August is all about savoring the last days of summer al fresco style before school begins and summer vacations end.

Annual Events in August

Jazz and Blues by the Bay

The annual summer Friday evening favorite in Sausalito’s Gabrielson Park always brings in stellar musicians — this year’s lineup includes Juan Escovedo, Eugene Huggins and Pamela Rose’s Blues is a Woman band, among others. Don’t forget your blanket and picnic dinner.

Outside Lands

This wildly popular music fest takes over Golden Gate Park with nearly 100 acts performing over the course of three days.

Shakespeare in the Park

Each summer, Marin Shakespeare Company presents an interpretation of a Shakespearean classic under the stars at Dominican University’s amphitheater.

Travel Writers and Photographers Conference

Ever dreamed of traveling the world and writing about your wanderlust? Book Passage’s annual conference is one of the preeminent must-attend events for both aspiring and established authors and photojournalists. Lawn. Grab a blanket or chair and take the family out for an evening flick. Movies begin at sunset.

Foodieland Night Festival

Come hungry to this multi-cultural foodie wonderland at Berkeley’s Golden Gate Fields, with more than 175 vendors serving up their best fare.

Wine Country Distillery Festival

Craft distillers and artisan vendors offer their goods at a day-long event dedicated to showcasing Northern California’s burgeoning spirits industry.

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.

Marin’s Best Entertainment Venues and Galleries

Music

Sweetwater Music Hall

Peri’s Tavern 

Mystic Theatre 

Phoenix Theatre

Comedy

Novato Comedy Festival

Throckmorton Theatre 

Improv Marin

Museums

MarinMOCA

Bay Area Discovery Museum 

Gravity Train Museum (Friends of Mt. Tam)

Marin History Museum

---