25 Free Things to Do in Marin & the Bay Area for Families in July

Meet the puppets of Wylding Woods at a show in San Anselmo's Creek Park, Wednesday, July 22, at 11 am.

It's July, and you don't have to break the bank to have a great time with the kiddos! Here are 25 free (or inexpensive) activities and outings in Marin and the Bay Area this month. Keep in mind some of these activities require advance registration, so check before you go.

1. Kids 12 and under and seniors 65+ get in free to the Marin County Fair on Wednesday July 1, 11 am–11 pm.
2. Swim and picnic at McNears Beach Park, San Rafael, Wednesdays–Sundays in July, 10–5 pm.
3. See the movie The Lion King at a free screening at Mill Valley Library, Friday, July 3, 3–4:30 pm.
4. Free live music in downtown San Anselmo with Live on the Avenue, every Friday & Saturday (except Saturday July 4), 5:30–8 pm.
5. See family movies outdoors for free at Marin Country Mart in Larkspur, Friday, July 3, 10, 17 & 24, 6 pm.
6. Watch a spectacular 4th of July Fireworks display in Marin and the Bay Area, Friday, July 4, most begin at 9:30 pm.
7. Explore the planes at the Pacific Coast Air Museum in Santa Rosa for free, Saturdays, July 4, 10 am–4 pm.
8. Circus of Smiles performs a free show at Creek Park in San Anselmo, Wednesday, July 8, 11 am–noon.
9. Experience the art of hula with a free performance at the Mill Valley Library Outdoor Amphitheater, Wednesday, July 8, 3:30–4:30 pm.
10. Bring a picnic and enjoy live music by the Seismics at Marinwood Park, Friday, July 10, 6–8 pm.
11. Enjoy a free concert with the Sean Carscadden Trio on Novato's Civic Green, Friday, July 10, 6–8 pm.
12. Spend the day at the Freight in Berkeley for free family educational activities and music, Saturday, July 11, noon–4:30 pm.
13. Big Crush performs a free concert in the park in Belvedere, Sunday, July 12, 4 pm.
14. Meet and greet San Rafael Pacifics baseball players at the San Anselmo Library, Friday, July 17, noon–12:45 pm.
15. Come to Mill Valley Community Center for truckloads of fun exploring trucks, emergency vehicles, and more, Friday, July 17, 4–7 pm.
16. Gather 'round the campfire for songs and s'mores at the Sonoma Barracks, Saturday, July 18, 7 pm.
17. Take a Family Walk in Indian Tree Preserve with Marin Parks naturalists, Sunday, July 19, 10 am–1 pm.
18. Make art in the park with rangers at McNears Beach in San Rafael,  Wednesday, July 22, 10 am–noon
19. Join Wylding Woods for a puppet show adventure in San Anselmo's Creek Park, Wednesday, July 22, 11 am–noon
20. Create a seasonal suncatcher craft at Lagoon Park at the Marin Civic Center, Wednesday, July 22, 11 am–noon.
21. Top Shelf Classics performs a free concert at Hamilton Amphitheater in Novato, Friday, July 24, 5–7 pm.
22. See Pixar's Inside Out on the Civil War Parade Ground in the Presidio of San Francisco, Saturday, July 25, 7 pm.
23. Sterling the Bubblesmith performs his bubble magic at Fairfax Library, Saturday, July 25, 11 am–noon.
24. Take a nature walk with rangers on Eagle Rock Trail in San Rafael, Sunday, July 26, 9–11 am.
25. Perry Yan performs a magic show for kids in Creek Park in San Anselmo, Wednesday, July 29, 11 am–noon.

Marinwood Music in the Park takes place Friday, July 10, from 6–8 pm.