Marin Weekend Events for August 2, 3 & 4

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, August 2

• Day Out with Thomas 2013
  Roaring Camp Railroad, Felton
  Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 am–5:30 pm
  This popular family event takes place at Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. You can take a train ride, meet Sir Topham Hatt, and enjoy live music. Tickets to Day Out with Thomas are $19 each, and include all entertainment as well as a 25-minute train ride. Parking is an additional $8 per vehicle. Roaring Camp Railroads is in Felton on Graham Hill Road. For more info, visit their website.
• Toddler Music With Nick
  Jack and Jill's Play Place, San Rafael
  Friday, 10:30–11 am
  Play along (bang, shake, rattle and roll...!) with Nick every Friday 10:30 to 11 am during drop-in play. A fun and informal introduction to sounds, rhythm, and making noise with a variety of percussion instruments! (Included in drop-in play admission). Location: 125 Mitchell Boulevard, San Rafael. For more info, call (415) 472-1120 or visit their website.
• Sonoma County Fair
  Sonoma County Fairgrounds
  Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 11 am–11 pm
  The Sonoma County Fair offers both a classic full-scale carnival with plenty of excitement for thrill-seekers and a separate kiddie carnival area for the little ones, with scaled down thrills and lots of excitement. Fair admission is free every day for children 6 and under; Friday is Kids' Days, with free admission for all children 12 and under. Carnival rides are an additional charge. Admission is $10 for ages 13 and up, $5 for children 7–12, and free for children 6 and under and seniors 60+. For more info, visit www.sonomacountyfair.com.
• Children's Garden Series: Venezuelan Music Project
  Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco
  Friday, 11–11:30 am & 12:15–12:45 pm
  This free event is part of the Children's Garden Series at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco. This Friday, the Venezuelan Music Project. The Venezuelan Music Project combines Indigenous-Venezuelan, West African, and Spanish-European influences, creating a dynamic ensemble full of vibrancy, rhythm, energy and color. For more info, visit their website.
• Jonathan Kathrein Talks About Sharks
  Mill Valley Public Library, Creekside Room
  Friday, 2:30–3:30 pm
  Have you ever met anyone who’s been bitten by a shark? Our guest will tell us how the experience transformed his life and inspired him to teach peace and encourage respect and kindness for all creatures, human and otherwise. For grades Kindergarten and up. Location: 375 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley. For more info, call (415) 389-4292 x4741 or visit their website.
• Parents Night Out
  Marinwood Community Center, San Rafael
  Friday, 5–10 pm
  Drop off the kids and enjoy a day or night out! While you relax, the kids will be having fun with the Marinwood Camp staff. Games, park time, arts and crafts, snacks, and more! Cost: $20 per child; $16 each additional sibling. For ages 2–10. For more info and registration call (415) 479-0775 or visit their website.
• 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 week: Pretending (Pretenders cover band). Food available for purchase. For more info, call (415) 289-4152 or visit their website.

Saturday, August 3

• 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, and the Legion of Honor. Photo ID and a valid Bank of America/Merrill Lynch credit or debit card must be presented. For more information, visit their website.
• Nor-Cal Juniors Splash & Dash Aquathon
  Marinwood Community Center, San Rafael
  Saturday, 9–11 am
  The Nor-Cal Juniors Splash and Dash Aquathlon Series is open to athletes ages 4–15. This event is part of USA Triathlon's Splash & Dash series designed to introduce youth to multisport and enjoy being active while participating in a noncompetitive event. This race will not be timed and every finisher receives a finishers medal. The focus is on participation rather than competition. Cost: $20 ages 7–15 and $10 ages 4–6. For more info about the event, please visit their website.
• Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
  Larkspur Landing
  Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
  This weekend, learn the art of jam making from the founder of the premier artisanal jam and marmalade company, Blue Chair Fruit Company from 10:30–11:30 am. 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 more live music from 11 am–12:30 pm, as well as fresh produce, prepared foods, and great local restaurants. For more info, visit their website.
• Popsicle Party!
  San Francisco Zoo
  Saturday, 10 am–5 pm
  The forecast says sun, so come to the zoo on Saturday, August 3, to see animals gobble up delicious icy enrichment treats and enjoy a free Popsicle. The zoo will also be hosting a naming contest for one of their new female penguins chicks. So come fill out a naming form at Entry Village when you arrive and head over to Penguin Island at 3:30 pm to see the afternoon feeding and hear the results. Now's your chance to name a penguin! For a complete schedule, visit their website.
• The 16th Annual Summer Gardening Fair
  San Francisco Botanical Garden
  Saturday, 10 am–3 pm
  An annual tradition here at the Botanical Garden, the Summer Gardening Fair is a free, fun and friendly gathering of plant enthusiasts sharing ideas, plants and plant-related items. This year, we're proud to add lots of children's activities to round out the day! Location: Enter at the Main Gate of San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park, near 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way. For more info, visit their website.
• Petaluma Music Festival
  Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds
  Saturday, noon–8:45 pm
  This family friendly festival will feature 14 fantastic bands on three stages, a  rock wall, giant slide, capoeira lessons, face painting, toddler inflatable, drums, balloon animals, glitter tattoos, petting zoo, hair tinsel, dance lessons, and more! Tickets: general $30, kids 13–17 $15 and kids 12 and under free. All proceeds from the Kids' Area go to the music programs in all Petaluma area public schools! For more info, visit their website.
• Petaluma Farmer's Market
  Walnut Park
  Saturday, 2–5:30 pm
  Visitors to the Petaluma Farmers’ Market will enjoy the bounty of Sonoma County produce (much of it organic) and find a wealth of fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants, fresh baked goods, fresh cider, cheeses, Indian foods, hot dogs and soft drinks are also available to take home or enjoy in the park setting. Every market day also features live musical entertainment, face painting, a balloon artist, a jumping house and pony rides. Location: corner of Petaluma Boulevard South and D Street, downtown Petaluma. For more info, visit their website.
• Nature for Kids: An Evening at Deer Island
  Novato
  Saturday, 6–8 pm
  Take a slow walk up to the ridge-top where and enjoy a healthy picnic dinner while looking and listening for creatures of the night. We’ll talk about owls, bats, coyotes and many other animals that start their “day” just as the sun sets. We request that no animals (except service animals) attend. David Herlocker will lead. Call (415) 893-9527 after 7 am on the morning of the event to hear a recorded message if cancelled. Meet at the gate on Deer Island Lane in Novato. For more info, visit their website.
• Headlands Nightlife: Family Night Hike & Campfire
  Fort Cronkhite
  Saturday, 6–8:30 pm
  Join us for a hike and play games while exploring the mysterious lifestyles of crepuscular animals. Gather ’round the campfire for quality time with friends and family, sing songs and get silly as you roast s’mores by moonlight. Registration required here. For more info, visit their website.
• Festival of Summer Nights
  Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, San Rafael
  Saturday, 7–10 pm
  Bring a picnic, your blanket, low-backed lawn chairs, and dancing shoes—there's fun for the whole family! Food, beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks will be available for purchase, and there's a playground available for supervised play and the art room will be open for coloring fun. This Saturday features Latin music with LoCura/Los Pinguos. There will be two bands and a wooden dance floor! Cost: $20 members in advance; $25 general public and day-of; kids 17 and under are free. For more info or to purchase tickets, visit their website.
• Sonoma County Fair (see Friday for details).
  

Sunday, August 4

• 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. For more info, visit their website.
• Complimentary Sunday Boot Camp
  lululemon athletica, Corte Madera
  Sunday, 9–10 am
  Grab your water bottle and a buddy and get to the store for our bootcamp from 9-10am. Meet outside the store and get ready to sweat—bootcamp style! For more info, call (415) 924-8557 or visit their website.
• Children's Program at Green Gulch Farm
  Muir Beach
  Sunday, 10–11:30 am
  Kids will hear a short talk and then participate in their own special programs including arts and crafts, seasonal projects on the farm and garden and yoga. This program is held on the first Sunday of the month. Suggested donation: $10 per family. Location: 1601 Shoreline Highway, Muir Beach. For more info, visit their website.
• U-Pick at Bloomfield Farms
  Bloomfield (near Petaluma)
  Sunday, 10 am–2 pm
  Take a scenic drive out to Bloomfield Farms in western Sonoma County where you and your family can pick your own certified organic produce, including dinosaur kale (our favorite!), lettuce, cabbage, collards, herbs, and more! $30 for large box of produce; cash only. Bring your own wagon (they have some available on a first-come, first-served basis) and a knife to cut produce with. RSVP to upick@bloomfieldfarmsorganics.com appreciated but not required. Location: 12550 Valley Ford Road, Petaluma. For more information, visit their website.
• Sunday Fun Days at Marinwood Pool!
  San Rafael
  Sunday, 11 am
  Every Sunday is a Fun Day at the Marinwood Pool this summer. Bring the entire family! The Marinwood Market will be set up poolside selling delicious BBQ. Enjoy live music, bounce house, and, of course, fun in the pool. Free for pool members, non-members pay the normal entrance fee. Location: 775 Miller Creek Road, San Rafael. For more info, visit their website.
• Summer Music Series
  Corte Madera Town Center
  Sunday, 2–4 pm
  This summer enjoy free live music from 2–4 pm every Sunday in front of the Clock Tower. This Sunday: Solid Air (Folk Rock/Americana). For more info, visit their website.
• Stern Grove Festival
  Sigmund Stern Grove, San Francisco
  Sunday, 2 pm
  Don’t miss funk and soul icon Shuggie Otis as he returns to the spotlight and takes the stage at Stern Grove Festival. Opening the show is the amazing, inspiring sound of psychedelic gospel funksters, the Relatives. 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. For more info, visit their website.
• Alternative Mothers Group Anniversary Potluck Picnic
  Piper Park, Larkspur
  Sunday, 1–4 pm
  Come explore the Alternative Mother's Group at this year's potluck picnic. This event is open to the public. Please bring a dish to share according to your last name and a blanket or chairs for your family. A–I meats, cheeses, or nuts, J–Q vegetable or salad, R–Z casserole or fruit. Access and parking lot behind police station.
• Free Music in the Park
  Creek Park, San Anselmo
  Sunday, 1–4 pm
  The San Anselmo Arts Commission presents Music in the Park, a free concert series. Bring the family to see Savannah Blu. For more info, visit their website.
  
• Drop-In Art-Making: The Wonder of Art Workshops
  Contemporary Jewish Museum
  Sunday, 1–3 pm
  Every Sunday from 1–3 pm families can experience a new adventure in art making free with admission to the Contemporary Jewish Museum. In celebration of Beyond Belief: 100 Years of the Spiritual in Modern Art, explore the processes of great modern artists like Rothko, Pollock, and Klee as you paint, sculpt, and explore the world of abstract art with a different focus each month. Free with museum admission; youth 18 and under always free. For more info, visit their website.
• Poolside Jam: Jeff Derby Trio
  Strawberry Recreation District
  Sunday, 2:30–4:30 pm
  Enjoy local bands at the Strawberry Recreation District pool. Bring a picnic and sit poolside or jump in the water and relax while listening to music. Arrive early as space is limited at these events! Please review pool rules prior to the event. For safety purposes alcohol and glass will not be allowed at the pool facility. Cost: $5 per person public admission, free for seasonal pool pass holders. Location: 118 E. Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley. For more info, visit their website.
• Sonoma County Fair (see Friday for details).