The Bay Area is prioritizing the environment this month, with Earth Day volunteer opportunities and nature-inspired art shows, to boot.
Partner Events
On the Scene: Community Events
April 5 Lifehouse Great Chefs and Wineries
Lifehouse, a Marin County-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support services to individuals with developmental disabilities, holds its annual Great Chefs and Wineries Gala. It’s an elegant affair, featuring culinary delights and fine wines from 50 of the Bay Area’s most renowned chefs and wineries. Rock legend Huey Lewis serves as honorary chair, Insalata’s chef Heidi Krahling is culinary host, and Sid Sall chairs the wine committee. Photos: Drew Altizer Photography
April 11 MarinHealth Foundation Gala
The community supporting MarinHealth Foundation will gather in black tie attire to celebrate this year’s fundraiser, Come Sail Away. Benefactors of the hospital dine and dance the night away to support MarinHealth’s Breast Health Program. Photos by Drew Altizer Photography.
April 11-13 International Ocean Film Festival
The world’s oceans are acutely experiencing the effects of climate change, and the International Ocean Film Foundation is dedicated to reversing our oceans’ decline. This yearly fundraiser supports marine ecosystems by screening groundbreaking films about ocean-related topics.
April 23 SFMOMA’s Art Bash
SFMOMA’s much anticipated Art Bash, the museum’s signature fundraising event, is a night of dinner, cocktails and dancing from the first floor atrium to the rooftop pavilion. Installation artists transform the iconic museum into an immersive playground of creativity and community.
April 24 California Academy of Sciences’ Big Bang Gala
Celebrate the marvels of California’s diverse ecosystems—from majestic coastlines to breathtaking peaks—at the museum’s annual Big Bang Gala. Learn more about the Academy’s Thriving California initiative, which harnesses scientific data and mobilizes communities to fight climate change, stop biodiversity loss, and advocate for nature across the state. The evening includes a sustainably-sourced uniquely California dining experience and a keynote speaker, and wraps up with Party After Dark.
April 24 Huckleberry Youth’s Hearts in Harmony Benefit
The Hearts in Harmony Benefit in San Francisco brings together hundreds of hearts in support of Huckleberry’s youth programs rooted in safety, health, justice and education which serve communities in Marin and San Francisco. It will feature inspiring guest speakers, delicious food, cocktails, wine and dessert, plus dancing and music.
April 25 Opening Night Party for the San Francisco Decorator Showcase
This annual preview event leading up to the monthlong SF Decorator’s Showcase benefitting San Francisco University High School’s Financial Aid Program lets partygoers sip fine beverages, savor delicious hors d’oeuvres and have the opportunity to be the first to see the transformed and exquisitely detailed estate featured that year.
April 26 10,000 Degrees’ One Amazing Community Gala
10,000 Degrees, a Marin-based nonprofit instrumental in setting up students from low-income backgrounds for college success, welcomes guests to its annual One Amazing Community fundraising gala. The event gathers donations for the organization’s programs and scholarships, benefiting students from the eight Bay Area counties that 10,000 Degrees serves, and celebrates educational equity. Photos by Rachel Clark.
2025 Date TBD Marin Charitable Spring Fling
High Tea at Downton Abbey is the theme of this year’s Spring Fling. Afternoon tea will be served at Marin Country Club beginning at 3:30 pm, with the event lasting into the the evening hours with supper service. There’s also a fashion show that promises to deliver “dishy male models” and a shopping event. All proceeds benefit Marin Charitable’s grant program for Marin’s youth.
April 26 Marin Ballet Extravadance Gala & Fundraiser
For over 60 years, Marin Ballet has contributed to the arts and cultural enrichment of Marin County. The organization offers ballet classes for students of all levels and ages, including adults, and their Laurie Klein Scholarship Fund provides students financial assistance to increase accessibility and diversity in ballet. Support the company’s efforts at their annual gala and fundraiser this April. Photos by Sara Abushaban and Sandy Lee.
2025 Date TBD Marin Athletic Foundation Benefit Golf Tournament
Each year, the Marin Athletic Foundation raises funds to support Marin’s high school athletes and ensure they have a safe athletic experience. Community support raised from the tournament help the county’s high schools to provide services such as baseline concussion testing, safety equipment, and athletic trainers; plus it supports scholarships for the foundation’s yearly Outstanding Student-Athlete award winners.
2025 Date TBD Play Marin’s Player’s Night Fundraiser
Local nonprofit Play Marin, in partnership with Marin Magazine, brings back its ‘adult playdate’ fundraiser in Sausalito with dinner, drinks, music and a whole lotta games, “cuz grownups are players too.” All proceeds go to support Play Marin’s play-based programs, which create solidarity, friendships and skill-building amongst Marin’s youth.
2025 Date TBD Children 4 Change Challenge
The annual Children for Change Challenge brings families together with community leaders and nonprofit partners for a day of youth-led advocacy and volunteer activities. Families enjoy food, music and community alongside partner organizations like Multicultural Center of Marin, Love is the Answer, Cedars and others.
Events
April 12-13 and 19-20 58th Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
Taiko drumming, steaming ramen and the beautiful flowers of cherry blossoms — head to San Francisco’s Japantown for two weekends of events showcasing Japanese and Japanese American culture.
April 17-27 San Francisco International Film Festival
The longest running film festival in the Americas, the 68th annual SFFilm Festival attracts top filmmakers nationally as well as locally for a packed 10 days of premieres, parties and filmmaker chats. If anyone sees Greta Gerwig, please get me an autograph.
April 19 Butter and Eggs Day Parade
Petaluma’s agricultural history shines in the 42nd annual parade celebrating the community and local business. Keep an eye out for local celebrity Clover the Cow, who always makes an appearance. There’s also a Cutest Chick Contest for the little ones, and a full day of festival events including music, food, give-aways and more.
April 22 San Rafael Clean & Green Day
Help spruce up downtown San Rafael and the West End Village for Earth Day! Volunteers will be removing graffiti, polishing up parking meters and sidewalk fixtures, pulling spring weeds and removing litter—all to beautify the area.
April 25-27 Point Reyes Birding and Nature Festival
Did you know that Pt. Reyes National Seashore boasts the most avian diversity of any U.S. national park? Unplug for the weekend and enjoy the 16th year of this West Marin nature extravaganza.
April 26 WildCare’s Family Nature Day
WildCare‘s annual Family Nature Day at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary always draws in animal lovers of all ages. Along with fostering a love and appreciation of nature and wildlife, the event features “Mrs. T’s Nature Scavenger Hunt,” a game to learn more about birds and how they fly. WildCare’s live Wildlife Ambassador animals will also make an appearance; past animals include Milo the opossum and Mohave the desert tortoise.
April 30-May 5 SF Ballet’s Swan Lake
The famed Tchaikovsky ballet gets a modern update by choreographer Helgi Tomasson at San Francisco Ballet. With memorable music, a famous pas de deux and some of the most influential visual motifs seen in ballet, Swan Lake has been a popular production for SF Ballet since its first run in 2009.
2025 Date TBD Cesar Chavez & Dolores Huerta Holiday Parade and Festival
Honor labor activists and United Farm Workers co-founders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta in this yearly parade through San Francisco’s Mission District. A festival finishes out the afternoon with food, dancing and lots of union and Hispanic pride.
2025 Date TBD Earth Day Symposium and Book Fair
Earth Day in Marin means reckoning with our changing world, growing fires and rising waters. Those themes inspire Sausalito Books by the Bay’s “Fire & Water: Facing an Elemental Future” symposium at The Spinnaker. A panel discussion includes environmental experts and local leaders, such as Sausalito city council member Janelle Kellman. Attendees can also partake in an environmental book fair and interact with local conservation groups. The event is free, but organizers encourage you to register in advance!
2025 Date TBD Free National Parks Week
Every year, the National Park Service grants a handful of free days for national parks around the country including the first day of National Parks Week in the Spring. Check out some of our great nationally parks nearby, like Muir Woods, or seize the opportunity to escape to far-flung places like Yosemite or Sequoia.
2025 Date TBD Marin Wildflower Walks
April means spring flowers, and Marin’s open space promises them in abundance. Marin County Parks hosts multiple guided wildflower hikes throughout April, including trails on Ring Mountain, Mount Burdell/Olompais, Tiburon Upland and Baltimore Canyon.
2025 Date TBD Cal Parks Earth Day Cleanups
For even more Earth Day activities, you can check out California’s state parks. Several Bay Area state parks host cleanups, such as Angel Island on April 6 and China Camp on April 20.
2025 Date TBD Earth Month & Spring in the Garden
April at the Cal Academy is full of exciting events. First, the Spring in the Garden exhibit is bringing giant bugs to the East Garden. Six-legged animatronics are just one attraction at the spring event, which also features a water table for DIY boats and more nature-inspired activities. Hopeful visitors can also stop by the Academy on April 4 for the special, pay-what-you-can Academy Day, celebrating the Academy’s birthday by making its educational programming accessible for all.
2025 Date TBD The Great Tomato Market
Not for throwing! UC Marin’s Master Gardeners sell tomato starts designed specially for growing in Marin gardens. This yearly fundraiser supports educational programming and community gardens organized by this extension of the University of California, which aims to sustain Marin’s environment and agriculture. There are simulatenous events at the Bon Air Shopping Center in Greenbrae, and in Novato.
2025 Date TBD Bay Area Brew Fest
It’s a little intimidating. For one day only, 70+ breweries will set up shop on the Presidio Main Lawn. Admission includes unlimited samples from participating breweries, plus access to food trucks to keep you sane.
2025 Date TBD Earth Day Mill Valley
For family-friendly and earth-conscious activities, art and music, head to the Mill Valley Community Center and learn how to make a more sustainable world.
2025 Date TBD Alexander Valley Film Festival
A film festival nestled in Sonoma Wine Country, AVFest highlights independent films from and about underrepresented communities. With discounted tickets for students and low-income neighbors, this festival seeks to connect filmmakers and their craft to the community.
2025 Date TBD Heads Up Carnival
San Rafael’s schools gather for a free carnival with music, games and pupusas. Chill out, get your face painted and support public schools.
2025 Date TBD Céilí on the Lake Irish Festival
Marin County Fairground will host the first-ever Céilí on the Lake, an Irish Dance and Music Festival. With live music, plenty of food and drink and even sheep herding demonstrations, this gathering (or “céilí,” pronounced KAY-lee) will be nonstop fun from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days.
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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.
