Let’s give a cheer for September! We’re heading into the season of apples, harvest festivals, community events, and outdoor fun. Here’s a breakdown of amazing activities in the Bay Area for the kids in our lives.
Save the Date for These Exciting Community Events
- Sep. 1: Hikes for Tykes
- Sep. 4: Friday Nights at OMCA
- Sep. 5: Cal Football Season Home Opener
- Sep. 6: Garin Apple Festival
- Sep. 10: Free movies at the Drive-In
- Sep. 12: Splatter Multicultural Festival
- Sep. 12-13:Â Castro Valley Fall Festival
- Sep. 13: Solano Avenue Stroll
- Sep. 17: Big Truck Day in Antioch and Free National Park Entry Day
- Sep 18: Toddler’s Day Out at Crab Cove (with a Bubble Show!)
- Sep. 19: Fairyland Children’s Book Festival
- Sep. 19-20: Muni Heritage Weekend
- Sep. 25-27: Maker Faire Bay Area at Mare Island
- Sep. 26: Habitot Worldwide Day of Play
- Sep. 27: Piedmont Annual Harvest Festival
- Sep. 29: Winnie the Pooh 100th Birthday Party
Check our kid-friendly events calendar for something special every day >
Reserve Tickets to Shows & Performances
Families with older children can stay up late to catch Star Wars: Return of the Jedi performed live by the SF Symphony or the Harry Potter Drone Art Show at Oracle Park, while younger audiences can enjoy daytime performances of Bluey’s Big Play and Dragons Love Tacos.
Find lots more upcoming ticketed performances and events >
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month beginning September 15 through October 15. There are multiple ways to celebrate the diverse Latinx communities and cultures throughout the East Bay and beyond. Look for games and drop-in crafting at local libraries, dance events, and large-scale gatherings. Find more opportunities to mark the vibrant histories, cultures, and contributions of Latinx individuals in our Hispanic Heritage Month Guide >
Jewish High Holiday Events
Rosh Hashanah, then Yom Kippur, followed by Sukkot — it’s that time of year for those who celebrate the Jewish Holy Days. Whether you want to bring your little ones to tot-friendly services or make apples and honey at home for the Jewish New Year, our Jewish Holidays Guide has ideas >
Apple Season is Here
If your family is all about apples, September is a prime month to go apple picking. It’s a favorite fall activity for many kids and parents alike, and with good reason: Apples are delicious and picking the fruit is quite enjoyable. Don’t miss the Garin Apple Festival in Hayward on September 6. Or take a road trip to Apple Hill for kids activities and Johnny Appleseed Day at Delfino Farms. If you’d rather go at your own pace, we rounded up a slew of apple orchards in the Bay Area that should have picking available in early September. Remember to always confirm hours with the orchard or farm by phone or social media in advance.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Marvel at the Harvest Moon this September during the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. Enjoy this cultural holiday with your family by sampling mooncakes of all styles and flavors, and creating colorful paper lanterns. The Bay Area hosts a variety of kid-friendly events including the Little Saigon Mid-Autumn Festival, Autumn Moon Festival, and mooncake tasting.
Watching Cal Sporting Events with Kids
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. 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 >
What’s Open On Labor Day?
Looking to fill your day with activities on Labor Day? Here are a few outings that will keep kids busy while they are off of school or if you’re looking to scratch a few last-minute items off your summer bucket list:
- Free: Crab Cove Open House
- $: Five Dollar Admission Day at The Lawrence
- $: Ardenwood Historic Farm
- $$: Children’s Fairyland
- $$: Dublin Wave Waterpark
- $$$: Oakland Zoo
- $$$: Cal Academy of Sciences
Pro Tip: Labor Day weekend is often the closing time frame for many outdoor splash pads and swimming holes. Plan ahead to get some water fun in before these spaces close for the season.
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 itinerary when you’re in a pinch. Find more free & cheap events this month >
- Mondays – Pop-N-Play at Ruby’s Tumbling
- Tuesdays – $5 Tuesdays at the movies
- Wednesdays – Visit Tilden Botanical Garden
- Thursdays – Toddler Thursday at Salesforce Park
- Fridays – Alameda Wee Play
- Saturdays – Richmond Plunge Tot Swim
- Sundays – Ride the Tilden Steam Trains
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 >
- Sep. 1: Conservatory of Flowers & de Young Museum (also free every Saturday)
- Sep. 2: GLBT Historical Society Museum in San Francisco
- Sep. 3: BAMPFA in Berkeley & Museum of Craft and Design
- Sep. 5-6: Bank of America Free Museum Days
- Sep. 6: Asian Art Museum in San Francisco and First Sunday at OMCA (nearly free!)
- Sep. 8: San Francisco Botanical Garden
- Sep. 12: Charles M. Schulz Museum
s p o n s o r 
Find more activities on our East Bay Families Events Calendar every day of the month.Â
