tours by reservation (strongly recommended); street parking only, arrive 20 minutes early
Cost
Adults (18-59) $25; seniors (60+), college students and military $23; youth (5-17) $14; 4 and under free
More than 56 historic buildings on landscaped grounds telling Kern County's story from the Gold Rush to oil and agriculture, for visitors of all ages. Closed to regular visits Oct 29-Nov 1 and Dec 5
Hours
Wed-Sun 9am-4pm (no admission after 3:30pm); closed Mon-Tue and federal holidays; Black Gold exhibit closed; Closed to regular visits Oct 29-Nov 1 and Dec 5
Cost
Adults $10; seniors/military $9; children 3-12 $5; 2 and under free
Los Banos Christmas Parade and Christmas in the Plaza
Dec 5, 2026
The Chamber of Commerce's lighted night parade, themed "Elves on Parade," followed by awards, carolers and the tree lighting in Henry Miller Plaza, with arts and crafts, choirs, marching bands and food vendors.
Marie's Nutcracker comes to life on Christmas Eve in a production with 40 dancers, more than 150 hand-sewn costumes and hand-crafted sets. Runs 1 hour 40 minutes with a 20-minute intermission; ages 2 and up.
Military aviation history next to Castle Airport. The VC-9 presidential aircraft is open for tours on weekends, weather permitting, from 10am to 2:30pm for an extra $10 per person.
Hours
Daily 9am-4pm; last aircraft-area admission 3:15pm
Cost
$25 ages 18-64; $20 seniors 65+ and military/veterans; $15 ages 6-17; under 6 free with a paid adult
A lakeside park for fishing, kayaking and picnicking, with playgrounds, a swimming beach area, kayak and paddleboard rentals, beach volleyball and a boat launch.
Exhibits on Merced County history in the county's three-story 1875 Italianate courthouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Current exhibits include The MAC at 30: A Canvas of Community and America 250 Merced County.
Rolling hills with spring wildflowers, scenic vistas and 28 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. The Dinosaur Lake Trail is closed until further notice, and water is not available in the day use area. No dogs.
Hours
8am to sunset
Cost
$10 per vehicle
Where
38787 Dinosaur Point Road, off Highway 152, 24 miles west of Los Banos
More than 15 miles of auto tour routes and over 10 miles of nature trails through wetlands, grasslands and riparian woodlands, with tule elk viewing and a visitor center exhibit hall.
Hours
Daily, half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; visitor center daily 8am-4:30pm except holidays
Weekly 30-minute story time with picture books, fingerplays and music for ages 3-6 and their grown-ups, followed by a craft. Takes a break in May and December.
Four days of carnival rides, a hay maze, VR haunted house, Halloween market, kids activities and Dia de los Muertos programming, with trunk-or-treat car shows Fri-Sun nights and fireworks Saturday and Sunday at 7pm.
Dates
Oct 29, 2026 – Nov 1, 2026
Hours
Oct 29-Nov 1, 3pm-10pm daily (last entry 9pm)
Cost
Free admission; reserve a free ticket online. Rides, games, food and concerts extra
Where
San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, 1658 S Airport Way, Stockton, CA 95206
A screening of Stitch Head, a spooky animated comedy adventure and twist on the Frankenstein legend about a small patchwork creature protecting a castle of forgotten monsters.
Dates
Thursday, October 29, 2026
Hours
3:00 pm–4:00 pm
Ages
All ages
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Thornton Library, 26341 N. Thornton Rd., Thornton, CA 95686
The Mountain House Public Safety team and the library host the annual Spooky Safety Stroll at Town Hall. Come in costume; kids get a treat bag (one per child, while supplies last) and safety tips for trick-or-treating. You don't need to register.
Dates
Friday, October 30, 2026
Hours
3:00 pm-5:00 pm at the library; the City lists 2:00 pm-5:00 pm at Town Hall
Ages
Children
Cost
Free
Where
Town Hall Main Lobby, 251 E. Main Street, Mountain House, CA 95391
A Halloween celebration in the library parking lot with a candy-free trunk-or-treat, stuffed pals, plinko for prizes and crafts (first come, first served while supplies last).
Dates
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Hours
11:30 am–1:30 pm
Ages
All ages
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Linden Library parking lot, 19059 E. Main Street, Linden, CA 95236
Children and teens read aloud their own writing (poetry, short story) or a favorite piece by another writer. Snacks and light refreshments. For ages 5-18.
Dates
Monday, November 2, 2026
Hours
4:00 pm–5:00 pm
Ages
5-18
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Mountain House Library, 201 E. Main St., Mountain House, CA 95391
Native C.O.R.E. shares the history and significance of corn husk dolls through storytelling and hands-on crafting; participants make their own keepsake to take home. An intergenerational program for all ages.
The 28th annual festival celebrates the cranes' return to the Delta with presentations, workshops, an art show, vendors and conservation exhibits, plus guided tours to crane-viewing sites (tour prices vary). Opening events Friday evening.
Billed as the largest Nutcracker production in North America, the 34th annual tour launches in Stockton with an international cast, acrobatics and larger-than-life puppetry set to Tchaikovsky's score.
Dates
Nov 8, 2026
Hours
Doors 2pm; show 3pm
Cost
Tickets from $35
Where
Bob Hope Theatre, 242 E. Main St., Stockton, CA 95202
Community Helpers: Cards for Cubs at the Mountain House Library
Monday, November 9, 2026Ages 5-18
Make encouragement and birthday cards for children in the foster care system through the Cards for Cubs card drive. Community Helpers is a service program for ages 5-18.
Dates
Monday, November 9, 2026
Hours
4:00 pm–5:00 pm
Ages
5-18
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Mountain House Library, 201 E. Main St., Mountain House, CA 95391
Cascada de Flores: La Ofrenda Musical at the Manteca Library
Friday, November 13, 2026Ages All ages
A bilingual, participatory performance exploring Día de los Muertos traditions from Mexico and Central America through song, dance, personal stories and many musical instruments.
Dates
Friday, November 13, 2026
Hours
3:30 pm–4:30 pm
Ages
All ages
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Manteca Branch Library, 320 W. Center St., Manteca, CA 95336
2nd Saturdays For Families: Tube Shadow Theater at the Haggin Museum
Saturday, November 14, 2026Free
Families create a shadow theater using a paper roll tube and craft paper, read "Lights! Camera! Action!" by Mara Rocklift, and learn how a camera obscura works and how images travel. Free; RSVP.
Dates
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Hours
1-3pm
Cost
Free
Where
Haggin Museum, 1201 N Pershing Ave, Stockton, CA 95203
Astronomy in the Park at Shumway Oak Grove Regional Park
Nov 14 – Dec 12, 2026Free
Stargazing through giant telescopes provided by the Stockton Astronomical Society: Saturn, Mercury, the Moon and M13 in November; the Andromeda Galaxy, Saturn and the Moon in December. Bring a flashlight and something to sit on. Free event; $6 cash parking.
Native Plant Trail Nature Walk at Shumway Oak Grove Regional Park
Sunday, November 15, 2026Free
An easy 45-60 minute walk with Nature Center docents exploring the sights, sounds and seasonal changes of fall in the Oak Woodlands. Families welcome; please no pets. Free event; $6 cash parking.
The Stockton Astronomical Society sets up telescopes on the southeast side of Main Street Park for an evening of stargazing, hosted by the Escalon Library. Learn about the universe and ask questions.
Dates
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Hours
7:00 pm–8:00 pm
Ages
All ages
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Main Street Park (southeast side), Escalon, CA 95320
Music, movement and farm rhythms in a hands-on sing-along with guitar, shakers and a signature big green drum. Recommended for families with children 10 years and younger, but all are welcome.
Downtown Lodi Lighting Ceremony and Free Carriage Rides
Nov 28 – Dec 19, 2026Free
Downtown Lodi holiday events: Small Business Saturday with free carriage rides from noon to 4pm and the Downtown Lighting Ceremony at 5pm. Free carriage rides return on Saturdays, December 5, 12 and 19.
Dates
Saturday, November 28, 2026; carriage rides also December 5, 12 and 19
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Lodi's 29th annual parade fills downtown with more than 80 lighted floats, marching bands and dance troupes, ending with Santa on a Lodi fire truck. Arrive early; parking fills quickly.
Central West Ballet's holiday tradition follows Clara to the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy, including a sensory-friendly performance. On Dec 5, Central Ave. is closed for the farmers market and parade.
Dates
Dec 4, 2026 – Dec 5, 2026
Hours
Fri Dec 4 2pm (sensory-friendly) and 7pm; Sat Dec 5 1pm
Cost
$27-$69 (includes $4 fee)
Where
Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, 715 N. Central Ave., Tracy, CA 95376
Festival of Trees at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum
Dec 4 – Dec 6, 2026
The 34th annual two-day holiday celebration with crafts, entertainment, food and beautifully decorated Christmas trees on the museum's 18-acre grounds in Micke Grove Park. A Limited Preview Event on Friday is for those who have difficulty in large crowds.
Dates
December 4-6, 2026 (Friday, December 4 is a quiet preview)
Hours
Preview 1-4pm; main event 10am-4pm
Cost
Friday preview $8; Saturday-Sunday $15 (ages 13+), $5 (ages 2-12); preview and adult tickets include parking; every ticket includes one dessert
Where
San Joaquin County Historical Museum, 11793 N. Micke Grove Road, Lodi, CA
Holiday shopping, food and craft vendors, kid rides, free kids' activities and visits with Santa, followed by the "Hometown Christmas in Manteca" parade of floats and marching bands along Yosemite Avenue.
MoHoHo Holidays: Parade of Lights, Tree Lighting and Holiday Market in Mountain House
Saturday, December 5, 2026Ages Families
Illuminated floats travel up Central Parkway toward Main Street, then the holiday tree lights up at Town Hall Plaza, followed by the Whoville Holiday Market with live entertainment, vendors, food, a family train ride, a Kid Zone and photos with Santa and the Grinch.
A festive concert with American Idol finalist Filo Ebid and the Stockton Youth Chorale: Sleigh Ride, O Holy Night, Symph-Hanukkah, music from The Nutcracker and Frozen, and a carol sing-along.
Dates
Dec 5, 2026 – Dec 6, 2026
Hours
Sat Dec 5 6pm; Sun Dec 6 2:30pm
Cost
Ticketed; prices not published online
Where
Warren Atherton Auditorium, San Joaquin Delta College, 5151 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95207
Tree Lighting and Delta Reflections Lighted Boat Parade
Dec 5, 2026Free
Snowfall, cookies and hot chocolate, live performances and local vendors at Weber Point, with the tree lighting at 5:30pm and the Lynn Hahn Memorial Delta Reflections Lighted Boat Parade around 6:30pm. Bring blankets and lawn chairs; no pets, alcohol or bikes. Parking is on-street or in paid city lots.
Dates
Dec 5, 2026
Hours
3-7pm; tree lighting 5:30pm; boat parade about 6:30pm
Cost
Free
Where
Weber Point Events Center, 221 N. Center St., Stockton, CA 95202
STEAM Crew: Superspy Day at the Mountain House Library
Monday, December 7, 2026Ages 5-12
A superspy mission to save the library: learn how to make and break secret codes and ciphers, then use your skills to complete the mission. For ages 5-12.
Dates
Monday, December 7, 2026
Hours
4:00 pm–5:00 pm
Ages
5-12
Cost
Ticket prices not listed
Where
Mountain House Library, 201 E. Main St., Mountain House, CA 95391
Great White Shark Adventures at the Escalon Library
Wednesday, December 9, 2026
The Ocean Adventure Company's traveling marine science show: undersea explorers Wayne and Karen Brown share their Great White Shark adventure at Guadalupe Island, with Maria, a 15-foot inflatable great white shark.
Dates
Wednesday, December 9, 2026
Hours
3:30 pm–4:30 pm
Ages
Recommended for ages 5 & up but all ages are welcome
Old-growth valley oaks along the Stanislaus River protect one of California's last riparian oak woodlands, with hiking and fishing. Parts of the park are currently closed due to flood damage and debris.
Hours
Daily 8am to sunset
Cost
$10 per vehicle ($12 peak and weekends); seniors $9
Where
Caswell Memorial State Park, Austin Rd., Ripon, CA
Hands-on play exhibits for young children in downtown Stockton. Adults must be accompanied by a child, and children by an adult. Guests with an EBT card and ID get 50% off admission for up to four people.
Art and local history in Victory Park, now showing an exhibit celebrating the Stockton Symphony's 100 years. Free for everyone on the first Saturday of the month. Next free first Saturdays: Nov 7 and Dec 5.
Hours
Wed-Fri 1:30-5pm; 1st and 3rd Thursdays 1:30-9pm; Sat-Sun noon-5pm; closed Mon-Tue, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Cost
$8 adults; $7 seniors 65+ and military; $5 ages 10-17 and students; under 10 free; Free for all on the first Saturday of the month
Where
Haggin Museum, 1201 N. Pershing Ave., Stockton, CA 95203
Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library Discover & Go museum passes
Library cardholders 16 and up can reserve museum passes online (or by phone or at any branch) and print them at home. Up to 2 reservations at a time; bring the printed pass and photo ID.
Cost
Pass terms vary by venue; valid SSJCPL card required
Section: Family outingsevent
