Free Museum Days in December

Explore free museum days and attractions in the Bay Area throughout December 2025! 🌟 Perfect for kids, tweens, and teens, December is packed with fun activities to keep everyone entertained.

👉 For even more inspiration, don’t forget to visit our comprehensive free museum round-up! December 6-7 is the first weekend of the month so be prepared for lots of family fun with Santa celebrations. December 6-7 is also Museums on Us weekend.

December Free Museum Day Highlights

Oakland Museum of California: Check out the OMCA Kids Nature Playspace Little learners can unleash their curiosity and imagination in the newly created OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace. Located inside the Gallery of California Natural Sciences, the playspace is focused on the unique needs of children ages 2 to 5, along with their families and caregivers.

Asian Art Museum: Baby Rave with DJ Chico Chi on December 7. Inviting infants, parents, and caregivers to share in the collective energy of movement and sound, the “baby rave” is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for families to immerse themselves in a dynamic art experience, showing how the rhythms of the dance floor can nurture community across all ages.

Free Museum Passes at Discover and Go

Grab free passes to museums and other popular attractions for Christmas break! Pair the free passes with special holiday programs. Discovery and Go (or Museum Passes on your local library web page). Get a quick tutorial on how to use Discover and Go at SiliconValleyMom.com Free and Discount Museum Passes: Discover & GO.

🎨🖼️ Discover art, history, and fun without spending a dime! Check out our monthly list of museums offering free admission. Perfect for a day out with family, friends, or even solo exploration. Dive into culture, creativity, and countless adventures! 🌟

December Free Museum Days

Check out the events calendar below and discover the amazing family events the Bay Area has to offer. 🗓️ #FreeDays #FreeAdmission #KidsFun #FamilyFun #TeenFun #FreeMuseums

[ecs-list-events design=”grouped” timeonly=”true” cost =”yes” cat=’free, free-or-reduced-admission, free-musuem-days’ fromdate=’2025-12-01′ todate=’2025-12-31′ limit=’300′]

Free Admission for Military LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Legoland Discovery Center is extending their gratitude to members of the military by offering free admission during Military Appreciation Month.

All through November, military personnel receive FREE entry plus 30% off for their friends and family-up to six (6) guests.

Hours: Monday – Friday 11 am – 5 pm, Saturday 10 am – 7pm, Sunday 11 am – 6pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day.

Purchase in advance to reserve your time slot. To redeem a free ticket, you must purchase a 30% off Friends and Family ticket. It will not allow you to complete the transaction without one. Must provide Military ID at admissions. *Adults must be accompanied by a child aged 17 or younger for entry. Children under 2 are free. Tickets are limited and must be booked online in advance. Offer valid November 2025.

Image credit/image courtesy of Legoland Discovery Center

Our Guide to NWSL Championship Events

The National Women’s Soccer League and San Jose are throwing a party to celebrate women’s soccer! NSWL Championship comes to San Jose with a host of events for not only soccer lovers, but all fans of women’s sports. Expect more than just the Championship Game, Fan Fest, and Skills Challenge. Check out our guide to events.

Thursday, November 20

Sports Are Fun! Live Presented by Prime @ 5:30 PM Cost: $20
Join Kelley O’Hara, BJ Beckwith, and special guests for a live taping of Sports Are Fun! presented by Amazon Prime ahead of NWSL Championship. The show will look back at the year in women’s sports while previewing the NWSL Championship. Expect surprise guest appearances throughout the show from some of the biggest names in women’s sports. Must be 18 years or older to attend. TICKETS

Friday, November 21

Ally House @ 1 pm Cost: Free But Reservation Suggested
Meet and greets with players, a special merch collab, podcasts, and more! Friday panel highlight – Beyond the Game: Money, Mindset and the Making of a Legacy featuring Ali Riley. Must be 21 years or older to attend. TICKETS

NWSL Skills Challenge, presented by CarMax @ 5 PM Cost $10
NWSL stars competing in three skills: Relay, Gauntlet, and Crossbar Challenge for a $30,000 prize pool, courtesy of CarMax. Fans will have the opportunity to meet participants following the competition. TICKETS

Saturday, November 22

Ally House @ 10:30 am Cost: Free But Reservation Suggested
Meet and greets with players, a special merch collab, podcasts, and more! Saturday panel highlight – How Fashion and Fandom Are Helping Shape the Future of Women’s Soccer featuring Jack Howard, Domo Wells, and Melissa Ortiz. Must be 21 years or older to attend. TICKETS

NWSL Fan Fest @ 12 pm Cost: FREE
This free event features interactive games, music, great food, photobooths, and photo ops. Fan Fest is scheduled for 12 pm – 4 pm in downtown San Jose. Come early for fun and then take advantage of complimentary shuttles to PayPal Park. RSVP to receive updates. INFO

Fan Fest Featured Fun

âš˝ Ally: Spin to win exclusive Ally x NWSL prizes, snap a pic at our photo booth!
âš˝ PRIME: Prime Free-Kick Challenge. There will also be a signing and photo opportunity with NWSL players.
⚽AT&T: Meet and greets where fans can meet NWSL stars, a customization station where fans can choose complimentary patches to customize fanny packs, and more.
âš˝ Bobbie: Will host the Sideline Suite. Enjoy refreshing beverages, photo moments, and limited-edition giveaways.
âš˝ Canon: Stop by for a free, professional portrait at our soccer-themed studio activation. Afterward, explore our latest cameras and printers.
⚽CarMax Skills Challenge: At Fan Fest to test your aim, score sweet prizes, and snap a pic with not one but TWO soccer legends.
⚽Delta Airlines: NWSL Mini Prints presented by Delta and collect six unique, limited-edition prints to commemorate your experience at Championship Week.
⚽e.l.f. Cosmetics: Offering photo ops, glam touch-ups, and a shooting game that will be sure to test your skills. e.l.f. products available to all guests while supplies last!
⚽INDIVISA: Live podcasts from Indivisa’s SoccerGirl and The Skimm’s Well Played, featuring iconic voices from the world of sports and culture.
⚽FIFA World Cup 26 Mascots: Come say hi to the official FIFA World Cup 26™ mascots, Maple, Zayu, and Clutch!
⚽NWSL: Snap the ultimate “pro player” photo. Show your NWSL pride before the Championship match.
âš˝NWSL Players Association: Stop by for a chance to win exclusive, signed NWSL jerseys while raising awareness and funds in support of the Trust’s mission.
⚽Tylenol: Tylenol and Amazon invite fans to send an encouraging note to their favorite players, snap a pic in our goal post photo booth, and grab an exclusive tote bag, rally towel, and other collectable freebies.
⚽NWSL Championship Merch: Exclusive merch available only at Championship week events.

NWSL Championship @ 5 pm | Paypal Park Cost: $40+
Washington Spirit versus Gotham FC TICKETS

Official NWSL Post-game Party @ 7 pm NDIVISA HQ Cost: Free
Following the final whistle and the conclusion of the NWSL Championship, fans are invited to continue the party and celebration at INDIVISA HQ in San Pedro Market Square. The event is free and open to the public. INFO

Events subject to change. Image credit/courtesy NWSL Championship Bay Area.

Nutcracker Events in the SF Bay Area

Our Annual Guide to Nutcracker performances in the San Francisco Bay area. Don’t forget the magic of meeting the dancers. Whether the event is called Sweet Dreams, Sugar Plum or Family Performance it always means the same thing, an opportunity to meet and greet costumed cast members, refreshments and perhaps a picture or two with Clara or the Mouse King.

Nutcracker Weekend will be December 13-14, 2025 with December 6-7, 2025 being a close second. These weekends will have the most number of performances.

Sensory Friendly Nutcracker Ballets

November 28, 2025

Sensory Friendly Nutcracker by Pacific Ballet Academy

December 6, 2025

Sensory Friendly Nutcracker by Black Diamond Ballet Theatre

December 21, 2025

Family Dance-Along Nutcracker with SF Ballet 
Sensory Friendly Nutcracker Dance-Along (Ages 5-12) | SF Ballet 
Sensory Friendly Nutcracker Dance-Along (Ages 13-22+) | SF Ballet 

December 28, 2025

Sensory Friendly Nutcracker by SF Ballet 

Nutcrackers Especially for Kids

Most Nutcracker Ballets are 2 hours long, which might be a bit much for younger fans, here are some events specifically for younger audiences. Plus a student performance by the Oakland Ballet Company.

Oakland Ballet Company also hosts a Sweet Dreams Sweet Dreams Party (character meet and greet) after its perfomances. Tickets are extra.

November 22, 2025

11:00 am The Nutcracker Storytime: Presented by SJDT and Hicklebees 

November 29, 2025

 The Nutcracker with Orchestra and Puppets | San Francisco 

November 30, 2025

The Nutcracker with Orchestra and Puppets | Oakland 
The Nutcracker with Orchestra and Puppets | Palo Alto 

December 6, 2025

Nutcracker Sweets by Mark Foehringer Dance Project 
Nutcracker Sweet by Peninsula Ballet Theatre 

December 7, 2025

Nutcracker Sweets by Mark Foehringer Dance Project 
Nutcracker Sweet by Peninsula Ballet Theatre 

December 12, 2025

Children’s Nutcracker by San Jose Dance Theatre 
 Sweet Dream Nutcracker by Orinda Ballet 

December 14, 2025

My Very First Nutcracker by the New Ballet 
 Nutcracker Bird by Berkeley Ballet 

December 19, 2025

Student Matinee – Oakland Ballet

Free Nutcracker Performances

These Nutcracker events are free or free but RSVP requested. Rachel’s Ballet is always ‘sold out’ but Standing Room Only is usually available. The SF Chamber Orchestra teams up with Children’s Fairyland to present the Nutcracker with Puppets.

November 29, 2025

The Nutcracker with Orchestra and Puppets | San Francisco 

November 30, 2025

 The Nutcracker with Orchestra and Puppets | Oakland 
 The Nutcracker with Orchestra and Puppets | Palo Alto

December 12, 2025

Nutcracker by Rachel’s Ballet 

Most Unusual Nutcrackers

Wicked fans rejoice! SF Pride Band will host Wicked Dance Along Nutcrackers on December 6 & 7 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

Also, Hip Hop Nutcrackers are on schedule performed by the Peninsula Ballet Theatre.

✨ 2025 Bay Area Nutcracker Ballets ✨

[ecs-list-events design=”grouped” timeonly=”true” cost=”yes” tag=’nutcracker’ cat=’nutcracker’ fromdate=’2025-11-01′ todate=’2025-12-31′ limit=’300′]

Updated November 7, 2025

Free Museum Days Bay area November

Explore free museum days and attractions in the Bay Area throughout November 2025! 🌟 Perfect for kids, tweens, and teens, November is packed with fun activities to keep everyone entertained. Don’t forget the time change on Sunday morning, November 2nd. Fall back, huzzah to another hour of sleep!

👉 For even more inspiration, don’t forget to visit our comprehensive free museum round-up! November 1-2 is the first weekend of the month so be prepared for lots of family fun with Diwali and Dia de Los Muertos celebrations. November 1-2 is also Museums on Us weekend.

November Free Museum Day Highlights

San Jose Museum of Art: Community Day celebrating Dia de Los Muertos, Saturday, November 1, 2025. Highlights include sugar skull painting, Amate Drawings, and Castinet Creations. Free But Reservation Required.

Asian Art Museum: Diwali Celebration and Monkey King workshops. Free day for November is Sunday, November 2, 2025.

Free Museum Passes at Discover and Go

Grab free passes to Cal Academy of Sciences, the Tech Interactive, and other popular attractions through Discovery and Go (or Museum Passes on your local library web page). Get a quick tutorial on how to use Discover and Go at SiliconValleyMom.com Free and Discount Museum Passes: Discover & GO.

🎨🖼️ Discover art, history, and fun without spending a dime! Check out our monthly list of museums offering free admission. Perfect for a day out with family, friends, or even solo exploration. Dive into culture, creativity, and countless adventures! 🌟

November Free Museum Days

Check out the events calendar below and discover the amazing family events the Bay Area has to offer. 🗓️ #FreeDays #FreeAdmission #KidsFun #FamilyFun #TeenFun #FreeMuseums

[ecs-list-events design=”grouped” timeonly=”true” cost =”yes” cat=’free, free-or-reduced-admission, free-musuem-days’ fromdate=’2025-11-01′ todate=’2025-11-30′ limit=’300′]