Weekend Plans & Big Emotions (For Kids… and Us)
Trolls at Filoli, a family hike, and a reminder to slow down and name our feelings.
Hi Parents,
November’s here - the little pause between pumpkin spice and holiday sparkle. If you’re like me, this is the time when we start craving cozy weekends but still want to get outdoors before the rain begins.
This weekend brings an easy mix of outdoor adventure, artsy fun, and cozy community moments… from troll spotting at Filoli to a family volunteer day at Hidden Villa. Let’s soak up this pocket of calm before the holiday bustle kicks in.
🌿 Weekend Happenings (Nov 7–9)
San Francisco Street Food Festival
Sat & Sun | 11:00 am – 6:00 pm | 📍China Basin Park, SF
La Cocina’s San Francisco Street Food Festival is back with a vibrant, two-day celebration of community, culture, and entrepreneurial spirit featuring 25+ chefs and restaurants.
All ages | $14 per person | Tickets & Details
Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show
Fri, Sat & Sun | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm | 📍San Jose
Handmade art, crafts, specialty foods, and artisan finds. They provide strolling entertainment, a KidZone section for arts & crafts, and often have a character on Saturdays.
All ages | $9 (kids free) | Tickets
Zoppe Italian Family Circus
Various showtimes | 📍Redwood City
Authentic one-ring circus tent honoring Old-World Italian tradition. Starring Nino the clown, featuring acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, clowning, and plenty of audience participation in a story-driven circus experience.
All ages | $20-$30 | Tickets
📅 Friday, November 7
San Mateo County History Museum – Free First Fridays
10:00 am – 4:00 pm | 📍2200 Broadway, Redwood City
Free admission all day to explore the historic 1910 County Courthouse with exhibits on local history. At 11:00 AM, preschoolers can learn about Day of the Dead and make clay decorations to take home, followed by story time. At 2:00 PM, there will be a general tour of the museum.
All ages | Free | More Details
First Friday at CuriOdyssey (Día de los Muertos Theme)
4:30 pm – 8:00 pm | 📍1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo
Special Día de los Muertos-themed evening with science, animals, music, food trucks, animal presentations, animal ofrenda, Tales from the Ofrenda with the keeper, paper flower making, and sugar skull coloring.
All ages | $18 per kid, $23 per adult (free for Members & Museums for All) | Tickets
First Friday: Art on Main
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm | 📍Downtown Half Moon Bay
First Fridays in Half Moon Bay - a vibrant celebration of local art, culture, and community spirit! A monthly event to explore the charming historic downtown area, where galleries and unique shops showcase a diverse array of creative works.
All ages | Free | More Details
📅 Saturday, November 8
Wildlife Tracking for Beginners
10:00 am – 12:00 pm | 📍Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Learn how to identify animal tracks and signs while exploring Hidden Villa’s diverse habitats with naturalists. A fun, hands-on introduction to local wildlife tracking. Great for families with older kids.
Ages 12+ | $30 per person | More Details
Peninsula Humane Society – Shelter Tales (Read to a Dog)
1st & 3rd Saturdays | 10:00 – 11:00 am | Burlingame
Kids practice reading aloud to therapy dogs in a calm, encouraging environment at the shelter.
Ages 6–12 | $10 per kid | More Details
Annie at Palo Alto Players
7:30 pm | 📍Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto
The heartwarming Broadway classic about orphan Annie escaping Miss Hannigan’s orphanage to find her parents and befriend Oliver Warbucks. Features beloved songs “Tomorrow,” “Maybe,” and “It’s A Hard Knock Life.”
Special: November 7 (Opening night) is Pick-Your-Price Night ($20–40)
Ages 4+ (no one under 3 admitted) | $20–63 | Tickets & Details
Hillbarn Theatre – Teen Co. Fall Showcase
7:00 pm | 📍Foster City
Teen Co. students perform scenes, music, and movement from their fall semester showcase - great for families or kids who want more exposure to theatre. Grab dinner before and make it a fun evening for all!
Ages 8+ | $32 per person | Tickets & Details
📅 Sunday, November 9
Hidden Villa – Family-Friendly Volunteer Day
10:00 am – 12:00 pm | 📍Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills
Join other families for a fun and meaningful morning of volunteering - help care for the garden, maintain trails, and support the farm while connecting with nature and community.
Ages 5+ | Free (registration required) | Tickets & Details
Filoli Trolls: Save the Humans (Last Chance)
10:00 am - 4:00 pm | 📍Woodside
Last chance to see six larger-than-life troll sculptures by Thomas Dambo made from recycled materials throughout Filoli’s Natural Lands.
All ages | $29 per kid, $39 per adult | Tickets & Details
💛 Pocket Parenting Moment: Use Your Words
At home, sibling love often comes wrapped in tiny storms. My 7-year-old has been proudly bringing home artwork and projects, while my almost 4-year-old’s instinct is to grab, scratch, or claim them as her own.
So lately, our mantra (for everyone, including me) has been: Use your words. Name those feelings! Because naming what’s happening - “I’m jealous,” “I feel left out,” “I’m frustrated” - helps the storm pass faster.
It’s not perfect, but it’s progress. And maybe that’s the heart of parenting this season: helping our kids (and ourselves) practice naming before reacting.
Hope your weekend includes a little sunshine, something spontaneous, and at least one moment of calm coffee sipping before someone shouts, “Mom, she took my marker!”
If you try any of these events, hit reply and tell me your favorites or share what works in your house when sibling emotions flare.
💛 Akriti