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Health & Fitness

Ronnie’s Awesome List – December 2011/January 2012

For inspiration on what to do with your family during the holiday's, or any day of the year, come back and visit us at Marinhood, The Ultimate Kids Events Round-Up In Marin And Beyond.

Marinhood, Neighbor
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Mark Your Calendar


It's winter and in the Marin that means the rainy season is here! Wondering where to go at a moments notice? Maybe you need to run an errand, go to a doctors appointment or your child is bored and wants to get out of the house. Fortunately, there are many drop-in opportunities available in Marin. Starting from southern Marin and heading north, here are some suggestions. 

* If you know other places that have a drop in program, please let us know.

Find out what's happening in Mill Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sausalito 

  • Playland, weekdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m., ages 1-8, 610 Colma Street.
  • Bay Model, Tuesday through Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Tot Club, Sausalito Recreation Department, Mondays and Fridays 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., 420 Litho Street. The drop-in rate is $5 for residents and $8 for non-residents.
  • Adventure Club, Sausalito Recreation Department, Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., MLK Gym, 610 Coloma Street.
  • The Bay Area Discovery Museum, many indoor activity areas perfect for a rainy day.


Mill Valley

Find out what's happening in Mill Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Art Start, 45 Camino Alto, Suite 108, next to Starbucks, Monday - Friday, 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • JUMP Indoor Play, 9 a.m. - noon, $5.00 for 1 child or $7.00 for the family, Mill Valley Community Center, (415) 383-1370 or go to their website.
  • Jumping Jacks, Strawberry Recreation, Monday and Friday, 10:30 a.m. to noon, $5 per child or $8 per family, (415) 383-6494. No program on the following dates: 12/23-12/30, 1/16.
  • The Planet, 220 Redwood Hwy., ages 6+, wood working, sewing, beading and more.


Tiburon


San Rafael

  • Jumping Jacks, San Rafael Community Center, 9:30-10:30 a.m. High Jump (for children 23 months to 3 years) is from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Drop-in fee is $10. 25% sibling discounts available.
  • San Rafael Gymnastics, 129 San Carlos Drive, drop-in play for ages 18 months-6 years on Saturday, 9:30-10:30 a.m. $8 for currently enrolled students and $10 for not currently enrolled. Friday's 6+, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
  • Drop-In Playtime, Parents Place, 600 Fifth Avenue, 491-7959.
  • Country Club Lanes, 88 Vivian Way, off East Francisco Boulevard.


San Anselmo

  • Art A Bloom, drop-ins welcome when space is available, class fee + $10 drop-in fee
  • doodlebug, art studio is open 7 days a week.
  • Play-Well TEKnologies, 216 Greenfield Avenue, San Anselmo, Weekdays: $9/hr per child, Weekends and Holidays: $10/hr per child, Pre-School Discount: $7/hr - weekdays, under age 5, before 1:00 p.m. (not applicable on school vacation days, including summer)


Fairfax


Novato

  • Studio 4 Art, $19.50/1st hour. 20% discount for each additional hour during the same visit, (415) 596-5546.

You will also find an amazing variety of events listed below. Don't forget story times at the libraries and be sure to check my "every list" for more great ideas.

For inspiration on what to do with your family during the holiday's, or any day of the year, come back and visit us again at Marinhood.

Wishing you all a very magical holiday! See you in 2012.

Ronnie

TREE AND MENORAH LIGHTING

12/2-12/4 Holiday Tree-Lighting Event, Join Snoopy, Charlie Brown and a cast of up-and-coming skaters for a mini Ice Show and marvel at the spectacle of our 20-ft Christmas tree at Snoopy's Home Ice in Santa Rosa.

Sat. 12/3 Union Street Holiday Program, Thousands of holiday lights set off the Victorians, transforming Union Street into a magical backdrop for Santa and a team of elves to celebrate along with jugglers, live ponies dressed as reindeer, a monkey, face painters and balloon artists, Union Street between Van Ness & Steiner, Fillmore Street from Union to Lombard, San Francisco, 3-7 p.m.

12/20 - 12/27 - Menorah Lighting, Union Square, First Candle Lighting, 5 p.m.

Sun. 12/25 Bill Graham Menorah Day, Union Square, festivities begin at 3 p.m.

HOLIDAY TEAS

Sat. 12/10 - Un Thé au Petit Jardin, Teddy Bear Tea à la française at the Robson Harrington House of San Anselmo.

Sat. 12/10 Pixie Park's Teddy Bear Tea Party, Seatings at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., For ages 7 and under, featuring Tea Fare, a special craft, and a Holiday Sing-a-Long with Tim Cain!

Sat/Sun 12/10 - 12/11 Bookmarks Annual Teddy Bear Tea, Founders Room, seatings 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. for children ages 2 & up. Wear your holiday finest and enjoy refreshments, music, stories and crafts. RSVP (415) 789-2662. Belvedere-Tiburon Library.

Sat/Sun 12/10-12/11 Magic Toy Box Tea, Falkirk Cultural Center.

11/26-1/1 Nutcracker Tea in the Laurel Court at the Fairmont Hotel, Saturdays and Sundays, reservations available 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

12/9-12/10, 12/16-12/17, 12/19-23, Magical Holiday Tea with RJ Owens, the magician, and Sandra Lethley, the face painter. All children receive a complimentary gift to take home, 12:30 p.m to 2 p.m.

12/16, 12/19, 12/23 Crown & Crumpet Tea Salon Gingerbread Tea, 4 p.m.–6 p.m.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Sat. 12/3 Breakfast with Santa, Sausalito, 8:30-11 a.m.

Sat. 12/3 Breakfast with Santa, Village at Corte Madera, Cheesecake Factory.

Sun. 12/4 Breakfast with Santa, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Margaret Todd Senior Center, Novato.

Sat. 12/10 Breakfast with Santa, 9-10:30am, Belvedere Community Center.

Sat. 12/10 Breakfast with Santa, San Anselmo, 8am-12pm.

Sat. 12/10 Breakfast with Santa 9 a.m. & 11 a.m., Tamalpais Community Center, Mill Valley.

Sat. 12/10 Breakfast with Santa, 8-10:30 a.m., Corte Madera Rec Center.

Sat. 12/10 Breakfast with Santa, 9-10 a.m., Applebee's, Northgate, San Rafael.

Fri. 12/16 Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Stinson Beach Community Center.

ICE SKATING

Holiday Ice Rink at Embarcadero Center
San Francisco Zoo
Snoopy’s Home Ice
Yerba Buena Ice Skating
Union Square Holiday Ice Rink

NUTCRACKER

Sat. 12/3 The Nutcracker, abbreviated version, noon, 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Showcase Theater, San Rafael.

Thurs. 12/15 - The Puppet Company with "The Nutcracker", 4 p.m.; An annual favorite, the Nutcracker has been delighting children and families here for over five years. The show features large and colorful marionettes and lively music based on the ballet. Belevedere-Tiburon Library.

Stapleton Ballet's Nutcracker, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael.

Marin Ballet The Nutcracker, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael.

Berkeley Ballet Theater’s The Nutcracker

San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker

San Francisco Youth Ballet, The Nutcracker

Smuin Ballet Nutcracker

Nutcracker Sweets, Children's Creativity Museum (formerly Zeum)

The Dance-Along Nutcracker, Bring the kids to a daytime show or get with it and treat yourself to the Dance-Along's Groovy Gala, and you'll get down with one of San Francisco's most far out holiday traditions. Even wallflowers dig it!

TOP OF PAGE

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Rombeiro's Christmas House, 34 Devonshire Dr., Novato
Bear House, 383 Quietwood Drive, Marinwood
Mickey Mouse Christmas House, 417 Blackstone Drive, Marinwood
Oakland Zoo
Stitham House, 285 Adobestone Court in Marinwood
Tilden Park Christmas Fantasy in the Woods
West End Nursery, San Rafael

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

12/15-12/18 Stapleton A Christmas Carol, 7:30 p.m. shows on Thu & Fri; 2 p.m. Matinees on Sat & Sun. Drake High Little Theater, 1327 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, ACT

A Christmas Carol, Novato Players

PARADES, FESTIVALS AND OTHER HOLIDAY FAIR

11/25 - 12/18 Dickens Christmas Fair

Sat/Sun 11/26-12/18 Gingerbread Architecture Fundraiser, Let your imagination run wild as you create the most delightful gingerbread house on the block, festooned with candy canes, gumdrops, frosting and other treats. Don’t miss the sweetest event of the holiday season, Bay Area Discovery Museum.

12/1-19 Letters to the North Pole, mail your letters to Santa to: 3-5 Bell Lane, Mill Valley, CA 94941. Make sure to include your return address.

Thur. 12/1 Make It @ MOCFA, 6–8 p.m., Join us for a very special winter wonderland CRAFT BAR! This CRAFT BAR is all about winter gift-giving: create a penguin Woolbuddy and then make a unique holiday card.

Thur. 12/1 The Best Time of Year: A Christmas Special with the San Francisco Symphony, Enjoy the magnificent San Francisco Symphony and Chorus in a jubilant concert of classical Christmas music coupled with carols and more. Trees trimmed with lights in the windows, festive decorations, and the spirit of the season in the air—Davies Symphony Hall is the place to be during the most wonderful time of year. Start your season—and a new tradition—at the San Francisco Symphony. 8:00 p.m., Davies Symphony Hall.

Fri. 12/2 A Storybook HOLIDAY FESTIVAL in the almost perfect little town of Tiburon, 5:30 p.m., spend an evening in the enchanting storybook town reminiscent of idyllic small town Norman Rockwell holiday pictorials (but with a healthy dose of humor), the evening’s festivities will include: classic holiday carolers, costumed characters strolling along magical Main Street, yummy gingerbread house making, wonderful holiday treats, fun face painting, a Winterland Photo Shop for the kids and more!

Fri. 12/2 Holiday Tree Lighting and Evening Walk, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Join the magical tree-lighting ceremony, a decades-old Presidio tradition. Bring your singing voice and join our friends at the Presidio Trust for a fun evening! Live music will be provided by the Golden Gate Carolers. Light refreshments will follow at the Presidio Community YMCA. Meet at the corner of Lincoln Boulevard and Funston Avenue, Main Post. NEW! - Evening Forest Walk at 6:15 p.m. Following the tree lighting, join us for an enchanting, family-friendly, lantern-lit walk through the forest. Kids, bring your flashlights and experience the park in the dark on this 20-minute stroll.

Fri. 12/2 Dickens Family Victorian Holiday, Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, Join Charles Dickens and his family for a joyous evening of Victorian revelry at the Falkirk Mansion in San Rafael. Partake in a holiday treat as you go back in time to Victorian England and meet Charles Dickens, listen to him read from his famous works, watch his characters come alive (look out for Scrooge), meet and greet the true Father Christmas, play Victorian parlor games, dance and sing with our Victorian family and make traditional holiday crafts. Light food and drink will be served. A true family event.

Sat/Sun 12/2-3 The Snowman with the San Francisco Symphony, charming animated film tells a story of a young boy’s magical friendship with a snowman.

Sat. 12/3 Ring Mountain Holiday & Habitat Restoration Event, Marin County Parks and Girl Scout Troops #31522 and #30729 are hosting a very special, one time only, Christmas tree harvest day on the Ring Mountain Preserve. Families are invited to select, cut down, and take home their very own Christmas tree from the preserve! Pine trees are invading the preserve and impacting native habitats. This event will serve as a habitat restoration project, as well as a fun holiday activity for the whole family. The Girl Scouts will also offer a holiday swag-making booth, and refreshments will be provided. Please note that these trees come in all shapes and sizes, and may not necessarily serve as a replacement for your traditional holiday tree ... think Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Wear warm clothing and dress appropriately for hiking through scrub. Trees are growing across the preserve and are often difficult to access. Tools will be provided. Heavy rains may cancel: Call (415) 473-2128 on the morning of the event to hear a recorded message if cancelled.

Sat. 12/3 Jingle and Jog, benefiting Strawberry Point School, 1-4 mile family run along the Strawberry Peninsula. Music, Rudolph, free face painting and more. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Registration due 12/1.

Sat. 12/3 Holiday Crafts Family Farm Day, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Slide Ranch.

Sat. 12/3 Paxton Gate’s Curiosities for Kids’ 3rd Anniversary & Holiday Party! 3–6 p.m., 766 Valencia, Paxton Gate’s Curiosities for Kids, feast on cupcakes from Mission Minis, our very own mulled cider, and family-friendly musical entertainment by Neil Aaron.

Sat. 12/3 Union Street Holiday Program, A month long celebration of holiday happenings Union Street between Van Ness & Steiner, Fillmore Street from Union to Lombard, San Francisco, 3-7 p.m. where young and old alike can enjoy festivities to begin the holiday season. Thousands of holiday lights set off the Victorians, transforming Union Street into a magical backdrop for Santa and a team of elves to celebrate along with jugglers, live ponies dressed as reindeer, a monkey, face painters and balloon artists.

Sat. 12/3 Holiday Crafts Day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Crafts include roll-your-own beeswax candles, handmade candle holders, scented soaps, candy houses, and more, fabulous live family entertainment. Randall Museum.

Sat. 12/3 Oakland Holiday Parade, downtown Oakland. It begins the holiday season.. a fun time of year. It makes children of all ages stand up and cheer! There are giant balloons that fly high in the sky. They are causing oohs and aahs as they pass by. We have dancing trees and floats on parade. There are marching bands, drill teams and clowns on that day! It’s fun to watch kids see their favorite stars. Hey there’s Snoopy, Miss Rosa, Clifford and Lars!

Sat. 12/3 Winter Faire, Greenwood School, Winter Wonderland for the whole family. Old fashioned games, crafts, holiday shopping with local artisan's trade booths, amazing food and live music.

Sat/Sun 12/3-12/4 WinterFest, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 12/3: live holiday music all day by seven different groups. 12/4: Food and Beverages, tree lighting, FREE ICE SKATING!!, and Santa Claus arrives, Depot Plaza, Downtown Mill Valley. For more information contact 686.5707 or kennethianbrooks@gmail.com.

Sat/Sun 12/3-4 Christmas at Ardenwood, Celebrate the holiday season in Victorian style! Visit the beautifully decorated Patterson House, sing Christmas carols, Listen to live holiday music performances and enter our home-made “Christmas Cookie” baking contest (bring your cookies & the recipe with you). The day also includes holiday crafts, music, and cooking demonstrations. Magician Brian Scott and his Wizard Training Show 12:30 & 3 p.m.

Sun. 12/4 Snow Day in the Gourmet Ghetto, play in the snow in Andronico’s parking lot at 1550 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Rain date is Dec. 11.) Visit with the Snow Queen who will listen to all of your holiday wishes, make holiday crafts like greeting cards and dreidels, and warm up with hot cider and chewy cookies, find the ‘ice’ in a snowball - one has a ¼ carat diamond ring inside (1-4 p.m.), holiday card-making party using specialty paper remnants (12-4 p.m.)

Sun. 12/4 Deck the Halls, Treat your children to this festive concert featuring the magical music of the season performed by members of the San Francisco Symphony and special guests. The whole family will enjoy a post-concert party with entertainment, arts and crafts activities, and refreshments.

Sun. 12/4 - Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade, Vintage and modern tractors, antique trucks, and construction equipment bedecked with dazzling lights roll down Calistoga's scenic main street to celebrate the season and the city's agricultural heritage in a uniquely fun way.

Wed. 12/7 Winter Wednesday Craft Drop-in - Holiday Greeting Cards, 3-4:30 p.m., FREE, Make laminated holiday ornaments to deck your halls and customized bookmarks for everyone on your gift list. Sip warm apple cider and enjoy seasonal music while you create your masterpieces, Mill Valley Public Library.

Thurs. 12/8 & 12/15 Handmade Gifts, Take advantage of this great opportunity to stitch up some unique gifts for the holidays. The wonderfully creative teaching team, Redwood Thimble, will brainstorm with those who sign up -- to come up with a few special projects to be completed over the course of the 2-week series. 3:15–4:45 p.m., $65 plus $15 materials fee, Once Around, Mill Valley.

Sat. 12/10 Home for the Holidays Open House, Marine Mammal Center, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., educational games and activities such as a Scavenger Hunt, Marine Mammal Rescue Demos, and more! Free.

Sat. 12/10 Winter Magic Festivities and Snow Days, 3-8 p.m., snow slide and play area, Tam Valley, Mill Valley.

Sat. 12/10 Winter Celebration, Homestead Valley Community Center, 6-8 p.m.

Sat. 12/10 Family Game Day with Blue Orange Games, 2–4 p.m. Join us for a day of fun and games! Xavier from Blue Orange Games of San Francisco hosts a play-day featuring some of our favorite kids games like Spot It! 766 Valencia, Paxton Gate’s Curiosities for Kids

Sat. 12/10 Pixie Park’s 2011 Holiday Bake Sale & Photos with Santa! offering delicious and beautifully presented homemade baked goods for sale. These festively wrapped sweets make terrific gifts for a variety of events, and each of our members is involved in the creation of the cookies, cakes, brownies, candies and gingerbread houses for sale. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., The Marin Art & Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake, Ross.

Sat. 12/10 Parol Lantern Festival, 5-9 p.m., San Francisco.

Sat. 12/10 Frosting the Conservatory of Flowers, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Family Fun Gingerbread House Workshop.

Sun. 12/11 Simply Hanukkah! and Festival of Lights! 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. For families with children ages Birth-3 and their siblings – Free! Learn about the Jewish holidays and traditions through music, art, cooking and parent education. Come nosh and schmooze with new friends! Marin JCC.

Sun. 12/11 Hanukkah Festival of Light and Isaac Zones Family Concert, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Storytelling, Family Hanukkah Concert with Isaac Zones and Band, plus latkes, Hanukkah-themed art & craft projects, and more! Jewish Community Center of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut St., Berkeley, 510-410-0622.

Sun. 12/11 Horse & Buggy Rides, Meet at the Beachhouse Style Shop at 779 Center Blvd 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Ride will drop you off at Bolinas Park.

Tues. 12/13 Winter Holidays Concerts and Sing-Along with Dream Circle, Join favorite Marin children's recording artists Tim Cain, Miss Kitty, Cindy Cohen Levy, Christopher Smith, Peter Penhallow and the Dream Circle Band to share songs about Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and other joys of the season. Recommended for Pre-K to Grade 2, Marin Civic Center.

Wed. 12/14 Winter Wednesday Craft Drop-in - Holiday Ornaments & Gifts. Make laminated holiday ornaments to deck your halls and customized bookmarks for everyone on your gift list. Sip warm apple cider and enjoy seasonal music while you create your masterpieces. Mill Valley Public Library.

12/15 - 12/18 Holiday Treat with The Ross Valley Players.

12/16-12/23 Fairy Winterland, noon-7 p.m. Arts & crafts from 2-4 p.m., puppet show at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. & 6 p.m. Santa Claus from 5-6 p.m., Festival of Lights Parade at 6:15 p.m. Special Appearances: 12/16: Pacific Boychoir (4:30 p.m.), A Time To Be Jolly (Marionette Show, 5:30 p.m.), Fairyland Tree Lighting Ceremony (6:30 p.m.) 12/17: Storyteller John Weaver (2:30pm), The Tap Dancing Christmas Trees (5:30 p.m.) 12/18: Buki the Clown (2:30 p.m.), Snowflake the Elf magic show (5:30 p.m.) 12/19 The Snow Queen Storyteller (5:30 p.m.) 12/20 Storyteller Kirk Waller (5:30 p.m.) 12/21 Holiday Treats puppet show (5:30 p.m.) 12/22 Juggler & fire eater Owen Baker Flynn (5:30 p.m.) 12/23 The Nutcracker presented by The Puppet Company (5:30 p.m.), Children's Fairyland, Oakland.

Sat. 12/17 Dylan Thomas’s A Child’s Christmas in Wales, Exploratorium’s annual screening of the classic 1963 film, A Child’s Christmas in Wales that follows a boy’s Christmas time memories in Wales.

Sat. 12/17 - Dream Circle Holiday Concert, Tim Cain, Judy Nee (Miss Kitty), Cindy Cohen and Christopher Smith, 11:30 a.m. & 1 p.m. Join us for a delightful and uplifting seasonal celebration featuring songs for a wide range of winter holidays, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Chinese New Year. Dream Circle is indeed a dream lineup of Marin’s best loved children’s entertainers. Share in the true meaning of the holidays at this heart filled performance and then spend a wonderful day at the Discovery Museum.

Sat. 12/17 Sophie and the Enchanted Toy Shop, Marin Dance Theatre, a kindly toymaker enters with his mischievous alley cats, he observes little Sophie, and being touched by her generous kind spirit, rewards her with an amazing journey to a beautiful Snow Kingdom, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, San Rafael. Meet the Dancers at the Teddy Bear Tea Party following the 1:00 p.m. performance and enjoy lots of goodies to eat and drink ($5.00 per person.)

Sat. 12/17 - Dance with Sherry Studio’s Tapcracker©, funny, quirky and hilarious original take on that old standard, Nutcracker, will keep you entertained. 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Showcase Theater, San Rafael.

Sat. 12/17 Lighted Boat Parade, San Rafael, 6 p.m.

Sat. 12/17 Canine Holiday Potluck, 12–2 p.m., Take a break from the festivities and give your furry friend something to celebrate! Rangers will provide hot chocolate and apple cider if you bring light lunchtime or holiday treats to share with humans and dogs alike. Meet at McInnis Park, in the Hillside picnic area (310 Smith Ranch Road, San Rafael), 446-4423.

Sat/Sun 12/17 - 12/18 Gingerbread Doghouse Workshops, Assemble and decorate Snoopy's doghouse out of gingerbread—complete with a marshmallow Snoopy on top! Schultz Museum.

Sun. 12/18 - Tim Cain's Family Christmas Sing Along, Rancho Nicasio.

Sun. 12/18 Holiday Concert, 'Tis the Season...a Winter Fantasy",  sing-along carols throughout the show, while special visuals and lighting effects create an enchanting holiday concert, not to be missed, Singers Marin.

Sun. 12/18 Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández, Celebrate the holidays with your entire family with the sounds of these superlative mariachi performers whose annual concert has become a favorite event at Davies Symphony Hall. Hear holiday favorites from the US and Mexico, traditional Mexican music, and more in this celebration of Mexico’s Christmas traditions, San Francisco Symphony.

Tues. 12/20 Nick Barone's Puppets presents "Holiday Treats," 11 a.m., open to all ages, but reservations are required. Larkspur Library, 927-5005.

Wed. 12/21 Gingerbread Person Party Age 5 and up - advance sign-up required, 2:30-3:30 p.m., FREE, Listen to a story to find out what makes the Gingerbread Boy run and then decorate your very own delicious gingerbread person. Call 415-389-4292 x106 to register. Mill Valley Public Library.

Thur. 12/22 Gingerbread Cookie Decorating, 10:30 a.m. RSVP by email to library@cityoflarkspur.org or call 927-5005.

12/22 - 12/24 - 'Twas the Night, In the days just before Christmas, take time out of your frenzied schedule for a cozy Holiday concert at Davies Symphony Hall, cheerfully decorated for the season. Delight in a warm and intimate program, and sing along with your favorite holiday tunes, all performed by members of the Symphony’s brass section and singers from the SFS Chorus, and accompanied by the gorgeous Ruffatti organ.

12/26-12/30 Holiday Animation Film Festival, Noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. The Exploratorium’s cinematic holiday festivities invites you to a round up of animated shorts utilizes computers, stop-motion and other animation techniques to capture the hilarity in several playful scenarios. Among the films to be screened are these engaging shorts: Sour Death Balls, White Out, and Western Spaghetti.

Mon. 12/26 Kwanzaa Celebration, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free Museum admission and performances, The African Roots of Jazz, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Experience the rich traditions of Kwanzaa, featuring a celebration of African-American culture through hands-on art activities, and performances. Bay Area Discovery Museum.

Sat. 12/31 Noon Year's Eve, 9 a.m. - noon. Count down to noon with us as we watch the ball drop in Festival Plaza. Dance along to our DJ and create your own party hat and noise maker to celebrate the Noon Year. Please note that the Museum is open from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Bay Area Discovery Museum.

Sat. 12/31 Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! Celebrate the New Year with hands-on crafts for kids, a balloon drop, and a root beer toast! 10 a.m. –3 p.m, Schultz Museum.

Sun. 12/31 New Year's Eve Day Party, Celebrate the dawn of 2012! Count down the New Year around the world on our Science on a Sphere®, and celebrate with an apple cider toast. Create your own noisemaker to ring the new year in with a bang, and be there for our big balloon drop at 2 p.m., Lawrence Hall of Science.

THEATRE, MUSIC AND OTHER PERFORMANCES

10/29-12/4 Annie, Berkeley Playhouse.

11/25 - 12/11 Velveteen Rabbit, Novellus Theater, celebrating the unique relationship between a little boy and his stuffed rabbit, and the enduring power of love.

12/3 - 12/20 Cinderella, Fort Mason Center Building C - San Francisco.

12/3-12/28 Cinderella, African-American Shakespeare Company, 762 Fulton Street, San Francisco.

....for other non-holiday related events please see other posting or go to Marinhood, The Ultimate Kids Events Round-Up In Marin And Beyond.

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