31 Best Things to Do in July in Marin

31 Best Things to Do in July in Marin, SF Fireworks, Marin Magazine

Whether you’re looking for an exciting way to spend your 4th or something educational to keep the kids busy all day, Marin has countless options for the whole family to get the most out of the warm Summer season.

4th of July Parades –

Bolinas 

The annual parade kicks off at 40 Wharf Road downtown at 11 a.m. and ends at Brighton Avenue. Festivities include the annual Bolinas–Stinson Beach tug-of-war over the channel that separates the two towns. pointreyesweekend.com

Corte Madera/Larkspur

Starting at 10:30 a.m. from Redwood High School in Larkspur, the parade heads down Magnolia Avenue to Corte Madera Town Center. Celebration immediately follows at Corte Madera Town Park, with 70 arts and crafts vendors, kids' activities, food, ice cream, snow cones, live music, carnival games and more. cortemadera.org

Novato 

The parade starts at 10 a.m. in the city’s Old Town district on Grant Avenue between Reichert and Seventh avenues. The procession includes more than 100 entries including classic cars, color guards, floats, bands and vintage military vehicles from the Joe Garbarino World War II Military Vehicle Museum. novatoparade.com

Sausalito

 The parade begins at 10 a.m. on the corner of Second and Main streets and continues down Bridgeway to Caledonia Street, ending at Dunphy Park, where a town picnic features food, entertainment, raffles, an annual tug-of-war and an egg toss. ci.sausalito.ca.us


Live Shows –

Now through July 8

Hamlet Murder

Madness and ghostly visitations plague the Prince of Denmark in the famed Shakespeare tragedy, presented alfresco. Playing at Forest Meadows Amphitheatre (San Rafael). 415.499.4488, marinshakespeare.org

Now through July 8 

Straight White Men 

Ed and three adult sons confront questions of identity and privilege during Christmas. Playing at Marin Theatre Company (Mill Valley). 415.388.5208, marintheatre.org

July 12–August 12 

Savannah Sipping Society 

In this comedy, four unique Southern women, all needing to escape the mundanity of their daily lives, are brought together by an impromptu happy hour, together deciding it’s time to reclaim some enthusiasm for life. Playing at Barn Theatre (Ross). 415.456.9555, rossvalleyplayers.com

July 14–August 5 

Pericles, The Prince of Tyre

A prince embarks on a series of tribulations in an effort to find comfort, love and wisdom in this Shakespearean tale of adventure and passion. Playing at Forest Meadows Amphitheatre (San Rafael). 415.499.4488, marinshakespeare.org

July 6–15

QuintEssence 

Julia Adam Dance presents QuintEssence, the fifth installment of an elemental series that immerses the audience, an experience enhanced by expansive, sweeping views of the West Marin hills. Big Mesa Farmstead (West Marin). 415.235.0605, juliaadamdance.com

Now through September 19 

Broadway Under the Stars in Sonoma Valley

A series of award-winning concerts featuring accomplished Broadway and Hollywood performers under the stars. Jack London State Historic Park (Glen Ellen). bestnightever.org

July 6 

The Edge Rides Again Dance Party

The Edge gets back together for an evening of danceable jams. Sweetwater Music Hall (Mill Valley). 415.388.3850, sweetwatermusichall.com

July 14 

Henry Kapono and Special Guest Johnny Valentine

The vocalist, guitarist, songwriter and composer joins fellow Hawaiian performer Johnny Valentine for an evening of tropical tunes. Enjoy a pre-concert hula performance from Hula On. Part of the annual Summer Nights Outdoor Music Series. Osher Marin JCC (San Rafael). 415.444.8000, marinjcc.org

July 21 

Royal Jelly Jive 

Petaluma’s own Royal Jelly Jive brings its brand of funky soul to San Rafael, accompanied by an opening act, kid zone and dinner from the Epicurean Group. Part of the annual Summer Nights Outdoor Music Series. Osher Marin JCC (San Rafael). 415.444.8000, marinjcc.org

Museums – 

Now through September

Bay Area Discovery Museum Sid the Science Kid: The Super-Duper Exhibit!

Children are given the chance to step into Sid’s world, which features five environments designed to show that science, technology, engineering, math and learning happen everywhere, through September (Sausalito). 415.339.3900, bayareadiscoverymuseum.org

Now through July 10

Bolinas Museum In the Himalayas: Photographs by Linda Connor

An exhibition showcasing recent large-format images of rock faces and Buddhist monasteries located deep in the Himalayas, as captured by a Marin photographer (Bolinas). 415.868.0330, bolinasmuseum.org

All Summer

Marin History Museum 

Numerous collections containing historical articles, documents, artifacts and photographs celebrating the traditions, innovation and creativity of Marin County (Novato). 415.382.1182, marinhistory.org

Now through July 29

Marin Museum of Contemporary Art Make Your Mark

In this national juried exhibition, artists use the loose concept of marks to create form, line and texture.  (Novato). 415.506.0137, marinmoca.org


Festivals & Fairs – 

July 15–21 

Valley of the Moon Music Festival

Take a musical journey to Vienna, with a program of works composed in the region, accompanied this year by the inaugural Blattner Lecture Series, featuring world-renowned experts in the fields of music and history — and, of course, local wine. Hanna Center Auditorium (Sonoma). 888.596.1027, valleyofthemoonmusicfestival.org

July 13–15 

Gem Faire

Hunt through a wide selection of fine jewelry, precious and semiprecious stones, beads, crystals, gold and silver at wholesale prices from more than 70 exhibitors from around the world. Marin Center Exhibit Hall (San Rafael). 503.252.8300, gemfaire.com

July 14 

Breastfest Beer Festival

To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation teams up with some of California’s best brewers for the 18th annual Breastfest Beer Festival. Entry includes food, a tasting glass, live music and bottomless craft beer, with proceeds benefiting the Bay Area–based foundation. Fairground Island (San Rafael). breastfest.org

July 18–29 

Festival Napa Valley

Napa Valley serves as a dreamlike setting for a series of performances featuring music, dance and theater, blended with some opportunities for imbibing the region’s wine. Various locations (Napa Valley). 888.337.6272, festivalnapavalley.org

July 28 

Fort Ross Festival

Get away for the day with this Sonoma County festival featuring Kashia Pomo ceremonial dancing, Americana swing, a beer garden and a general celebration of cultures and California. Fort Ross State Historic Park (Jenner). 707.847.3437, fortross.org


For Family –

July 9 

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Grab your family and some cozy clothes for a free, alfresco viewing of Star Wars: The Last Jedi under the canopy of redwoods at Old Mill Park. Bring blankets, flashlights and snacks. Old Mill Park (Mill Valley). millvalleyrecreation.org

July 3 

Fair to Fireworks and S’more Feast 

See the Marin County Fair fireworks from the top of the Nike site at McInnis Park. Rangers will prepare s’mores just in time for the pyrotechnics show that begins promptly at 9:30 p.m. McInnis Park (San Rafael). marincountyparks.org

July 9–13 

Kids Cooking for Life

Students will learn a host of cooking and kitchen skills — and enjoy the fruits of their labor — in this class series hosted by the nonprofit Kids Cooking for Life. Robson Harrington House (San Anselmo). 415.492.2499, kidscookingforlife.org

July 19 

One Tam: Wildlife Picture Index Project

Join One Tam and become a “community scientist” learning to maintain wildlife cameras and help process photos. Civic Center (San Rafael). onetam.org

July 28 

Kids Summer Coding Class

Begin the journey of learning computer coding by mastering the easy and fun programming language Scratch. Public library (Corte Madera).415.924.6382

July 6 

Kent Island Restoration

Take part in the ongoing effort to restore Kent Island in the Bolinas Lagoon. Learn the value of protecting this area and how to identify and remove the invasive species that threaten it. Wharf Road (Bolinas). 415.473.3778, marincountyparks.org

July 8 

The French Market Peruse

This outdoor antique market in search of art, books, textiles, vintage and estate jewelry, furniture, prints and much more, all accompanied by French music and crepes. Marin Civic Center (San Rafael). 415.383.2252, goldengateshows.com

July 21 

S.F. Street Photography

Practice the art of street photography while wandering San Francisco with Pulitzer Prize–winning photo journalist Scott Strazzante. The Image Flow (Mill Valley). 415.388.3569, theimageflow.com, 415.457.8555, tamalpa.org

Now through July 31, Every Saturday in July

101 Surf Sports

Go Stand Up Paddle-boarding with your dog!, 9:45 a.m. (San Rafael), 101surfsports.com