Marin Weekend Family Fun for July 5–7
Take the kiddos for a ride on one of the Bay Area's classic carousels this weekend!
Here are our picks for great events and activities for children and families this weekend. Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar.
Friday, July 5
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Marin County Fair
Marin County Fairgrounds, San Rafael
Friday–Sunday, 11 am–11 pm
Come to the fair for over 12,000 exhibits, carnival rides, headline entertainment, the barnyard, an international short film and video festival, nightly fireworks, and more! Admission: $20 adults, $15 children 4–12 and seniors 65+, free for children 3 and under. For more information, call (415) 473-6800. Event details - Free Children's Garden Series: Duniya Dance and Drum
Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco
Friday, 11 am & 12:15 pm
Introduce kids to West African beats from Duniya Dance and Drum! Duniya Dance and Drum Company creates dance and music from Punjab, India and Guinea, West Africa, as well as unique blends of these forms and beyond. This is part of the free children's program. Event details. - Winter Cartoons in July
Mill Valley Library
Friday, 3:30–5 pm
Watch classic winter holiday cartoons, including Rudolph and Frosty. Free popcorn! All ages. No sign-up required. Location: Creekside Room, 375 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. Event details. - Jazz & Blues by the Bay
Gabrielson Park, Sausalito
Friday, 6:30–8 pm
Jazz & Blues by the Bay at Gabrielson Park in Sausalito is a free event. Lawn seating available (first-come first-served). This Friday: Hot Baked Goods. Event details - Tam Valley's Creekside Fridays
Tennessee Valley Cabin, Mill Valley
Friday, 6:30–8 pm
Bring the family, pets, chairs, and blankets to the weekly free musical event. This Friday: VibraSON. Food available for purchase. Event details - Big, the Musical
Berkeley Playhouse
Friday, 7 pm, Saturday, 1 & 7 pm, Sunday, 2 pm
One of the most beloved films of the ‘80s, the Tom Hanks comedy classic is now a heartfelt musical fantasy. Josh Baskin is 12 years old. He wishes that his mom would stop hugging him in public, that he didn’t have to take out the garbage, and that Cynthia Benson, the girl next door, would notice him. When she passes him over for an older boy, Josh makes a wish to be big … and wakes up the next morning in the body of a 30-year-old man. Taking off to the big city, Josh now must navigate the unknown world of adults — a world of jobs, girlfriends and disgustingly fancy foods — as he and his best friend seek out a way to undo the spell that caused him to grow. Tickets: $20–$45. Event details
Saturday, July 6
- Free Access to All Parks
Marin County Parks
Saturday, All Day
Marin County Parks is offering free access to all parks on the first Saturday of the month all year long! Includes Black Point Boat Launch, McInnis Park, McNears Beach Park, Miller Boat Launch, Paradise Beach Park, and Stafford Lake Park. Event details - Museums on Us Free Day
Various Museums
Saturday & Sunday
Bank of America cardholders can visit the following Bay Area museums for free! Enjoy the Contemporary Jewish Museum, de Young Museum, the Legion of Honor, and the Chabot Space and Science Center. Photo ID and a valid Bank of America/Merrill Lynch credit or debit card must be presented. Event details - Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
Enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo for the kids from 10 am–2 pm, face kids' crafts from 9 am–2 pm, children's music or storytelling from 9:30–10:30 am, and live music from 11 am–12:30 pm. Event details - Llama Llama Red Pajama, the Musical
Bay Area Children's Theater, Berkeley
Saturday & Sunday, 10:30 am & 1:30 pm
It's been a big first day of school, and Llama's happy to be home and wearing his favorite red pajamas. After his bedtime story, Mama Llama tucks him in and pops downstairs. Llama’s toys try to help him relax, but he’s too wiggly. He needs a drink of water. But where did Mama Llama go? Why isn't she coming? Our original, world-premiere musical will have everyone doing the Bedtime Dance! Tickets: $26–$30. Event details - Open for Exploration
Martin Griffin Preserve, Stinson Beach
Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
Bring your family and friends! The Martin Griffin Preserve is open to the public. Learn about the wonders of nature and hike through redwoods, mixed evergreen forests, coastal scrub, and enjoy sweeping vistas of the Bolinas Lagoon and Pacific Coast. Hike 8+ miles of trails, learn from nature guides, view abundant plants and wildlife, visit newt ponds, discover natural wonders in the Curiosity Room, and more. Admission: Suggested donation of $20 per person. Event details. - Craft-n-Create Family Maker Workshops
South Novato Library
Saturday, 11 am–1 pm
Fun for the whole family! Become an inventor, scientist, artist & engineer as we explore new concepts each week through art and engineering in our Makerspace. Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Free. Location: 931 C Street, Novato. Event details. - First Saturday Pet Adoptions
Corte Madera Town Center
Noon–3 pm
Find a new best friend at this monthly pet adoption event with the Milo Foundation at the Corte Madera Town Center. Event details - Guide Dogs for the Blind Graduation Day
Guide Dogs for the Blind, San Rafael
Saturday, 1:30 pm
Attending a graduation ceremony at Guide Dogs for the Blind is one of the best ways to really get acquainted with our program. We advise guests to bring their tissues, because it's always a moving event, commemorating the efforts of our students and their dogs over their past weeks in class. Puppy raisers say goodbye to their graduating dogs, and the graduating class members bid farewell to return to their homes and families with new partners by their sides. Free. Event details - Science Saturday
Spring Lake Regional Park, Santa Rosa
Saturday, 1–4 pm
Embrace your inner scientist and discover the wonders of environmental and physical science! Drop-in for these free presentations and interactive experiments the first Saturday of every month beginning on the hour at 1, 2, and 3 pm. How does a top spin without falling over? Create your own penny spinner and watch the laws of motion in action. Learn how momentum, torque and friction work together and see how long your penny spinner can spin. All ages. Free; parking $7 or free for Regional Parks members. Event details - Family STEM Saturdays
Habitot Children's Museum, Berkeley
Saturday, 2:30–4:30 pm
Encourage hands on science explorations with activities that build a foundation for understanding physical properties, mathematics, and engineering principles. Come experiment, build, and create. All ages welcome.This Month: magnets. All ages welcome. Admission applies. Location: 2065 Kittredge St, Berkeley. Event details - San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival
Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley
Saturday & Sunday, 3 pm
Performances by 12 Bay Area dance and music ensembles showcasing traditions from around the world. Arrive early to see pre-show performances Taller Bombalele (Puerto Rican Bomba) in Sproul Plaza, beginning at 2:10 pm. Tickets: $14–$78. Event details - Concerts on the Green
Downtown Novato
Saturday, 5–7 pm
Gather your friends and family, grab your lawn chairs and picnic blankets, and Join Novato Parks & Recreation for this FREE outdoor concert series held outside City Hall on the Civic Green, 901 Sherman Ave. every first and third Saturday of June, July and August. We hope you can join us for these wonderful live musical performances. This Saturday: Barrio Manouche. Event details - Evening Power Play
Cal Star Gymnastics, Novato
Saturday, 6–9 pm
Drop the kiddos ( K-8 th grade) for some indoor fun. They can run, jump and play in an open gymnastics environment. Bring the kids in on a rainy day or any day to burn some energy. Cost: $24 per child. Location: 70 Digital Drive, Suite #3 in Novato. Event details - Movies in Creek Park: Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Creek Park, San Anselmo
Saturday, 7 pm
Enjoy free movies outdoors in San Anselmo's Creek Park. This Friday is Pet Night: Well behaved pets welcome to join owners in viewing. Seating generally begins around 7 pm, with pre-movie slide show, announcements, trivia and nightly raffle. Movies begin when dark enough and generally run two hours. Event details - Campfire Program at Spring Lake
Spring Lake Regional Park, Santa Rosa
Saturday, 7–8 pm
Registered campers are invited to a campfire program that explores the diverse ecosystems of Spring Lake. Through interpretive and hands-on activities, you will discover the wonders of local flora and fauna. Every Saturday beginning Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Free. Parking $7 or free for Regional Parks members. Location: 5585 Newanga Avenue, Santa Rosa. Event details
Sunday, July 7
- Civic Center Farmers' Market
Marin Civic Center, San Rafael
Sunday, 8 am–1 pm
There's lots of organically grown produce, breads, eggs, and fresh cut flowers, as well as live music, bounce houses, and more. This farmers' market is a great one to take the kids to. It’s located in the main Civic Center parking lot. Event details - Learn to Ride
Stafford Lake Bike Park, Novato
Sunday, 9–11 am
Learn to ride pump tracks and rollers with a ranger. This event is ideal for ages 5 and up though riders of all ages are welcome. All skill levels–no experience necessary. Dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes. Don’t forget to bring your bike, helmet, and pads. Event details - Presidio Picnic
San Francisco Presidio
Sunday, 11 am–4 pm
Presidio Picnic is a great family event that takes place Sundays on the Presidio’s beautiful Main Parade Ground, a seven-acre lawn with views of the park, the city, and the San Francisco Bay. Presidio Picnic features a rotating lineup of 25 international mobile food creators, free yoga class, free Presidio Y Bike learn to ride lessons for kids on the first Sunday of the month, a cultural dance program every 4th Sunday, and more. Event details - Summer Music Series
Corte Madera Town Center
Sundays, noon–2 pm
Bring the family to the free outdoor summer concerts at the Corte Madera Town Center. Event details - Stern Grove Festival
Sigmund Stern Grove, San Francisco
Sunday, 2 pm
Bring the family and experience the music of the San Francisco Symphony, conducted by Edwin Outwater and featuring contralto Lauren Decker. Programs and activities for children on the Kid Stage from noon to 1 pm before every concert. Free admission. Location: 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco. Event details - Summer Sunday Concerts at Piccolo Pavilion
Old Corte Madera Square
Sundays, 5–6 pm
Bring the family to the free outdoor summer concerts at the Old Corte Madera Square. Bring lawn chairs, a blanket and a picnic and enjoy the amazing line-up of fine local bands. This Sunday: Trace Repeat. Event details
