Main Library · Civic Center 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco
A literary festival with children’s storytimes and picture-book programs alongside author conversations and a book marketplace.
Who it’s for:
Families are welcome; select the children’s program rather than assuming every adult panel suits children.
Cost:
Free library festival; book purchases are separate.
Before you go:
Drop in; no advance registration is listed. Children’s sessions take place in the Main Children’s Center on Floor 2. Check the official daily schedule for individual session times.
UCSF Mission Bay campus, Koret Quad · Mission Bay Koret Quad, UCSF Mission Bay, San Francisco
Explore hands-on science demonstrations, experiments, and activities across the UCSF campus.
Who it’s for:
Open to all ages; families, children, teens, and adults are welcome.
Cost:
Free public festival.
Before you go:
Free public attendance; check the organizer’s program and arrival guidance. Expect crowds and louder sound; most exhibits are on paved paths or indoors, with some on grass.
Code Ninjas Stonestown Grand Opening + Fall STEM Discovery Day
Code Ninjas Stonestown · Stonestown 595 Buckingham Way, Suite 561, San Francisco, CA 94132
Try hands-on coding, video game building, and STEM activities at Code Ninjas Stonestown's grand opening. Pick up a free mini pumpkin while supplies last, and enjoy LEGO prizes, a Roblox gift card giveaway, 3D-printed prizes, raffles, and a chance to win a free Winter STEM Camp.
Who it’s for:
Family-friendly event at a coding center with programs for ages 5–14.
Cost:
Free admission; mini pumpkins available while supplies last.
Before you go:
See the Eventbrite event page for registration details. Free street and garage parking; find the center in the Stonestown Medical Building next to SF Firefighters Credit Union.
Randall Museum · Castro 199 Museum Way, San Francisco
Meet a museum curator and learn about rescued California wildlife and how the museum cares for its animal ambassadors.
Who it’s for:
Guests of all ages are welcome.
Cost:
Free admission to this presentation.
Before you go:
Drop-in presentation; no advance registration is listed. It may take place indoors or outdoors depending on weather. Animal appearances and handling are not guaranteed.
Portola Library meeting room · Portola 380 Bacon Street, San Francisco
Find or pass along a child-sized costume at the neighborhood swap.
Who it’s for:
Families looking for children’s costumes.
Cost:
Free library program.
Before you go:
Drop in. You may take a costume without donating. Clean, gently used or new children’s costumes are accepted October 1–17; selection depends on donations.
San Francisco Botanical Garden, Main Gate · Golden Gate Park 1199 9th Avenue, San Francisco
A guided family birdwatching outing with nature-inspired art in the Botanical Garden.
Who it’s for:
For children ages 6–12 with a parent or guardian.
Cost:
$40 for one parent/child pair; $20 per additional child or parent.
Before you go:
Advance tickets required. October 18 ticket options were offered on October 15; check current availability before planning the visit. Meet at the Main Gate.
Mission Street, Excelsior · Excelsior Mission Street between Geneva Avenue and Theresa Street, San Francisco
Explore car-free neighborhood streets with a family hub, community activities and cultural performances.
Who it’s for:
Community event for children, families and neighbors of all ages.
Cost:
Free street activities; food, shopping and other purchases are separate.
Before you go:
Drop in during 11 AM–4 PM. Muni 14, 14R, 49 and 52 have reroutes; check SFMTA alerts before traveling. The earlier 9:30 AM Walktober is a separate activity.
Main Library · Civic Center 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco
A literary festival with children’s storytimes and picture-book programs alongside author conversations and a book marketplace.
Who it’s for:
Families are welcome; select the children’s program rather than assuming every adult panel suits children.
Cost:
Free library festival; book purchases are separate.
Before you go:
Drop in; no advance registration is listed. Children’s sessions take place in the Main Children’s Center on Floor 2. Check the official daily schedule for individual session times.
California Academy of Sciences · Golden Gate Park 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco
An evening of trick-or-treating, animal demonstrations, and a silent disco inside the museum.
Who it’s for:
A family event: every adult ticket holder must attend with a child. Ages 2 and under are free.
Cost:
General admission: adult $60 and youth $45; members $55/$40. Ages 2 and under free. The announcement and ticket selector disagree on the age-18 boundary; confirm that ticket category before purchasing. Food and some drinks cost extra.
Before you go:
General-admission ticket options were listed on October 15; no purchase was attempted. Confirm current availability. Entry starts at 6:30 PM; 5 PM early entry needs a separate ticket. Werewolf Den VIP is sold out. Read the child-friendly costume rules.
Explore art making, storytimes, a scavenger hunt, family yoga, and K-Pop dance sessions across the museum.
Who it’s for:
Up to two adults enter free when accompanying a child or teen age 18 or younger.
Cost:
Free general admission for eligible family groups with RSVP. The RM x SFMOMA exhibition needs separate timed tickets: $12 per adult; ages 18 and younger are free but still need a timed ticket.
Before you go:
Reserve a ticket for every person, including children. Free family-day tickets were offered at review; capacity can change. RM x SFMOMA timed tickets are available on-site at the Floor 2 desk, first come with limited capacity.
The Forum, YBCA · SOMA 701 Mission Street, San Francisco
Explore an artist-made Halloween hangout during the designated family-friendly early session, including a SCRAP headwear workshop.
Who it’s for:
This 5–7 PM session is family-friendly. All minors must be accompanied by an adult; later sessions have different age rules.
Cost:
Standard adult ticket $25; YBCA members $15; children 12 and under free. Workshop is included.
Before you go:
Tickets required for the October 30 5–7 PM session. Adult and child ticket options were offered when reviewed; capacity can change. Full-face coverings cannot be worn at check-in.
Randall Museum · Castro 199 Museum Way, San Francisco
Meet a museum curator and learn about rescued California wildlife and how the museum cares for its animal ambassadors.
Who it’s for:
Guests of all ages are welcome.
Cost:
Free admission to this presentation.
Before you go:
Drop-in presentation; no advance registration is listed. It may take place indoors or outdoors depending on weather. Animal appearances and handling are not guaranteed.
Children’s Garden, Yerba Buena Gardens · SOMA 799 Howard Street, San Francisco
Enjoy Circus Bella performers and live music, then join the costume parade.
Who it’s for:
Designed for children under 10 and their adults.
Cost:
Free festival.
Before you go:
The free RSVP is optional; you can attend without registering. Paid support tiers are optional donations. Check updates before leaving; costumes are welcome and the parade is the finale.
