TOP PICKS

September - Best Bets & Fêtes

Here are our picks for fab food and fun!

Our Top Picks

Recommendation  #1
Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival

The 69th Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival returns to beautiful Old Mill Park this Saturday & Sunday. Spend the weekend surrounded by towering redwoods while discovering incredible art, live music, great food and wine, and plenty of family-friendly fun.

More than 135 award-winning artists and craftspeople will showcase their work throughout the park, giving festival-goers the chance to meet the artists, browse one-of-a-kind creations, and hunt for hidden gems. Live bands take the stage every hour from 12–5pm both days, while younger festival-goers can enjoy a specially curated lineup featuring puppet shows, story time, magic shows, a blue fairy, and more.

Festival-goers can enjoy expanded food & beverage offerings, artisan merchandise, a community mural painting project, and enhanced visitor amenities, including shuttle service and convenient bicycle access. Wine lovers can sip their way through the festival with special wine tastings hosted by six participating wineries: Barra of Mendocino, Blackbird Vineyards, Gibbs Vineyards Napa Valley, Honig Vineyard & Winery, Merriam Vineyards, and Theorem Vineyards

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Tickets: $25; Wine Tasting Pass: $15; Kids & Teachers: FREE

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HOURS:
Saturday & Sunday, September 19-20: 10am-5pm
Recommendation #2
The City of Sausalito

Con carne, veggie, verde … you’ll taste it ALL at Sausalito's 47th Annual Chili Cook-off this Saturday at Dunphy Park.

The quest for the best will cover three categories — Judge’s Choice, People’s Choice and Best Booth. This year's theme is "Team spirit," so represent your favorite local sports team or pick your favorite sport/game/competition from around the world. 

The festival will also include a hot pepper eating contest, live music by Back pOrchEstra , and other fun surprises for this family-friendly afternoon.

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Tickets: $25 (advance); $30 day of event. 

Ticket price includes all-you-can-eat chili tasting and voting rights. 

Beer, wine, margaritas and snow cones will be available for purchase, and a water bottle filling station will also be on site.

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HOURS:
Saturday, September 19th: 12pm-4pm
Recommendation #3
Tamalpais Community Services District

Tam Valley Community Center is hosting its annual Oktoberfest this Saturday.

This festive afternoon will include live music, carnival games, a bouncy house for the kids, and plenty of German beer and bites.

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Tickets: $25 (Adults); $15 (Seniors); $10 (Kids 3-18)-  Includes all games, prizes, arts & crafts and bounce houses

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HOURS:
Saturday, September 19th: 3pm-8pm
Recommendation #4
Larkspur Chamber of Commerce

Dust off your dancing shoes — Larkspur’s legendary town dance is back! The Rose Bowl Dance 2026, presented by the Larkspur Community Foundation, takes over Escalle Winery this Saturday for a night of dancing, drinks, delicious bites, and plenty of ’80s nostalgia.

Get ready to hit the dance floor with Tainted Love, bringing all your favorite ’80s hits from 7–11pm. And come hungry and thirsty — food, beer & wine are included with admission, featuring bites from Tavola Rustica plus pours from Copper Six, Hidden Splendor Beer, Honig Winery, and Silver Peso.

Even getting there is part of the fun: a complimentary cable car trolley will run continuously along Magnolia Avenue between downtown Larkspur and Escalle Winery throughout the evening.

Grab your friends, channel your favorite ’80s look, and get ready to dance the night away — all while supporting a great local cause.

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Tickets$195 per person

** 100% of proceeds benefit the Larkspur Community Foundation

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HOURS:
Saturday, September 19th: 7pm–11pm
Recommendation #5
Downtown San Rafael B.I.D.

San Rafael PorchFest returns on Sunday, September 20th. This annual music event, held on porches throughout the historic Gerstle Park Neighborhood, brings the community together for a day of fun, music, and laughter. 

Over 70 musicians will perform on 20+ different porches. Genres range from jazz, rock, opera, folk to many more! There will be food trucks near Gerstle Park. Or, bring your own picnic!

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Admission is FREE. But tipping the musicians is encouraged!

Pro Tips:

Bring Cash for food trucks, merchandise & tipping.

This is a NO ALCOHOL, family-friendly event.

Public restrooms are available. Dog on leash are allowed.

Lawn chairs, blankets & coolers are encouraged.

Free shuttle from downtown parking lots.

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HOURS:
Saturday, September 19th: 7pm–11pm
Recommendation #6
The City of Sausalito

Shuck, sip & celebrate by the Bay! The Sausalito Community Boating Center’s 5th Annual Oyster Festival returns to Dunphy Park on Sunday, September 27 for an afternoon of fresh oysters, live music, waterfront fun, and plenty of Sausalito spirit.

Come hungry for raw and baked oysters, fresh salads, and tasty sides, with beer and wine available for purchase. Then kick back to live music from Tamaloha, test your skills in the bocce tournament, and enjoy maritime-themed activities for the whole family.

Best of all, it’s a party with a purpose: proceeds from food and drink sales benefit the Sausalito Community Boating Center and its mission to provide boating access and maritime education to the community.

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Free Admission. * Food & Drinks sold à la carte.

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HOURS:
Sunday, September 27th: 12pm-3pm
Recommendation #7

MarinMOCA’s annual ART FWD celebration returns on Saturday, September 26th. Get ready for an unforgettable evening that is part block party, part exhibition, and 100% creative fun! The best part? All proceeds support MarinMOCA's exhibition and education programs.

An Unmissable Celebration:

  • ART FWD: In Other Words — Get lost in an adventurous new exhibition curated by San Rafael artist Tucker Nichols, featuring site-specific commissions and artworks that explore text, signage, humor, and the many ways language moves through daily life.
  • Live music — Groove to the sounds of Give Me a Dollar.
  • Mural making — Add your mark to a collaborative mural with Sumi Hands-on art activities throughout the night.
  • Park Life Pop-Up — Browse a curated shop from SF's beloved independent art & design store.
  • Family-style dinner & drinks — Fill up on special treats from Marin’s favorite chefs.
  • Karaoke — Grab the mic with Hola Coach Chris.

Tickets: $150

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HOURS:
Saturday, September 26th: 5pm-9pm
Recommendation #8
The City of Sausalito

The highly anticipated Sausalito Boat Show returns with a 3-day waterfront festival at Clipper Yacht Harbor on September 25-27. It'll be a fun-filled weekend featuring luxury brand yachts, sailboats, power, and trailerable boats and a comprehensive display of modern maritime craftsmanship.

Discover an expanded showcase of top brands, engaging seminars, local cuisine, live music by Illeagles, and fun for the whole family. Whether you're a lifelong boater or just boat-curious, this family-friendly festival has something for everyone.

Come for the boats. Stay for the community.

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Tickets$28.62 (single day); $39.34 (weekend pass)

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HOURS:
Friday, September 25 - Sunday, September 27: 10am-6pm
Recommendation #9
Marin Art & Garden Center

Join Marin Art & Garden Center on Sunday, September 27th for their annual Edible Garden fundraiser - a unique roaming culinary adventure featuring local restaurants, wineries, and botanical cocktails. 

The event takes place in Marin Art and Garden’s magnificent outdoor setting replete with farm tables and bistro lights. The evening culminates as the sun sets with an elegant seated dinner, live music, and sweet treats. It's sure to be a culinary celebration to please all the senses! 

Participating restaurants include: Insalata's, Il Davide, Burmatown, The Baan Thai, Comforts, Piatti, Tony Tutto Pizza, Kuro Nami, and more.

Participating Wine/Beer/Spirit sponsors include: East Brother Beer Co., Bartholomew Estate, Rue de Reve, Sausalito Liquor Co., Free Spirits, and more!

View the art installation of Zimbabwean Contemporary Sculpture – Dominic Benhura and Studio.

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Tickets: $300 

** Proceeds keep MAGC's gardens beautiful & free; and fund the Garden School Scholarship Program.

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HOURS:
Sunday, September 27th: 6pm-9pm
Recommendation #10
Sonoma County VegFest

Sonoma County VegFest, the North Bay's wildly popular celebration of compassionate, healthy, and environmentally responsible living, returns to the Santa Rosa Veterans Building on Saturday, September 26th.

It'll be a fun and festive day with great vegan food, speakers, music, vegan cooking demos, refreshing drinks, wellness & nutrition information, and so much more!

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Tickets: $15 (Adults); $10 (Students)

** Your entrance fee is a donation to Compassionate Living, a non-profit which helps protect farmed animals.

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HOURS:
Saturday, September 26th: 10am-3pm