San Francisco Super Bowl? Say more! This year’s biggest football game takes place in Santa Clara, at Levi’s Stadium, known to the rest of the country as “San Francisco”. Although Santa Clara surely offers amenities of its own, activities closer to our East Bay homes are being hosted, too!
Here’s what East Bay parents might like to know about family-friendly activities associated with Super Bowl 60
Official Super Bowl Watch Party (Oakland)
Sunday, February 8, from 11 am to 6 pm. The free, public event will take place at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts in Downtown Oakland. Programming includes live entertainment, family activities, and local food vendors. Once kickoff begins at 3:30 pm, the community can watch the Big Game on the big screen inside the Calvin Simmons Theatre at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts. This is the only official Super Bowl Watch Party in the Bay Area.
RSVP is required for both the outdoor Fan Zone and the indoor Watch Party.
Get details on the ticketing page (free)
Super Bowl Experience (San Francisco)
Tuesday, February 3 through Saturday, February 7, 3 pm to 10 pm. Located in the BART-accessible Moscone Center, the Super Bowl Experience is a fan zone with activities, performances, food, and more, all promising to be family-friendly. Interactive and screen-based experiences will be a big emphasis as the corporate sponsors are tech and communication companies. Kids will be able to do football-themed crafts, try on NFL uniforms, and kick and sprint for prizes. Opening Tuesday, February 3, local families would be wise to take advantage of the earlier days at the Super Bowl Experience before actual Super Bowl attendees arrive in the Bay Area. Note: Thursday afternoon between 3 and 5 pm is “Sensory Hours”. The experience is not open on Super Bowl Sunday (February 8).
Tickets are $40 per adult; kids 12 and under are free. An optional premium ticket that allows line jumping is called Super Bowl Xtra and costs $120 for all ages.
San Francisco Fan Zone
Tuesday, February 3 through Saturday, February 7. Across the street at Yerba Buena Gardens, more fan activities will take place. As of this writing, this event appears to be part of the same ticket that allows admission to the Moscone Super Bowl Experience.
SFMOMA Family Studio
Sunday, February 8, 10 am to 1 pm. On Super Bowl Sunday, which I have historically found to be a great day to do anything non-Super Bowl (no traffic!), SFMOMA is partnering with SCRAP to offer make-your-own pennants in the Family Studio at the Museum. All activities in the Koret Education Center are free. No Museum admission required. Details are here >
Unofficial East Bay Super Bowl Watch Parties on Sunday, February 8
Here are locally recommended spots that have been suggested as kid-friendly places to watch games historically (check with venues as plans/TV screens are confirmed closer to February):
Bay Street (Emeryville)
Pre-game tailgate fun will begin at Bay Street at 2 pm at the South end of the shopping center. Guests can watch the game unfold on a 16-foot by 8-foot jumbo LED screen as well as upstairs on the dining terrace with its cozy seating and fire pits. There will be inflatables, games, and the chance to win prizes. This event is free, but you cannot bring in food. Please support the on-site Bay Street restaurants.
New Parkway Theater (Uptown Oakland)
At 3 pm, this independent movie theater shows the game on a big screen with couches, casual food, and non-sports bar vibes (kids welcome).
Tickets are $16 for adults with discounts for seniors and kids. Under 4 is free.
Line 51 Brewing (Oakland)
Relaxed brewery with space that’s kid-friendly (a bus you can climb into!) and often shows big games. Details TBD, but Sundays definitely feature NFL on their TVs.
Emeryville Public Market
This elevated food court offers multiple screens, with nearby outdoor play options nearby for little ones.
Black Cultural Zone Watch Party (Oakland)
Community fun and activities during the game, with a screen to broadcast the game from 3-7 pm
The Sankofa Sanctuary, 2750 73rd Ave, Oakland
More info >
