Marin County: Belvedere, Bolinas, Fairfax, Kentfield, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Mt Tamalpais State Park, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, Tiburon
Belvedere Concerts in the Park - Belvedere
June-September, Sunday 4:00pm
Location: Park Gazebo, adjacent to 450 San Rafael Avenue: Belvedere City Hall
Why Go There? Outdoor no-cost afternoon concerts, variety of musical genre; nearby restaurants, shops in Tiburon; stunning views of San Francisco Bay; bike/walk path from Mill Valley to downtown Belvedere
Access: Limited (especially on weekends) metered street parking; Golden Gate transit bus
More Information: Belvedere Concerts
Bolinas History Museum Concerts (see Arts & Crafts: Bolinas History Museum)
Coast Cafe music (See Food: Coast Cafe)
Thursday, Sunday 6:00pm-8:00pm
Smiley's Schooner Saloon & Hotel (see Unique Lodging: Smiley's)
Schedule varies
Location: 41, 48 Wharf Road, downtown Bolinas
Why Go There? Low key local music in cozy settings
Access: Nearby street parking (limited, especially on weekends); West Marin Stagecoach bus
More Information: Bolinas Museum + Coast Cafe Bolinas + Facebook + Smiley’s Saloon
Fairfax Irish Festival of Music & Dance - Fairfax
October, Friday-Sunday
Location: Downtown pubs, restaurants
Why Go There? Lively annual festival for Irish culture fans. Music, singing, participatory dancing in various local venues. No cost (cash tips for musicians requested).
Access: Street parking; public transportation
More Information: Fairfax Chamber of Commerce + Facebook + Fairfax Irish Festival
Fairfax Theatre Company - Fairfax
July, Friday-Sunday evenings (see website schedule)
Location: 142 Bolinas Road: Fairfax Pavilion
Why Go There? Grass roots non-profit community theater company draws from local talent, all ages; strives to offer quality low-cost entertainment; preview pay-what-you-will performance; senior, youth discounts.
Access: Street parking; public transportation
More Information: Fairfax Theatre Company
College of Marin Performances: Dance, Drama, Music - Kentfield
Evenings, weekend matinees (see website schedule)
Location: 835 College Avenue: College of Marin Performing Arts Center
Why Go There? Quality music concerts, live theater (classical, contemporary, improvisational, musicals), dance performances, nominal cost. Notable student alumnus (amongst others): actor Robin Williams.
Access: Free concert/performance parking in lot: north side Sir Francis Drake Boulevard between Maple/Elm Avenues
More Information: Music + Drama + Dance
Lark Theater - Larkspur
Schedule varies (see website)
Location: 549 Magnolia Avenue
Why Go There? Art Deco era restored historic theater converted into non-profit community cultural center: art exhibits, entertainment, live music, movies (including Live at The Met screenings); senior/youth discounts; refreshments (fresh popcorn/real butter, organic hot dogs, premium ice cream, adult beverages); special events.
Access: Street parking; public transportation
More Information: Lark Theater
DjangoFest Gypsy Jazz Festival - Mill Valley
See website for dates, schedule
Location: 142 Throckmorton Avenue: Throckmorton Theater
Why Go There? Annual high quality gypsy jazz festival features well known international, US musicians; lively afternoon/evening concerts, pre/post parties, workshops.
Access: Street parking (metered); public transportation
More Information: Throckmorton Theatre
Homestead Valley Music Festival - Mill Valley
August, weekend Saturday prior to Labor Day weekend
Location: 315 Montford Avenue: Homestead Valley Community Center
Why Go There? Annual Low key music festival supported by local businesses (free admittance, donations welcomed); variety of music genre; quality food trucks, beer.
More Information: Homestead Valley Music Festival + Facebook
Marin Theatre Company - Mill Valley
September-June, weekday/weekend evenings, matinees (see website schedule)
Location: 397 Miller Avenue
Why Go There? Professional theater offers six shows per season; intimate/comfortable 231 seat main stage theater; focus: 20 th century, current American playwrights, new plays; readings, workshops; spring Gala fundraiser, other special events. Discounts: previews, seniors (65+), student, youth, military, Best Deal (limited number side seats, purchase availability one week before previews on-line, phone or in person, during box office hours)
Access: Drive, street parking along Miller Avenue, nearby streets, adjacent parking lots (don't park in front of open businesses or risk being towed); public transportation
More Information: Marin Theatre
Mill Valley Chamber Music Society - Mill Valley
Monthly (almost) Sunday 5:00pm
Location: 410 Sycamore Avenue: Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church
Why Go There? Acoustically excellent intimate setting for quality chamber music concerts
More Information: Mill Valley Chamber Music + Facebook
Mill Valley Film Festival - Mill Valley
October
Location: Four Marin theaters (Sequoia Theater/Mill Valley; Christopher B Smith Rafael Film Center/San Rafael; Cinema/Corte Madera; Lark Theatre/Larkspur)
Why Go There? Internationally acclaimed 11 day film festival; features new films, variety of categories; welcomes 200+ filmmakers, 50 countries; panel discussions; awards, special events. Begun in 1977, Mill Valley based festival grows annually, 60,000 attendees.
More Information: Mill Valley Film Festival
Sweetwater Music Hall & Cafe - Mill Valley
Schedule varies (see website); cafe open daily
Location: 19 Corte Madera Avenue (downtown)
Why Go There? State-of-the-art rebirth of landmark live music venue: comfortable local hangout for emerging entertainment, local music, nationally recognized musicians; ticketed events (some free). Tiny cafe indoor/patio seating: daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch; freshly prepared, seasonal local-sourced ingredient menus; house made scones/donuts; vegan/vegetarian options; full bar.
Access: Metered street parking; public transportation
More Information: Sweetwater Music Hall
Throckmorton Theater - Mill Valley
Schedule varies (see website)
Location: 142 Throckmorton Avenue
Why Go There? Community focused (501 c3) venue hosts weekly eclectic mix of top quality performing arts, entertainment, monthly art exhibits. Free weekly (Wednesday) noon classical music concert, special events, workshops, annual gypsy jazz festival, film festival site; senior, youth, rush discounts available for many performances; light refreshments available in lobby.
Access: Metered street parking; public transportation
More Information: Throckmorton Theatre
Mountain Play - Mt Tamalpais State Park
Memorial Weekend-Third Sunday in June 2:00pm
Location: Mt. Tamalpais amphitheater, Mt. Tamalpais State Park
Why Go There? High quality, colorful Broadway-style musical production in rustic outdoor stone seat amphitheater built by 1930's CCC workers (annual theater tradition began in 1913); pack lunches (and bring cushions, blankets) or purchase food/beverages from on-site vendors (be prepared for lines); general/reserved seating; senior, youth, disabled discounts. Amphitheater views reach across San Francisco Bay; can sit in warm sunshine while the coastline, San Francisco below are fog blanketed. Association does special outreach, fundraiser events.
Access: Extremely limited parking in nearby state park lots (permits issued for wheelchair van driver spaces, also very limited); free shuttles: designated downtown Mill Valley parking lots, shuttle stops; fee lots at Bootjack, Pantoll campsites (fill up early); trails lead from campgrounds to theater; hardy hikers with extra hours can hike up from Mill Valley or take free shuttle up, hike down to Mill Valley). Public transportation (to hiking trailheads): West Marin Stagecoach bus
More Information: Mountain Play
Novato Theater Company - Novato
August-June (see website schedule)
Location: 5420 Nave Drive
Why Go There? Community theater with 90 year history in Northern Marin; offers four high caliber plays each season; special events
More Information: Novato Theater + Facebook
Marin Art and Garden Center Summer Concert Series - Ross
June-August, Thursday evenings 5:00pm-7:00pm (see website schedule)
Location: 30 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Marin Art and Garden Center Gazebo
Why Go There? Free outdoor concerts; variety of musical genres; boxed meals, wine/beer available for purchase
Access: Drive, parking at venue
More Information: Marin Art and Garden Center
Ross Valley Players - Ross
Location: 30 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
Why Go There? Long time theater company offers six high caliber main stage plays per season; bi-annual Ross Alternative Works (RAW): stages original new Bay Area playwright works; brings together actors, design staff, directors, production managers, volunteers. Pay-what-you-will Thursday previews; student, weekday discounts. First Saturday evening of production runs: hors d’oeuvres, sparkling wine cocktails included in ticket price; special event fundraiser gala dinner, private home.
More Information: Ross Valley Players + Facebook
Film Night in the Park - San Anselmo
July-August, sunset
Location: Between Sir Francis Drake Boulevard & San Anselmo Avenue/Center Boulevard: San Anselmo Creek Park
Why Go There? Family-friendly annual free summer evening outdoor movies in the park; on-site movie snacks/drinks for purchase (or bring picnic supper).
Access: Street parking, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
More Information: Movies in Creek Park
Playhouse - San Anselmo
Location: 27 Kensington Avenue
Why Go There? San Francisco Theological Seminary site venue for Marin Musical Company, and performing arts center for dance recitals, student performances, local and touring theater companies, music concerts.
More Information: Playhouse
Belrose Performing Arts Center - San Rafael
Schedule varies
Location: 1415 5th Avenue
Why Go There? Year-round lively events venue: dinner theater, ragtime bands, holiday season tea parties, plays, concerts; historic landmark built as a church
More Information: The Belrose + Marin On Stage
Marin Shakepeare Company - San Rafael
June-September, Friday-Sunday evenings, some matinees
Location: 890 Belle Avenue: Forest Meadows Amphitheatre, Dominican University of California
Why Go There? Shakespeare, other classic plays performed by longstanding company under the stars (some matinees); picturesque outdoor theater surrounded by trees, reflecting pool; seats 500+; discounts: preview performances, senior, youth. Optional catered dinner available Saturdays.
Access: Free parking
More Information: Marin Shakespeare
Marin Symphony - San Rafael
November-April, Tuesday evenings, Sunday matinee; Waterfront Pops concert early October (Lagoon Park, Marin Civic Center)
Location: 10 Avenue of the Flags, Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium
Why Go There? 85 professional and community member orchestra musicians perform in 2000 seat venue. Season features classical, pops concerts, chorales; pre-concert talks Tuesdays, Sunday matinees; Tuesday night wrap parties at nearby pizzeria: free appetizers, no host bar, opportunity to visit with conductor, musicians.
Access: Drive, free parking lot
More Information: Marin Symphony
Jazz and Blues by the Bay - Sausalito
June-August, Fridays 6:30pm-8:00pm (see website schedule)
Location: Anchor Street/Humboldt Avenue: Gabrielson Park
Why Go There? Free outdoor annual summer evening music concerts; lawn seating; optional fee reserved table seating. Great views Angel Island, Bay Bridge; bring picnic supper or purchase food/beverages from non-profit organization vendors.
Access: Drive, metered street, nearby lots parking (allow time); public transportation
More Information: Jazz and Blues by the Bay
Tiburon International Film Festival - Tiburon
April (see festival schedule); monthly films
Location: Tiburon Playhouse Theater, 40 Main Street
Why Go There? Week long annual festival features 70+ independent, short films from 30+ countries; Bay Area filmmakers showcase. Tiburon Film Society schedules monthly films: 1501 Tiburon Boulevard (Tiburon Library); 2100 Bridgeway Boulevard, Sausalito (Bay Model).
Access: Drive, street or lot parking (pay); public transportation
More Information: Tiburon Film Festival
Additional Resources
Fairfax Festival - Fairfax
Annual festival kicks off Friday night with free family-friendly film; 142 Bolinas Road: Contratti Ball Field (June, sunset)
Mill Valley Philharmonic - Marin
Community orchestra no-cost concerts
Festival Musica Marin - Marin
Classical music/food/philanthropic events
Mill Valley Library Lectures - Mill Valley
Marin Theater Company lectures
Mill Valley Library Staged Readings - Mill Valley
Professional playwrights staged readings
Marin Musical Theater Company - Novato
Housed at the Novato Theater PLayhouse: 5420 Nave Drive
Marin Center Events - San Rafael
Art shows, concerts, entertainment