So Marin

There’s always something going on in beautiful Marin County.

JANUARY
Whale Watching on the Coast, Pt. Reyes National Seashore, Pt. Reyes
California gray whales migrate off shore south to Baja. Continues through March.
(415) 464-5100 www.nps.gov/pore

FEBRUARY
Marin Show: Art of the Americas
Marin Center Showcase Theater and Exhibit Hall, San Rafael (Marin Center has events throughout the year: musicals, dance recitals, bands, classical music, grand Fourth of July festivities, comedy, antique shows . . . )
The most substantive and extensive showcase focused on the indigenous arts from across North, Central and South America. With more than 200 noted dealers, the show is described as the “Superbowl of Native
American art collecting”.
(415) 472-3500 www.marinshow.com

MARCH
Antique Show, Marin Center, San Rafael
Over 65 distinctive dealers selling fabulous antiques and collectibles ranging from pieces of furniture to jewelry and vintage clothing.
(415) 472-3500 www.goldengateshows.com

Egret and Blue Heron Nesting
Audubon Canyon Ranch, Stinson Beach. A rare glimpse of these majestic birds. Audubon Ranch is open late March through early July, on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. For week days, please call for appointment.
(415) 868-9244 www.egret.org

Tiburon International Film Festival
This event seeks to provide a greater understanding of the world and its many cultures through the artistic medium of film, and through the top quality films from around the world.
(415) 381-4123 ww.tiburonfilmfestival.com

APRIL
Opening of Yacht Season, Tiburon, Sausalito
Pleasure craft are decorated and blessed during celebration.
(415) 435-4771

Egg Hunt on the Lawn. Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael
Children enjoy a romp on the grass in the shade of a Victorian mansion.
(415) 485-3328

MAY
Human Race, Marin Center, San Rafael
Benefit 10K run-walk for all Marin non-profits. (415) 479-5660
Business Showcase & Career Fair, Civic Center Exhibition Hall, San Rafael
San Rafael’s largest business-to-business and business-to-consumer trade show draws over 2,000 guests. Food tastes, gifts, prizes.
(415) 454-4163 www.sanrafaelchamber.com

May Madness Classic Car Parade and Street Dance. Fourth Street, San Rafael
The County’s oldest and biggest classic car show and parade, with live rock ‘n roll throughout the day.
(415) 720-5591 www.downtownsanrafael.org

Marin Open Studios
Art tour of over 280 studios during two Weekends throughout Marin County.
(415) 499-8350 www.marinarts.org

Grecian Festival. Nativity of Christ Church, Novato
Greek food and entertainment. Held on Memorial Day weekend.
(415) 883-1998 www.nativityofchrist.org

JUNE
Annual Home Show and Jazz Festival, Marin Center, San Rafael
(415) 456-5209 www.marinhomeshow.com

Antique Fair
Creek Park, San Anselmo
Over 200 dealers specializing in a wide number of antique areas and periods are represented within 30 establishments.
(415) 457-1266

Dipsea Foot Race: The Oldest Cross-Country Trail Running Event (and the second oldest foot race of any kind) in the United States. Starts in Mill Valley, but if you are not in the race, you can station yourself in Stinson Beach and watch contestants limp into town. 1,500 runners navigate a 7.4 mile (11.9 km) tortuous, hilly route from Mill Valley over Mt. Tamalpais and into Stinson Beach in this famed cross-country race. (415) 331-3550 www.dipsea.org

Italian Street Painting Festival: Between Fourth and Fifth Streets, San Rafael
Artists use chalks to create visually stunning works on pavement squares.
(415) 457-4878 www.youthinarts.org

Marin Art Festival, Marin Civic Center Lagoon
Elegant lawn party featuring a juried exhibit of toplevel art, a variety of ethnic foods, and music ranging from jazz to classical.
(415) 388-4836 www.marinartfestival.com

Mountain Play, Mount Tamalpais, Mill Valley
Musical performed in lovely and protected amphitheater on Mt. Tam for six weekends, through June. The ampitheater has spectacular views of the Bay.
(415) 383-1100 www.mountainplay.org

Novato Art, Wine and Music Festival
Grant Avenue, Old Town Novato
Artists and craftspeople, two dozen wineries, food and continuous free entertainment.
(415) 897-1164 www.novatochamber.com

Annual Fairfax Festival
Come for an “only-in-Fairfax” parade, food, drink and live music. (Fairfax has been described as “the beach town with no beach” because of its colorful characters.)
(415) 453-1584 www.townoffairfax.org

San Anselmo Art & Wine Festival
Buy exceptional art directly from the artists at the best prices! San Anselmo is a wonderful small Marin town and this event is a favorite among locals.
(415) 258-4600 www.sananselmoarts.com

Mill Valley Wine & Food Tasting
Sample many hard-to-find local wines, plus imports. Gourmet food tasting under the redwoods.
(415) 388-9700
www.millvalleywinefestival.homestead.com

Larkspur Flower & Food Festival
On Magnolia Avenue, an exciting daylong schedule of colorful festivities surrounding the theme of flower related arts & crafts and gourmet food exhibitors.
(415) 383-3470 www.larkspurcityhall.org

JULY
Marin County Fair. Civic Center Fairgrounds, San Rafael
Annual fair features free carnival rides, fireworks on the lagoon

Corte Madera-Larkspur Fourth of July
Festival and Parade, Corte Madera and Larkspur Hometown parade for Marin’s Twin Cities.
(415) 924-0441 www.cortemadera.org

Indian Big Time Celebration. Point Reyes at Kule Loklo
Native American celebration involving native dance, song and food.
(415) 464-5100 www.nps.gov/pore

AUGUST
Marin Shakespeare Festival
Dominican University, San Rafael
Weekend performances of Shakespeare under the stars. Amphitheater seating.
(415) 499-4488 www.marinshakespeare.org

Carrera de San Rafael. Downtown San Rafael
World-class professional competitive bicycle race.Begins and ends on Fourth Street.
(415) 485-3465 www.carrerasanrafael.com

San Rafael Food and Wine Festival. Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael
Come taste the wine, plus food and entertaiment on the grounds of a Victorian mansion.
(800) 310-6563 www.sresproductions.com

Annual Sand Sculpture Contest
The Sunday of Labor Day Weekend in Point Reyes at Drakes Beach
(415) 464-5140 www.nps.gov/pore

SEPTEMBER
Sausalito Art Festival
Labor Day Weekend, Sausalito
Every Labor Day weekend, stars of the contemporary art scene are showcased on the sparkling bay shores of Sausalito, California’s Mediterranean-like seaside village. Over one million visitors from throughout the world have experienced the juried art at Sausalito Art Festival since its inaugural event in 1952.

Marin Designers Showcase
Marin’s top interior designers take over a stately Marin home to create an interior fantasy.
(415-) 479-5691 marindesignersshowcase.com

Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival
Fine Art exhibit with food booths and live entertainment in a beautiful redwood grove tucked into a valley with a stream running through.
(415) 381-8090 www.mvfaf.org

Great American Blues & BBQ Festival
Downtown Fourth Street celebrates San Rafael and Marin’s outstanding heritage of great music, it’s world famous musicians and the great
American roots of the blues.
(415) 383-3470 www.proevent.com

OCTOBER
Vincenzo Food and Wine Festival
The always-spectacular fundraiser and auction raises vital funds and community awareness for St. Vincent’s School for Boys in San Rafael.
(415) 927-1239 www.cccyo.org

Mill Valley Film Festival, Sequoia and Rafael Film Centers
This eleven-day fest includes screening that draw 40,000 ticket holders, both film fans and professionals.
(415) 383-5256 www.cafilm.org

Pumpkin Field
St. Vincent’s School for Boys, San Rafael
Pumpkin patch and farm animals.
(415) 507-4214

Trick-or-Treat Down Fourth Street
Downtown San Rafael
(415) 720-5591 www.downtownsanrafael.org

NOVEMBER
Winter Wonderland/Parade of Lights
Downtown San Rafael
A candle-lit walk through downtown San Rafael. There’s even a man-made snow bank for sledding and making snowmen.
(415) 720-5591 www.downtownsanrafael.org

DECEMBER
Marin Ballet’s Nutcracker, Marin Center, San Rafael
(415) 453-6705 www.marincenter.com

Victorian Holiday Celebration, Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael
The evening spotlights live holiday performances, hosted by Mr. Charles Dickens himself with characters in Dickens attire, old-fashioned caroling and an authentic Father Christmas. Storytelling will take place for kids of all ages.
(415) 485-3436 www.cityofsanrafael.org

YEAR ROUND EVENTS
Marin Center, San Rafael
National and International touring acts.
(415) 499-6800 www.marincenter.org

Kanbar Center for Performing Arts
200 No. San Pedro Rd., San Rafael. Indoor and outdoor events for all ages.
(415) 444-8000 www.marinjcc.org

FARMERS MARKETS
Marin Farmers Market
Year round on Thursdays and Sundays at the Marin Civic Center. Sells farm-direct specialty foods and organically grown produce.
(415) 472-6100 www.marinfarmersmarkets.org

Downtown San Rafael Farmers Market
April through October on Thursdays from 5:00 to 8:00 on Fourth Street.
The market features food, produce, live entertainment, arts and
crafts, and more.
(415) 472-6100 www.sanrafaelmarket.org