Music

Halloween is on a Saturday this year! Get your costume on and go go go!

Dia de los Muertos Procession and Festival of the Altars

The parade is too spooky for little kids, but older ones will enjoy the rattling bones, creepy makeup, and the thrill of being out with adults at night; the colorful altars celebrating the lives of those passed on are great cultural eye-candy.

When: Mon., 11/2, 7pm; Age 5+; Free.

Where: Parade starts at 7pm from 24th and Bryant Streets in San Francisco and continues to 26th and Bryant Streets, where the Festival of the Altars starts at 8:30 p.m.; 415-722-8911; dayofthedeadsf.org.

Potrero Hill Halloween Parade and Costume Contest

An early-evening Halloween party with a movie, prizes for best costume, and a parade down to 18th Street.

When: Sat., 10/31, 4-7pm; All Ages; Free.

Where: Axis Cafe, 1201 Eighth Street (at Irwin Street), San Francisco; 415-279-1899; axis-cafe.com.

Exploratorium Halloween

A grand Halloween party with a visit from the Neverwas, a Victorian mansion on wheels, and creature features like giant insects and hissing cockroaches.

When: Sat., 10/31, 3-8pm; Free-$14.

Where: Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon Street (at Jefferson Street), San Francisco; 415-561-0360; exploratorium.edu.

Dia de los Muertos Family Concert

A special concert for families with classical music from Latino conductors and pre-concert festivities like sugar skull-decorating and a display of family altars.

When: Sun., 11/1, 1pm; Age 4+; $15-65.

Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue (at Grove Street), 415-864-6000; sfsymphony.org.

A Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D

The spooky holiday classic screens in eye-popping 3D during its week-long engagement at the Castro Theatre.

When: Fri. 10/23 through Thu. 11/5; 7pm, 8:45pm (Sat., Sun. & Wed. shows at 1:30pm, 3:25pm, and 5:10pm); Age 6+; $7.50-10.

Where: Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street (at Market Street), San Francisco; 415-621-6120; castrotheatre.com.

Scare Grove

A Halloween carnival specially aimed at families, with a haunted house, hay rides, bounce houses, rides, and treats.

When: Fri., 10/23, 4-9pm; Age 2+; $5 for an all-access pass.

Where: Sigmund Stern Grove, Sloat Avenue (at 19th Avenue), San Francisco; sfgov.org.

Creepy Crawly Week

Get weirded out by science with an exhibit of scary animals, a scavenger hunt for spooky creatures, and naturalist lessons in which you get to meet (and sometimes touch!) frightening critters.

When: Sat., 10/24 through Sun. 11/1; Age 3+; Free with paid admission (Free-$25).

Where: California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive (at JFK Drive) in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, 415-379-8000; calacademy.org.

Jack o’ Lantern Jamboree

Come in costume to this annual Halloween party, which boasts roaming costumed characters, jump houses, pumpkin crafts, face painting, and the festive, make-believe atmosphere of Fairyland.

When: Sat. & Sun., 10/24-25, 10am-5pm; All ages; $10 per person.

Where: Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Avenue (at Lake Merritt), Oakland, 510-452-2259, fairyland.org.

Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival

Acres and acres of fall fun, with horsey rides, pumpkin-carving contests, pie-eating contests, and delicious things to eat. The traffic is a mess; leave time before and after the event to deal with it.

When: Sat. 10/17-18, 9am-5pm; All Ages; Free.

Where: Main Street between Miramonte and Spruce Streets, Half Moon Bay, 650-726-9652, miramarevents.com.

Goblin Jamboree

The super-cool kids’ museum dresses up for the holidays and throws a party with a train ride, live performers, pony rides, and a petting zoo.

When: Sat. & Sun., 10/17-18, 10am-4pm; All ages; $12-14 (Free for kids under 1).

Where: Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Road (at Fort Baker), Sausalito, 415-339-3900, baykidsmuseum.org.

Outrageous Outgrowns

A vast money-saving fiesta of tens of thousands of gently used clothes, shoes, toys, books, strollers, cribs, and other baby gear.

When: Fri.-Sun. 10/16-18; 9am-5pm; Age 5+; Free.

Where: Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road (at Old Tully Road), San Jose; outrageousoutgrowns.com.

San Francisco Symphony Celebrates Disney

The symphony marks the opening of the Presidio’s Walt Disney Family Museum with a concert with songs from Cinderella, Pinocchio, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

When: Fri., 10/16, 8pm; Age 7+; $15-70.

Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue (at Turk Street), San Francisco, 415-864-6000; sfsymphony.org.

Tricycle Music Fest

Who knew the library was such a rocking location? Local kid-oriented faves such as the Devil-Ettes, the Time Outs, and Charity and the JAMBand.

When: Sat., 10/10, 10am-2pm; All ages; Free.

Where: San Francisco Main Library’s Fulton Street steps, Fulton Street (at Larkin Street), San Francisco; tricyclefest.org.

Mamma Mia Sing-along

Bring blankets and layers of warm clothing to this festive outdoors movie showing. Music and short films screen from 6 to 7:30pm; Mamma Mia begins at 8pm.

When: Sat., 9/10; 6-10pm; Age 4+; Free.

Where: Precita Park, Folsom Street (at Precita Avenue), San Franicsco; bhoutdoorcine.org.

Pumpkin Patches

All over the Bay Area, pumpkin patches are open for business, offering an array of fun from picking your own pumpkin to kiddie rides and corn mazes. One of the most fertile areas for pumpkin patches is Highway 92 in the Half Moon Bay area, where there are literally dozens. Drive until you see one you like.

When: Ongoing each weekend (many patches are also open weekdays at it gets closer to Halloween) until 10/31; All ages; Admission is usually free but attractions cost from $2-7.

Where: Various locations in the Bay Area. See Pumpkin Patches and More for a thorough list of addresses, attractions, and opening times.

Fleet Week

If displays of military muscle are what turns your cranky, you’ll be in heaven during this long-weekend event, which features airshows from the Blue Angels, a parade of ships and more things that move and go boom.

When: Thu.-Sun., 10/8-11; various times (see site for details); Age 3+; Most events are free (VIP seats run $30-150).

Where: Various locations on the San Francisco waterfront including Crissy Field, Mason Street (at Halleck Street); see website for more details, military.com/fleetweek.

Festivals, movies, and more ways to take up your time.

Old Time Music Convention

All manner of non-electric instruments making old-fashioned music.

When: Ongoing through Sun. 9/13; Check website for times; All ages; Free-$20.

Where: Various venues in Berkeley including Civic Center Park, Center Street (at MLK, Jr. Way), Berkeley; 510-548-3333; berkeleyoldtimemusic.org.

Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival

Local patisseries and candy-makers bring the goodies, you bring your appetite. There’s a children’s area for when the tykes go sugar-nuts.

When: Sat. & Sun., 9/12-13, noon-5pm; Age 2+; Free admission, $20 for 15 tastings of chocolate samples.

Where: Ghirardelli Square, 900 North Point (at Polk Street), San Francisco; ghirardellisq.com.

Movie Day with Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket)

Handler presents his favorite family movie, Young Frankenstein, in this benefit for SF libraries.

When: Sat., 9/13, movie at noon, reception at 11am; Age 4+; movie is free (but reservations required), reception $25 for adults, free for kids under 12.

Where: Balboa Theater, 3630 Balboa Street (at 38th Avenue), San Francisco; 415-626-7512, x106 or sara.bassett@friendssfpl.org; friendssfpl.org.

The Plastiki - Mission Control

Use interactive exhibits to learn about a 10,000 nautical mile voyage across the Pacific Ocean on a boat made almost entirely out of reclaimed plastic soda bottles.

When: Wednesdays through Sundays, ongoing through December 31, 11am-4pm; Age 3+; Free.

Where: Pier 45, Embarcadero (at Taylor Street), San Francisco; plastiki.com.

The kids are back at school, hurray! Celebrate the absence that’s made you grow fonder with a weekend full of fun.

Saturday Morning Rock Out’s Fall Session

Little kids learn to bang on an instrument, write songs, appreciate music, and jam at this multi-week course that ends in a performance and a CD release party.

When: Saturdays, 9/5-10/10; Early class 9:30am-11am, Late class 11:30am-1pm; Age 4-7; $225.

Where: Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa Street (at Potrero Avenue), San Francisco; 415-861-9199; owies.org.

Great Train Robberies

Hail back to the days of train bandits and lawmen at this annual ride-on spectacle.

When: Sat. & Sun., 9/5-6; See website for times; Age 4+; $20.

Where: Roaring Camp Railroad, Graham Hill Road (at Mt. Hermon Road), Felton; 866-468-3399; roaringcamprr.com.

Sunday Streets

The last Sunday Streets of the year! Streets from Golden Gate Park to the zoo are closed to traffic, and fitness activities from skating to cycling to yoga are offered free along the route.

When: Sun., 9/6, 10am-2pm; All ages; Free.

Where: Great Highway between Golden Gate Park and the San Francisco Zoo, JFK between Great Highway and Stanyan Street, San Francisco; sundaystreetssf.com.

End of summer and the parking’s easy all over town. If you’re still here (and why aren’t you off vacationing at the beach?), some ways to amuse yourself during the dog days.

Rock Make Music and Art Street Festival

A chance for Bay Area parents and kids to rock together at this homegrown music and art street fest, with performances from all-kid bands The She’s, The Psychotherapists, and Secret Cat.

When: Sun., 8/23, 11am-7pm; All Ages; Free.

Where: Treat Street (between 17th & 18th streets), San Francisco; rockmake.com.

School Lunch Sound Off!

Meet up with other parents, teachers, students, and nutrition experts for a speak out about the National School Lunch Program and its deficits. Learn what you can do to help advance reform; students will be encouraged to write letters and draw pictures for elected representatives. Snacks and door prizes are included.

When: Sat., 8/22, noon-2pm; Age 8+; Free.

Where: a.Muse Gallery, 614 Alabama Street (between 18th & 19th streets), San Francisco; 415-832-9113, lbeck@pcrm.org.

Stepology’s Bay Area Rhythm Exchange

Toe-tapping fun with tap-dancing group Stepology, which celebrates the uniquely American dance form of tap in this exuberant show.

When: Fri. & Sat., 8pm; Age 6+; $17-25.

Where: at Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue (at Grove Street), San Francisco; stepology.com.

Street Food Festival

A big block party in celebration of worldwide street food, with booths serving everything from tamales to squid salad.

When: Sat., 8/22, 1-7pm; Age 5+; Free.

Where: In front of La Cocina, Folsom Street at 25th Street, San Francisco; eatrealfest.com.

Does school really start in just over a week? Hurry, hurry, get your summer fun before it’s too late.

Destination Fort Mason Center

Every Saturday through September 12, Fort Mason Center brings on the fun with a diverse lineup of local organizations: performances from the New Pickle Circus and Bay Area Theatresports, art with SCRAP, music from the Blue Bear School of Music. Attendees will get the chance to make art projects and try their own hand at performing.

When: Sat., 8/15 (and continuing each Saturday through 9/12), Age 3+; 10am-4pm; Free.

Where: Fort Mason, Marina Boulevard (at Buchanan Street), San Francisco; 415-345-7500; fortmason.org.

Learning Days at Yerba Buena Children’s Learning Garden

Explore the learning garden and learn how to care for plants through music, art, and hands-on garden sessions.

When: Sat., 8/16, 11am-4pm; Age 3-6; Free.

Where: Yerba Buena Gardens Children’s Learning Garden, 760 Howard Street (between Third and Fourth streets), San Francisco; 415-543-1718; ybgf.org.

Marin Family Well-Being and Safety Fair

Learn how to spot the common signs of allergies and developmental disorders, get your kid fingerprinted, or sample nutritious toddler-friendly snacks at this fiesta of safety/health information for parents.

When: Friday, 8/14, 10am-3pm; Age 2+; Free (RSVP required).

Where: Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto (at E. Blithedale Avenue), Mill Valley; 415-383-1370‎; elainaserotte.com.

Stories from the Past: Toy Boats

Read a story about traveling the seven seas with a reading of the story Toy Boat. Then walk through the history museum to learn about the magnificent ships that have sailed the San Francisco Bay.

When: Fri., 8/14, 11am-noon; Age 2-6; Free with admission ($2-4 adults, free for kids under 5).

Where: San Mateo County History Museum’s Wells Fargo Learning Center, 2200 Broadway Street (at Middlefield Road), Redwood City; 650-299-0104; historysmc.org.

Do the Moonwalk, hold the world by a string, or be a hair hopper on this last July weekend.

Sing-Along Hairspray

Wear your puffiest skirts and biggest hair to a screening of the 2007 remake of the classic John Waters movie, with words on the screen to prompt a mass sing-along.

When: Fri., 7/24, 8pm; Age 8+; $10-15.

Where: Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street (at Market Street), San Francisco; 415-621-6120; castrotheatre.com.

Berkeley Kite Festival

It’s high-flying fun with Japanese kite battles, Taiko drummers, kite ballet. Fledgling flyers can learn how to make and fly their own kites.

When: Sat.-Sun., 7/25-26, 11am-5pm; All ages; Free (Parking $10).

Where: Cesar Chavez Park, 11 Spinnaker Way (at Virginia Street), Berkeley; 510-235-5483; highlinekites.com.

Splashdown 2009: 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11 at the USS Hornet

Learn more about the first manned mission to the moon at the Hornet, recovery ship for both Apollo 11 and Apollo 12. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin will be in attendance and there will be numerous educational exhibits to peruse.

When: Fri.-Sun., 7/24-26, see website for open hours and activities; Age 4+; Free-$25.

Address: USS Hornet, 707 West Hornet Avenue, Pier 3, Alameda, 510-521-8448; uss-hornet.org.

Imagining Fatherhood Workshop at Natural Resources

Jeremy Adam Smith, author of The Daddy Shift, leads couples through a process whose goal is to help them imagine how they will split parenting duties.

Where: Sat., 7/25, 2pm-5pm; Age 18+; $39-59.

Where: Natural Resources, 1367 Valencia Street (at 25th Street), San Francisco, store.naturalresources-sf.com.

The East Bay looks like the place to be this weekend, with a bike tour, the Fire Arts festival, and a Shabbat party.

The Crucible’s Fire Arts Festival

A spectacular open-air party in a new, larger location for the metalworking collective, with live music and performance and all manner of items that glow, burn, spit fire, or immolate themselves. One look at this stuff and your kid’s going to want to sign up for welding, like, yesterday.

When: Wed.-Sat., 7/15-18; Age 6+; $35-95.

Where: Fire Arts Arena, West Grand Avenue (at Maritime Street), Oakland; 510-444-0919; thecrucible.org.

Chocolate Chip Challah

Join other families with children aged 0-5 at this event meant to spark ideas about making Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath) a special family time. Kids and parents will decorate and bake their own challah bread.

When: Sat., 7/18, 10:30-noon; Age 0-5; Free for first-time visitors to Jewish Gateways, $5 for return visitors.

Where: Jewish Gateways, 409 Liberty Street (at Fairmount Avenue), El Cerrito; 510-559-8140; jewishgateways.org; rabbibridget@jewishgateways.org (RSVP required).

Oakland on Two Wheels

Every third Sunday of the month this free all-ages bike tour pedals on a looping course through downtown, Fruitvale, West Oakland, the Port of Oakland, Lake Merritt or other scenic spots.

When: Sun., 7/19, (and every third Sunday thereafter) 10am; All Ages; Free.

Where: Meet at the 10th Street entrance at the Oakland Museum; 510-28-3514; mueseumca.org.

Sunday Streets

Traffic is banned from big swathes of the Mission and replaced with stations manned by local fitness organizations that encourage and equip the strolling masses to try out roller skating, bike riding, yoga, dancing, tai chi and more.

When: Sun., 7/19 (also Sun. 8/6 and 9/6 on the Great Highway); 10am-2pm; All ages; Free.

Where: Various locations in San Francisco’s Mission District, centering in Garfield Square Park, 26th & Harrison Streets; sundaystreetssf.com.