Out on the town this August? Here are some of the most fun and fabulous local galas, fundraisers, celebrations and other events to see and be seen at this month around Marin County—including our own party of the year, Best of the County!
Partner Events
Mayacamas Volunteer Fire Department Starlight Dinner and Auction, Marin Magazine’s Best of the County
On the Scene: Community Events
Aug 29 Marin Magazine’s Best of the County Party
It’s time to celebrate the best of the best at the event of the summer! Marin Magazine staff, along with hundreds of winners from the annual Best of the County issue, gather to recognize all the awesomeness found throughout our county. Expect waterfront views, great food, great drinks (open bar!), dancing under the stars and rubbing elbows with the best of the county. Even better, a portion of the proceeds from all ticket sales benefit the San Francisco/Marin Food Bank. Photos by Matt Spinetta | Prismic Photography.
Through Aug 3 V Foundation’s Wine Celebration
The V Foundation, a nonproft dedicated to cancer research founded by J renowned basketball coach Jim Valvano, holds its annual fundraising event in Napa with three full days of vintner experiences, luncheons and dinners, a music festival, a gala plus live auction event and a cancer research symposium. Last year’s multi-day event raised $21 million for therapeutic research.
Aug 9 MVFF Starlight Dinner and Auction 2025
This annual starlight dinner and auction supporting the Mayacamas Volunteer Fire Foundation includes a gourmet meal by Cuvee under the stars at Gordenker Ranch, followed by an exciting auction and live music. Your presence helps equip our firefighters and keep our community safe. Don’t miss out on this memorable evening!
Aug 22 Glide Summer Gala at the Phoenix Hotel
By now you’ve heard the news that SF’s iconic party spot, the Phoenix Hotel, is closing at the end of 2025. Here’s your chance to party like a rock star at the Phoenix one last time and for a good cause: to benefit Glide, a nationally recognized center for social justice that creates pathways out of poverty and crisis. The rock and roll poolside bash includes food, drinks, and of course, dancing!
Aug 23 Wednesday’s Gift Annual Comedy and Wellness Show
Wednesday’s Gift, an 100% volunteer run nonprofit with a mission to provide the basic necessities of life to Marin County residents on a one-time basis, will hold its 13th annual outdoor comedy fest at the St Vincent’s School for Boys in San Rafael. Tickets include light appetizers, desserts plus beer and wine, and a host of comedian acts.
Events and Happenings:
Aug 2 World Dog Surfing Championships
Surfs up, pups. Venture down to Pacifica’s Linda Mar Beach to see the best doggy surfers in all the land. This isn’t just for giggles, these are real competitors with formidable sea legs — four of them.
Aug 2 Marin Century Bike Race
Not for amateur pedalers, this race is called “Century” for the challenge it poses to cyclists: 100-mile routes up and down the hills of West Marin (with one 63-mile “compact” course). The races begin at Novato’s Stafford Lake, with three route options to choose from.
Opens Aug 2 CatVideoFest
Cats: lovable, silly, strange. Now you can see their antics on the big screen with CatVideoFest, a yearly compilation of kitty clips running about 75 minutes. Great for families and cat-lovers, the special is on view at Rafael Film Center and the Sequoia Theater.
Opens Aug 2 Far Out: Northern California Art from the di Rosa Collection
The first exhibition shown at the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art’s new location in San Francisco brings together historical and contemporary works, highlighting the radical and progressive ethos of Northern California artists.
Aug 2-3 Nihonmachi Street Fair
Celebrate the diversity of AAPI communities at this long-running, vibrant festival in S.F.’s Japantown, featuring dedicated activity areas for kids, dogs, shopping and more.
Aug 7-10 Napa Town and Country Fair
This fair puts the “country” in “Wine Country.” If you missed the county fairs of early summer, then head to Napa for a weekend of rides, livestock shows, wine and live music.
August 7-28 Marin Art and Garden Center’s Summer Concert Series
Bring your picnic, refillable water bottle, blanket, low-backed lawn chairs (they provide folding chairs), family and friends to see a variety of musical genres al fresco on balmy summer evenings each Thursday in August. Beer from Pond Farm Brewing, Bartholomew Estate wines, non-alcoholic drinks, Fox Pizza and snacks will be available for purchase.
Aug 8 Stella Swings Ella
Stella Heath channels the powerful vocals of Ella Fitzgerald in this tribute to the “First Lady of Song,” as part of Rancho Nicasio’s outdoor sunset series.
Aug 8–9 Paul Reiser
Actor, stand up comedian and co-creator of the Emmy nominated “Mad About You,” Reiser shares comedic excerpts from his most recent book, Familyhood at Cobb’s Comedy.
Aug 8-10 Outside Lands
Headlined by superstars, this massive music festival draws thousands every year for stellar shows, great food and an exciting weekend in Golden Gate Park. Among this year’s biggest draws: Doja Cat, Hozier and Beck.
Aug 8–24 SF Fringe Festival
As one of the oldest fringe festivals in the country, the annual SF Fringe pushes the envelope while elevating local independent theater.
Aug 9-10 Pistahan Parade & Festival
Gather for a weekend of authentic Filipino food, dance and music at S.F.’s Yerba Buena Gardens, plus the largest Filipino parade on the West Coast.
Aug 9-10 Gravenstein Apple Fair
Sonoma’s heritage apple is at the heart of this community-based fair with local music on multiple stages, food (caramel apples – yes!), arts and crafts booths and specialty and local products from Sonoma’s farmers.
Aug 9–Sept 1 As You Like It
Shakespeare’s play about exile and the challenges and rewards of living outside the centers of power and knowledge can be experienced — for free — at Mill Valley’s Old Mill Park on Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day Monday.
Aug 14 The Buena Vista Orchestra
Under the direction of Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos, the original orchestra leader, composer and trombonist of The Buena Vista Social Club, the orchestra returns to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Theater for one performance only.
Beginning Aug 15 West End Block Party
This weekly block party on Friday evenings packs downtown San Rafael’s Fourth Street with music and community.
Aug 17 Mari Mack & Livin’ Like Kings: Blues for Brunch
Feast on this: a Blues show that is open to all ages at Sweetwater Music Hall, no tickets required! Who knew music could taste this good.
Aug 19 Mill Valley Family Fun Fest
Get your summer zoomies out before school begins, with an afternoon of interactive activities, swim level evaluations and an array of fire trucks and construction vehicles.
Aug 20 and 24 Jago: Into the White
Follow Jago, known worldwide as “the new Michelangelo,” for two years from New York to Naples as he works day and night and in complete solitude on his new sculpture: a modern version of Michelangelo’s Pietà. Showing at the Lark Theater.
Aug 23 Sand Sculpture Contest
As it has for more than 40 years, a sandy art gallery springs up at Drakes Beach for a morning of competition with categories for kids, families and adults. Carpools are recommended, as parking is limited.
Opening Aug 28 Eureka Day
Marin Theatre kicks off its 2025–26 season with Eureka Day, a presciently hilarious comedy satirizing “wokeness,” political correctness and good intentions. Showing through Sept. 21.
Aug 29-31 Black Radio Experience
This new-ish three-day music festival from Blue Note Jazz Festival, the Black Radio Experience, is in its second year. Held at the Meritage Resort in Napa, it features wine, food and lots of music from top artists like Earth Wind and Fire, The Roots, Jazmine Sullivan and more.
Through Aug 29 Jazz and Blues by the Bay
The annual summer Friday evening favorite in Sausalito’s Gabrielson Park always brings in stellar musicians — and August includes five Fridays of acts, including The Ariel Marin Band, Latido, Rhythmtown Jive, Death and Taxes Swing Band, and Delta Wires. Don’t forget your blanket and picnic dinner.
Aug 30 Free Fishing Day
Time to break out your unregistered hot rod… your fishing rod, that is. For one day only, the California Fish and Wildlife Department permits fishing without a fishing license, encouraging newbies to give the sport a try. Regulations on gear, fishing hours, size limits, etc., still apply.
All Month Live on the Avenue
Each Friday and Saturday evening, the main drag in San Anselmo closes off for a true street party, complete with live music, food vendors and lots of kids on scooters. There’s also a double-feature movie night on August 16 with Best of Show and Pets.
All Month Sunflower Sea Stars at the Academy of Sciences
Three fully mature, brightly colored and critically endangered sea stars are now sharing a tank with a giant Pacific octopus at the California Academy of Sciences. The carnivorous and fascinating creatures are part of a bigger spawning program designed to reestablish the species within California’s ocean waters.
Through Sep 4 ADA at 35: Making Waves
This exhibit at Marin Center’s two-floor Civic Center Galleries showcases works by artists from Cedars and Marin Ventures, two Marin County organizations serving individuals with disabilities.
Through Sept 7 Mary Blair’s Pigments of Imagination
This 75-minute featurette at the Walt Disney Family Museum shares the inspirational story of Blair’s life and unique artistic style, and is a complement to its latest special exhibition, Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic.
Through Oct 11 Viaje a la luna (A trip to the moon)
Shown at the Wattis Institute at California College of the Arts’ new location, this mixed-medium exhibit is inspired by the sole screenplay ever written by the renowned, 20th century Spanish poet, Federico García Lorca.
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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.
