Annual Events
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Turn the Page! features read-alouds and live art demonstrations.
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More than 50 artists from the Bay Area team up to create Fairyland-inspired art.
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Spooktastic costumes on parade at Jack o’Lantern Jamboree.
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Sparkling lights herald the season during Fairy Winterland.
Colorful costume celebrations, twinkling winter enchantments, and summer campouts on the shores of Lake Merritt—Children’s Fairyland celebrates throughout the year. (We also have a gala dinner the last Wednesday in May; it’s one of our most magical events.)
Drawn Together: A Celebration of Bay Area Artists at Fairyland
Thought #Fairyland4Grownups was your only way to get into Fairyland without a child? Think again! On the evening of Friday, September 27, adults get another chance to experience the after-dark magic of our mid-century storybook theme park during Drawn Together.
Now in its seventh year, this intimate art event pulls in over 50 handpicked, local artists who will be creating Fairyland-inspired art live onsite. Later in the evening, those artworks will then be sold for a fixed price of $40 each.
On top of all that, you will also have the opportunity to get sparkly extensions from the Fairy Hair Spa, learn what’s in the cards for you with a tarot reading from The Hanged Man.
Proceeds will help make Fairyland affordable for all families, and free for those most in need. Space is extremely limited — get your tickets before they sell out! Early bird tickets (before August 31) are $25. On September 1, and until September 27, they go up to $28. If there are any available after that, we will sell them at the door for $30.
Beer and wine are complimentary, and food is available for purchase. But do note that this is truly an adults-only event. No one under 21 will be admitted because alcohol will be served.
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Jack o’Lantern Jamboree
On the last weekend in October, join us to celebrate with fun and games that are more delightful than frightful.
2019 Jack o’Lantern Jamboree dates: October 26 & 27
Admission to Fairyland for the Jack o’Lantern Jamboree is just $12 per person ($6 for members). Come in costume and enjoy a spooktacular extravaganza with:
- Unlimited rides
- Parades
- Goody bags and treat stations for kids*
- Two jumpers, one for little kids and one for bigger kids
- Arts and crafts
- Pirate school
- Balloon twisting
- Special performances
- Shows by our Children’s Theater Program and Storybook Puppet Theater
- *While supplies last
Jack o’Lantern Jamboree is made possible each year through contributions from our generous local sponsors. Contact us to add your company’s name to the list.
(Sorry, no passes, coupons or vouchers accepted for this event.)
2018 Sponsors
We would like to thank our donors for helping make this event possible.
Dr. Michelle Agazzi DDS
Neil Katsura, DDS
Donald Ruddell, DDS
Fairy Winterland
In December, Fairy Winterland celebrates the winter holidays of many cultures: Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Diwali, and Chinese New Year. Join us for stories, crafts, a festival of lights, and a visit from Santa.
2018 Fairy Winterland dates: December 14-23
For one modest admission fee—$12 for each adult and child over the age of 1 ($6 for members)—you’ll enjoy:
- Performances by our renowned Storybook Puppet Theater
- A Festival of Lights Parade each day at 6:15 p.m.
- Special holiday storytelling, magic, and entertainment
- A daily visit from Santa Claus
- Holiday-themed arts and crafts
- Unlimited rides
And many more special surprises!
The park is open from noon to 7 p.m. during Fairy Winterland (weather permitting).
Fairyland members receive free admission to the opening day of Fairy Winterland!
Turn the Page! children’s book festival!
Presented by Kaiser Permanente Thrive with support from Association of Children's Librarians of Northern California, Chronicle Books and 510Families.
Our fourth annual Turn the Page! children’s book festival will take place Saturday, May 18, with a new bookstore partner: East Bay Booksellers.
- Enjoy read-alouds by authors and live art demonstrations by illustrators
- Meet more than 30 authors and illustrators and ask them about their craft
- Buy books from Oakland’s own East Bay Booksellers and have them signed
- Celebrate young writers and their work at our Kid Author Table
- Visit Oakland Public Library's Fairyland Branch to sign up for the new Fairyland library card, designed by local illustrator Michael Wertz. Or use your creativity to make a bookish craft with OPL librarians!
With special presentations by: Annie Barrows, Lisa Brown, Nidhi Chanani, Kamaria Lofton, Todd Parr, and Michael Wertz
Featuring: Simone Alexander, Alexandra Boiger, Sally Bolger, Alina Chau, Angela Dalton, Jill Diamond, Marcus Ewert, Alexis Fajardo, Sandra V. Feder, Michael Fleming, Meg Fleming, Alexandria Giardino, Melissa Greenberg, Jeanne Walker Harvey, Sarah and Ian Hoffman, Eda Kaban, Lourdes Rivas, Janine Macbeth, Innosanto Nagara, Donald Oppenheim, James Robinson, Simone Shin, Regina Shklovsky, Dashka Slater, Nikki Shannon Smith, Jane Solomon, Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan, Meera Sriram, and K-Fai Steele
Fairyland 4 Grownups
Oaklandish and Children’s Fairyland are teaming up once again to host a night of pure imagination — for grownups only!
#Fairyland4Grownups is one of the few chances you can experience our magical midcentury storybook park without a child. On Friday, August 16, from 7 to 10 p.m., adults 21+ (only) get the rare occasion to romp around Fairyland! There will be dancing to tunes by DJ Dion Decibels in Old West Junction, local brews and food, performances (including a puppet show), and more.
All proceeds benefit the good work we do at Fairyland.
Have questions? Check the event’s FAQ on the Oaklandish blog. They have more detailed information on this special adults-only event.
