Children’s Fairyland Children’s Theatre Program
699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
About
The Children’s Fairyland Children’s Theatre Program is part of a whimsical 10-acre storybook park that features magical playsets, friendly animals, puppet shows, rides, live performances, and hands-on fun in an outdoor environment. The program includes “Fairyland Personalities,” a program for young children created in 1956 by Burton Weber that remains part of Fairyland’s Children’s Theatre. Fairyland opened as one of the first parks designed specifically for children and continues to offer affordable admission.
• Ages: 0–8 years old
• Price: Fairyland opened its doors as one of the first parks designed for children, featuring fairytale sets, a carousel, pony rides, and a cotton-candy stand, with admission between 9 and 14 cents.
Fairyland opened its doors in 1950 and has been enchanting children for more than 70 years. In 1955, Walt Disney visited Fairyland and later incorporated some of its ideas into Disneyland, hiring Fairyland’s first executive director, Dorothy Manes, and one of its puppeteers, Bob Mills. On August 29 and 30, 1970, Frank Oz visited Fairyland with Bert and Cookie Monster as part of “Happy Week,” and the Sesame Street Muppets appeared twice on both days. Children’s Fairyland later achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 1994 and continues to spark imagination and joy. The organization’s leadership team includes CEO Kymberly Miller and senior directors Vicky Chen (Education), Nick Mitchell (Facilities), Morgan Rothenbaum (Marketing & Communications), Samuel Aguayo (Operations), Leslie Fay Marks (Philanthropy), and Jessica Martin (Events).
Children’s Fairyland describes its mission as remaining a magical fantasy world where young children can create, imagine, play, and learn. With the help of the Lake Merritt Breakfast Club, Fairyland achieved nonprofit status, and financial support allows 4,000 low-income children to attend Fairyland for free each year. Once Upon a Time at Fairyland, the annual fundraising gala, is an event where the organization grows community, invests in the future, and celebrates the creativity, joy, and resilience of its East Bay and Oakland family.
Last updated May 14, 2026.
• Ages: 0–8 years old
• Price: Fairyland opened its doors as one of the first parks designed for children, featuring fairytale sets, a carousel, pony rides, and a cotton-candy stand, with admission between 9 and 14 cents.
Fairyland opened its doors in 1950 and has been enchanting children for more than 70 years. In 1955, Walt Disney visited Fairyland and later incorporated some of its ideas into Disneyland, hiring Fairyland’s first executive director, Dorothy Manes, and one of its puppeteers, Bob Mills. On August 29 and 30, 1970, Frank Oz visited Fairyland with Bert and Cookie Monster as part of “Happy Week,” and the Sesame Street Muppets appeared twice on both days. Children’s Fairyland later achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 1994 and continues to spark imagination and joy. The organization’s leadership team includes CEO Kymberly Miller and senior directors Vicky Chen (Education), Nick Mitchell (Facilities), Morgan Rothenbaum (Marketing & Communications), Samuel Aguayo (Operations), Leslie Fay Marks (Philanthropy), and Jessica Martin (Events).
Children’s Fairyland describes its mission as remaining a magical fantasy world where young children can create, imagine, play, and learn. With the help of the Lake Merritt Breakfast Club, Fairyland achieved nonprofit status, and financial support allows 4,000 low-income children to attend Fairyland for free each year. Once Upon a Time at Fairyland, the annual fundraising gala, is an event where the organization grows community, invests in the future, and celebrates the creativity, joy, and resilience of its East Bay and Oakland family.
Last updated May 14, 2026.
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