Fall approaches, but the fun isn’t over yet, with foodie fairs, theater openings and neighborhood festivals all coming this month. Marin is packed with events this September.
Fairs & Festivals | Comedy | Arts, Theater & Lectures | Film | Music | Museums | Outdoor Fun | Food & Drink | Events
Featured Events
The Rose Bowl Dance, Neurodiversity & Education Law Free Parent Workshop, Stepping Out To Celebrate Life 29th Annual Gala
Read more about the Rose Bowl dance, Neurodiversity & Education Law Free Parent Workshop and Stepping Out To Celebrate Life 29th Annual Gala below!
September Fairs and Festivals
Sept 7 Sound Summit
This scenic music festival from the top of Mount Tam is headlined by Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile & the Violators. Inspired by a Summer of Love-era music fest held in the same amphitheater, Sound Summit draws in crowds for its incredible views and impressive lineups. Not just a great time, this music festival also raises money for the mountain’s conservation and restoration.
Sept 14–15 Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival
Art, music and community convene amongst the redwoods at this yearly festival in the heart of Mill Valley.
Sept 14–15 Autumn Moon Festival
A harvest festival with 3,000 years of history, this tradition packs Chinatown’s Grant Avenue with dancers, activities and food — including many, many mooncakes.
Sept 15 San Rafael PorchFest
It’s the ultimate neighborhood party in San Rafael’s Gerstle Park neighborhood for this afternoon of live music. Bands and artists make venues out of front yards and porches. On a pleasant late-summer day, this music festival is perfect for a stroll and some neighborly fun.
Sept 18 Marin Senior Fair
Forget your 80s. Embrace the ’60s with this “Flower Power”-themed party for seniors and their caregivers. Free admission, transportation and even professional glamor shots await at the Marin Center.
Sept 21 Oktoberfest
The first of a few Oktoberfest celebrations coming to Marin this fall, Tam Valley Community Center gets the festivities started with games, food, music and beer.
Comedy
Sept 13 Gina Stahl-Haven
Trek Wine hosts this Novato talent along with four other local comics. Maybe you’ve seen Gina on America’s Got Talent, in 2019’s SF Comedy Competition or at the Safeway on Diablo and Redwood.
Sept 21 SF Stand-up Comedy Competition Finals
Five stand-ups go head-to-head for a title that has been won by comics like Dana Carvey and the late Robin Williams. Despite the competition name referencing SF, the finals happen at the Marin Center in San Rafael, and the evening will be hosted by last year’s winner, Jackie Flynn.
Arts, Lectures & Theater
Sept 6–27 Un Ballo in Maschera
SF Opera opens its 2024–2025 season with Verdi and its Opera Ball on Sept. 6. Never been to the opera? Score a ticket for $10 with the “Opera for the Bay” program, available to those who haven’t visited SF Opera in the last three years.
Sept 7 Opera in the Amphitheater
This event is a rare opportunity to hear world-class opera singers in a community venue. The afternoon begins at Novato’s Hamilton Amphitheater at 2 p.m. with family-friendly activities and trivia, but the day really kicks off with the performances, which include appearances by professional singers from near and far. Admission is free, but a $20 donation per person is encouraged.
Sept 13–Oct 13 Crossing Delancey
The Barn Theater and Ross Valley Players begin their 95th season with a charming romantic comedy about an NYC woman torn between a celebrated author and humble pickle vendor.
Sept 12–Oct 6 Nunsense
A group of down-on-their-luck sisters put on a variety show to raise money for their order in this musical comedy, which opens Novato Theater Company’s 2024–2025 season.
Sept 12–Oct 6 Private Lives
For an evening in the city, try ACT’s rendition of Noël Coward’s 1930 comedy about tangled divorcés who re-encounter on their respective honeymoons with new spouses.
Sept 28 Neurodiversity & Education Law Free Parent Workshop
Winston Prep is honored to have Attorney Michael Zatopa present this free parent workshop! Being a parent of a neurodiverse child opens up a unique chapter of parenting challenges, including decisions around education. Do you feel overwhelmed by the IEP process? It’s easy to feel isolated and confused even when you’re investing hours in trying to understand and navigate your child’s IEP.
You are not alone, and this workshop will answer all your questions and review steps in the IEP process to help guide you toward finding the right program for your child.
Sept 27–29 BayWood Artists 27th Annual Show
This group of local landscape artists are holding their annual benefit for the beautiful state parks they paint. BayWood Artists exhibit State Park Impressions at the Marin Art and Garden Center, where half of all proceeds will go to Parks California. Attend the show’s reception the evening of Friday, Sept. 27, or stop by the gallery between 10 a.m.–4 p.m. to view and purchase works. Admission is free.
Sept 30 Author Talk: Laura Dave
Mill Valley Public Library hosts a discussion with novelist Laura Dave, author of bestseller The Last Thing He Told Me, about her new novel, The Night We Lost Him.
Film
Sept 19–22 Bolinas Film Festival
Not just film screenings and discussions (though there are plenty of fabulous ones on the schedule), the second annual Bolinas Film Festival promises add-on immersive experiences like farm tours, table reads and nature excursions, plus its opening gala.
Sept 28–Nov 2 Italian Film Festival
Che bello! This nearly 50-year-old Marin tradition screens Italian films across six Saturdays at Dominican University’s Angelico Hall. Films will be in Italian, with English subtitles.
Music
Sept 7 African Arts Festival
The Yerba Buena Gardens fill with music and dance from regions all around Africa and diasporic communities for this family-friendly festival.
Sept 12 Rock the Block Novato: End of Summer Edition
Downtown Novato is still basking in the late-summer sun with this block party and town concert. Enjoy an evening of food, drinks and dancing set to the music Wonderbread 5.
Sept 25 SF Symphony Opening
This gala heralds the beginning of another season for SF Symphony, and a consequential one at that. It’s the last year to see conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen at the helm, and at this event he’ll conduct the orchestra and special guest, pianist Lang Lang.
Sept 28–29 Portola Music Fest
Did you get your tickets? This EDM fest on Pier 80 may be sold out, but waitlist passes are still available to see artists like Rufus du Soul, Jessie Ware and more dance-worthy performances.
Museums
Sept 4–9 Voyage of Europa Clipper: Exploring an Alien Ocean
Explore Jupiter’s fourth-largest moon through this pop-up exhibit at the Academy of Sciences, plus a NASA scientist explains the agency’s upcoming mission to Europa in a Sept. 9 lecture.
Sept 6–Nov 22 Pet Parade!
Marin Humane is putting on an exhibit in collaboration with Cedars, a Marin organization that supports individuals with developmental disabilities to express themselves and lead creative and joyous lives. In the annual Pet Parade! art show, Cedars artists create pieces based on images of pets from recent Marin Humane adopters, staff and volunteers. Pieces will be on view at Cedars’ gallery in San Anselmo, and a special opening party welcomes attendees on Sept. 6, during San Anselmo Live on the Avenue.
Through Sept 28 Northern California Open
MarinMOCA hosts its inaugural open-call exhibition showing 102 works by NorCal artists. Keep tabs on pieces you like and you might be able to bid on them at the ART FWD auction and party on Sept. 28.
Opens Sept 27 Hallyu! The Korean Wave
K-pop, K-drama and fashion by Korean designers all appear in this Asian Art Museum exhibit about the dominance and roots of South Korean pop culture in the 21st century.
Outdoor Fun
Sept 8 Run Tiburon
Lace up for a 5K or 10K to benefit UCSF’s cancer research and clinics, all along idyllic views of the bay from Tiburon’s waterfront.
Sept 21 Fairfax Town Picnic
Pack a basket and roll out your blanket for this town-wide gathering at Contratti Ball Field with a big dose of community and sunshine.
Sept 21 California Coastal Cleanup Day
It’s the 40th anniversary of this day built for giving back to our environment. Why not go and enjoy a day at the beach? Cleanups are happening all around Marin, on ocean and bay shorelines.
Food & Drink
Sept 15 Edible Garden
Embark on a culinary journey of fresh, local creations. With food, drink, music and an auction wrapped up into one night, this fabulous evening helps keep the Marin Art and Garden Center free to the public.
Sept 21 Hops & Vines Stroll
Marin’s craft beer and fine wines get the spotlight at this walk through downtown San Rafael. With an empty glass and brewery map in hand, take a happy hoppy journey around the Fourth Street corridor’s fine establishments.
Sept 21 SF Cheese Festival
It’s the creme de la triple creme of California cheese at this yearly festival at the SF Ferry Building. Mingle with fellow cheese fiends, nibble on choice fromage and learn from specialists who run the creameries.
Events
Sept 6 Drag Dinner Extravaganza
One Market Restaurant in San Francisco’s downtown hosts this First Fridays event through the end of the year, featuring fabulous drag queens and a mouthwatering multi-course menu. SF queen Bobby Friday hosts the evening, and early birds can enjoy a happy hour before the dinner commences.
Sept 21 Rose Bowl Dance 2024
The Rose Bowl Dance which started in 1910 put Larkspur on the map and it’s back! The Larkspur Community Foundation will be holding the 2024 Rose Bowl Dance as a fundraiser at the historic Escalle Winery property on Magnolia in downtown Larkspur on September 21, 2024. Light fare and dessert will be provided by Left Bank Brasserie, Keatley Wines and East Brother Beer Co.. Dinner is encouraged beforehand at local restaurants participating in the “Dine and Donate” program. In addition Pop Rocks, a high energy band covering Motown and 80’s and 90’s hit songs (www.poprocks.me) will be the entertainment for the evening. Tickets on sale now!
Sept 28 Stepping Out To Celebrate Life 29th Annual Gala
Stepping Out benefits our Breast Cancer Grants Program with a cocktail reception, auctions, gourmet dinner, band and fashion show featuring models thriving after breast cancer.
Love Marin and Want to Get Involved?
Check out all the galas, fundraisers, celebrations and events happening this August in On the Scene.
