Summer is here so it’s time to find something to keep everyone busy! Here’s our hot list of activities, outings, and events for maximum family fun this summer in Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Summer Concerts In Marin County 2023

Corte Madera Concerts

Summer Sunday Concerts at Piccolo Pavilion
Old Corte Madera Square
Sundays, 5–6:30 pm, June–August 27
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 including the Wreckless Strangers, Terrie Obadie, Kanekoa, Bubba’s Taxi, Mustangs of the West, Danny Click, and the Corte Madera Town Band. More info 

Mill Valley Concerts

Creekside Fridays
Tam Valley Community Center
Fridays, July 28, August 11
Free concerts take place 6–8 pm; doors open at 5:30 pm. 2023 lineup includes Cole Tate Band, Juke Joint, Fog City Swampers, Void Where Prohibited, and Marble Party. Location: 203 Marin Avenue, Mill Valley. More info

Concerts on the Plaza
The Depot Plaza, Downtown Mill Valley
Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11, 11 am–7 pm
More info

Novato Concerts

Concerts on the Green
Novato City Green
Saturday, July 29, August 4 & 18, 5–7 pm
Novato’s free summer concert series features acts like the Moonalice and Citizen Flannel. Location: Novato City Green, 901 Sherman Avenue (adjacent to Novato City Hall). More info

Hot Amphitheater Nights
Hamilton Amphitheater
Saturday, July 29 & August 26
Join Novato Parks, Recreation & Community Services for their 2023 Hot Amphitheater Nights series on select Saturdays. June 24: Pop Fiction; July 29: Journey’s Edge; August 26: Moonstruck. More info 

Pacheco Plaza
Every Third Friday, July 19 – August 16, 6 Pm–9 Pm
366 Ignacio Blvd., Novato, California 94949
Experience our Summer Music Concert Series with top Bay Area musicians playing Zydeco, Cajun, Motown, R&B, & Pop Hits. Dine outdoors or grab takeout, & enjoy the music under the stars. Bring low chairs & a picnic! More info

San Anselmo Concerts

Live on the Avenue
Creek Park
Fridays & Saturdays June–September 30
Live music returns to San Anselmo’s Creek Park as part of Live on the Avenue, Fridays and Saturdays beginning June 9, 2023. More info

Sausalito Free Concerts

Jazz & Blues by the Bay
Gabrielsen Park
Fridays, June 2–September 15, 6:30–8 pm (6–7:30 pm in September)
The City of Sausalito Park and Recreation Department presents Jazz and Blues by the Bay in Gabrielson Park. The entire lawn will be available for lawn seating so bring a (low) chair, some friends and come enjoy the music!! The 2023 lineup includes Tom Rigney, Banda Sin Nombre, Blues is a Woman, and Eugene Huggins. More info

Tiburon & Belvedere Concerts

Belvedere Concerts in the Park
Belvedere Park
Sundays, August 13 & September 3
Belvedere’s free concerts in the park return for their 26th season. The 2023 lineup includes Pride and Joy, the Traveling Wilburys Review, Steelin’ Chicago, and Neon Velvet. More info

Sonoma Hwy Concerts

Sonoma Harvest Music Festival
15000 Sonoma Hwy, Glen Ellen, Ca 95442
October 2023
From the producers of BottleRock Napa Valley comes the Sonoma Harvest Music Festival, bringing music back to B.R. Cohn Winery. 10 artists, 1 stage. More info

San Rafael Concerts

Big Rock Deli & Cafe, San Rafael
Live Music Fridays & Saturdays, Open Mic On Weds 5pm-8pm
1500 Lucas Valley Road, San Rafael
Big Rock Deli Cafe is your go-to BBQ restaurant in Marin. They offer mouth-watering deli options & savory BBQ ribs, for sit-down or takeout. This is one of Liz’s favorite! More info

Music In The Park
August 4, August 18, Fridays, 6pm – 8pm
Marinwood Park, 775 Miller Creek Rd, San Rafael
Join us this summer for live music, food and fun for the whole family. Each concert will feature music from the Bay’s top bluegrass & folk artists, BBQ & a bar. Don’t forget your picnic blanket! Check out www.marinwood.org for the Bands.

Outdoor Craft Beer & Cider Garden
Saturdays, 9 Am–2 Pm
Ounces Outdoors, Northgate Mall, Terra Linda, San Rafael
A 100% outdoor craft beer & cider garden with bocce, corn hole, fire pits, & good eats. Super dog & family friendly with regular live music & trivia nights. More info

Summer Brewfest
Saturday, July 22nd, 3pm – 7pm
Marinwood Park, 775 Miller Creek Rd, San Rafael
Join Marinwood’s Annual Summer Brewfest featuring local breweries, live music & food in a beautiful Park setting! Admission includes 10 beer tastes & a commemorative glass! More info

Point Richmond Concerts

Point Richmond Music Festival
2nd Friday Of Each Summer Month Through September – 5:30 Pm To 7:45 Pm
Corner Of Park Place & Washington Ave In Downtown Point Richmond
Concerts are FREE to the public and sponsored by individual and community tax deductible donations. Stay tuned for the new schedule of some amazing talent to present to our community in Belvedere Park. More info 

San Francisco Concerts

Stern Grove Festival
San Francisco
Sundays, June 18–August 20, 2 pm
This popular, admission-free concert series in a beautiful outdoor amphitheater is still totally free but advance reservations are required. Enjoy performances by Indigo Girls and Neko Case, Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, Patti Smith, Buddy Guy, the San Francisco Symphony, and more! The season culminates with the Big Picnic, featuring the Flaming Lips, on August 20. More info 

Outside Lands Music Festival
Friday, August 11, 2023 – Sunday, August 13, 2023
Golden Gate Park San Francisco
Outside Lands Music Festival is a three-day festival celebrating music, food, wine, beer, art, cannabis, & everything we love about the Bay Area. More info 

Larkspur Concerts

The Farmers’ Market: Music for All
Marin Country Mart (map)
Saturday, July 15, 2023, 11 am to 2 pm
Visit the Farmers’ Market every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm, rain or shine! Includes complimentary children’s programming and live music while you shop. More info

Free Outdoor Family Movies in Marin and the Bay Area

July 21: The Incredibles, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur

July 21: Stephen Curry: Underrated, Chase Center, San Francisco

July 28: Pinocchio (1940), Marin Country Mart, Larkspur

July 28: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Chase Center, San Francisco

July 30: Moana, Crane Cove Park, San Francisco

August 4: Ratatouille, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur

August 11: Finding Nemo, Mill Valley Community Center Lawn, Mill Valley

August 11: Moana, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur

August 11: Lightyear, Chase Center, San Francisco

August 18: Finding Nemo, Marin Country Mart, Larkspur

August 18: The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Lucchesi Park, Petaluma

August 18: Mamma Mia! (sing along), Dolores Park, San Francisco

August 25: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Gerstle Park, San Rafael

August 25: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Corte Madera Town Park

August 25: Puss in Boots (1988), Marin Country Mart, Larkspur

September 8: Monsters University, Old Mill Park, Mill Valley

September 8: Vivo, Peacock Park, San Rafael

September 8: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, India Basin Shoreline Park, San Francisco

September 15: Top Gun: Maverick, Lucchesi Park, Petaluma

September 15: Luca, Cove Park, Corte Madera

September 22: The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Pickleweed Park, San Rafael

September 29: Legally Blonde, Ferry Building, San Francisco

October 6: Monsters University, Terra Linda Park, San Rafael

October 13: Pirates of the Caribbean, Old Mill Park, Mill Valley

October 20: The Addams Family (1991 version), Lucchesi Park, Petaluma

October 20: Ghostbusters (1984), Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, San Francisco

Best Water Parks in the San Francisco Bay Area

SIX FLAGS HURRICANE HARBOR, CONCORD

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (formerly Waterworld) in Concord is probably the closest water park to Marin, and offers a wide array of water slides ranging from mild to extremely wild, along with Northern California’s longest lazy river, a wave pool, and a kids’ area. Location: 1950 Waterworld Parkway, Concord, CA 94520. www.sixflags.com/hurricaneharborconcord

SOUTH BAY SHORES AT CALIFORNIA’S GREAT AMERICA, SANTA CLARA

This water park is part of the California’s Great America amusement park and offers plenty of waterslides of varying levels of excitement, a lazy river, a heated tropical lagoon, and a kids’ area. Location: 4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054. www.cagreatamerica.com

RAGING WATERS, SAN JOSE

Raging Waters is Northern California’s largest water park, and has been thrilling families for 30 years. This park features nine thrilling water slides, an endless river, a 350,000-gallon wave pool, a family raft ride, pools, and two kiddie play areas with waterfalls and tiny tot slides. Location: 2333 South White Road, San Jose, CA 95148. www.rwsplash.com

AQUA ADVENTURE WATER PARK, FREMONT

This smaller water park in the East Bay city of Fremont boasts a selection of water slides on the Fortress of Fun, a climbing structure, a lazy river, a kids’ play area and several different pools. Cabanas are available for rent. Location: 4500 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont, CA 94538. goaquaadventure.com

THE WAVE, DUBLIN

This newly opened aquatics complex in the East Bay city of Dublin features a boardwalk-themed water park with a six-slide water tower, a Splash Zone “extreme” toddler wading area with slides and interactive features, and an outdoor sports pool that’s open for swimming when not in use for team practice or competition. www.thedublinwave.com 

Resource: marinmommies.com