Sausalito Art Festival

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Arts & CultureSausalito
Dates5–7 September 2026Confirmed listing
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsThe festival's longevity, running since 1952
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Sausalito Art Festival in Sausalito

The Sausalito Art Festival has filled the waterfront of this Marin County town every Labor Day weekend since 1952, drawing more than 270 juried fine artists and roughly thirty thousand visitors. Held by the nonprofit Sausalito Art Festival Foundation, it pairs gallery-quality painting, sculpture, and craft with live music, food, and wine along San Francisco Bay.

It has a long-running regional identity as a Labor Day art destination near San Francisco Bay.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's longevity, running since 1952, makes it one of the longest-running juried fine art festivals in California, and its waterfront setting places the show directly against San Francisco Bay in a town with a history as an artist colony dating to the early 1800s, when painters first arrived by sailboat from San Francisco

02

The mystery stays covered

Unlike a general craft fair, the event is built around a competitive jurying process that selects more than 270 artists from across the country, giving the show a consistently high production and technical standard

03

The city starts moving

Proceeds are funneled back into the community through the nonprofit Sausalito Art Festival Foundation, supporting student scholarships and grants to local arts organizations, tying the commercial art show to a year-round philanthropic mission rather than treating it as a purely for-profit event

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival maintains a formal jurying process for participating artists

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a practice in place since its founding

The sacred route

Living ritual

and it continues Sausalito's long-standing identity as an art colony

The local code

Living ritual

tracing informally back to the weekend painters who arrived by sailboat from San Francisco in the early nineteenth century

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

5–7 September 2026

Getting around

Ferry and rideshare can be easier than parking.

What to wear

Labor Day weekend in Sausalito is typically mild, with afternoon temperatures in the 70s Fahrenheit and cooler, breezy conditions near the water; comfortable walking shoes and a light layer...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Sausalito or San Francisco

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map37.86 N, 122.49 WOpen in Google Maps

Sausalito, CA

TransportFerry and rideshare can be easier than parking.
Stay areaSausalito or San Francisco

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Sausalito via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Sausalito, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearLabor Day weekend in Sausalito is typically mild, with afternoon temperatures in the 70s Fahrenheit and cooler, breezy conditions near the water; comfortable walking shoes and a light layer for bay-side wind are practical, with sun protection for midday hours.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Sausalito Art Festival?

Sausalito Art Festival is listed for 5–7 September 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Sausalito Art Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Sausalito, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Sausalito, CA

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLsausalitoartfestival.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates5–7 September 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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