After the High Holidays come to an end at sundown on Oct. 2, it will be time to turn our attention to Sukkot and Simchat Torah, two uplifting, family-friendly holidays. Sukkot is a weeklong harvest festival; it begins at sundown Oct. 6 and ends at sundown Oct. 13. Simchat Torah comes right after, starting the evening of Oct. 14. After the gravitas of the Days of Awe, these exuberant autumn holidays offer opportunities for joy, celebration and fun.
In this list, we’ve gathered holiday events around the Bay Area geared toward families and kids and featuring kid-friendly activities like arts and crafts, music and dancing, storytime and more.
Sunday | October 5
Sukkot Celebration in Livermore — Tri-Valley Cultural Jews event includes sukkah-raising, arts and crafts, a potluck and more. Livermore location provided with registration. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. $15 suggested donation for nonmembers. To register, email [email protected] or call (925) 399-8029.
JCC Family Cooking: Sukkot — Class for kids and adults. Bake apple cobbler and make mint honey lemonade to celebrate the holiday. At Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 4-5 p.m. $40 per family.
Beth Am Tot Sukkot — Celebration for families with young children ages 0-6 with sukkah decorating, story time and music. At Congregation Beth Am, 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 3:30-5 p.m. Free.
JCC East Bay Sukkot Celebration — Festive arts and crafts, cooking, games and more. In partnership with Berkeley Moshav, Jewtina y Co., Eden Village West, Wilderness Torah and Camp Tawonga. At 1414 Walnut Ave., Berkeley. 3-5 p.m. $12 per adult.
Friday | October 10
JCC Sukkot Shabbat Dinner — The Oshman Family JCC hosts a celebration for families in the sukkah. At OFJCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. 5:30-7 p.m. $52 per family (two adults, two children), additional adults $22, additional children $14. Children 2 years and under free.
Elevate Shabbat in the Sukkah — Celebrate Shabbat and Sukkot together. Shake the lulav, enjoy “Pizza in the Hut” dinner and musical service. At 740 Western Ave., Petaluma. 5:30 p.m. Suggested donation $18 per adult, kids under 12 free.
Beth Am Shabbat & Sukkot Celebration — Congregation Beth Am celebrates Shabbat and Sukkot while also fundraising for ALAS (Helping Latinos Dream), a social service organization and farmworker advocacy group Half Moon Bay. At 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 6:15 p.m. Free.
Saturday | October 11
Sukkot & Fall Harvest Festival Pop-up — Annual farmers market booth hosted by the JCCSF includes shaking the lulav, tasting local honey and seasonal produce, and creating art with foraged, locally sourced and organic materials. At Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, 1 Ferry Plaza, S.F. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.
Sukkot: Pajama PJ Library Party — Peninsula JCC invites families to wear their pajamas for a cozy Sukkot celebration featuring arts and crafts, dinner and family-friendly Havdalah in the sukkah. Presented with PJ Library. At 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. 5-7 p.m. $10 per family.
Emanu-El Young Family Sukkot Shabbat — Congregation Emanu-El hosts families with young children in its new rooftop play space. Shake the lulav, enjoy Sukkot games and arts and crafts, plus bagel brunch. At 2 Lake St., S.F. 10-11:30 a.m.
Sunday | October 12
Urban Adamah Sukkot Family Farm Festival — Holiday celebration for kids and families with arts and crafts, music, farm stations and light snacks. Concludes with singing and dinner in the sukkah. Co-presented with Jewish Gateways. At Urban Adamah, 1151 Sixth St., Berkeley. 2-5 p.m. $12-$36 per person, sliding scale.
Sukkot Party and Concert in Petaluma — B’nai Israel Jewish Center invites all to its Sukkot party. Music by three bands playing a mix of Hebrew and English music, food trucks and hands-on holiday activities. At 740 Western Ave., Petaluma. 1-6 p.m. Free.
Pomegranate Picnic in the Sukkah — Temple Beth Sholom invites families to a Sukkot picnic with storytelling by Joel ben Izzy. Preorder picnic baskets and drinks. RSVP and food orders must be received by Oct. 10. At 642 Dolores Ave., San Leandro. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Picnic baskets $45 and up, drinks $6 and up.
Sukkot Party in the Sukkah — Family celebration with arts and crafts, music and dancing, and shaking the lulav. Co-hosted by Congregation Beth Jacob and Jewish Baby Network. At Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City. Free. 3:30-5 p.m.
“Shake the Lulav” — Family Sukkot party with music, dancing, snacks. Presented by Congregation Beth El and Jewish Baby Network. At Beth El, 1301 Oxford St., Berkeley. Free. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Monday | October 13
Fremont Simchat Torah Celebration — Music and dancing at Temple Beth Torah. At 42000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont. 7 p.m. Free.
Beth Am Simchat Torah — Congregation Beth Am invites all to their service followed by music, dancing and nosh, plus marking milestones for b’nai mitzvahs and kindergartners. At 26790 Arastradero Road, Los Altos Hills. 6:15-8 p.m. Free.
Tuesday | October 14
Chochmat Simchat Torah Remixed — Chochmat HaLev celebrates the Torah with a kids’ program with the Latin-Jewish family program Olamim, followed by Maariv service and dance party. Pizza for kids and snacks for all. At 2215 Prince St., Berkeley. 5:30-10 p.m. Member adults $24, nonmember adults $36-$54. Kids free.
Simchat Torah Celebration — Kehilla Community Synagogue invites all to their celebration in partnership with Or Shalom Jewish Community and Bay Area Jews for Justice. Dance with the Torah and enjoy live klezmer music with Mike Perlmutter on clarinet and sax and Diane Wirtschafter on vocals. At 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont. 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Wednesday | October 15
Simchat Torah Celebration — B’nai Israel Jewish Center invites families for dinner, singing, dancing and more. At 740 Western Ave., Petaluma. 4-7 p.m. $0-$18 suggested donation.