Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Celebrate the Parks! Each year there are free admission days for our national parks.

Whether your interest lies in Hispanic history in the United States, watching a historical reenactment, or trekking off into the wilderness, there is something for everyone in our treasured public lands.

Here’s a tip – many of our 400+ national parks NEVER charge an entrance fee. So start Planning Your Visit! Click here to find a park. 

Did you know that fourth graders and their families get free admission to federal public lands courtesy of the US Dept. of the Interior?  Check out Every Kid in a Park on Silicon Valley Mom.

Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2024:

  • January 15: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • April 20: First day of National Park Week
  • June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
  • August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
  • September 28: National Public Lands Day
  • November 11: Veterans Day

*Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession, and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

Double-check the event information on the event website as sometimes events are canceled or details changed.

Image credit/image courtesy of US National Park Service

IHOP Free Scary Pancakes for Halloween 2023

To celebrate Halloween, Kids get a free Scary Face Pancake at IHOP from 4 pm – 10 pm at participating restaurants. Bring your little Ghoul to enjoy Scary Face Pancakes at IHOP.

Available for dine-in only. Kids ages 12 and under. Requires the purchase of an adult meal.

Free scary pancakes are available October 24 – 31, 2023.

Click here to find your local participating location.

Please double-check the event information on the event website as sometimes events are canceled or details changed after they are added to CelebrateFamily.us.   Let us know about any changes at events@celebrate-family.com

Image credit/image courtesy of IHOP

Free Movies at Cinelux Theatres

Free movies at Cinelux Fall Family Film Festival. The movies are showing on Saturdays and Sundays at 10 am.

Tickets are free and are available at the Box Office, online and the Cinelux app. Online service fees will apply.

Get a Junior Combo of popcorn and soda for only $5.

Cinelux Fall Family Film Festival Schedule

Peter Rabbit 9/16-9/17
Cloudy with A Chance of Meatball 9/23-9/24
The Emoji Movie (Rated PG) 9/30-10/1
Lyle Lyle Crocodile (Rated PG) 10/7-10/8

Cinelux Theatres Locations

Los Gatos – CineLux Los Gatos Theatre
Campbell – CineLux Plaza Café & Lounge
San Jose – CineLux Almaden Café & Lounge
Morgan Hill – CineLux Tennant Station
Gilroy – CineLux Gilroy Café & Lounge
Capitola – CineLux Capitola Café & Lounge
Scotts Valley – CineLux Scotts Valley Café & Lounge
Watsonville – CineLux Green Valley Cinema

Visit CelebrateFamily.us for family friendly movies in the Bay area.

Please double-check the event information on the event website as sometimes events are canceled or details changed after they are added to CelebrateFamily.us.   Let us know about any changes at events@celebrate-family.com

Image credit/image courtesy of Cinelux Theatres.

Gabby’s Dollhouse Comes to the Bay Area

Calling All Gabby’s Dollhouse Fans!

Gabby’s Dollhouse is coming to the Bay area September 6 – 10, 2023. And fans can visit Gabby’s Dollhouse free.

Gabby’s Dollhouse, will make stops in Union City and Mountain View, giving kids a paw-sport to adventure as they explore and play inside Gabby’s fantastical world filled with surprises, fun activities and all her kitty friends.

Attendees can pick up their very own official paw-sport and make their way through five different stations of fun, hands-on activities.

What To Expect at Gabby on the Go?

  • Creative and fun interactive activities as they travel through the experience
  • Collect stamps in their Cat Passport
  • Meet Gabby for an unmissable photo opportunity
  • Fill in their cat character in their passport
  • Try out the new Gabby toys from Spin Master
  • Receive a Gabby temporary tattoo and spin the prize wheel

Gabby on the Go Bay Area Dates

Gabby’s Dollhouse will be in Union City and Mountain View.
September 6: Walmart (Union City) from 3pm-6:30pm
September 9: Mountain View Art and Wine Festival from 11am-7pm
September 10: Mountain View Art and Wine Festival from 10am-6pm

Tickets for Gabby on the Go

Admission (tickets) is free, but tickets are available to reserve your time. Walkups are more than welcome on a first come first serve basis!

GABBY ON THE GO is a family event, suitable for children under the age of 10. Children must be supervised at all times. This event is wheelchair accessible.

GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE is now streaming on Netflix.

Visit www.gabbysdollhouse.com/gabbyonthego for more information.

@dreamworksjr | @dreamworks | #DWGabbyOnTheGo | #GabbysDollhouse

Cirque du Soleil Corteo | Oakland Arena

Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo comes to Oakland Arena, August 17 – August 20, 2023.

Cirque Du Soleil: Corteo Oakland Dates and Times

Cirque du Soleil Corteo Story

The clown Mauro envisions that his own burial will take place amid a carnival atmosphere and be attended by tender angels. The show contrasts the grand with the intimate, the silly with the tragic, and the beauty of perfection with the appeal of imperfection.

Corteo, which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.

How Long is Corteo?

Corteo is just over 1 and 1/2 hours with a 25 minute intermission.

How Much Are Tickets to Corteo?

Tickets for Corteo in Oakland start at $45. Tickets are cheaper in Oakland than San Francisco (Chase Center).

Where are the Discounts?

Check Ticketmaster for Family Pack (buy 3 tickets get 1 free). LINK

What About Parking?

Buy parking in advance. Save time and know in advance where to go. LINK

Is Corteo Family Friendly?

Corteo is considered family friendly, but there will also be loud noises and sometimes frightening scenes. Remember Corteo is about a funeral. Most young children like the circus and acrobatic parts of Cirque du Soleil shows. Source: Cirque du Soleil