Puppets have been used to tell stories to children and adults for thousands of years. Fairyland’s Storybook Puppet Theater isn’t quite that old, but we’re proud that it’s the oldest continuously operating puppet theater in the United States.

Since we first parted the curtains in 1956, we’ve presented hundreds of delightful and wondrous tales through the magic of puppetry. Some of the Bay Area’s—and the country’s—most gifted puppeteers have worked backstage at the puppet theater: Luman Coad, Frank and Dorothy Hayward, Tony Urbano, and Mike and Frances Oznowicz. As a teenager, Frank Oznowicz—later and better known as Frank Oz—helped his parents prepare puppet shows after school and on weekends; later, he built on that experience to help create the Muppets and to direct feature films.

All of Fairyland’s puppet shows are original productions. Scripts, costumes, and sets are designed by our own puppeteers, with original recorded music and voiceovers. Each is a marvel of artistry and craft, guaranteed to enchant children and adults alike.

Puppet shows are presented all year round, three times a day (11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.), at our newly refurbished Storybook Puppet Theater. Like everything else at Fairyland, puppet shows are included in the Fairyland admission fee.

Lewis Mahlmann and Randal Metz have been closely involved with the puppet theater since 1967, and they continue Fairyland’s tradition of brilliant puppetry.