Looking for things to do in Marin County this September? From live music and local art to family-friendly festivals and outdoor experiences, September 2026 brings plenty of ways to get out, explore, and enjoy Marin.
This month’s highlights include Sound Summit on Mount Tam, San Rafael PorchFest, downtown art walks, the Corte Madera Classic & EV Car Show, and a family campout overlooking the coast at Slide Ranch.
September is one of our favorite times to enjoy Marin, with warm afternoons, cooler evenings, and a calendar full of events that bring people together outdoors. For this month’s guide, we’ve rounded up a mix of neighborhood traditions, arts and music, and family experiences across San Rafael, Corte Madera, Mount Tam, and Muir Beach.
Here are a few events worth adding to your September calendar.
West End San Rafael Fridays Block Party
Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: F–G Street, West End of San Rafael
Start the month with a Friday evening in San Rafael’s West End. Streets between F and G Streets close to traffic, making room for live music, outdoor dining, local businesses, and an easygoing neighborhood atmosphere. It is a great excuse to grab dinner, walk around, and enjoy a late-summer evening outside. The West End Block Party continues on select Fridays throughout September and into October.
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2nd Friday Art Walk in Downtown San Rafael
Date: Friday, September 11, 2026
Time: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Downtown San Rafael, including Art Works Downtown at 1325–1337 Fourth Street
Spend Friday evening exploring San Rafael’s local arts scene. Galleries, studios, and other creative spaces open their doors for exhibitions and opportunities to meet local artists, with participating venues spread throughout downtown. The monthly Art Walk is free and offers an easy way to experience a different side of San Rafael while supporting the local creative community.
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Corte Madera Classic & EV Car Show
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 11:00am – 3:00pm
Location: The Village at Corte Madera
Spend Saturday checking out a mix of classic cars, vintage motorcycles, and electric vehicles at The Village at Corte Madera. Presented by the Corte Madera Lions Club, the free community event pairs the car show with live music and food and drinks available for purchase.
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Sound Summit on Mount Tam
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: Doors open at 10:30am; music from 11:30am – 7:00pm
Location: Mountain Theater, Mount Tamalpais State Park
Few concert settings feel more distinctly Marin than an afternoon of live music on Mount Tam. Sound Summit returns to the Mountain Theater with Father John Misty, Guster, Jerry Harrison’s 50 Years of Talking Heads, La Luz, Angeline Saris & The Snack Machine, and more. Come for the lineup and make a day of the open-air setting and views over the Bay.
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Family Farm Campout at Slide Ranch
Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
Time: Begins at 4:00pm
Location: Slide Ranch, 2025 Shoreline Highway, Muir Beach
For families looking for something a little different, Slide Ranch offers an overnight escape along the Marin coast. Set up camp overlooking the Pacific, enjoy dinner and a campfire, then wake up for a morning spent exploring the ranch, meeting farm animals, visiting the garden, and taking part in hands-on nature activities. Guests bring their own tents and sleeping bags.
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San Rafael PorchFest
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
Time: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: Gerstle Park neighborhood, San Rafael
One of San Rafael’s liveliest neighborhood traditions returns to Gerstle Park this September. More than 70 bands are expected to perform across 20+ performance areas, with porches, front yards, driveways, parks, and other neighborhood spaces becoming stages for the afternoon. The free event brings together live music, food, and the kind of community energy that makes PorchFest feel distinctly local.
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*Event information is current as of August 2026. Dates, times, availability, and other details may change, so we recommend confirming directly with event organizers before attending.
