Introducing the New San Rafael Summer Market
Second Friday of the month
June 13, July 11, August 8
5-9pm
4th Street between Lootens Place and B Street, including the San Rafael City Plaza
The beloved San Rafael Summer Market is back for 2025 with a fresh vibe and new format. The Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM), in partnership with the City of San Rafael, will turn 4th Street into a vibrant evening market on the second Friday evenings of the month. It will be a celebration of local art, handmade goods, and lively entertainment. Come enjoy the music and artisans, a pint at the beer garden, and plenty of delicious food from our vendors and surrounding businesses. Bring your picnic blankets to dine al fresco in the grassy area in front of Bank of America.
Moving this seasonal summertime market to Friday evenings will allow friends and families to relax and enjoy the fun. This limited series of events will be a destination to celebrate community and the dynamic spirit of San Rafael’s 150-year anniversary.
Coinciding with the 2nd Friday Art Walk, we’ve created ample opportunity for kids and adults alike to try their hand at their own masterpiece. MarinMOCA and Youth in Arts will be hosting local environmental groups and artists to guide hands-on art activities for all ages. Local ceramicist Lucy Alexander of Amorpha Ceramic Studio will set up an interactive clay station with pottery wheel and pinch pots. Artisans Row will feature handmade goods from over 15 local makers and is not to be missed.
Put together a personalized tasting of small bites from Mr. Dimsum, La Esperanza Pupuseria, and our plethora of dessert vendors. Or grab your friends and head over to the beer garden with a burrito or burger from Porchetta/Pibil and Madinah Mealz. Local favorite Pond Farm will be pouring craft brews to those 21+. And of course, our farmers will be there with the season’s best stone fruits, berries, and veggies for you to stock your fridge for the rest of the weekend.
Keep reading for the full lineup of art and entertainment for each market!
Interested vendors are invited to submit an application at https://www.agriculturalinstitute.org/joinourmarkets.
June 13
Join us for the ribbon cutting at 5pm on June 13th to kick off the fun. Diggin’ Education and the Rollin’ Root will be on-site at the first market with a human slot machine and a spin-to-win wheel. Be sure to stop by to play for giveaways and fun prizes!
Music
Center of market (across from Plaza)
5-9pm
Phat Luv, known as Oakland's "house band," plays classic funk, soul, R & B, reggae, and even a little rock & roll -- all with infectious high-energy fun!
End of market (4th St & A St)
5-6pm
Check out local teen band Punked Out Pretty and support young artists pursuing music in San Rafael!
Art
Pottery wheel and pinch pots with Lucy Alexander of Amorpha Ceramic Studio.
Time to Play Game of Floods
Presented in partnership with MarinMOCA and Youth In Arts
Architecture: Floating Buildings
As a strategy to adapt to sea level rise children will view some images of floating homes, neighborhoods, and businesses in the Netherlands to see how allowing waterways into the city might be a good idea for San Rafael in the future. Each participant will create a “make and take” model of a floating building, in which people might live sustainably, peacefully, and safely. Individual models can be joined together on a group model representing our local topography, while participants enjoy 2nd Friday festvities, then they take their individualcreation home.
July 11
Music
Center of market (across from Plaza)
5-9pm
Second Hand Funk is a fun and funky, high energy performances that get people up and dancing!
Art
Pottery wheel and pinch pots with Lucy Alexander of Amorpha Ceramic Studio.
Making Waves with Art
Presented in partnership with MarinMOCA and Youth In Arts
The Marine Mammal Center will team up with Marin artist Lauren Volk for a hands-on art activity designed to inspire creativity and environmental stewardship. In this collaborative event, participants learned about marine mammals and ocean conservation directly from Center educators and join Lauren Volk in a guided art session. Using eco-friendly materials, attendees created their own marine mammal-inspired artwork – think playful sea lions and majestic whales – while learning about the challenges these animals face and how art can help catalyze their protection. The activity will blend science and creativity, encouraging families to connect with wildlife through both education and artistic expression.
Meet the Experts
● Marine Mammal Center: The Marine Mammal Center is a leading nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing sick and injured marine mammals, while advancing ocean conservation through scientific research and public education.
● Lauren Volk: Volk is a Novato-based artist known for her vibrant, expressive paintings and her commitment to arts education in the community. Her artwork often explores bold color palettes and encourages creative experimentation, inviting children and adults alike to develop their own artistic voices through hands-on projects and guided exploration. Volk holds an MFA in arts education from Otis College of Art and Design and has taught widely across California.
August 8
Music
Center of market (across from Plaza)
5-9pm
David Outlaw Band
Art
Pottery wheel and pinch pots with Lucy Alexander of Amorpha Ceramic Studio.
Feathered Friends: Conservation & Sketching
Presented in partnership with MarinMOCA and Youth In Arts
Get ready to embark on a creative and scientific journey through Marin’s vibrant bird life, blending expert conservation insight and artistic inspiration! Get a primer on bird life in Marin, discover local bird sounds, and learn the basics of field sketching.
Meet the Experts
● Point Blue Conservation Science: With a team of 160 scientists, Point Blue is dedicated to tackling climate change, habitat loss, and environmental threats by developing nature-based solutions that benefit both wildlife and people. Their long-term monitoring in Marin has helped protect a diverse community of breeding birds, ensuring that local species thrive.
● Tiffany Bozic: Renowned for her vibrant, meticulously researched paintings, Tiffany Bozic explores the wonders of biodiversity through art. Her work, inspired by field expeditions and a deep love of nature, invites viewers to see the connections between all living things.