Summer is in full swing, and living in the North Bay means the season extends into October.
Marin
Ongoing: 2nd Fridays Artwalk
Second Friday of every month; 5 p.m.-8 p.m.; San Rafael; Free
Walk downtown San Rafael to enjoy art galleries, open studios, art shows, libations and inspiration at various venues up and down Fourth Street.
2ndFridaysArtWalk.com
Through Sept. 14: Friday Nights on Main
Fridays except Aug. 24; 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; Tiburon; Free
The ultimate community street party featuring outdoor dining, live music, dancing and shopping. The last Friday of each month (through August) offers wine tasting.
tiburonchamber.wildapricot.org
Through Oct. 6: Film Night in the Park
Fridays and Saturdays; Various parks in Marin and San Francisco; Free
Films are shown in beautiful park settings and projected on a giant outdoor screen. Popcorn, soda and candy are available. Bring blankets, pillows and low chairs. Check the website for films, locations and show times; most start around dusk.
www.filmnight.org
Aug. 3 & 17: Northgate Concerts Under the Oak
6 p.m.-8 p.m.; Northgate Mall, San Rafael; Free
Aug. 3 is Contino (Cajun, Zydeco and Blues); Aug. 17 is The RaveUps (tribute to The Yardbirds). Free music at the Oak Plaza with food and beer specials.
www.shopatnorthgate.com
Aug. 4: 2012 Summer Nights Festival
6 p.m.-10 p.m. at Osher Marin Jewish Community Center; $15-$20
The final show in this series features Orquesta La Moderna Tradicion. Sol Food Puerto Rican Cuisine provides the tasty bites.
www.marinjcc.org
Aug. 11: 6th Annual San Rafael Food and Wine Festival
1 p.m.-5 p.m.; Falkirk Cultural Center; Free or purchase a food and wine tasting pass for $25 (individual items available for purchase onsite during the event).
Enjoy food from area restaurants and sample wines from 25 of the region’s boutique wineries while listening to smooth jazz and classical music on the grounds of this beautiful, 17-room Queen Anne Victorian.
sresproductions.com
Aug 25-26: Tiburon Art Festival
11 a.m.-6 p.m.; downtown; $5 suggested donation; Free for children 12 and under
The 6th Annual Tiburon Art Festival at historic Ark Row in downtown Tiburon features 64 juried artists, live music, family entertainment, wine and beer.
tiburon-artfestival.com
Sept. 1-3: 60th Annual Sausalito Art Festival
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.; check website for ticket pricing
A total of 270 artists from throughout the United States will exhibit and sell works ranging from painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramic, glass, fiber arts and fashion, wood, photography, jewelry, mixed media and more. Plus top-flight musical entertainment, food, beer and wine.
www.sausalitoartfestival.org
Sept. 9: Eco Fair Marin 2012
10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Marin County Fairgrounds; $5; Free for children 17 and under
This year’s festival features 80 exhibits, do-it-yourself demonstrations and speakers, including author Van Jones as keynote presenter. This community event celebrates Marin County’s rich heritage of innovative environmental stewardship. You’ll also find great food, drink, live music and plenty of hands-on activities to keep the little environmentalists busy.
www.ecofairmarin.org
Sept. 15-16: 56th Annual Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival
10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Old Mill Park; $5-$10; Free for children under 12
More than 140 fine artists along with live musical entertainment and children’s activities among the redwoods. The juried works include prints, jewelry, paintings, woodwork, photography and sculpture. Rated one of the top 10 fine arts and crafts shows in the Northwest.
mvfaf.org
Sept. 19: 4th Annual Taste of Downtown San Rafael
4 p.m.-8 p.m.; downtown; Free or purchase a $25 tasting wristband.
Restaurants and merchants offer hors d’oeuvres and wine samples. Free cable car shuttle to and from participating locations.
sresproductions.com
Oct. 13: Biketoberfest Marin 2012
11 a.m.-6 p.m., FairAnselm Plaza, Fairfax; Free
Bike lovers unite! Here you’ll find handmade bikes, beer tasting ($25) featuring 20 West Coast brewers, live music, a cargo bike jubilee, family activities and contests, celebrity bike rides and more.
www.biketoberfestmarin.com
Oct. 13: 19th Annual Oktoberfest Corte Madera
12 p.m.-5 p.m.; Menke Park in Old Corte Madera Square; Free
Enjoy domestic and imported microbrews, live music, children’s activities, a silent auction, local foods, ice cream and beyond.
www.oktoberfestcortemadera.org
Napa
July 29-Aug. 19: Napa Valley Music in the Vineyards
Times and locations vary; $50 per performance
The 18th annual chamber music festival offers concerts at venues throughout the valley on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Get your tickets early because they sell out fast.
www.musicinthevineyards.org
Through Oct. 5: CHEERS! St. Helena
5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; First Fridays May through October; Free or $35 for a tasting pass
Enjoy wine, entertainment, food and shopping while hanging with friends and meeting new ones. Sometimes there are after parties if you want to extend the moment.
cheerssthelena.com
Aug. 5: Long Meadow Ranch Summer Concert Series: Sean Hayes
1:30 p.m.; Long Meadow Ranch Winery & Farmstead; $40
Farm-to-table wine and food; the music starts at 3 p.m. Enjoy winemaker menus, picnic on the lawn and get your groove on.
www.longmeadowranch.com
Aug. 8-12: Napa Valley Town & Country Fair
12 p.m.-10 p.m.; Napa Valley Expo; $10-$13; Kids 5 and under free
Carnival rides, expositions, music, fair food and fun for all. Check the website for special discounts.
www.napavalleyexpo.com
Aug. 18: Main Street Reunion Car Show
10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Downtown Napa; Free
After a six-year hiatus, the Main Street Reunion car show is back in action with 400 classic cars and motorcycles to be admired by thousands of attendees.
www.donapa.com
Aug. 18: Napa Valley Art Festival
10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Yountville; Free
Juried local artists display and sell their recent work, including a painting demonstration by Terry Miura.
www.napavalleyartfestival.com
Aug. 25: Blues & Blues BBQ
1 p.m.-6 p.m., First and Main Streets, Napa; Free
Live music, 22 microbrews and tons of BBQ including The Bounty Hunter rib eating contest.
donapa.com
Aug. 25: 2012 Harvest STOMP
5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Trefethen Family Vineyards; $150-$225
Presented by the Napa Valley Grapegrowers, this year’s STOMP features live entertainment; exhibition-style, local cuisine; fabulous wines; and a live auction. Wear your boots, cowboy hat and party pants.
www.napagrowers.org
Sept. 7-9: 5th Annual Wine Country Ukulele Festival
Times and venues vary; St. Helena and Napa; Free to $95 for a full workshop pass
Performances, workshops, song circles, kids lessons, marketplaces, ukulele building and Sunday’s Aloha Day with an emphasis on Hawaiian music and dance.
winecountryukefest.com
Sept. 8: 5th Annual American Folk Art Festival
9 a.m.-3 p.m., Madonna Estate Winery; $7
The fifth annual festival has folk artists and antique dealers gathering to display their talents and treasured finds.
www.americanfolkartfestival.com
Sept. 8: 36th Annual Napa River Wine and Crafts Fair
10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Downtown Napa; Free
The Napa Downtown Associations’ premiere summer celebration of juried fine arts and crafts, wine tasting, microbrews, food and live music (lots of jazz on the menu).
napawineandcraftsfair.com
Sept. 15: Napa Valley Aloha Festival
10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Napa Valley Expo; Free
The Manaleo Hawaiian Cultural Foundation sponsors live entertainment and vendors from the Hawaiian and Polynesian communities in the form of authentic foods, music, dance, arts, crafts, clothing and wares.
www.manaleohcf.org
Sept. 22: 12th Annual Cruisin’ Calistoga Beer & Wine Festival
9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Napa County Fairgrounds, Calistoga; $10-$25
Car buffs and their families will love the custom and classic car show, beer and wine tasting, food and merchandise.
win-rods.com
Nov. 7-11: Napa Valley Film Festival
Venues throughout Napa Valley; $10-$500
Enjoy high-quality, independent film screenings, panel discussions, wine tasting pavilions, parties and more. Purchase tickets to a single film or go for an all-access pass. Discounted prices available for Napa and Sonoma county residents.
napavalleyfilmfest.org
Sonoma
Through Aug. 12: Live at Juilliard Sunday Concert Series
5 p.m.-7 p.m.; Juilliard Park, Santa Rosa; Free
Extend the weekend and enjoy a picnic dinner on a summer Sunday evening filled with live music, food, beverages and fun.
ci.santa-rosa.ca.us
Through Sept. 1: Broadway Under the Stars
5 p.m.; Jack London State Park, Glen Ellen; $20-$325
Enjoy music, singing, dancing and picnicking during special Broadway-themed performances to support the park. Bring your own picnic or purchase food and wine there.
www.transcendencetheatre.org
Through Aug. 28: Tuesdays in the Plaza
6 p.m.-8 p.m.; Healdsburg Plaza; Free
Arrive early to stake your spot for this annual summer concert series. Different bands each week as well as food and wine vendors promise fun for all.
www.ci.healdsburg.ca.us
Through Oct. 7: River’s Rockin’ Concerts at the Village
12 p.m.-3 p.m.; Montgomery Village, Santa Rosa; Free
97.7 The River sponsors rock, jazz, blues and other live music on weekends (and some Thursdays) with festival style dining, wine and beer available as well to support local nonprofits.
www.977theriver.com
July 25-Aug. 12: 2012 Sonoma County Fair
11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa; $5-$10; Kids 6 and under free
Horse racing, headline entertainment, carnival rides, livestock shows, the Hall of Flowers “Ports of Call” display, special events (including a sheep drive), arts and crafts displays, vendors, contests, games and more.
www.sonomacountyfair.com
Aug. 2 and Aug 16: Rockin the River
6 p.m.-8 p.m.; Guerneville Plaza; Free
August is the last month for this every-other Thursday summer concert series presented by the Russian River Rotary Foundation. Enjoy beautiful surroundings and excellent tunes.
www.rockintheriver.org
Aug. 3 & Sept. 7: Summerfest-Summer Street Party
6 p.m.-9 p.m.; Railroad Square, Santa Rosa; Free
Sample delicious food from Railroad Square’s celebrated chefs, enjoy wine and beer tasting, live music, arts, crafts, shopping, dining and dancing in the street.
railroadsquare.net
Aug. 4: 5th Annual Petaluma Music Festival
11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds; $15-$75; Kids 12 and under free
With a goal of keeping music in schools, this all-day festival features 17 bands on three stages; award-winning wines; locally grown and produced cheese, bread, chocolate, and organic farm produce; kids activities; and a variety of vendors.
www.petalumamusicfestival.org
Aug. 4-5: SOFA Artwalk
11 a.m.-5 p.m.; SOFA (South A. St. Arts District), Santa Rosa; Free
Pack a picnic lunch, park at Juilliard Park and peruse 28 artist studios within the one-block SOFA neighborhood. Fine art in a variety of styles and media from painting to photography and everything in between will be for sale.
sofasantarosa.com
Aug. 18-19: Cotati Accordion Festival
9:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Cotati; $15-$25; Kids 15 and under are free
This is a non-stop multicultural extravaganza of accordion music, polka dancing, food, drink and crafts. Bring your accordion to play in the Lady of Spain-a-Ring!
www.cotatifest.com
Aug. 18-19: Wings Over Wine Country Air Show
9 a.m.; Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport; $5-$120
This is a breathtaking air show featuring civilian and military aircraft, including an F/A 18-F Super Hornet tactical demonstration, a C-17 Globemaster display and climb aboard, an Air Force U-2 flyby, lots of war birds, planes and helicopters on display, food, beverages, a huge kid’s area and more.
www.wingsoverwinecountry.org
Aug. 11-12: Gravenstein Apple Fair
10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sat.); 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sun.), Ragle Park, Sebastopol; $5-$12
Since 1910, “The sweetest little fair in Sonoma County” has celebrated Gravenstein apples. Now, it’s combined with fantastic live music on two stages, great food, cooking demonstrations from local chefs, arts and crafts booths, a petting zoo, pony rides, contests and more.
www.gravensteinapplefair.com
Aug. 11 & Sept. 1: 22nd Annual Rodney Strong Summer Concert Series
4 p.m.; Rodney Strong Vineyards; $50-$115
Al Jarreau and George Duke Trio perform on Aug. 11 and Huey Lewis & the News finish off this summer series of outdoor concerts on Sept. 1. Enjoy music while sampling wine and food (for purchase). Bring a blanket and/or a picnic and shake your booty.
www.rodneystrong.com
Aug. 18: Sonoma Red & White Ball
6 p.m.-11 p.m., Sonoma Plaza, Sonoma; $25-$150
Wear red and/or white and sample food and wine as well as enjoy live music by Dave Martin’s House Party Band to support local schools. Trust us, everyone gets into the groove for this one.
www.svgreatschools.org
Aug. 18: 17th Annual Grape to Glass Pre-Harvest Party
4 p.m.; Richard’s Grove & Saralee’s Vineyard, Windsor; $85 (individual), $550/$900 (tables)
The Russian River Valley Winegrowers’ celebration, previously known as Hog in the Fog, kicks off with a tasting reception with 50+ wineries and growers as well as local restaurants, caterers and food purveyors sharing family heirloom recipes in a beautiful outdoor setting. Peruse the work of local artists and bid on the silent auction, then enjoy a barbecue dinner and Gravenstein apple pie while enjoying great local music.
rrvw.org
Aug. 25: 7th Annual Taste of Petaluma
11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Petaluma; $35-$40
A sampling of food, wine, beer, art galleries and shops with more than 60 chefs, food purveyors, wineries and breweries participating. Also included is live entertainment, from music to belly dancing to a magician and more.
www.tasteofpetaluma.org
Aug. 25-26: 18th Annual Bodega Seafood Art & Wine Festival
10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sat.), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sun.); Bodega; $8-$15; Kids under 12 free
A beautiful, juried fine art and craft marketplace with restaurants and catering companies serving a variety of foods (with an emphasis on seafood, of course!), three stages of entertainment, kids entertainment and games and an expansive wine and microbrew beer tasting.
www.winecountryfestivals.com
Aug. 31-Sept. 2: 2012 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend
Various times and locations; $85-$2,000 depending on event
Sonoma County’s ultimate culinary and wine experience features a supper club at Francis Ford Coppola Winery on Friday; winemaker lunches, dinner parties and barbecues on Friday and Saturday; the 33rd annual Taste of Sonoma at MacMurray Ranch on Saturday; and the 20th Annual Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction at Chateau St. Jean on Sunday, which benefits local nonprofits. This is always a sellout so get your tickets soon!
sonomawinecountryweekend.com
Sept. 8: 17th Annual Cajun Zydeco Festival
11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Ives Park, Sebastopol; $25; Kids 12 and under free
Rotary Club of Sebastopol Sunrise’s music-filled event features Mark St. Mary Delta Blues & Zydeco Band, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic and Lynn August rockin’ out among Cajun food, crawfish, beer, wine, hurricanes and all sorts of dancing shenanigans.
www.winecountrycajun.com
Sept. 11-13: National Heirloom Exposition
11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa; $10; Kids 17 and under free
This not-for-profit event centers around the pure food movement, heirloom vegetables, and anti-GMO activism. There are more than 70 speakers and 250 pure food vendors on site. Its first event last year drew more than 10,000 people from around the country and beyond.
www.theheirloomexpo.com
Sept. 14-15: 16th Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival Weekend
Fri.: 6 p.m. Chef Tables in the Vineyard ($350) featuring a sit-down charity dinner to benefit the Cooking With Kids Foundation, hosted by celebrity chefs at each table.
Sat: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Kendall-Jackson Wine Center, Fulton; $85
More than 175 heritage varieties of tomatoes on display for sampling; chef competition showcasing the talents of Bravo’s “Top Chef” contenders Kevin Gillespie and Eli Kirshtein; tomato-inspired dishes from nearly 50 restaurants and food purveyors; wine tasting; garden seminars and tours; and live music.
www.kj.com
Sept. 15: Rohnert Park’s 50th Anniversary Parade and Festival
11 a.m.; Rohnert Park; Free
The day-long event starts with a parade of grand marshals, elected officials, floats, bed races, local businesses and live bands. The 1.5 mile route will travel down Snyder Lane to Rancho Cotati High School. After the parade, continue the party at the Community Center with live music, local foods, beverages, arts and crafts, plus many kids’ activities.
www.rpcity.org
Sept. 15: The Old Grove Festival
4 p.m.: Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, $10-$40
Music, food and beverages in a beautiful, historic redwood theater featuring Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, Solid Air, The Mighty Chiplings and Gordon and D’Orazi.
www.oldgrovefestival.com
Sept. 22: 5th Annual EarleFest
11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Earle Baum Center for the Blind, Santa Rosa; $35-$30
This Americana music festival features national and regional musicians as well as excellent food, beer, wine and a silent auction to benefit the Earle Baum Center.
www.earlefest.com
Sept. 22-23: 36th Annual Russian River Jazz and Blues Festival
Johnson’s Beach Resort, Guerneville; $50-$180; Kids 12 and under $10
Jazz on Saturday and blues on Sunday on the beach with wine, beer, an international food court and vendor village, boat rentals, camping and fun in the sun!
www.omegaevents.com
Oct. 5-7: Sonoma County Harvest Fair
12 p.m.-7 p.m. Fri.; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat./Sun.; Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa; $5-$10; Kids 6 and under are free
A celebration of harvest featuring three full days of wine tasting with 150+ wineries, wine sales, marketplace, chef demonstrations, farm and harvest agricultural activities, the World Championship Grape Stomp, continuous live jazz, an art show and sale, crafters pavilion, farm animals and more.
www.harvestfair.org
Oct. 5-8: 26th Annual Fall Music Festival & Celebrity Golf Classic
B.R. Cohn Winery & Olive Oil Company
Friday: 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Charity Auction Dinner featuring top local chefs; $200
Sat./Sun: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Charity Music Festival; $85-$350
Mon.: 9 a.m.; Celebrity Golf Classic; $300
Check out The Doobie Brothers, Buddy Guy, The Turtles, Kenny Loggins, Dave Mason and more at this annual event at B.R. Cohn’s private amphitheater. Bring a blanket and enjoy the music, wine and food, all in support of local charities.
www.brcohn.com
Oct. 21: Pinot on the River
12 p.m.-4 p.m.; Healdsburg Plaza Square; $75-$150
Taste current releases, special bottlings and library wines from more than 100 Pinot Noir producers at this full immersion tasting. Artisan food vendors will be there and special seminars prior to the event (including early access) are available for an additional fee.
www.pinotfestival.com
Other
Aug. 3-5: The Gaia Festival
8 a.m. Fri./9 a.m. Sat.; Black Oak Ranch, Laytonville; $40-$220
A three-day music and sustainable-living fair, featuring world-class artists of many genres as well as workshops and presentations on permaculture, renewable energy, green building and beyond. There will also be great food and crafts featuring local, organic and sustainable products. Camping is available.
thegaiafestival.com
July 28-Dec. 30: Treasure Island Flea
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Treasure Island; Free
The most unique and only two-day flea market experience around takes place the last Saturday and Sunday of each month, showcasing offerings including independent designers; handmade, up-cycled and repurposed items; vintage clothing and accessories; and antiques and collectibles. You’ll also find gourmet food trucks, wine, classes, indie bands, a scavenger hunt and all sorts of other cool and unusual entertainment and people.
www.treasureislandflea.com
Aug. 10-12: Outside Lands: Music Food Wine Beer and Art
11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Golden Gate Park, San Francisco; three-day tickets $225-$495
This three-day festival is a feast for all the senses, no matter what you’re looking for. There are more than 70 top-name bands and 15 DJs playing on several stages, more than 50 local food vendors, more than 30 wineries pouring, an entire section devoted to sustainability (even a solar powered stage), a tent devoted to the Barbary Coast, live art, huge sculptures and excellent people watching.
www.sfoutsidelands.com
Oct. 4-8: 101st Annual San Francisco Fleet Week
Times vary; Chrissy Field, San Francisco; Free (box seats $15-$195)
Celebrate the U.S. Navy! You can see the Blue Angels perform their amazing flight abilities during the weekend air shows (among many other skilled pilots and interesting planes), a parade of ships on Saturday with ship tours available all weekend and Monday, a humanitarian assistance disaster response display and more.
www.fleetweek.us
Oct. 13-14: Treasure Island Music Festival
9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Treasure Island; $69.50-$219.50
Thousands of electronic and indie music fans swarm to this festival each year to hear live music on two stages, ride the ferris wheel, boogie in the silent disco and generally have a really good time. The lineups for each day are separated by genre (electronic on Saturday and indie on Sunday).
www.treasureislandfestival.com
Oct. 20-21: Fall Hopland Passport
11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Hopland; $45-$55; $30 for an optional shuttle pass
Enjoy 17 participating wineries pouring their best wines, incredible food pairings at each stop and opportunities to experience tours, art and live music. Participants get a logo glass and entry to all the tastings and happenings.
www.destinationhopland.com
You can also find events listings at marin.org, visitmarin.org, sonomauncorked.org, winecountry.com, napavalley.com and napavintners.com, among others. If you don’t see an event listed here that you’d like to include, please add it to our online events calendar at www.northbaybiz.com.
