With fall in full swing, it’s a great time of the year to enjoy all the bounty that the season has to offer, including pumpkin patches, Oktoberfest events and the energy of Fleet Week. There’s also the Sausalito Boat Show to check out, and the Mill Valley Film Festival brings a touch of Hollywood glam to Marin County. Whether you’re looking for art and culture, or a day out in the autumn sun, we’ve got plenty of events in Marin this October.
Annual Fairs & Festivals | Arts, Theater & Lectures | Film | Fundraisers & Galas | Music | Museums | Outdoor Fun | Other Events
Get Involved: Community Happenings
Marin Foster Care’s Blues and Brews, Mill Valley Film Festival (MVFF48), An Evening Celebrating Our Community at The Redwoods
Fundraisers & Galas
Hot Tickets, Media Partners & Premium Calendar Listings
Marin Foster Care’s Blues and Brews
October 3-4
Novato
Pacheco Ranch Winery
235 Alameda Del Prado, Novato, CA
415.507.0557
The Marin Foster Care Association hosts its annual Blues and Brews fundraiser—consisting of two evenings of dining, cocktails, music and a live auction. This year’s festivities are at Pacheco Ranch Winery in Novato. With more than 120 open foster cases in the dependency system each year in Marin, all funds raised directly support Marin’s foster youth and their caregivers. Photos by Chris Constantine.
Exploratorium’s Wonder Funday
October 5
San Francisco
The Exploratorium
Pier 15 (Embarcadero at Green Street)
Wonder Funday is an epic playdate and vital fundraiser all rolled into one. Spend an inspiring Sunday afternoon with your family and friends while helping to support community access programs at the Exploratorium. Dig deeper into the museum’s exhibits, experience exciting science activities, and enjoy a beautiful afternoon on the Bay.
St. Vincent de Paul’s Pennies from Heaven
October 11
Fairfax
Meadow Club
1001 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax, CA 94930
415.297.6587
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin‘s annual Pennies from Heaven gala, held at the Meadow Club in Fairfax, supports the society’s programs for those in need of food and shelter in Marin County. In 2024, the sold-out gala raised more than $600,000 for services for homeless and food-insecure people. Photos: Steven Gregory Photography
An Evening Celebrating Our Community at The Redwoods
October 23
Mill Valley
The Redwoods Patio
40 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Come and enjoy cocktails, dinner under the stars, and live music from the Larry Moss Trio and a Special Acoustic Performance. Help The Redwoods grow our Endowment and support a legacy of providing seniors of all income levels high quality housing and services.
Annual Fairs and Festivals Not to Miss
Castro Street Fair
October 5
San Francisco
Castro District
It all started with Harvey Milk in a dunk tank… Over 50 years later, SF’s historic Castro District still hosts its annual street fair, with local artisans, craftspeople, organizations and community members uniting under the rainbow flag. Show your support for this beloved neighborhood.
Fleet Week
October 10-12
San Francisco
Ahoy, sailors. Fleet week doesn’t just consist of the spectacular airshows by flyers like the Blue Angels (on Oct. 10, 11 and 12). There are also concerts by Navy and Marine Corps bands, a veterans art exhibit and the parade of ships through the bay.
San Francisco Fall Show
October 16-19
San Francisco
Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture
2 Marina Blvd
San Francisco CA 94109
415.445.6701
With over 40 top dealers displaying all mediums of art, ranging from furniture and rugs to paintings and ceramics, the SF Fall Show is an impressive name in the game. There’s also an Opening Night Gala not to miss on Oct. 15.
Art, Lectures & Theater
Paul Jenkins “Vivre en Couleur!” in Mill Valley
October 1-November 2
Mill Valley
Robert Green Fine Arts
154 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley, California 94941
415.381.8776
Robert Green Fine Arts is exhibiting a radiant, compelling and never-seen-before body of large format watercolors by noted Abstract Expressionist Paul Jenkins (1923-2012). His paintings have come to represent the spirit, vitality and invention of post World War II American abstraction.
Diane Button “What Matters Most” in Corte Madera
October 4
Corte Madera
Book Passage Corte Madera
51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera, CA 94925
415.927.0960
For the latest free event at Book Passage in Corte Madera, the author presents about her new book, What Matters Most: Lessons the Dying Teach Us About Living!, followed by a signing and meet-and-greet. In her unique work as a death doula, Diane has had the privilege of guiding clients to a peaceful transition for almost two decades.
Oakland Style
October 8-12
Oakland
Multiple Locations Throughout Oakland
Oakland’s looking good at this style-themed week of fashion shows, gastronomy and art events. Make a trip out of it: Some Oakland hotels are offering deals and discounts in conjunction with Oakland Style.
Sally & Tom
October 30-November 23
Mill Valley
Marin Theatre
397 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, CA
415.388.5200
This piece from Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks presents a theatre company rehearsing a play about Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson. As opening night approaches, past and present collide in this electrifying exploration of artistic authenticity, history, power, and truth.
Film
Mill Valley Film Festival
October 2-12
Mill Valley
Sequoia Cinema
25 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley
Lark Theater
549 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur
Outdoor Art Club
1 West Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley
Smith Rafael Film Center
1118 4th St, San Rafael
Calling all film buffs and cinephiles: Celebrate the very best of independent filmmaking at the internationally acclaimed 48th Mill Valley Film Festival. Films featured at the festival highlight world cinema, U.S. cinema and shorts, to name a few. Come meet some of your favorite Hollywood stars on the red carpet and enjoy the silver screen — this is a special event you don’t want to miss.
Check out our full coverage of the festival here.
Halloween
Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
September 26-November 2
Nicasio
Nicasio Valley Pumpkin Patch
5300 Nicasio Valley Road, Nicasio CA 94946
415.602.9727
Don’t miss this classic pumpkin patch with farm animals, hayrides and plenty of round, orange gourds — all in the heart of Marin County.
Hexed
October 2-November 1
San Francisco
The San Francisco Mint
88 5th Street, San Francisco, CA
Dive into the “Terror Vault” at the SF Mint and enjoy this immersive, campy theater-meets-haunted house experience. The story centers on three witches seeking to turn the world toward eternal darkness, plus the heroes who rise to challenge them.
Howl-o-Ween
October 26
Mill Valley
Mill Valley Lumber Yard
129 Miller Ave, Mill Valley, CA
Supermutts, Halloweenies and spooky pups of all stripes are invited to Mill Valley Lumber Yard for its third annual doggy costume contest. Owners can come too.
Masquerade Ball
October 31
Mill Valley
Mill Valley Community Center
180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA
Grab your costume and celebrate this year’s Halloween in style, and a for a good cause — this ball is part of the fun to honor Performing Stars of Marin’s 35th anniversary.
Music
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
October 3-5
San Francisco
Golden Gate Park
A darling of Bay Area music fests returns for its 25th season with a weekend of free music — really good music. See big names like Emmylou Harris, Courtney Barnett, Texas “psychobilly” trio Reverend Horton Heat and more. You might also find your next new favorite artist.
Schubert’s Trout Quintet
October 4-5
Novato and Mill Valley
Marin Country Club
500 Country Club Dr, Novato, CA
Mt. Tam Methodist Church
410 Sycamore Ave, Mill Valley, CA
Marin Symphony opens its season with Grażyna Bacewicz’s astonishing Quartet for Violins, before Marin Symphony all-stars perform Franz Schubert’s masterful Trout quintet. Two performances are split between Novato’s Marin Country Club and Mill Valley’s Mount Tam Methodist Church.
Zepparella
October 17-18
Mill Valley
Sweetwater Music Hall
19 Corte Madera Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941
415.388.3850
A powerhouse Led Zeppelin tribute band made up entirely of women musicians, this San Francisco group crosses the bridge to bring their headbanging covers to Sweetwater Music Hall.
Esmé Quartet
October 19
Mill Valley
Chamber Music Marin
Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church
410 Sycamore Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941
415.706.3193
New resident of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Esmé Quartet takes its name from the old French word for “beloved.” Formed in 2016 in Cologne, Germany, the Quartet has performed worldwide and won the prestigious Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition in London.
Museums
Nexus: SF/Bay Area Black Art Week
October 1-5
Bay Area
Nexus SF Bay Area
Organized by Museum of the African Diaspora, this inaugural week of Black art will unite galleries, institutions and artists for discussions, community building and a culminating Afropolitan Ball.
Outdoor Fun
Italian Heritage Parade
October 12
San Francisco
Jefferson and Powell Streets, North Beach
North Beach will be even more red, white and green than usual for this annual celebration of Italian American culture — the oldest parade of its kind in America. Try to plan ahead and reserve the best seats, from outdoor tables set up by restaurants along the parade route.
Leap Sandcastle Classic
October 25
San Francisco
Ocean Beach
415.512.1899
Ponder the structural integrity of sand and water at this fundraiser for arts education in Bay Area public schools. Local companies partner with elementary school kids to co-design and sculpt sand masterpieces.
Other Events
Marin Fashion Night
October 4
Sausalito
Headlands Center for the Arts
944 Simmonds Road, Sausalito, CA
Gerry Kelly of SONAS in Fairfax is behind this exciting display of fashion, partnered with Charlston Pierce. Kelly’s show debuted last year with great success, so be sure not to miss this year’s.
Point Reyes Classic Car Show
October 4
Point Reyes
Toby’s Feed Barn
11250 California 1, Point Reyes Station, CA
Benefiting various West Marin non-profits, this car show at Toby’s Feed Barn fills this beach town’s downtown streets with vintage wheels aplenty.
Sullivan Rutherford Estate Harvest Celebration—An Event of Artistry & Excellence
October 4
St. Helena
Sullivan Rutherford Estate
1090 Galleron Road, Saint Helena, CA 94574
Sullivan Rutherford Estate welcomes guests to partake in a limited-seating painting session with internationally renowned artists Jacobo and María Ángeles, before enjoying a unique culinary experience from Executive Chef Jim Leiken. This multi-course offering will be paired with a selection of wines from the acclaimed J.O. Sullivan Founder’s Reserve Collection, hosted by Winemaker Jeff Cole.
Nostalgia Days
October 10-11
Novato
Grant Ave, Downtown Novato
Stay tuned for more coupes, Cadillacs and cars from decades past at the 29th annual show of classic autos in downtown Novato. Stroll amongst the vehicles in a street fair, and don’t miss Friday’s Hot Rod Cruise.
Give Back When You Go Out: Volunteer
Looking for more ways to give back to our community by volunteering your time? Here’s a list of Marin County nonprofits supporting a variety of causes — ranging from helping our most vulnerable residents to keeping our environment healthy — where your assistance can really make a difference.
