Marin Weekend Family Fun for June 21–23

The Sonoma-Marin Fair takes place this weekend in Petaluma. Photo courtesy of Will Bucquoy.

Here are our picks for great events and activities for children and families in and around Marin County this weekend. Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar.

Friday, June 21

• Toyota/Save Mart 350
  Sonoma Raceway
  Friday–Sunday, various times
  Experience exciting NASCAR Cup Series action on the road course at Sonoma Raceway! There are numerous events happening each day, including autograph sessions and a chance to make your own racer. Kids 12 and under admitted free on Friday and Saturday; $10 on Sunday. Event details.
• Sonoma-Marin Fair
  Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, Petaluma
  Friday–Sunday, noon–12 am
  This year's theme is "Eight Decades of Fun", and you'll find plenty of family fun including carnival rides with a kiddie carnival for younger children, pig races, a safari adventure, "Agventure Land" for agricultural fun, strolling clowns, jugglers, and silly characters, and artst and crafts and a petting zoo at Clo's Kids Corner. You'll also find livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, chef demonstrations, a destruction derby, and more. Of course the fair's famous World's Ugliest Dog Contest, will take place, too! Location: 175 Fairgrounds Drive in Petaluma, off East Washington Street on the west side of Highway 101. Event details.
• Kids' Show: Circus Bella
  Children's Garden at Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco
  Friday, noon–1 pm, Saturday, noon–1 pm & 2:15–3:15 pm
  Circus Bella delights in the totally unexpected, with circus feats, ringleader surprises and aerial splendor, and as always, the Circus Bella All-Star Band! The brand new show, directed by Abigail Munn, aka High-Flying Abigail, also features the popular “BIG JUGGLE” – Circus Bella’s loving reference to its Pickle Family Circus roots. Come one, come all! Circus Bella is in town! Free. Location: 799 Howard Street, San Francisco. Event details.
• Ballet Summer Spectacular
  Fairfax Library
  Friday, 3–4 pm
  Stapleton Ballet dancers will perform a few classical ballet pieces and then invite you and your children to participate in some creative dance fantasy games. There will be a ballet-inspired craft as well as a raffle of a lovely handmade ballet costume! Location: 2097 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax. Event details.
• Build-o-Rama
  Mill Valley Library
  Friday, 3:30–4:30 pm
  Build amazing skyscrapers and structures with our MagnaTiles, Connectagons, LEGO, Keva Blocks and more. All ages. Free. Location: Creekside Room, 375 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Summer Kick-off
  Terra Linda Park, San Rafael
  Friday, 5–7 pm
  Bring the family, a picnic dinner, low back chairs or blanket and enjoy an evening of live music with "The Sonic Steps" and family fun. Kids Fun Zone with bounce house, $5 art projects with Nadia and more. Location: 670 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael. Event details.
• Broadway Under the Stars: A Chorus Line
  Jack London State Historic Park, Glen Ellen
  Friday & Saturday, 5–9 pm
  The “Best Musical Ever” perfectly describes this blockbuster Broadway hit that not only launches the 2019 season of the award winning Broadway Under the Stars series, but also serves as Transcendence’s first fully performed theatrical musical production at Jack London State Historic Park. Preshow picknicking starts at 5 pm, show starts at 7:30 pm. Location: 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen. Event details.
• Tam Valley's Creekside Fridays
  Tennessee Valley Cabin, Mill Valley
  Friday, 6–8 pm
  Bring the family, pets, chairs, and blankets to the weekly free musical event. This Friday: Marble Party. Food available for purchase. Location: 203 Marin Avenue, Mill Valley. Event details.
• Friday Night Jazz Concerts
  Marin Country Mart, Larkspur
  Friday, 6–9 pm
  Meet us at the Mart this Friday night to enjoy some jazzy tunes! Grab some butcher snacks & a drink and settle in for a musical adventure with Mads Tolling Trio featuring Frank Martin on keys and Gary Brown on bass. Free. Location: Larkspur Landing. 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: The Black Market Trust. Event details.
• 23 Elephants Theatre Company presents: Barnum the Musical
  The Playhouse San Anselmo
  Friday & Saturday, 7:30 pm and Saturday & Sunday, 2 pm
  P.T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman on Earth, combines razzle-dazzle with charm and brass to sell “humbug” to cheering crowds. Perfect for the entire family. Tickets: general admission $15. Location: 27 Kensington Road, San Anselmo. Event details.

Saturday, June 22

• Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
  Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
  Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
  Enjoy the best local and organic produce, flowers, pastured meats, seafood, organic cheeses, yogurt and milk, breads, baked goods, pasta, confections, olive oil, and brunch and lunch offerings! Kids can take a pony ride and visit the petting zoo (10 am–2 pm), try out some arts and crafts (9 am–2 pm) and listen to family music (9:30–10:30 am). Event details.
• Free Spanish Storytime Saturdays
  
  Mariposa Bilingual School, San Rafael
  Saturday, 10–10:30 am
  These storytimes for kids introduce them to new books and authors while giving them (and you parents as well!) the opportunity to socialize with other children in their age group. For children 0-4 and their parent or caregiver. Talk,read and sing in Spanish. No registration required. Parents /caregivers are expected to stay with children during all storytime sessions. Location: 1879 2nd Street, San Rafael. Event details.
• World Giraffe Weekend
  San Francisco Zoo
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  In honor of World Giraffe Day, an annual event to celebrate the longest-necked animal on the longest day of the year, join us as we celebrate our herd and raise awareness about the challenges giraffe face. World Giraffe Day began in 2014 to start the conversation about giraffe conservation and the importance of protecting one of the most magnificent and well-known animals on earth. With only approximately 111,000 giraffe remaining in the wild, momentum is building, but we must continue to spread the important conservation message of this Vulnerable species. 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
• Pueblo Day: The Founding of Sonoma
  Sonoma State Historic Park
  Saturday, 10 am
  Commemorate pueblo de Sonoma’s 1835 founding. Participate in this Passport to History event, enjoy demonstrations and try your hand at pioneer crafts. Held in the Sonoma Barracks Courtyard. All ages, free of charge. Event details.
• Bay Area Discovery Museum STEM Workshop
  Larkspur Library
  Saturday, 11 am
  This workshop engages and inspires young learners (ages 4-8) to learn about their amazing brains as part of BADM's series of hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. Registration is required - call 415-927-5005 or email library@cityoflarkspur.org to sign up! Location: 400 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur. Event details.
• Free Guided Farm Tours
  Tara Firma Farm, Petaluma
  Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–noon
  You will learn about our farm and CSA, learn what pasture raised means and how farms like Tara Firma Farms are on the front lines to fight climate change, reduce water usage, and build better soil through the latest methods in Carbon Farming!  Perfect for families, kids and school groups! *No RSVP required. Show up 15 minutes before! If no guests arrive before tour time, we do not hold the tour.* Location: 3796 I Street Ext., Petaluma. For more info, call (707) 765–1202 or visit their website.
• Angel Island Civil War Days
  Angel Island State Park
  Saturday & Sunday, 11 am–3 pm
  Angel Island State Park invites you to “step back in time” and experience a slice of life on Angel Island with the recreation of an 1860s Union Army post during the Civil War. Witness exciting mock battles between Union and Confederate forces by historic re-enactors and park volunteers, cannon firings, and more. Event details.
• Family Art Making
  de Young Museum, San Francisco
  Saturday, 11 am–4 pm
  Family Art Making offers a free, drop-in art project led by professional teaching artists. Projects change every 3-4 weeks and connect to our permanent collections or highlight our special exhibiton. Make sure to pick up a Discovery Guide to explore the galleries. Artists of all ages are welcome to join. Free and open to the public. Museum admission required for gallery activities found in the Discovery Guide. Location: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco. Event details.
• Angel Island Live
  Ayala Cove, Angel Island State Park
  Saturdays & Sundays, 2–4:30 pm, Memorial Day Weekend–September
  Hop on the ferry from Tiburon or San Francisco and enjoy live music on the Angel Island Cantina's deck, from bluegrass to reggae. Bands include Todos Santos, Misner and Smith, Savannah Blue, Danny Montana, Whiskey Hill Billies, and more. Event details.
• 23 Elephants Theatre Company presents: Barnum the Musical
  The Playhouse San Anselmo
  Saturday & Sunday, 2 pm
  P.T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman on Earth, combines razzle-dazzle with charm and brass to sell “humbug” to cheering crowds. Perfect for the entire family. Tickets: general admission $15. Get your tickets here. Location: 27 Kensington Road, San Anselmo. Event details.
• 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 Street, Berkeley. Event details.
• Indoor 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: $30 per child. Location: 70 Digital Drive, Suite #3 in Novato. Event details
• Campfire Program
  Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park
  Saturday, 7 pm
  Experience this historic adobe by campfire! Enjoy a short educational talk, great songs, and a tasty marshmallow roast. All ages welcome, free of charge. Park in the main lot, and then walk over bridge and along paved path to the courtyard. Location: 3325 Adobe Road, Petaluma. Event details.
• Summer Solstice Sunset Viewing
  Ring Mountain Preserve, Tiburon
  Friday, 7:45–9 pm
  Come celebrate the longest day of the year as we watch the sun set behind Mt Tamalpais. Join a Ranger in a short but moderately steep hike to the top of Ring Mountain with spectacular views of San Francisco, the bay, and beautiful Marin County. This event is ideal for all ages. All skill levels are welcome, and no experience is necessary. Degree of difficulty: Moderate. Don’t forget to bring your camera. Friendly dogs are welcome, but must be leashed. High fire danger cancels: Call (415) 473-7191 to get an update on fire danger status and land closures. If a "Red Flag" warning is in effect, all walks and events on Open Space District preserves are cancelled. RSVP's are appreciated but not required. Location: Meet at the gate at the end of Taylor Rd in Tiburon. Event details.
• Movies in Creek Park: Tangled
  San Anselmo
  Saturday, starts at sunset
  Bring the family to Movies in Creek Park this Saturday at sunset. There will be pre-movie trivia, prizes, concessions and popcorn. Movie starts at sunset. Free. Location: 249 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo. Event details

Sunday, June 23

• 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
• Ride-A-Rig Event
  Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa
  Sunday, 10 am–2 pm
  Ride-A-Rig is an educational community event that will provide children a hands-on opportunity for children to see and touch a variety of vehicles that play important roles in our community. Children and families are encouraged to get up close to rigs of first responders and community vehicles, such as patrol vehicles, racecars, big rig semi-trucks, the local bookmobile, a REACH helicopter, and many other hands-on experiences. There will also be a fun raffle for toys, games, and other great prizes! Children under 2 are free! Tickets: $5 advance, $5.50 day-of. Event details
• Master Mariners Wooden Boat Show
  Corinthian Yacht Club, Tiburon
  Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
  This is a rare opportunity to view and board some of San Francisco's classic sailing yachts. Meet the skippers and learn the history of each vessel. Cost: $20 per adult. Children under 12 are free but must be supervised. Location: 43 Main St., Tiburon. 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 30+ 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
  Stern Grove Festival presents Los Van Van. Arrive early—space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Free admission. From noon until 1 pm before every concert, kids of all ages are invited to participate in hands-on arts projects and programs at KidStage in the West Meadow. Kids can enjoy craft-making, singing and dance lessons, games, and more! Location: 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard. Event details
• Music in the Park: Purple Haze
  Creek Park, San Anselmo
  Sunday, 4–6 pm
  A summer concert series in downtown San Anselmo, Music in the Park is a free event sponsored by the San Anselmo Arts Commission. Featuring live, local artists, these events are fun for the whole family and give you the opportunity to get together with the community and listen to free music from 4 pm to 6 pm. This Sunday, a tribute to Jimi Hendrix featuring Ralph Woodson (guitar/vocals), Pete Roberts (bass/vocals), and Leo Vigil (drums/vocals). Location: 249 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo. 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: Corte Madera Town Band. Event details