Mother's Day 2025: The best brunches, live music, nature outings and more
Mother's Day lands on Sunday, May 11, arriving with the glow of a full Flower Moon. Just as every mom or mother figure is wonderfully unique, so are the ways to celebrate them. Savor brunch paired with a show, embrace family togetherness, or honor cherished memories of moms no longer with us.
Explore the Chronicle's guide to discover the perfect way to celebrate the remarkable mother figures in your life this weekend.
Resound Ensemble: Soul Fire — A Radiant Concert for Dark Times
Join the community chorus in San Francisco for a spring concert program set to illuminate the powerful nature of unity, passion and resilience. With traditional and contemporary works by Sara Teasdale, Ysaÿe M. Barnwell, Jobim & Mendonça, John Conahan, Thomas Morley and Alvin Trotman.
7:30 p.m. Friday and Monday, May 9 and 12; 7 p.m. Saturday, May 10. $15-$39.19. Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez St., S.F. www.resoundensemble.org
Cal Performances Presents: Mark Morris Dance Group
Mark Morris presents his joyful choreographic romp through the Beatles' groundbreaking 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' album, with a program titled 'Pepperland.' The production, co-commissioned by Cal Performances, features a score of Beatles arrangements as well as originals by longtime Morris collaborator, pianist Ethan Iverson.
8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, May 9-10; 3 p.m. Sunday, May 11. $42-$ Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley.
Awake in the Wild: Nature as Refuge, Healer and Teacher
Hang out with Mother Earth during a daylong, outdoor, nature-based meditation retreat with Awake in the Wild founder, Mark Coleman. Practice sensory awareness and cultivate insight, interconnection with nature and opening of the heart in the serene beauty of West Marin's San Geronimo valley.
9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10. Hermitage Meadow, Spirit Rock Meditation Center, 5000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Woodacre. 415-488-0164. www.spiritrock.org
Mother's Day Tea Party and Flower Workshop
Make Mother's Day memories with a mix of creativity, nature and family-friendly activities. Enjoy a tea party, a hands-on local flower workshop and guided flower walk, flower dissections and a seed bomb-making craft.
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 10. $25-$25, reservations required. Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. 510-336-7300. www.chabotspace.org
Fourth Annual Mill Valley Music Festival
Party with mom for a weekend of fun in the sun featuring live music from Gary Clark Jr., Nile Rodgers and Chic, the Monophonics, Vieux Farka Touré, Elliot Peck, Jason Crosby, Ghost-Note, Wreckless Strangers, Sister Nancy and others.
New to this year's festival are wand-making and larger-than-life puppetry, tie dyeing, flower crown crafts, bubble shows with Sterling Johnson, henna art, collaborative painting with O'Hanlon Center for the Arts, mural artistry from Mt. Tamalpais High School with the Canal Arts, a Hush Concerts silent disco and more. The event will include a local 'Manzanita Marketplace' area, food vendors, a wine garden, beer hall and a unique, non-alcoholic adult beverage oasis.
Noon-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 10-11. $71-$509. Friends Field, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley.
Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival
Take a coastal drive south to sample California wines while checking out an outstanding, daylong lineup of live jazz hosted by bassist Marcus Shelby. Performers scheduled include the Tiffany Austin Quintet, vocalist Jamie Davis, pianist Larry Vuvkovich's quintet and Sundra Manning's Organ Quartet with vocalist Ashling Cole. Local food vendors and brews will be available in a craft brew garden.
Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, May 10. $75-$175, includes commemorative glass and tastings; VIP option available. Main St., Half Moon Bay. www.hmbwineandjazzfest.com
Bring moms who still love the A's out for a classic matchup with the Yankees at the team's new homebase in Sacramento.
1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 10-11. $10-$370. Sutter Health Park, 400 Ballpark Dr., West Sacramento. 510-638-4900. mlb.com/athletics
Sha Sha Higby with Keith Evans 'Feathered Fox'
Using mobiles, puppetry and more, Higby's multi-layered masks and costuming draw attendees in with their intriguing stagework. Projection collaborator Keith Evans helps to metabolize the transformation of the handmade artifacts with moving light art accompaniment.
2 p.m. Saturday, May 10; 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 11. $20-$28. Theatre of Yugen's NOH Space, 2840 Mariposa St., S.F. www.sfiaf.org
S.F. Zoo Mother's Day BikeAbout
The whole family can ride their bicycles through the zoo before it opens for a one-hour riding tour focused on maternal care throughout the animal kingdom. Meet a family of giraffes and get the opportunity to feed them.
8:30 a.m. Sunday, May 11. $45-$55, reservations required. S.F. Zoo, Sloat Blvd. at the Great Hwy., S.F. 415-753-7080. www.sfzoo.org
Red Oak Victory Mother's Day Pancake Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast on board the restored World War II Victory ship, SS Red Oak Victory, berthed in a historic Richmond shipyard. With live music and the original radio room in operation for attendees to send free radiograms to friends and family and panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay. Docent-led tours of the ship available.
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, May 11. $5-$44.52, reservations required. SS Red Oak Victory, 1337 Canal Blvd., Pt. Richmond. www.redoakvictory.us
Mothers' Day Kayak Tour
Get close to marine life and enjoy the sea breeze during a relaxed morning paddle in a double sea kayak. The tour is for all levels and abilities. No experience necessary and all gear provided.
9:30 a.m.-noon Sunday, May 11. $75-$80. Encinal Boat Ramp, 190 Central Ave., Alameda. 415-294-1972. www.stackedadventures.com
Morning Wildlife, Afternoon Memorial and Full Flower Moon Mother's Day Sails
Board the schooner Freda B for a morning wildlife spotting cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge to the Point Bonita lighthouse, with an onboard naturalist; an afternoon Mother's Day memorial sail with roses to cast out in memoriam, or a full flower moon sunset sail around the bay with mom. All feature history and lore of the 80-foot gaff-rigged coastal schooner/sailboat.
9:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 2:45-5 p.m. and 6:15-9 p.m. Sunday, May 11. $107.47-$139.49, reservations required. Schooner Freda B, Slip 465, Sausalito. 415-331-0444. www.schoonerfredab.com
Mimosas & Motown: Mother's Day Sunday Brunch
This high-spirited celebration will combine brunch and a live Motown tribute concert from the Bay Area-based band Top Shelf Classics. Tickets include brunch, beverages and the performance.
10 a.m. brunch; concert begins at noon. Sunday, May 11. $80-$138.25; all ages. Feinstein's at the Nikko, 222 Mason St., S.F. 415-394-1111.
Día de las Madres: Mother's Day 2025
Celebrate all mothers, and especially las mamás latinas, at an event offering bilingual programming for moms and families based on stories and traditions from Latino culture. Enjoy live music and folklórico dance, learn how to make handmade paper flowers and enjoy a hot chocolate tasting.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, May 11. Free. Exploratorium, Pier 15, S.F. 415-528-4444. www.exploratorium.edu
Mother's Day Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton
The holiday menu offers a prix fixe brunch, mimosas and Bloody Marys. Moms will receive a free pastry and are invited to create a flower bouquet to take home.
Seatings at 12:15 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 11. $160, reservations required. Parallel 37, Ritz-Carlton, 600 Stockton St., S.F. 415-773-6168. www.ritzcarlton.com
84th Annual Mother's Day Rose Show
With floral arrangements and artistic categories focused around this year's 'The Art of the Rose' theme, San Francisco Rose Society's long-running adjudicated event is a delight to the senses.
12:30-4 p.m. Sunday, May 11. Free admission. County Fair Building Hall of Flowers, 1199 Ninth Ave., Golden Gate Park, S.F. 415-636-1512. www.sfrosesociety.org
Golden Gate Park Band Mother's Day Concert
Dr. German Gonzalez will conduct the band for a special Mother's Day program.
1 p.m. Sunday, May 11. Free. Spreckels Temple of Music Bandshell, 50 Hagiwara Dr., Golden Gate Park, S.F. 415-596-1741. www.goldengateparkband.org
Mother's Day Tea at the Westin St. Francis
Celebrate Mother's Day with afternoon tea, accompanied by live music and served with a selection of sandwiches, scones, berries and sparkling wine. Cap off the day creating a floral bouquet to bring home, with guidance from Diosa Blooms.
1-3 p.m. Sunday, May 11. $90-$172.57, reservations required. Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell St., S.F. www.marriott.com
Diablo Symphony Orchestra: A Musical Mother's Day
Matilda Hofman conducts a program titled, 'A Mother's Day: River Journeys,' featuring works by Florence Price, Smetana and Martin Rokeach, with piccolo soloist Amy Likar.
2 p.m. Sunday, May 11. $15-$45. Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. 925-943-7469. www.diablosymphony.org
Mission Dolores Annual Mother's Day Chamber Music Concert
Cellist Emil Miland and pianist/organist Jerome Lenk will perform a program of classical works for their annual Mother's Day event. Live stream of the performance available on the Mission Dolores Facebook page.
4 p.m. Sunday, May 11. Free-$10. Mission D olores Basilica, 3321 16th St., S.F. 415-621-8203.
Lisa Geduldig's Resilient Comedy: Mother's Day Edition
The May installation of 'Kung Pao Kosher Comedy' founder Lisa Geduldig's new monthly comedy series will feature stand-up sets from Joe Klocek, Shanti Charan and Ian Williams. Partial proceeds benefit Planned Parenthood, Moms Rising and Mujeres Unidas.
Elsa Touche is set as host of a drag show in honor of all the mothers, featuring Katya Smirnoff-Skyy, BeBe Sweetbriar, Curveball, Lady Satan and Natasha Muse. They plan to perform amid a backdrop filled with sexy go-go boys and champagne.
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