Spring, Blooming Loud and Bright
Easter, Eid, and a Weekend Full of Yes (March 27–29)
Hi parents,
There’s a certain kind of weekend when everything arrives at once - Easter, Eid, and that first real stretch of spring.
Parks feel greener. Festivals feel louder. Kids are fully in it.
Whether you’re chasing eggs in San Mateo, building birdhouses in Palo Alto, or watching a circus unfold inside a laundromat, this weekend gives you a lot to choose from.
Pick one thing. Or let the day surprise you.
Happening All Weekend
Big Art Weekend — Bay Area Discovery Museum ⭐
9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Sat & Sun) | 📍 Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito
An outdoor art takeover with cardboard builds, spray art, glowing globes, and a foam party. The whole museum becomes one big creative playground — messy, joyful, and worth packing extra clothes. Foam party sessions run at 11 am and 2 pm both days.
Ages 0–8 | $30, Members $10 | Get tickets
The Ugly Duckling — Palo Alto Children’s Theatre
Sat & Sun showtimes | 📍 Palo Alto Children’s Theatre, Palo Alto
A gentle, 55-minute intro to theater with storytelling, simple costumes, and space for wiggly kids. Based on the beloved tale, the show invites participation; ideal for a first-ever theater outing. Saturday runs at 10 am and noon; Sunday adds a 2 pm matinee.
Ages 2–6 | $17 | Get tickets
Renegade Craft Fair — Fort Mason Center
11:00 am – 5:00 pm (Sat & Sun) | 📍 Fort Mason Center, San Francisco
250+ makers, food trucks, and music by the bay. Browse ceramics, textiles, handmade jewelry, and bath products in a bright, airy pavilion. Easy to stroll while kids soak in the creative buzz, and there's always something good to eat outside.
All ages | Free ($5 suggested) | Learn more
Friday, March 27
365 Night Market — Spring in Full Bloom
4:00 pm – 10:00 pm | 📍 Grand Century Mall, San Jose
A lively night market with 50+ vendors serving global street food, plus lion dances, live music, face painting, and lantern-lit walkways. The neon-lit outdoor corridors keep kids entertained at every turn — a great way to kick off the weekend.
Best for 4+ | Free (food extra) | Learn more
Saturday, March 28
Around the World in a Day Festival ⭐
10:00 am – 1:00 pm | 📍 Lucie Stern Community Center, Palo Alto
The second annual celebration of cultural pride and global traditions with performances, hands-on activities, and exhibits from communities around the world. A warm, easy way to introduce kids to different cultures right in the neighborhood.
All ages | Free | Learn more
Free Kids Music Festival — Golden Gate Park
10:30 am – 1:30 pm | 📍 Bandshell, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Charity and the JAMBand kicks off at 10:30, followed by Teacher Barb and Friends at 12:30 - both playing high-energy kids' music under the iconic golden dome. Pack a picnic, grab a spot on the lawn, and let them dance it out.
All ages | Free | Learn more
Canvas Church Easter Egg Hunt — Presidio ⭐
10:00 am – 12:30 pm | 📍 Presidio, San Francisco
8,000 eggs, a petting zoo, crafts, face painting, food trucks, and a special appearance by the SF Bubble Man. The hunt starts at 10:30 am sharp in one of the most beautiful settings in the city. Arrive early - it fills fast.
Ages 2–12 | Free | Register
Tenderloin Eid Street Fair
11:00 am – 4:00 pm | 📍 150 Golden Gate Ave, San Francisco
A vibrant Eid al-Fitr celebration with a colorful bazaar, global street food, live music, cultural performances, and a full kids zone with bounce houses and crafts. Open to all.
All ages | Free | Learn more
SF Chocolate Salon — Golden Gate Park
11:00 am – 5:00 pm | 📍 County Fair Building, San Francisco
The 20th annual artisan chocolate festival — all tastings and demos included with entry. West Coast chocolatiers bring their finest, and kids can sample their way through an entire world of handmade chocolate. Sweet tooth not optional.
All ages | $25 | Get tickets
Spring Eggstravaganza — History San José
11:00 am | 📍 History Park, San Jose
Ticketed egg hunts throughout the day, crafts celebrating spring traditions from around the world, interactive storytime, face painting, and photos with the Easter Bunny. BAGI also runs a special fused glass egg ornament workshop on-site.
Ages 2–12 | $5–$13 | Get tickets
LaunderLand Circus — Children’s Creativity Museum ⭐
2:00 pm & 7:00 pm | 📍 Creativity Theater, San Francisco
A whimsical circus set inside a magical laundromat where the machines come alive — giant puppets, aerial acrobatics, juggling, unicycles, and nonstop comedy. Parents and kids are equally wide-eyed. Also performs on Sunday at 2 pm.
Ages 4+ | $30–$60 | Get tickets
Sunday, March 29
California Ave Farmers Market
9:00 am – 1:00 pm | 📍 California Ave, Palo Alto
One of the Peninsula's best Sunday markets — fresh produce, artisan bread, flowers, hot bánh mì, Indian naan, and live music. The kind of relaxed morning energy that makes you want to linger. Open every week, rain or shine.
All ages | Free | Learn more
Easter Egg Hunt with Fifty Hills — Beresford Park ⭐
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm | 📍 Beresford Park, San Mateo
Over 10,000 eggs are hidden throughout beautiful Beresford Park — a beloved neighborhood tradition that draws families from across San Mateo. One of the Peninsula's biggest hunts, and completely free.
Ages 2–12 | Free | Register
Prank Box Workshop — Cubberley Community Center
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | 📍 Cubberley Community Center, Palo Alto
Build a spring-loaded prank box hiding a spider inside — perfectly silly Sunday afternoon making with artist Darryl Dieckman. Expect giggles, a few screams, and a take-home creation guaranteed to surprise someone at home.
Ages 7–14 | Free (register) | Register
Spin Me a Shadow — Oshman Family JCC
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm | 📍 Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto
Master puppeteer Daniel Barash of Firelight Shadow Theater brings folktales to life through the ancient art of shadow puppetry - stories, wisdom, and songs flickering on a backlit screen. A calm, enchanting way to close the weekend.
Ages 5+ | $18 | Get tickets
Coming Up (Plan Ahead)
Penguins + Pajamas Sleepover — Cal Academy
Sat–Sun overnight | 📍 California Academy of Sciences, SF
Sleep near the penguins, explore the museum after hours, and watch a private planetarium show. An unforgettable overnight — tickets sell out quickly, so plan ahead.
Ages 6+ | $121 | Learn more
MJ The Musical — Orpheum Theatre
Through April 5 | 📍 San Francisco
A high-energy Broadway production with iconic music, extraordinary choreography, and dazzling production values. A treat for older kids and the whole family.
Ages 8+ | From $49 | Get tickets
SF Ballet: Don Quixote — Final Weekend
Through March 29 | 📍 SF Opera House
Bold costumes, flamenco influences, and world-class dancing. One last chance to catch this vibrant production this season.
Ages 8+ | From $30 | Get tickets
However you spend it - paint-covered hands, egg hunts, or a little bit of magic in unexpected places - I hope this weekend feels easy and full.
If this helped, share it with a parent who could use a plan.
See you next week.