Mill Valley sits at the foot of Mount Tamalpais, a short drive north of the Golden Gate Bridge, and its calendar fills up fast. Beth has been selling homes here since 1978, and these are the places and events we point people to when they ask what there is to do in town.
Arts and Culture
142 Throckmorton Theatre
The 142 Throckmorton Theatre sits in the middle of downtown and keeps a full calendar of live music and comedy nights. Its Noon Concerts bring classical musicians to the stage for about an hour, free to the public, with donations welcome.
Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival
Each fall, the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival fills Old Mill Park with handmade art from juried artists. Admission includes two full days of live music under the redwoods, and the Children's Grove keeps kids busy. In 2026 the festival marked its 69th year, making it one of Marin County's longest-running cultural traditions.
Creekside Fridays
Each summer, the Tamalpais Community Services District hosts Creekside Fridays: free evenings of local bands, food and drinks at the Tam Valley Community Center. Bring chairs and a blanket. Later in the season the music moves to the Cabin on Tennessee Valley Road for Creekside Unplugged.
Outdoors
Parks and Open Space
The city's parks run from the redwood grove at Old Mill Park downtown to Bayfront Park on Richardson Bay, which has the Bay Trail, a fenced dog park, picnic tables and sports fields. The city's Parks and Fields page has the full list.
Sand Volleyball at Bayfront Park
The newest courts in town are two sand volleyball courts at the north end of Bayfront Park, next to Bayfront Field. Players asked for them for years, and the city built them with state and city recreation grants plus donations from the volleyball community and the Mill Valley Friends of Parks and Recreation. They were built for public play as well as leagues and kids' programs run through Mill Valley Recreation.
Aquatic and Fitness Center
The Mill Valley Community Center at 180 Camino Alto houses the city's Aquatic and Fitness Center. Passes are sold through Mill Valley Recreation.
Community Events
Juneteenth Freedom Festival
Every June, Mill Valley Recreation and the City of Mill Valley host the Juneteenth Freedom Festival on the Downtown Plaza, a free afternoon of live music, poetry, storytelling and activities for all ages. It began in 2022 with the Mill Valley Force for Racial Equity and Empowerment, and 2026 was its fifth year.
Comedy in the Plaza
On a Thursday evening each June, the Mill Valley Arts Commission turns the Downtown Plaza into an open-air comedy show. Comedy in the Plaza is free and has run for more than 20 years. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket.
Pride Mill Valley
Mill Valley opens Pride Month with a kick-off party on the Depot Plaza, with live music, DJ sets, vendors and community organizations.
Get to Know Mill Valley
There is more on the calendar than one post can hold, and we keep up with it on Only in Mill Valley. If you're thinking about a move to Mill Valley, reach out to Team Brody. We're happy to talk through neighborhoods, timing and what's happening around town.
