San Rafael Summer Market is Back!
5–9 PM on 4th Street between Lootens Place and B Street, including the San Rafael City Plaza
San Rafael Summer Market is back! This year’s downtown summer market is moving to the second Friday of the summer months, coinciding with the 2nd Friday Art Walk. We’re planning these limited Friday evening events to be a major summertime destination for friend, neighbors, the whole family. Bring your picnic blankets to dine al fresco in the grassy area in front of Bank of America and stop by the beer garden.
Art
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.
Entertainment
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!
Food and Beverage
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 Brewing Co. 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.
Interested vendors can submit an application through your Manage my Market account. You can find the link on AIM’s website at: https://www.agriculturalinstitute.org/joinourmarkets. Participating vendors must be small, independently owned businesses approved to attend by AIM. All participating vendors must be growing or producing their own products, be licensed, and insured.
Product Categories:
Food purveyors, emphasizing local and culturally traditional foods prepared on-site
Packaged artisanal pantry items, bottled beverages, baked goods like cookies and breads
Farmers emphasizing summer fruit, flowers, and wine
Artists and makers emphasizing handmake art, clothing, and jewelry
Downtown San Rafael merchants
Non-profit and community organizations