February is extra sweet for children. Let’s celebrate Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, and Black History Month to make the month super special. Some kiddos even get a mid-winter school break and it is a Leap Year!
We appreciate the Children’s Theatre Association of SF for sponsoring our February list of great activities for families. Get tickets to see Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure at the Presidio Theater. Live on stage, travel with Peter Pan and the Darling children as they fly to Neverland and meet the Lost Boys, battle Pirates, and learn the magic of growing up.
Save the Date for These Exciting Community Events
- Feb. 3: Lunar New Year x Black History Month Celebration & Little Flippers Pinball Lesson
- Feb. 3-4: Weekend performances of Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure
- Feb. 3-4: Free Family Movies at Rialto Cinemas (El Cerrito and Elmwood)
- Feb. 4: Go Girls, Go Bears, Go Play! at Cal
- Feb. 10: Newark Lunar New Year Parade & Napa Lantern Parade
- Feb. 11: Lunar New Year on Solano Avenue
- Feb. 13: Tiny Tuesday: Be My Valentine at Lindsay Wildlife Experience
- Feb. 14: Rockin’ Kids Sing-A-Long in Albany
- Feb. 16: Art & Craft Day at The Public Market in Emeryville
- Feb. 16 & 19: Tilden Steam Trains Running (Holiday Hours)
- Feb. 17: OMCA Lunar New Year Celebration & Afrofuturism Open Studio at MOCHA
- Feb. 18: Lunar New Year Parade in Oakland
- Feb. 19-20: BADM Open for Presidents’ Day Holiday
- Feb. 24: San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade
- Feb. 25: Black Joy Parade and Celebration
- Feb. 27: Children’s Day at Ruth Bancroft Gardens
- Feb. 29: Happy Leap Day!
Check our kid-friendly events calendar for something special every day >
Reserve Tickets to Shows & Performances
This month is filled with family-friendly shows. Peter Pan: A Musical Performance in SF, Disney on Ice in Oakland, or a puppet-filled version of Alice in Wonderland. See our full list of upcoming shows and performances for families >
Celebrate the Lunar New Year
It’s the Year of the Dragon and the Bay Area is filled with Lunar New Year events. We’re big fans of OMCA’s Lunar New Year Celebration, especially because kids are free! Reserve a space in advance. If you can push back bedtime, I recommend traveling into the city to watch the nighttime Lunar New Year Parade in San Francisco. It’s filled with beautiful floats, drums, and light displays. Find more family-friendly Lunar New Year happenings >
Join Black History Month Events
There are many ways to celebrate Black History Month — from shopping at Black-owned businesses to joining community events. Learn musical traditions with Kalimba King. Join free storytimes at local library branches or RSVP to a special The Patchwork Quilt storytime at African American Museum Library in Oakland. Watch the celebratory Black Joy Parade through downtown Oakland. Or head to Children’s Fairyland for special celebrations every weekend throughout February. Find more community events to recognize Black History Month >
Attend at a Cal Sporting Event
Wear your gold and blue to a Cal sporting event. These games and matches make for exciting and manageable outings for sport-loving families. Tickets are affordable, or even free, depending on the sport. (While on campus, take a ride to the top of the Campanile, too! ) Take advantage of living near a college town and cheer for the Golden Bears at an upcoming athletic event; read all about tips for attending Cal sports with kids >
Where to Have a Snow Day
Do you want to build a snowman? Or maybe go skiing? However you enjoy it, I think winter is a bit more magical when there’s some snow involved. We rounded up several places that aren’t too far from the East Bay for families in search of a snow day >
Be Mine! Valentine’s Day Happenings
Crafts, special outings, family together-time: How are you spending Valentine’s Day? See more Valentine’s Day activities for families >
Spots to Move and Play
Looking to spend time outside, but want to add a little something more than just a trip to the park? Hike, bike or scooter at these outdoor destinations that also happen to have a playground on site or along the way. Hike around Lake Temescal in Oakland, then visit two playgrounds. Bike along the Ohlone Greenway, and make a pit-stop at Centennial park in El Cerrito. Scooter along the Bay Trail and play at Davenport Mini Park near Emeryville Marina or Adventure Playground near Berkeley Marina. Push a stroller along the waterfront trail, then visit the playground or a prime kite-flying spot at Miller/Knox Regional Park in Point Richmond. More ideas for where to spend time outside with little kids >
Favorite Free & Cheap Happenings
Need some planning inspiration? We’ve got you covered! We gathered up our favorite free and inexpensive activities in the East Bay to serve as a go-to, weekday itinerary when you’re in a pinch. Find more free & cheap events this month >
- Mondays – Walk or scooter ’round the Lafayette Reservoir
- Tuesdays – Hike the tot-friendly trail to Jewel Lake in Tilden
- Wednesdays – Walk through Blake Garden in Kensington
- Thursdays – Jam out at Musical Storytime in Berkeley
- Fridays – Visit wildlife at Sulfur Creek Nature Center in Hayward
- Saturdays – Catch the rides and playground at Kennedy Park
- Sundays – Sunday Storytime at Tilden Nature Center
Plus, plan an outing to one of the world-class museums in the Bay Area; take advantage of free admission on certain days. Learn more about ways to get into museums for free >
- Feb. 1: BAMPFA in Berkeley & SFMOMA in San Francisco
- Feb. 2: Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco
- Feb. 3-4: Bank of America Free Museum Days
- Feb. 4: Asian Art Museum in San Francisco and First Sunday at OMCA (nearly free!)
- Feb. 6: de Young Museum in San Francisco and Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco
- Feb. 10: Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco
- Feb. 13: San Francisco Botanical Garden
This helpful guide to February activities was sponsored by the Children’s Theatre Association of SF. Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure is on stage through March 2. Visit with the cast after the show. The performance is approximately one hour and is great for young children. Don’t miss out.
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Find more activities on our East Bay Families Events Calendar every day of the month.Â
