San Rafael
Handmade for the Holidays
The Marin Arts & Crafts Show transforms the Marin Center Exhibit Hall into a festive marketplace of art, design and creativity, featuring more than 200 artisans offering handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, textiles, furniture, fine art and gourmet treats—just in time for holiday shopping. Inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement, the event celebrates craftsmanship in all its forms with live music, wine tasting and hands-on workshops throughout the weekend. 10am–5pm, Friday–Sunday, Nov. 7–9, Marin Center Exhibit Hall, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. Free admission and parking. MarinArtsAndCraftsShow.com.
Novato
Open Studios
Thirty artists on the Hamilton campus of the Novato Arts Center open their doors for the annual Fall Open Studios, showcasing new works across painting, ceramics, jewelry, mosaics, fiber art and more. Visitors can meet eight new resident artists, explore creative processes firsthand and perhaps take home a handmade treasure or two. 11am–4pm, Saturday, Nov. 8, Novato Arts Center (formerly MarinMOCA), 500 & 501 Palm Dr. and 781 & 789 Hamilton Pkwy. Free.
Sonoma
American Roots Mini-Fest
The third annual American Roots Mini-Fest brings three powerhouse bands to The Alley at Murphy’s for a full day of live music under the tent. The lineup includes indie-pop artist Ellie James with Nick Carico; the Americana-rooted Back pOrchEstra; and ABEZ, a supergroup of rock, blues and R&B veterans featuring Roy Blumenfeld (The Blues Project), David Aguilar, Kevin Zuffi, Tim Eschliman and Junior Boogie. Expect a rich mix of originals and classics spanning roots rock, New Orleans grooves, country blues and more—proof that Sonoma’s got soul, twang and plenty of rhythm. 2:30–9:30pm, Saturday, Nov. 8, The Alley at Murphy’s, 464 First St. E., Sonoma. Free. backporchestra.com.
Sebastopol
Explore Olive Oil
One may savor the season with a guided olive oil tasting and farm tour at Gold Ridge Organic Farms, where the harvest comes to life through flavor, craftsmanship and regenerative farming. Guests will explore the olive mill and orchards before settling in for a seated tasting of estate-grown olive oils, local bread, gluten-free crackers and the farm’s signature apple cider vinegars and syrup. Perfect for food lovers and the olive-oil curious alike. 10am–3pm, Friday & Saturday, Nov. 7–8, Gold Ridge Organic Farms, 3387 Canfield Rd., Sebastopol. $50–$125. goldridgeorganicfarms.com.
