It is hard to believe that the holidays are, once again, almost here. This year, Marin is already bursting at the seams with joy and good cheer—and, of course, with a whole lot of opportunities to showcase local arts, crafts and community. So, it’s time to read on and see where to get festive with it in Marin this holiday season.
Sausalito’s Holiday Celebration of Makers and Artists
Sausalito is hosting a Holiday Edition Makers and Artists Celebration of design, craft, fashion, textiles and art Nov. 15 through 17. The celebrations kick off on Friday from 10:30 to 11:30am with a tour inside Heath Ceramics.
Saturday’s itinerary begins with a tour of Craig Steely’s modern houseboat masterpiece from noon to 1pm. Then from 1 to 4pm is the Maker Studio Visit entitled “Inside the Minds of Marinship Studios: An Artist Talk Series.” After that comes “Cutting Edge,” the VIP Maker Studio Visit from 4 to 7pm. “Cutting Edge” will showcase collaborations with textile artist Simon Ungless as interviewed by style writer Gail Goldberg. This segment of Sausalito’s holiday arts and crafts celebrations also includes a hands-on print-making and felting demo.
Sunday marks the last day of Sausalito’s holiday arts extravaganza. From 10:30 to 11:30am is another tour of Heath Ceramics. Then from 11:30am to 2:30pm is a holiday pop-up shopping experience that’s all about fashion. And last but not least is the 2:30 to 3:30pm studio talk and tour from master landscape designer Alain Peauroi of Terremoto.
Visit the website at designsausalito.org to learn more about this citywide celebration of arts and crafts and possibly stock up on some holiday gifting material.
San Rafael’s Small Works Exhibit
In San Rafael, holiday shoppers are in for a real treat with Art Works Downtown’s Small Works Exhibit. This showcase of local art is the perfect place to find a special item for that art lover in one’s life. Attendees may browse the 80-plus artistic pieces on display and available for both appreciation and for purchase before this collection comes to an end on Jan. 20 of next year.
The Small Works Exhibit is located at 1337 Fourth St. in San Rafael. The exhibit is open for holiday shoppers Thursday through Sunday from 1 to 8pm. There will be two receptions and art walks affiliated with the Small Works Exhibit, from 5 to 8pm on Dec. 8 and again on Jan 12.
To learn more about San Rafael’s local art scene as well as the Small Works Exhibit, visit artworksdowntown.org.
The Marin Art and Garden Center’s Winter Wonderland
The Marin Art and Garden Center is all set to host its annual Winter Wonderland holiday extravaganza from Dec. 6 through 15. This coincides with its Marin Open Studios holiday showcase of 100 local artists, which will span from Nov. 15 through Dec. 15, with an opening reception from 2 to 5pm on Nov. 16. Plus, the Ross Valley Players are set to perform Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit in the Art and Garden Center’s on-premises Barn Theater from Nov. 17 to Dec. 17.
The Marin Art and Garden Center is located at 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Ross. To learn more about Winter Wonderland, visit maringarden.org/winterwonderland.
Novato’s Holiday Craft Fair
In Novato, holiday shopping is as easy as attending the Holiday Craft Fair at the Margaret Todd Senior Center. Between 6 and 9pm on Dec. 6 or from 10am to 4pm on Dec. 7, one may get the chance to shop from a wide selection of homemade items. Guests can also check out the event’s specialty foods, entertainment, ornaments, wreaths, bath and body works, ceramics, jewelry and oh so much more.
Note that not all vendors for this event are equipped to accept credit cards, so it may be a good idea to bring some cold hard cash. The Margaret Todd Senior Center is located at 1560 Hill Rd. in Novato. To learn more, visit novato.org/events.
Mill Valley’s Holiday Craft Fair
Mill Valley has its own Holiday Craft Fair on the horizon to help locals get immersed in the local art scene (and ahead on holiday shopping), from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, Dec. 7. Both new and returning artists are coming to the craft fair to showcase their unique handmade wares. Shoppers can anticipate a wide variety of items to shop for, including (but not limited to) woodwork, jewelry, glasswork, ceramics, decorations, knitwear, fiber arts, plants and much more. So one may swing by the Mill Valley Holiday Craft Fair to peruse and purchase presents ahead of the holiday gifting season.
The Holiday Craft Fair is free to attend and will be held at the Mill Valley Community Center, which has ample parking spots for Marin’s shoppers to park close and load up their goodies after the fact. To learn more, visit the website at millvalleyrecreation.org.
Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair
For over 40 years, the Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair has helped locals see and celebrate each other’s creative talents and provide an opportunity for holiday shoppers to shop locally. This event runs from 10am to 5pm on Dec. 7 and from 10am to 4pm on Dec. 8. The Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair first began through the Muir Beach Quilters and now hosts over 40 local artists from Marin and the Bay Area.
Holiday shoppers can get into the community spirit and shop local selections of hand-made jewelry, ceramics, textiles, woodworking, home and fashion accessories, wreaths, ornaments, children’s books, holiday knick-knacks and garden items too. The Muir Beach Quilters will also be in attendance with plenty of hats, scarves, gloves and quilts to choose from. The Muir Beach Volunteer Firefighters will also be there to sell their dog logo clothing, hats, stainless-wear and accessories, the benefits of which will go toward funding the department.
The Muir Beach Holiday Arts Fair is held in the community center located at 19 Seascape Dr. To get very descriptive directions or learn more about the fair, visit muirbeachartsfair.com.
Fairfax’s Craft Faire and Wreathmaking
It’s nearing the time to come on out to Fairfax on Dec. 14 for the city’s annual gathering of community, craft, art and holiday spirit. Anyone is welcome to attend the event, make some wreaths and be jolly along with the rest of the community. The faire itself lasts from 11am to 5pm, while the quintessential wreath-making experience will last from 1 to 4pm.
The Fairfax Craft Faire and Wreathmaking event will take place at 142 Bolinas Rd. To learn more, visit townoffairfax.org.
Bolinas’ Winter Faire
With the Bolinas Winter Faire coming to town, one can mark those calendars and come check out what sort of local holiday shopping is going on in West Marin this year. The main highlight of the Bolinas Winter Faire is the handmade treasures for sale, all of which were made by the crafters and artists of West Marin. Everyone is invited to eat, drink and be merry at the festive celebration. The faire is open 5 to 10pm on Dec. 13, noon to 8pm Dec. 14 and 11am to 6pm Dec. 15.
To learn more, visit bocenter.org.
