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