Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival
Old Mill Park, Mill Valley · Art / Outdoor / Family
Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival — One of California's Oldest Juried Art Festivals, Under the Redwoods Since 1957
Every September, Old Mill Park in downtown Mill Valley becomes one of the most beautiful open-air galleries in the Bay Area. Beneath a cathedral canopy of coast redwoods, more than 135 juried fine artists and craftspeople display handmade work across painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, glass, photography, and mixed media — while live music, local food, and a dedicated Children's Grove turn the weekend into a full community celebration. Whether you are hunting for a statement piece, shopping for thoughtful gifts, or simply spending a slow fall day outdoors, the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival (MVFAF) is one of Marin County's most reliable annual traditions — and one worth planning your September around.
Nearly Seven Decades at Old Mill Park
The festival began in 1957 as a harvest-season celebration spread across downtown Mill Valley, with artists showing work in shop windows and temporary street setups. In 1962 it became a nonprofit and found its permanent home in historic Old Mill Park, where it has remained for more than six decades. That continuity matters: this is not a pop-up market trucked in from outside the county. It is a juried festival with standards, roots, and a setting — filtered September light through old-growth redwoods — that no convention center can replicate.
135+ Juried Artists — What You Will Browse
Today's festival brings together roughly 135 juried artists from Marin, the Bay Area, and beyond. The jury process keeps quality high while preserving the sense of discovery that makes a good art fair worth the trip. Expect booth after booth of original work: large-scale paintings and prints, sculptural ceramics, wearable art, hand-blown glass, fine jewelry, woven textiles, woodwork, and photography with a strong West Coast point of view. Prices range from accessible small pieces to serious collector work, and artists are usually on hand to talk about process, materials, and inspiration — one of the best reasons to visit in person rather than scrolling online.
Music, Food & the Children's Grove
MVFAF is built for a full day, not a quick lap. Two stages host live music throughout the weekend — from acoustic sets under the trees to family-friendly performances that keep the grove humming. Local food and beverage vendors line the paths so you can graze without leaving the park. The Children's Grove is a festival highlight for families: puppet shows, storytelling, hands-on art projects, and interactive performances give kids a creative anchor while adults browse nearby. If you are bringing children, build in time for the grove schedule — it is one of the most welcoming family programs at any juried art fair in Northern California.
Plan Your Visit — 2026 Dates, Tickets, Parking & Shuttles
The 69th annual Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, September 19–20, 2026, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM both days at Old Mill Park, 64 Cascade Drive, Mill Valley, CA 94941. Advance tickets are typically available online at mvfaf.org (with a discount over gate pricing); walk-up admission is also sold at the entrance. Pricing varies by year — general admission, senior, and free entry for children, students, teachers, and active military with ID are common categories. Check mvfaf.org for current rates before you go.
Parking in downtown Mill Valley fills quickly. The festival traditionally runs free shuttle buses from remote lots — including Edna Maguire and Mill Valley Middle School — with continuous service on both Saturday and Sunday. Bicyclists have sometimes received a gate discount; confirm details on the official site. Arrive before 10:00 AM on Saturday if you want the calmest browsing and the best first look at top pieces before they sell.
Scholarships, Emerging Artists & Community Impact
What separates MVFAF from a typical street fair is how deeply it invests back into the community. The organization funds scholarships for Marin County high school arts students, supports emerging artists with exhibition opportunities and mentorship, and has expanded presentation spaces for voices that deserve a wider audience. Buying art here does more than fill a wall at home — it sustains a nonprofit institution that has shaped Mill Valley's cultural identity for generations.
Why Locals Return Every September
For more than 60 years, this festival has been where Mill Valley reconnects with itself — neighbors bumping into neighbors on the paths, artists seeing repeat customers year after year, and visitors from across the Bay Area making the drive because they know the combination of curation, setting, and community warmth is rare. It is the kind of event that rewards repeat visits: come Saturday for energy and first pick, return Sunday for a slower second pass and any pieces you could not stop thinking about.
Old Mill Park, 64 Cascade Drive, Mill Valley, CA 94941 · mvfaf.org · Held annually the third weekend of September, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday
Local tip: Do one full loop before you buy anything — great work moves fast, and your eye needs time to compare. After you shortlist favorites, circle back while artists are still on site so you can ask questions and secure the piece. Pair the festival with a walk down Throckmorton Avenue or coffee in downtown Mill Valley and you have one of the best September days in Marin.