Happy Thanksgiving 🍁
Grateful for the Little Things, Thankful for Community
Hi parents,
Happy Thanksgiving! Before we all dive into the beautiful chaos of this holiday, I wanted to send a little note of gratitude your way.
This community - parents who care, share, explore, and show up - is something I’m deeply thankful for. What started as a simple weekly roundup is becoming so much more. Curating events and finding little tips that make parenting feel lighter is something I genuinely love, and sharing it with families who equally enjoy discovering our local world makes it even more meaningful.
Here’s your guide for the holiday weekend full of cozy outings and festive kickoffs.
Seasonal Happenings
Gamble Garden Winter Festival
Dec 5–7 | 📍 Palo Alto
A beloved and charming holiday festival featuring crafts, treats, performances, and a sweet winter market. Tickets tend to sell out early, so grab them ahead if you plan to go!
All ages | Event Info
Great Dickens Christmas Fair
5 Weekends, Nov 22–Dec 21 | 10:00 AM–6:00 PM | 📍 Cow Palace, Daly City
All ages | $18–$45 | Event Info
Zoppé Italian Family Circus
Nov 1–30 | Various show times | 📍 Redwood City
All ages | ~$12–$30 | Tickets
San Mateo on Ice
Nov 14–Jan 11 | 10:00 AM–10:00 PM | 📍 San Mateo (Central Park)
All ages | ~$19 | More Info
Cirque du Soleil: ECHO
Nov 20–Jan 18 | Various show times | 📍 Oracle Park, San Francisco
Best for ages 5+ | More Info
Holidays at Filoli
Nov 22–Jan 11 | Various show times | 📍 Woodside
All ages | $45 per adult, $35 per child | More Info
Friday, November 28
Filoli Holidays (Opening Weekend!)
10:00 AM–9:00 PM | 📍Woodside
A magical kickoff to the season with sparkling light displays, decorated historic rooms, and cozy fire pits. Kids love wandering the garden paths at dusk as everything begins to glow.
All ages | $15–$48 | More Info
San Mateo on Ice
2:00–10:00 PM | 📍San Mateo Central Park
Kick off the holiday weekend with a festive skate session. Expect cheerful music, colorful lights, and plenty of space for wobbly beginners. Free Community Skate day on December 2, 2025.
Ages: 4+ | $17 | More Info
Saturday, November 29
Sea Scout & Mariner Scout Christmas Tree Sale
9:00 AM–5:00 PM | 📍Palo Alto (Seabase Tree Lot)
A charming, community-led tree lot run by Sea Scouts and Mariner Scouts. Kids can pick out a tree with help from older scouts who will tie it safely to your car (they know their knots!) or even deliver and set it up for you. A sweet, feel-good way to kick off the season.
Shared by a fellow PPG parent - her kids always loved chatting with the older scouts, and now her own kids are helping at the tree lot this year!
All ages | Free to visit, tree prices vary | Event Details
San Bruno Holiday Boutique
10:00 AM–4:00 PM | 📍San Bruno Senior Center
A festive indoor boutique featuring handcrafted gifts, local artisans, holiday décor, and treats. A cozy option if you want to stay warm while browsing unique finds from local creators.
All ages | Free | Event Details
Sunday, November 30
Makers & Minis - Holiday Crafternoon (Clay Ornaments + Lanterns)
10:00–11:30 AM | 📍Burlingame
Makers and Minis is a morning of crafting with your little one - a chance for grown-ups to also become makers and enjoy creating clay ornaments and glowing lanterns together.
Ages: 4–8 | $45 per child (grown-up included) | Tickets & Details
Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade
6:00–8:00 PM | 📍Downtown Los Altos
A beloved nighttime parade filled with illuminated floats, marching bands, holiday characters, and sparkling surprises. Kids love the glowing lights and the magical after-dark atmosphere.
All ages | Free | Event Details
Parent Pick: Beginners by Tom Vanderbilt
I’ve been loving Beginners, a book that celebrates the joy of learning new things at any age. Vanderbilt shares his journey of picking up new skills alongside his young daughter — reminding us of that fearless beginner energy our kids naturally have.
It’s a gentle nudge for us as parents: every new adventure we attempt can spark joy, curiosity, and growth. A sweet, thoughtful read for a reflective week. Read it here.
💛 See you next week!
Thank you for being here - for reading, sharing, replying, and being part of this little community growing week by week. If you know a parent who might love this guide, feel free to pass it along.
Wishing you a warm, messy, meaningful holiday weekend. 🧡
Akriti