1
First Day Hikes
Welcome the new year with guided hikes at California State Parks in the Bay Area and beyond. See website for details.
Glowfari
THROUGH JAN. 26. Select dates. It’s not too late to catch this popular, illuminating lantern festival with larger-than-life animals highlighting conservation. 4:30-9:30pm. Ticket prices vary, under 2 FREE.
Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland
2
“Hallyu! The Korean Wave”
Catch this exhibit about K-pop, Korean dramas, film, fashion, beauty and more before it closes on Jan. 6. $30 adults, $24 ages 13-17, 12 and under FREE.
Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St., San Francisco
River Otter Snow Days
Watch the otters run around, play and wrestle in the snow to celebrate the holiday season. 10am-5pm. Included with admission of $35 ages 13 and up, $25 ages 4-12, 3 and under FREE.
Aquarium of the Bay, Beach Street and the Embarcadero, San Francisco
3
First Friday: Blast Off!
Spend an evening dedicated to the excitement of space exploration. Discover the science behind rocket launches, create space-inspired art to take home, and dance the night away to live music. 6-10pm. $10 adults, $5 children.
Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland
4
“Dog Man: The Musical”
ALSO JAN. 5. Based on the popular series by Dav Pilkey, this hilarious and heartwarming production follows the chronicles of Dog Man, who with the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, loves to fight crime and chew on furniture. Recommended for ages 5 and up. $48 and up.
Curran Theatre, 445 Geary St., San Francisco
Little Flippers Class
Kids can learn the hobby/sport of pinball on select Saturdays, starting with a lesson and ending with a little competition. Ages 5-12. (Parents must remain on site.) 11:30am. Included with admission of $12.
Pacific Pinball Museum, 1510 Webster St., Alameda
pacificpinball.org/little-flippers
5
20th Annual Holiday LEGO Show
ALSO JAN. 11. Join the Bay Area LEGO Users Group and the Bay Area L-Gauge Train Club to see LEGO designs inspired by the theme “One Upon a Time.” 11am-3:30pm. $4 cash.
Museum of American Heritage, 351 Homer Ave., Palo Alto
First Free Sunday
Every first Sunday of the month, general admission is free to OMCA’s Galleries of California Art, History and Natural Sciences, and tickets to special exhibitions are discounted to $6. Make sure to check out “OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace,” an area dedicated to children ages 2-5. Advanced, timed reservations recommended. 11am-5pm. FREE, admission always FREE for ages 12 and under.
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland
museumca.org/event/first-sundays-9/2025-01-05
7
“Some Like It Hot”
THROUGH JAN. 26. This Tony Award-winning musical, a song-and-dance spectacular set in Prohibition-era Chicago, is the story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. Recommended for ages 12 and up; no one under 5 admitted. $55 and up.
Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St., San Francisco
11
Big Basin Guided Walk
ALSO JAN. 18 and 25. Learn about Big Basin – past, present and future – on a one-hour, 0.6-mile walk under old-growth redwoods on a flat and easy trail designed for all ages. 11am. FREE, register online.
Big Basin Redwoods State Park, 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek
https://thatsmypark.org/event/guided-walk-big-basin-yesterday-today-and-tomorrow/2025-01-11/
Saturday Series
Marin Theatre Company presents the puppet show “Puppylocks” as part of a new series for families. The 40-minute marionette show is followed by a hands-on workshop. Recommended for ages 3 and up. 11am. FREE; advance registration required.
Mill Valley Library, 375 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley
12
Storytime at Books Inc. San Leandro
Every Sun., enjoy stories, rhymes and fun for kids of all ages. 11:30am. FREE.
Books Inc., 2483 Washington Ave., San Leandro
17
“Aesop’s Fables”
ALSO JAN. 18. Peninsula Youth Theatre’s Stories on Stage presents an original adaptation of these favorite fables. $17.
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts Second Stage, 500 Castro St., Mountain View
pytnet.org/boxoffice/aesops-fables
“The Prom”
Through JAN. 19. Starting Arts presents this musical, performed by a talented high school cast, about four Broadway stars who intervene to help a small-town girl bring her girlfriend to the big dance. $28 and up.
Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo De San Antonio, San Jose
hammer-theater.com/events-list
18
“A John Williams Celebration”
Experience the magic and adventure of Williams’ timeless compositions performed live by the Peninsula Symphony. Selections include classic music from
“Jaws,” “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and more. Also Jan. 19 at 2:30pm at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center. 7:30pm. $25-50, students FREE.
Heritage Theatre, 1 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell
19
Straw Rocket Workshop
Learn about the physics of rocketry, explore a real rocket and then build a high-performance straw rocket to launch across the museum with a calibrated burst of air. 11am. Included with admission of $22 adult, $14 ages 4-17, 3 and under FREE with paid adult.
Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Road, San Carlos
25
Wilder Ranch Historic Tours
Discover what life was like a century ago on an innovative dairy ranch. The hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, horse barn, uniquely constructed 1860’s cow barn, 1858 farmhouse and 1897 Queen Anne Victorian home. 1pm. FREE, $10 vehicle day-use fee.
Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Road, Santa Cruz
https://santacruzstateparks.as.me/schedule/0ef4b536/appointment/23171058/calendar/7296323
26
Lighthouse History Walk
Every Sun., join a 45-minute walking tour of the historic grounds of Pigeon Point Light Station to hear tales of whalers, bootleggers, shipwrecks, the building and restoration of the lighthouse and more. 2pm. FREE, register online.
Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, 210 Pigeon Point Road Highway 1, Pescadero
https://santacruzstateparks.as.me/schedule/0ef4b536/appointment/28957978/calendar/6326642/datetime/2025-01-26T14%3A00%3A00-08%3A00
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Oakland Museum White Elephant Sale
THROUGH FEB. 22. Select dates. Northern California’s largest rummage sale is back, with a massive warehouse filled with one-of-a-kind finds and amazing deals on items from kids’ bikes to prom dresses, all in support of the Oakland Museum of California. 10am-2pm. Ticket prices TBA.
333 Lancaster St., Oakland