Burlingame to Palo Alto · Ages 8 to 14
Friday, Nov. 13, to Sunday, Nov. 15
Filoli opens its holiday season Saturday, the Zoppé circus is under its Big Top in Redwood City all weekend, and Laurel Street in San Carlos celebrates Diwali. Rain is likely Friday and again Sunday, so Saturday is the day for anything outdoors, and the museums and libraries carry the rest.
Circus tent by the Main Library, 1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City
A one-ring, old-world circus with acrobats, horses, dogs and a clown, and every seat is close to the ring. It plays under a big top, which makes it a good bet on a wet day.
Laurel Street, San Carlos
Dance performances, music, crafts, free henna, a storytime with author Sonali Patodia and bites from local chefs. Saturday looks like the driest day of the weekend, and you can stay for as long or as little as you like.
Cubberley Community Center, E, F and U wings, Palo Alto
Walk through the working studios of Cubberley's resident artists in painting, sculpture, textiles and printmaking. Kids who draw or build get a look at how real artists work, and it is all indoors.
Rain moves in by late morning and stays into the night. Hiller stays open late, the circus has two shows, and school stages are busy tonight; see School shows below.
Hiller Aviation Museum, San Carlos
Starlab sky shows inside, and telescopes outside if the clouds clear.
Showers may linger early, then it turns partly sunny, the best outdoor window of the weekend. Diwali Downtown and Open Studios at Cubberley are up top.
Devil's Slide Trail, Coastside
A 1.5-mile county parks walk on birdwatching basics and the birds of Devil's Slide.
Filoli, Woodside
Opening day of the decorated house and garden, Thistlewyck Village and the new Family Farm.
Belmont Library, Taube Room, Belmont
Gently used books for readers of every age, all day in the Taube Room.
Hiller Aviation Museum, San Carlos
A flight simulator, drone demonstrations and the hands-on Invention Lab. A good rainy Sunday plan too.
Filoli, Woodside
Opening night of the garden light show, which runs most nights into January.
Rain is likely. Hiller's festival goes on rain or shine; check the walk and Bicycle Sunday pages before you head out, since both can cancel for weather.
Cañada Road, Filoli entrance to Highway 92, Woodside
A 3.8-mile stretch along Crystal Springs closes to cars for bikes. The county cancels for weather.
Ravenswood Preserve parking area, end of Bay Road, East Palo Alto
A leisurely, family-friendly 3-mile docent walk along the Bay Trail and the marsh.
Hiller Aviation Museum, San Carlos
More than 50 local makers and food vendors, plus live music.
Belmont Library MakerSpace, Belmont
Drop-in tinkering with the library's maker tools, first come, first served.
Mitchell Park Community Center, Palo Alto
The Palo Alto Youth Council brings youth mental health experts, local advocacy groups, therapy dogs and free food.
Burlingame High School, Burlingame
BHS Panther Theater's fall musical, four performances.
Hillsdale High School, San Mateo
Hillsdale Drama's fall musical, which also plays Thursday night.
Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto
Closing weekend of Paly's fall play, with projections and puppets. About two hours, with some flashing (non-strobe) lights.
Menlo School, Atherton
Menlo's middle school fall production, in James Sie's adaptation.
Sacred Heart Schools Performing Arts Center, Atherton
The All School Musical.
Aragon High School, San Mateo
Aragon Drama's fall musical about the Newfoundland town that took in stranded travelers after Sept. 11.
Palo Alto Children's Theatre, Palo Alto
The holiday main stage musical, from Arnold Lobel's books. A sensory-friendly, ASL-interpreted show is set for Dec. 9.
Laurel Street, San Carlos Avenue to Cherry Street, San Carlos
Kids' activities, crafts, hot chocolate, snow, Santa and the Snow Queen downtown. Kids in grades 4 to 12 and at least 9 years old who want a youth vendor booth must apply by 11:59 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13.
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