
Marin Events, Concerts & Local Deals This Week
Week of July 15 – July 21, 2025
🫧 Marin Bubble
July 15, 2025
by Chris Marsh
Hey Marin 👋
We’re deep in the sweet spot of summer. Warm nights, breezy afternoons, and music floating through just about every corner of the county. This week’s lineup is pure Marin magic: salsa-jazz under the redwoods in Ross, Beatles covers echoing through Creek Park, jam sessions with Grateful Dead roots in San Rafael, and mellow tunes on a Corte Madera shopping stroll. Whether you’re dancing at the Civic Green, catching sunset jazz in Sausalito, or sipping a smoothie at Town Center, it’s a full-on summer soundtrack.
Beyond the stage, we uncovered a sushi spot locals quietly rave about, a scenic trail where you can actually find solitude, and a handful of deals that make eating out, shopping, or hitting the mat feel just a little lighter on the wallet. From happy hour oysters to 50% off thrifting to $1.75 kids movies, we’ve got your week covered with perks, peace, and plenty of live music. Let’s dive in.
🎭 Cool Events This Week

🎶 Edgardo Cambon at Marin Art & Garden
🗓️ Thursday, July 17, 5:00 pm (gates 4:00 pm)
📍 Marin Art & Garden Center (McNear’s Amphitheater), San Rafael
Marin’s gardens turn into an open-air music hall on Thursday nights. Edgardo Cambon, a San Rafael native known for high-energy Latin-funk, leads a salsa-jazz band under the redwoods. Pack a picnic (or pre-order the gourmet dinner deal) and relax on the lawn while premium wine, beer and gelato are on sale. There’s truly something for everyone in this weekly series, from bluegrass to Brazilian beats, and even a kids’ area in the Garden School’s Pixie Park.
🎟️ Admission Admission $20 advance / $25 at gate (kids under 17 free)
👉 Pro tip Seating is on the grass, so come early to lay out a blanket or low chair. The amphitheater fills fast on sunny evenings – claim your spot before the music starts.
Marin Art & Garden Center Website→ 🎟️ Get Tickets
🎤 Alela Diane at Sweetwater Music Hall
🗓️ Friday, July 18, 2025, Doors 7:00pm / Show 8:00pm
📍 Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley (19 Corte Madera Ave)
Two distinct voices. One unforgettable night. Alela Diane brings her haunting, reflective folk to Mill Valley, performing songs from her latest album Looking Glass — a deeply personal meditation on home, motherhood, and memory. Sharing the stage is Laura Gibson, an Oregon-born storyteller whose music is part folk ballad, part literary confession. Her songs ache with beauty and introspection, perfect for a candlelit night in Marin.
🎟️ Admission $29.36 in advance / $35.54 day-of (all ages)
👉 Pro tip Sweetwater fills up fast, especially for intimate shows like this one. Arrive early, grab a drink from the bar, and settle into the cozy glow of one of Marin’s best listening rooms.
Sweetwater Website→ 🎟️ Get Tickets

🎸 Terrapin Roadshow Jam Fest
🗓️ Friday–Sunday, July 18–20, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
📍 Forest Meadows Amphitheatre, 890 Belle Avenue, San Rafael
This three-day festival brings the spirit of the Grateful Dead to Marin. A rotating all-star lineup of local jam legends (Stu Allen, Grahame Lesh, Holly Bowling, etc.) takes the Forest Meadows stage each day. Expect long improvisations and joyful collaborations – the vibe is a true Terrapin Crossroads reunion up on Mount Tam. Bring a chair and some snacks, because with music running all day, you’ll want to settle in early.
🎟️ Admission $59 general admission (ages 17+), $29 youth (6–16).
👉 Pro tip Gates open at 11am on Friday. Beat the crowds by arriving early, snag a shady patch of lawn and enjoy the jam sessions as the sun moves through the trees.
Terrapin Crossroads Website→ 🎟️ Get Tickets
☀️ Live on the Avenue Summer Concerts
🗓️ Friday & Saturday, July 18–19, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
📍 San Anselmo Avenue (Creek Park & Town Hall Plaza), San Anselmo
Downtown San Anselmo turns into a music-filled street party every weekend, and this one’s shaping up to be a crowd-pleaser. On Friday, Creek Park hosts Tracorum, a soulful rock band with deep roots in the Bay, while The Berrios Trio brings their smooth Latin jazz to Town Hall Plaza. Saturday heats up with Beatles in the Park, a nostalgic tribute that’ll have you singing along to every chorus at Creek Park, and Swami 3 adding a funk-fusion groove just up the block. Two stages. One charming downtown. And the perfect excuse to picnic under the stars.
🎟️ Admission Free — just bring your blanket, lawn chair, and dancing shoes.
👉 Pro tip Arrive early to snag a shady spot at Creek Park. Grab takeout from a local favorite like Cucina or Valenti & Co. to enjoy during the show. The town closes off the avenue, so it’s a dream for kids, strollers, and bikes.
Visit Live on the Avenue Website→ More Info

🎹 Papa Joe & the New Deal – Concerts on the Green
🗓️ Friday, July 18, 2025, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
📍 Novato Civic Green, 901 Sherman Ave, Novato
Downtown Novato transforms into a hometown summer stage this Friday as Papa Joe & the New Deal bring their feel-good mix of 60s hits to today’s pop classics. It’s part of the city’s Concerts on the Green series, a laid-back, family-friendly evening where the music’s free, the lawn’s wide open, and the vibe is pure community. Expect everything from Beatles singalongs to danceable Motown and beyond.
🎟️ Admission Free.
👉 Pro tip Pack a picnic or grab takeout from nearby favorites like Marvin’s or Grazie. Bring your blanket, your lawn chair, and your best sunset-dancing shoes, but leave the pups at home for this one.
City of Novato Website→ More Info
🎷 Jazz & Blues by the Bay
🗓️ Friday, July 18, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
📍 Gabrielson Park, 420 Coloma Street, Sausalito
Sausalito’s free waterfront summer series continues with tropical jazz vibes. On July 18 the Bermudagrass Triangle headlines, serving up island-inspired jazz with guitar, steel drums and Latin percussion. The whole family can spread a blanket on the lawn, listen to the steel-blue waves lapping nearby, and enjoy vendors serving BBQ chicken, sausages and cold drinks. It’s the quintessential Sausalito summer evening – live music by the bay with the Golden Gate Bridge in view.
🎟️ Admission Free.
👉 Pro tip Food and drink vendors line the park, but they sell out fast. Come early for dinner and prime views, and don’t forget a jacket for when the fog rolls in.
City of Sausalito Website→ More Info

⛱️ Summer Music Series: Joyce Lee
🗓️ Saturday, July 19, 2025, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
📍 Town Center Corte Madera, Center Court
Kick off your Saturday with a laid-back live set from local favorite Joyce Lee, part of the annual Summer Music Series at Town Center. This afternoon show brings mellow tunes to the shaded plaza while you sip, shop, and snack your way through Corte Madera’s favorite boutiques and cafes. It’s the kind of vibe where kids can dance near the fountain and grownups can relax with a cocktail in hand.
🎟️ Admission Free.
👉 Pro Tip Grab lunch from World Wrapps or a smoothie from Urban Remedy, then settle into Center Court for the show. Parking is free and easy and you might just end up staying for a little retail therapy.
Shop Town Center Website→ More Info
🍴Foodie Find

🍣 Sushi Ko – Hidden Nigiri Jewel in Marin
📍 1819 Larkspur Landing Circle
“I think Sushi Ko is the hidden gem that is worth your time” — Instagram foodie community buzz.
Tucked away in San Anselmo, Sushi Ko is quietly crafting some of the freshest and most refined nigiri you’ll find north of the Bridge. Diners say the 10-piece chef’s choice is a revelation, especially the impeccably sliced fish and seasonal selections like creamy uni or buttery toro. Add a side of East Coast oysters and a crisp sake pairing, and you’ve got a low-key sushi night elevated to special-occasion status.
Why locals love it: It’s intimate, understated, grown-up, and centered on craft, not hype. Perfect for a date night or a celebratory solo feast after a Sunday hike.
🎟️ Cost: $50–80 for a solid nigiri dinner (plus a la carte options).
👉 Pro tip Skip peak hours, Monday–Wednesday evenings are calmest. Call ahead for chef’s choice seating and ask about any off-menu seasonal fish.
Sushi Ko Website→ More Info
💰 Marin Discounts & Perks

🍹 Dining & Bars Specials
Local restaurants and bars are rolling out enticing happy-hour and menu deals this summer. Sausalito’s Barrel House Tavern has a daily (M–F, 12–9pm) happy hour where a half-dozen local oysters is just $12 and any draft beer, house wine or well cocktail is only $6.
In Tiburon, the Tiburon Tavern runs a daily 3–6pm happy hour with $5 beers, $8 glasses of wine and $9 cocktails (plus $5 tacos on Tuesdays). Over in San Anselmo, Creekside Pizza & Taproom offers $5 craft beers and $5 off pizzas every day at 4pm. Its neighbor Marinitas in San Anselmo also has daily afternoon specials (M–F 4:00–5:30pm, Sat–Sun 2:30–5:00pm) on both food and drinks. These deals make it easy to enjoy local bites and drinks without breaking the bank.
👨👩👦 Family & Kids Savings
Marin families can take advantage of budget-friendly offers too. For example, Cinemark Novato (Century Rowland Plaza) brings back its Summer Movie Clubhouse: G-rated kids’ films are only $1.75 per show, and snack packs and combo deals are $1 off during those showtimes.
In San Rafael, Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria runs a “Kids Eat Free” night every Tuesday (5pm–closing): one child’s meal is free with each adult entrée purchased. These specials make summer outings and family meals in Marin more affordable.
🛒 Shopping & Thrift Deals
Bargain hunters will love this one-day sale: Goodwill SF Bay (including Marin stores) is holding a “Sale Saturday” on July 19, 2025, when all used merchandise is 50% off. In other words, clothing, home goods and more in Goodwill’s Marin shops will be half-price that day. (The discount applies to used items only.) This annual one-day sale is a must-attend for thrifty shoppers looking to refresh their wardrobes and homes on the cheap.
🏃♀️ Health, Fitness & Wellness
Local fitness studios are offering summer sign-up specials. Hot Yoga Republic (San Rafael and Mill Valley) is running a summer intro deal: one month of unlimited yoga (hot yoga, pilates, etc.) for just $100. This lets beginners or visitors experience unlimited classes at either Marin location. (Students also get a special drop-in rate of $10 per class.) These promotions make it easy to try out hot yoga or pilates without a big upfront commitment.
🌳 Outdoors & Cultural Passes
Marin’s public libraries offer free passes that locals can check out to explore Bay Area attractions. In particular, the Marin County Free Library provides free park passes for cardholders: you can check out passes granting park or national park access (e.g. for Mount Tam, China Camp, Point Reyes, etc.) at no cost. (There are three types of park passes available.) This means Marin families can enjoy state and national parks without paying the usual entry fee. It’s a great free perk for local outdoor enthusiasts.
💎 Hidden Gem

🌿 Blithedale Summit Open Space Preserve
📍 Blithedale Summit Trailhead, 535 W Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley
Tucked into the north ridge of Mount Tam, Blithedale Summit Open Space Preserve is the kind of local secret that marries sweeping hilltop views with peaceful, uncrowded trails. It’s a Marin moment that feels worlds away from the crowds. Clock in at around 4 miles round-trip via Old Railroad Grade and Blithedale Ridge Fire Road, and you’re rewarded with panoramic views of rolling grasslands and the distant Bay. It’s one of those hikes where you breathe deeper with every step.

Why it’s a hidden gem:
- Dogs are welcome on leash, and the gentle grade means it’s accessible for families with adventurous tots and grandparents alike.
- You’ll likely have the trail to yourself on a sunny weekday or at least share it with grazing deer.
- It’s easy to pair with a picnic in Fairfax or a cold brew at nearby Farmhouse Local afterward.
👉 Pro Tip Aim for morning or late afternoon to avoid midday glare and witness the hills glow golden. Bring layers—a coastal breeze can surprise you at the summit.
Marin County Parks Website → More Info
⛺️ Marin Summer Camps 2025

⚽ Marin Summer Camps 2025 Guide is Here!
Just in time for the final week of school—your go-to list of 40+ Marin summer camps is now live! From art to science to outdoor adventure, it’s organized by age, category, and location. Whether you’re still scrambling for a few weeks of coverage or mapping out the full summer, we’ve got you.
Rank Marin Website → View the Guide
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👋 That’s it for this week inside the Bubble.
We’ll see you next week with more events, local legends, and reasons to love where we live. And don’t forget to subscribe!
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