May is considered a prelude to summer, and Marin is heating up with outdoor festivals and events during the month. Drive up the coast to Bodega Bay’s Fisherman’s Fest, do a little jig at the Marin Irish Festival, and get up and personal with Marin’s artists during the two-week Marin Open Studios. Whatever you do, you can’t lose. You’ll be seeing us at Mill Valley Music Festival.
Partner Events
On the Scene: Community Events and Fundraisers
May 2 Exploratorium’s Phenomenal Ball
The Exploratorium’s largest fundraiser of the year is a sensory celebration with live musical performances, exploration of the interactive exhibits on the museum floor and a cocktail reception and dinner. The glitzy, glamorous after-party, Science of Cocktails, provides music, dancing, science demonstrations, cabaret shows, and specialty cocktails.
May 3 Take Me to the Trees: A Redwoods Celebration
Save the Redwoods League presents Take Me to the Tree: A Redwoods Celebration—a benefit to protect and restore California’s iconic redwoods and connect people to the joy and beauty of the forests. Guests will enjoy craft cocktails and dine on conifer-inspired appetizers and sweet and savory food stations, plus have the opportunity to raise their paddle for redwoods adventure auction packages.
May 4 Woofstock at Marin Humane
Grab your family, friends and furry companions for the Bay Area’s grooviest dog (and animal) lover’s event—Woofstock! Explore event booths featuring local merchants and animal rescue groups, dance to music by Fleetwood Macramé (Northern California’s premier Fleetwood Mac cover band), and sample fare from vegetarian food trucks, along with beer and wine. The popular free Kid’s Zone will be back with awesome activities for kids of all ages. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to watch the show and don’t forget to BYOWB (Bring Your Own Water Bottle) as there will be purified water on tap. All proceeds benefit the animals at Marin Humane. Photos: courtesy of Marin Humane
May 6 Walking Garden Tour Benefitting MarinHealth
The Raccoon Branch of MarinHealth Medical Center hosts their annual walking garden tour in Belvedere, during which participants will peek into elegant courtyards and meander through blooming gardens. It concludes with a garden inspired sip & shop boutique at the San Francisco Yacht Club along with a boxed salad lunch. Each year’s proceeds go to MarinHealth’s community hospital for patient programs, staff education and state-of-the-art medical procedures and facilities.
May 9 In Celebration of Mothers: Supporting the Center for Domestic Peace
The Center for Domestic Peace’s annual Mother’s Day themed luncheon fundraiser, In Celebration of Mothers, lifts up women’s roles in nurturing the growth of children, families, communities and nations. This year’s speaker is Dr. Loretta Ross, a leading advocate for reproductive justice and social change.
May 14 Ritter Center’s Under the Stars
Join Ritter Center for its annual signature fundraiser, Under the Stars, at the Clubhouse at Peacock Gap. The family-friendly event includes dinner, community awards, a live auction and fund-a-need drive. All funds raised will support Ritter Center’s healthcare, housing support and food pantry services. Photos: Sierra Jansen Photography
May 16 Community Action Marin’s Step Up Marin!
Local residents, advocates and elected officials gather for Step Up Marin!, an event to raise funds for Community Action Marin’s anti-poverty movement. 2025 will be the first year the event will be held at its brand new Novato campus. Resources generated will help put people on a path of stability and greater hope while transforming systems toward justice. Photos: Nano Visser
May 17 A Night in Tuscany benefitting North Bay Children’s Center
A Night in Tuscany is a magical evening of cocktails, silent and live auctions, offerings from local artisans
and wineries, music, a delicious three-course dinner by Park Avenue Catering, and more. Proceeds benefit the North Bay Children’s Center, which offers safety-net services for vulnerable families in Marin and Sonoma designed to create equity in early childhood education.
May 18 Spring Garden Celebration at The Redwoods
This annual family friendly event at The Redwoods senior center’s includes a live music, springtime cuisine, live music and lots of fun activities for kids and adults alike. Proceeds will help The Redwoods continue to ensure its beloved residents can age gracefully in the place they call home. Photos: Fred Larson
May 18 Walk for Moms Benefitting the Postpartum Support Center
The Annual Walk For Moms is an event dedicated to mobilizing support and raising critical funds for the Postpartum Support Center in San Rafael—which helps moms challenged with maternal mental health issues. Although there is no cost to participate in the walk, the organizers encourage a suggested donation of $10 per individual or $20 per family, which goes towards the campaign’s goal: offering comprehensive, year-round support services to families at no charge.
Events
May 3-4 Marin Irish Festival
Sláinte! The Marin Irish Festival is a weekend filled with Maypoles, music, and revelry. Expect performances across four lively stages by top Irish Irish musicians, dynamic dance performances, sheep herding demos and immersive storytelling. No Irish festival would be complete without traditional fare aplenty, including corned beef and cabbage, fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, and of course, authentic pints of Guinness.
May 3 Alice in Wonderland Tea Party
Make like a hare in a hurry and come join the kooky Alice in Wonderland characters who will entertain you with their antics at a grand tea party at the Fairfax Pavilion. A variety of sandwiches, scones, and other desserts will be served as well as hot chocolate and tea.
May 3 Slide Ranch’s Spring Fling
Goat milking, sheep shearing and cooking demonstrations are just a few activities on the agenda at Slide Ranch’s Spring Fling celebration. Since 1970, the coastal ranch has been connecting kids to nature with field trips, farm visits and more, and you can help support their mission and scholarship program by showing up and having fun.
May 3-4 Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Fest
Experience the best of Sonoma Coast’s seafood, wine and music during this annual event celebrating Bodega Bay’s fishing culture. Feeling crafty? Set sail (or swim) during the wooden boat building contest. Sunday morning will feature the Blessing of the Fishing Fleet when decorated boats parade out of the harbor to receive a blessing from local clergy.
May 3-4 and May 9-10 Romeo and Juliet
Marin Shakespeare’s Artistic Director, Jon Tracy, brings a fresh vision to Romeo & Juliet with this 75-minute adaptation, featuring a multigenerational cast that brings new life to the timeless tragedy. This version explores themes of fate, choice, and the consequences of inaction, all while staying true to the heart of the original.
May 3-4 and May 10-11 Annual Marin Open Studios
Guide yourself through two weekends of art, when 250 artists in locations across the county open their studio doors for public viewing.
Through May 4 It’s True It’s True It’s True
The U.S. debut of this dynamic new play presented by the Marin Theatre Company centers on a woman who tells her story of her abuser in a courtroom and later obtains revenge against him, defying the gender expectations of her day. The twist? The story takes place in 1612. It’s True, It’s True, It’s True explores how much has changed— and how much has stayed the same—for women in the past 400 years.
Through May 4 DocLands Documentary Film Festival
Love documentaries? Then DocLands is the film festival for you. Held in San Rafael and presented by the California Film Institute, its five days of nonfiction film storytelling (starting April 30) with a series of screenings, networking events, and engaging conversations to build an inclusive community around the art of documentary filmmaking.
May 7 Björk: Cornucopia
Be one of the first to see the highly anticipated documentary concert film by legendary Icelandic artist Björk, which captures the celebrated artist’s groundbreaking tour that mesmerized audiences worldwide for five years. Playing for one night only at the Smith Rafael Film Center.
May 10 Guide Dog Puppies Ice Cream Social
There will be sundae vibes as Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael follows its regular (and open to the public) guide dog team graduation ceremony with a special ice cream social to recruit new puppy raisers. It’s the pawfect opportunity for folks to get the sccop on what it takes to be a volunteer puppy raiser while enjoying an afternoon treat. RSVP required.
May 8-11 CAAMFest
This annual film festival presents stories that reflect the diverse experiences of Asian and Asian American communities. Organized by the Center for Asian American Media, the four days of film include documentaries, shorts and feature-length narratives screened in theaters across San Francisco and the East Bay.
May 10 May Madness Car Show
Take a car ride back in time with hot rods, muscle cars and antique automobiles of all kinds. This long-held San Rafael event includes an afternoon fair among the cars and a parade in the evening.
May 10-11 Mill Valley Music Fest
Both a community gathering and high-profile music festival, this weekend-long event draws national acts to the adorably named Friends Field. Each day consists of at least nine musical acts, with Gary Clark Jr. and Nile Rodgers & Chic as this year’s headliners. There are a number of kid-friendly activities for youngsters too, including puppet shows, a tie-dye booth and Sterling the bubble master.
May 15 Outdoor Art Club 30th Anniversary Garden Tour
In celebration of its 30th anniversary, this year’s Garden Tour pays tribute to Mill Valley’s rich heritage and its deep-rooted connection to the Outdoor Art Club. Guests are invited to sip and stroll through a charming historic Mill Valley neighborhood, discovering seven stunning and distinct gardens—with each stop offering a signature beverage. At the club’s main hall, there’s an option to reserve a seat for the Champagne Tea, place a bid in the silent auction, visit the “Ask an Arborist” booth, and explore other specialty stations on the patio—featuring giveaways and delightful surprises that make this anniversary tour a celebration to remember.
May 17 Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Festival
It’s an afternoon of lion dancers, kung fu, hula and Chinese dim sum at Tiburon’s Zelinsky Park. Celebrate diversity and AAPI Heritage Month at this free event, which features live DJs, cultural activities and emcee Felicia Lowe, an award-winning film director.
May 18 Bay to Breakers
San Francisco’s notorious event is back: Bay to Breakers—San Francisco’s yearly half-marathon for half-naked runners. Just kidding (sorta). Yes, there are serious athletes including world-class runners, but let’s face it: the highly entertaining, can’t-stop-staring parade of costumed runners and walkers is what draws in the masses.
May 20-22 John Craigie’s A Lonely Magical Mystery Tour
John Craigie has mastered the art of creating live shows that feel more like intimate conversations than performances. Infusing humor, wit, and poignant storytelling, his shows are a space where audience members feel like old friends. Performing at HopMonk Tavern in Novato.
May 23-25 BottleRock Napa
The ultimate Napa Valley music festival just keeps getting bigger and better, with its mix of old-guard stars with todays’s biggest acts. This year’s headliners include Justin Timberlake and the Bay Area’s own Green Day.
May 23-25 Marin Greek Festival
Traditional dancing, gyros and a bustling indoor marketplace comprise the yearly Greek festival poised on a hill in Southern Novato. Friday’s event promises an evening glendi (“party”), while Saturday and Sunday include two full days of fun.
May 24-25 40th Annual Carnaval SF
With seven music stages and enough feathers to stuff a hundred mattresses, this multicultural Carnaval celebration brings a bit of Rio de Janeiro to a 17-block party in the Mission.
May 25 Muir Beach Volunteer Firemen’s BBQ
Memorial Day weekend means barbecues, and all are invited to this Muir Beach tradition that’s been serving up the BBQ for 50 years running. Proceeds support the Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department and their efforts to build a new firehouse.
May 26 Marin County Memorial Day Services
Marin County honors veterans at this yearly service at the Marin Center. Flag displays, music and ceremonies are all part of this program to honor those who have served our country.
Through May 26 San Francisco Decorator Showcase
Over two dozen interior and landscape design firms flex their style at this public showcase, with each firm decorating one space within a 9,400-square-foot stunner. When else can you wander through a Pacific Heights mansion and scrutinize its design?
May 29 Girls Night: the Musical
Grab your best gal pals and head over to the Marin Center to see this off-Broadway touching and hilarious’ tell-it-like-it-is’ musical about the lives of a group of female friends.
May 31 Marin Mile
There are 5,280 feet in a mile, but how many feet will run the Marin Mile? This event unites the greater Bay Area’s running community in one big day of mile-long races at Archie Williams High School. Multiple heats will break up running groups by expected finish time and gender (note: it’s a gender-inclusive event with groups for men, women and non-binary runners). The day ends with races by the “Elite” groups of runners, attempting to break the record for the fastest mile ran in Marin County!
Through July 6 Future Flows
MarinMOCA’s new location at the edge of the San Francisco Bay Estuary provides the backdrop for Future Flows, a group exhibition examining the Bay as both a vital ecosystem and a key indicator of the global climate crisis.
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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.
