Pumpkin spice lattes are back on the menu, which means—drum roll—it must be fall. Finally!
After the long, hot slog of summer, immersing oneself in some local harvest-themed events sounds like the perfect elixir (and much healthier than an artificially-flavored latte—spoiler alert: there’s no actual pumpkin in them). Anyway, we’ve harvested the following picks for seasonal sojourns, which will see one through the Autumnal Equinox (Friday, Sept. 22) and beyond.
Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival
Engage in artistic exploration with 135 artisans, complemented by a curated selection of music and family-friendly entertainment. The festival will run from 10am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23 and 24. The location for this vibrant event is Old Mill Park, situated at 375 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. Admission for adults is $20, and for seniors, it’s $15; kids, teachers and students with ID can enter for free. mvfaf.org.
San Domenico Garden Fair
Bask in a melange of live music, food and crafts, with something for everyone. This affair is scheduled from 11am to 2pm on Saturday, Oct. 7. The garden party will unfold at the San Domenico Garden of Hope, located at 1500 Butterfield Rd., San Anselmo. sandomenico.org/student-life/sustainability.
Halloween Harvest Festival in Marinwood
Whisk the family away for an evening filled with Halloween magic. This festival is designed for children 12 and under and will be held from 5 to 6:30pm on Friday, Oct. 13. One can find all the fun at the Marinwood Community Center, located at 775 Miller Creek Rd., San Rafael. Tickets are $20 per child (with a $5 sibling discount). Adults are free. marinwood.org/event/halloween-harvest-festival.
Biketoberfest in Fairfax
For the bike enthusiast and the beer connoisseur—this event is a pedal-stroke of genius! The activities kick off at 11am and run until 5pm on Saturday, Oct. 14. The venue is the Marin Museum of Bicycling, situated at 1966 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax. Advance tickets are available for $35, while day-of tickets cost $50; tickets for kids range from $3 to $5. marinbike.org/biketoberfest-fairfax-ca.
Corte Madera Oktoberfest
A festival of beer, wine and family activities—this is an Oktoberfest not to miss. This occasion will take place from noon to 5pm on Saturday, Oct. 14. Festival grounds are the Old Corte Madera Square, located at 21 Tamalpais Ave. Admission for tasting is $35, while non-tasting entry is priced at $10. facebook.com/OktoberfestCM/.
Goblin Jamboree Fundraiser at Bay Area Discovery Museum
Prepare for an eerie yet enchanting escapade as the museum turns into a Halloween haven. The event is open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21–22, as well as on Oct. 25–29. The location for this otherworldly experience is the Bay Area Discovery Museum, situated at 557 McReynolds Rd., Sausalito. Members get early-bird weekend tickets at $20 and weekday tickets at $10, while general public tickets are $25. bit.ly/goblinjam.
Cavallo Point Oktoberfest BBQ
Wind down the Summer BBQ Series with a Germanic flourish. The culinary festivities are set for 1 to 4pm on Sunday, Oct. 22. The setting for this indulgent affair is the Cavallo Point Lodge, located at 601 Murray Cir., Sausalito. cavallopoint.com/experiences.
Caulbridge Pumpkin Path
Let fairy guides lead one through a landscape of whimsical adventures. The magical journey begins with time slots starting at 5pm on Friday, Oct. 27. Although the exact location is still to be announced, the event will take place in San Rafael. Community Family tickets are priced at $35, covering a maximum of two adults and three children. caulbridgeschool.org/caulbridge-pumpkin-path.
Halloween in Downtown Sausalito
Fright and delight meet at this family-friendly Halloween event. The festivities kick off at 5:45 and will run until 7:30pm on Monday, Oct. 31. All this Halloween fun is happening in Downtown Sausalito, along Bridgeway. bit.ly/halloween-sausalito.
