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“Peter Pan”
THROUGH NOV. 3. See the long-loved tale of the boy who wouldn’t grow up in the national tour of a new adaptation. No children under 5 allowed. $36 and up.
Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor St., San Francisco
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Avenida de Altares
Celebrate Día de los Muertos and the 25th anniversary of the Mexican Heritage Plaza by visiting stunning altars honoring ancestors and enjoying music, entertainment, shopping, food and drink. 5:30-10:30pm. FREEadmission, registration encouraged.
Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose
“BigPicture”
THROUGH APRIL 13. See 48 winning images, from photographers from 25 countries, in this year’s BigPicture: Natural World Photography Competition in the Academy’s ground-floor piazza. This year’s theme was “Unusual Perspectives.” Included with admission of $25-50, 2 and under FREE.
California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco
Día de los Muertos
Honor the lives of departed ancestors and loved ones, create a sand painting with stencils, learn about the holiday’s rich traditions and delight in the bigger-than-life skeleton puppets and the Calaveras procession. 11am-3pm. Included with admission of $18, under 1 FREE.
Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, 180 Woz Way, San Jose
Diwali Fun Run and Festival
Enjoy an evening 5K run/walk and festival celebrating Diwali, with food, entertainment and more. 4-8:30pm. $43.90 festival, $81 festival and run.
Shadow Cliffs Regional Park, 2500 Stanley Blvd., Pleasanton
runsignup.com/Race/CA/Pleasanton/DiwaliFunRunWalk?rsus=200-500-57643173-f0cd-41be-9669-6eaa1ff7d960
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Oakland Día de los Muertos
This free outdoor festival brings more than 100,000 people to the vibrant Fruitvale neighborhood with music, games, stunning altars and more. Time TBA. FREE.
International Boulevard and Fruitvale Ave., Oakland
unitycouncil.org/program/diaoakland
“We Call It Ballet: Sleeping Beauty”
THROUGH DEC. 11. See this timeless tale brought to life with expressive storytelling, dancing and costumes glittering with glow-in-the-dark lights. For ages 8 and up. 6 and 9pm. $57 and up.
Brava Theater Center, 2781 24th St., San Francisco
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“Kimberly Akimbo”
THROUGH DEC. 1. The national tour of this Tony Award-winning Best Musical features Broadway cast members in the story of a 16-year-old girl with a rare genetic condition who moves to a new town, determined to find happiness against all odds. For ages 10 and up. $60 and up.
Curran Theatre, 445 Geary St., San Francisco
Safeway Holiday Ice Rink
THROUGH JAN. 20. Head to Union Square and grab some skates for winter fun in the heart of the city. Hourlong sessions start every 90 minutes. $20, $15 ages 8 and under, including skate rentals.
Union Square, Geary and Powell streets, San Francisco
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Glowfari
THROUGH JAN. 28. See hundreds of new, larger than life animal lanterns in this holiday tradition. 4:30-9pm. Reservations required. Ticket prices TBA.
Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland
Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink
Enjoy gilding on the ice during 90-minute sessions at this seasonal outdoor rink. Prices TBA.
City Center Bishop Ranch, 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon
citycenterbishopranch.com/events/kristi-yamaguchi-holiday-ice-rink
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Legion of Honor 100
THROUGH NOV. 11. The museum’s centennial celebration kicks off this weekend with the first Free Saturday event of the year and will feature a year of free music and dance performances, lectures and screenings of iconic films. Free admission to “Mary Cassatt at Work” will be available on a first-come, first-served basis Sat. and Sun. There will also be a marching band, Ohlone welcome, ballet performances, electronic music, a display of 250 cakes and more. FREE.
Legion of Honor, Lincoln Park, 100 34th Ave., San Francisco
famsf.org/events/legion-honor-100
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Merry and Bright Preview Night
Be among the first to see Filoli decked out for the holidays in its historic house and gardens. Enjoy festive music, carolers and holiday cheer, plus receive complimentary hot drinks in a keepsake mug. (Holidays at Filoli runs through Jan. 12. See website for special events and fees.) 7-10pm. $95.
Filoli, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside
San Mateo on Ice
THROUGH JAN. 12. Enjoy this seasonal outdoor rink with public skate sessions of 1.5-2 hours. $18 and up; FREE community skate days are scheduled for Nov.18 and Dec. 10 and 17. Advance online purchase required.
Central Park, 50 E. Fifth Ave., San Mateo
“The Hobbit”
THROUGH NOV. 17. J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantastic tale of adventure is brought to life on stage with a cast of 36 North Star Academy students in grades 4-8. $14-24.
McKinley Auditorium, 400 Duane St., Redwood City
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“Amy Sherald: American Sublime”
THROUGH MARCH 9. Best known for her iconic portrait of Michelle Obama, Sherald’s work addresses the omission of Black figures from the history of figure painting. The exhibit debuts in San Francisco before moving to the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. $40-42, 18 and under FREE.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 151 Third St., San Francisco
Berkeley Rep Theatre Explorers
In Berkeley Rep’s latest program – an add-on for subscribers – kids in grades K-5 enjoy an afternoon of workshops with professional teaching artists from the School of Theatre – including games, movies and art projects – while parents watch a matinee next door. Today’s performance is “The Matchbox Magic Flute.” 2pm. $25.
Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, 2071 Addison St., Berkeley
“IlluminOdyssey”
THROUGH JAN. 26. Journey into the science of light in this seasonal interactive, immersive installation. FREEwith admission of $21.95 adults, $17.95 youth.
CuriOdyssey, 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo
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Tule Boat and Doll-Making
ALSO NOV. 24. Join Ohlone cultural leaders and celebrate National Native American Heritage Month by learning to make these traditional crafts. 11:30am-1:30pm. Included with admission of $20, 2 and under FREE.
Lawrence Hall of Science, 1 Centennial Drive, Berkeley
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Christmas in the Park Drive-Thru Light Show
THROUGH JAN. 1. See over a mile of holiday displays with more than 200,000 lights. $25-30 per car.
History Park, 635 Phelan Ave., San Jose
christmasinthepark.com/events/drive-thru-light-show
“Glow”
Through Jan. 26. Stunning light sculptures, luminous artworks and interactive exhibits return in this annual winter exhibition. FREE with admission of $39.95 adults, $29.95 ages 4-17, 3 and under FREE.
Exploratorium, Pier 15, San Francisco
“Honk. Jr.”
THROUGH NOV. 24. Playful People Productions presents this family-friendly musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling.” Ticket prices TBA.
Historic Hoover Theatre, 1635 Park Ave., San Jose
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Enchant Christmas
THROUGH DEC. 29. Experience the world’s largest Christmas Light Maze when Enchant returns to San Jose for a third season. Plus, ice skating, Santa, carolers and more. Prices start at $27-38 adult, discounts for ages 4-17, 3 and under FREE.
PayPal Park, 1123 Coleman Ave., San Jose
“’Tis the Season for Science”
THROUGH JAN. 5. Enjoy faux snow flurries, pop-up programs from the Ice Lab to a penguin puppet show, Arctic exploration, seasonal storytime, live entertainment, visiting reindeer and more at this annual event. It opens tonight with Welcome Winter Night, with face painting, cookie decorating, magic and planetarium shows and more. 6:30pm. $49.99 adults, $24.99 ages 3-17, 2 and under FREE.
California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco
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The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
THROUGH DEC. 22. It’s the 40th anniversary for this beloved event that transforms The Cow Palace into the bustling streets and lively stages of Charles Dickens’ Victorian London for five weekends. 10am-6pm. $18-45.
The Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly City
Polar Play Days
THROUGH JAN. 5. Enjoy winter-themed exhibits and activities – from a polar animal scavenger hunt to a migration engineering challenge to making animal cookie cutters. New this year is a sock skating rink. Included with admission of $36 adults, $28 children.
The Tech Interactive, 201 S. Market St., San Jose
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“Hamilton”
THROUGH JAN. 5. The smash hip-hop hit about America’s first treasury secretary returns to San Francisco. Recommended for ages 10 and up; 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult; no one under 5 allowed. $59-209.
Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St., San Francisco
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Christmas in the Park
THROUGH JAN. 1. This whimsical walk-through event – with holiday displays, scores of trees decorated by local groups, food, entertainment and more – has been a San Jose tradition for more than four decades. 12-10pm. FREE.
Plaza de Cesar Chavez, Market Street, San Jose
Winterfest
THROUGH DEC. 31. Select nights. Great America is transformed into a Winter Wonderland with millions of lights and more than 60 rides and holiday attractions, such as sending letters to the North Pole, checking out Santa’s workshop and baking cookies in Mrs. Claus’ kitchen. From $44.99.
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“The Velveteen Rabbit”
THROUGH DEC. 8. Now in its 38th year, ODC/Dance’s holiday production is the story of a stuffed rabbit which comes to life through the love of its owner, told with dance, narration and larger-than-life storybook characters. See website for VIB (Very Important Bunny) and brunch offerings. $30-125.
Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA, 700 Howard St., San Francisco