30+ Things To Do Instead of Burning Man

Tell Me When to Go
by Vanessa Gil, Arts & Events Editor

Once again, the post-apocalyptic, Mad Max crowd has deserted The City for Black Rock City. There’s still plenty to do for those of us that have been left behind. Whoever said SF is dead is seriously mistaken. Here’s some proof-of-life for the week of 8/26 and beyond.

Our Merch

FOGust is finally here! So don’t get caught without your official SF Summer gear! We’ve got a number of different designs. Check them all out right here.

Our Giveaways

Win Tix to see BATS GPT: The Improvised AI Experiment!

Welcome to BATS GPT, a one-of-a-kind long form improv experience where LIVE creativity meets AI! Each performance begins with ChatGPT setting the opening scene inspired by audience suggestions. The cast then dives headfirst into a fully improvised world where the AI continues to add twists, characters, or revelations that challenge and inspire the improvisers in real time. Will the AI be fun to play with, a mysterious oracle, or a mischievous wildcard? Two full stories each night. One unpredictable machine. Infinite possibilities.

You can purchase tickets here or enter here for a chance to win a pair! Winner will be notified on Tuesday, September 2nd.

Our Partners’ Events

Mamajowali Live at The Freight in Berkeley

8/27 | The Freight | 2020 Addison St, Berkeley | 6:30 p.m. Doors | $40

Join us for a powerful night of music and meaning as Mamajowali takes the stage—an electrifying trio blending the deep musical roots of West Africa with Americana soul and improvisational brilliance. This special performance is not only a benefit concert for The Sonder Project, but also a celebration of the organization’s 10-year anniversary, transforming lives in sub-Saharan Africa through clean water, education, and sustainable agriculture. The dance floor will be open, so come ready to move and celebrate!

This Week’s Events 8/26-9/1

Tuesday 8/26

Yuno
8/26 | Popscene @ Brick & Mortar Music Hall | 1710 Mission St, SF | 7 p.m. Doors | $29.59

Imbued with elements of dream-pop, rock, trap, and psychedelia, Yuno’s eclectic songs serve as bids for love and connection, which especially in the fractured era of social media, have resonated with many listeners who find solace in his vulnerability.

Janeane Garofalo
8/26 & 8/27 | Cobb’s Comedy Club | 915 Columbus Ave, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $38.20+ , 18+

Alternative comedy pioneer, actor, political activist, and influential voice in 90s alt comedy scene.

Valencia Street Small Business Stroll
8/26 | Mission Branch Temporary Site | 1234 Valencia St, SF | 5 p.m. | Free

Enjoy an evening of community, connection and commerce at the Valencia Street Small Business Stroll. This guided walk will spotlight 5 locally owned businesses, each offering a unique look into their story, products and services.


Wednesday 8/27

Kyle Dion
8/27 | The Independent | 628 Divisadero St, SF | 7:30 p.m. Doors | $32.47, 18+

Kyle Dion is a boisterous rising star with a bright falsetto and golden pen. The proudly independent artist possesses a soul from another era and creates a sound refreshing to any generation. Dion’s new album, SASSY,s a bold and bright sonic landscape that promises an unfiltered sound while flaunting a no rules mission statement. It’s a joyous and exclamatory soundtrack to better times.

Tribal Seeds & The Movement
8/27 | The Mountain Winery | 14831 Pierce Rd, Saratoga | 7 p.m. | $47.18+

Based in San Diego, rock-reggae band TRIBAL SEEDS come at their music from a different angle, more influenced by bands like Steel Pulse and Aswad than the common touchstone of Sublime.

Chess Lecture at the Bernal Library
8/27 | Bernal Heights Branch Library | 500 Cortland Ave, SF | 6 p.m. | Free

Join us for a short chess presentation about a beautiful game from chess history, followed by time for casual combat for those who want to play. All levels and ages are welcome. Bring a chess set if you have one.

Thursday 8/28

French 79
8/28 | Bimbo’s 365 Club | 1025 Columbus Ave, SF | 8 p.m. | $38.12, 21+

While the exploitation and touring of the TEENAGERS album came to an end in December 2024, and the artist began production of his fourth album, he felt the need to return for a few club dates in 2025.  A call to return to the roots of an unadorned live set, in order to prioritize proximity with audiences, return to places he particularly loves, glean a few ever-precious encounters and feed his inspiration for this next album.

Pixies
8/28 | Greek Theatre | 2001 Gayley Rd, Berkeley | 5 p.m. Doors | $60.10+

The Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts. They are often credited as a major influencer of the 90s sound that would soon be marketed as “grunge rock”. 

SF Black Pride presents Ball Out
8/28 | 1015 Folsom | 1015 Folsom St, SF | 9 p.m. | $12.89+, 21+

SF Black Pride presents Ball Out, a high-energy dance party celebrating Black queer excellence through music, fashion, and liberation. Featuring top DJs, bold performances, and immersive visuals, this night will be a joyful, unapologetic takeover of one of SF’s most iconic venues. Come dressed to impress and ready to sweat—this is the official SF Black Pride dance floor moment.

The Worst Film Festival
8/28 | Mama Dog Studios | 700 26th St, Oakland | 6 p.m. | $17.85

TWFF is the usual film festival turned upside down – We showcase filmmakers’ self-submitted “worst work” and use the event to celebrate creative risk-taking to learn from each other’s experiences. Trying and failing is how we get better – let’s make it fun!

Profs & Pints San Francisco: Thinking in Comics
8/28 | Bartlett Hall | 242 O’ Farrell St, SF | 6 p.m. | $14.75+

Profs and Pints San Francisco presents: “Thinking in Comics,” a revolutionary discussion of the importance of visual thinking and the limitations of the written word, with Nick Sousanis, award-winning comics author, associate professor of interdisciplinary studies, and founder of the Comic Studies program at San Francisco State University.

JURASSIQ PARQ – A Musiqal Parody
8/28-8/30 | OASIS | 298 11th St, SF | 6:30 p.m. | $57.33-$82.95

Join Dr. Laura Dern, Jeff Ian Malcolm Goldblum and the rest of the gang as they venture to a mysterious island where dinosaurs are alive… and singing chart-topping hits of the 90s, 2000s and today. Featuring outrageous drag, fierce dance, over-the-top puppets, dino divas, and soaring pop vocals, Jurassiq Parq is the immersive campy queer sci-fi nostalgia of a millennial’s wet dreams. Audiences are encouraged to dress up and sing along in this original take on the 1993 film that shaped a generation.

Friday 8/29

Discovery Meadow w/ DJ Snake, RL Grime, Troyboi, Dr. Fresch + more
8/29-8/30 | Downtown San Jose | 180 Woz Way, San Jose | 3 p.m. | $86.72+

Join us for your end of Summer celebration at Discovery Meadow! Two days of music, food, vendors and more take over downtown San Jose for the inaugural year of the festival.

Friday Nights at OMCA with NOODLES
8/29 | Oakland Museum of California | 1000 Oak St, Oakland | 5 p.m. | Free

Choose your vibe with two live DJ sets that bring intention and serious rhythm to the night. On the Garden Stage, NOODLES delivers a DJ set featuring a genre-bending mix of hip-hop, R&B, electronic, and global sounds.In the Amphitheater, DJ Sucia lights up the space with a high-energy fusion of Latin beats, house, EDM, and today’s hip-hop hits.

Jerry Garcia In The Lower Mission: A Dead Origin Story
8/29 & 8/30 | Fort Mason Center | 2 Marina Blvd, SF | 8 p.m. | $50

Magic Theatre presents the first performances of Jerry Garcia In The Lower Mission by Richard Montoya. Join author and performer Montoya with live music by J. Raoul Brody and David Gans, and performances by Dena Martinez, Aidaa Peerzada, and Brian Rivera for this tribute play and origin story of the legendary San Francisco band, the Grateful Dead.

SF Industrial Ball ’25
8/29 | Cat Club | 1190 Folsom St, SF | 9 p.m. | $10, 21+

Come walk The Black Carpet for a wonderful night of dancing to the world of Industrial music.

Riff Rumble!
8/29 | 1769 15th St, SF | 6:45 p.m. | $10.38-$28.52

Riff Rumble is a hilarious combination of the Bay Area’s best comedians riffing and ranting about their (and your) fun ideas. There are 4 more comedians onstage and they each have their own microphone. Throughout the whole show they’re going to be tagging jokes, roasting the comic onstage and talking to the audience. With five comics onstage at the same time this is one of the most fast paced and hilarious shows in the Bay Area.

Paranormal Cirque II
8/29-9/1 | Oakland Arena | I-880 at Zhone Way, Oakland | 7:30 p.m. | $40.87+

Immerse yourself in a world of thrills, chills and suspense, as you experience a Paranormal journey like no other.

Saturday 8/30

Sunset Night Market
8/30 | Sunset District | Irving St between 19th & 26th, SF | 5 p.m. | Free

The long-awaited return of the Sunset Night Market has arrived, with two new Friday dates this summer and fall and an expanded footprint to bring more AAPI food, vendors, makers, community fun, and local merchant highlights to the Irving Street corridor.

Non Stop Bhangra: Crash An Indian Wedding Party
8/30 | Great American Music Hall | 859 O’Farrell St, SF | 8 p.m. Doors | $31.96

Step into a vibrant world of swirling colors, joyful music, beautiful dancing, and contagious energy—reminiscent of the magic and mayhem of an Indian wedding celebration. From the moment doors open, you’re part of the family. Enjoy a mix of all the colorful festivities that make Indian wedding parties so unforgettable—from sangeet-style moments with live singing and instruments to delicious Indian snacks and sweets, henna art, vibrant visuals, photo booths, and more.

HUSSY: A Queer Day Party
8/30 | El Rio | 3158 Mission St, SF | 3 p.m. | $14.64, 21+

Meet us outside. HUSSY is taking over El Rio’s patio for a shamelessly sexy daytime dance party, serving house, techno, and filthy beats for you and the fam.

159th Scottish Highland Gathering & Games
8/30-8/31 | Alameda County Fairgrounds & Event Center | 2005 Valley Avenue, Gate 8 or 12, Pleasanton | $44.80

Witness world-class competitions, from the awe-inspiring feats of Scottish heavy athletes to the electrifying energy of Scottish dancing, piping, and musical performances. Immerse yourself in Scotland’s rich culture with traditional music, delicious food, and breathtaking performances that bring the spirit of the Scottish Highlands to life!

REGGAETON RAVE
8/30 | Phoenix Hotel | 601 Eddy St, SF | 1 p.m. | $21.99+, 21+

Reggaeton Rave is an electrifying fusion of pulsating rhythms, vibrant energy, and an immersive sensory journey where Latinx and Electronic music collide in an unforgettable dance celebration.

Free Creatures
8/30 | Brick & Mortar Music Hall | 1710 Mission St, SF | 8 p.m. Doors | $23.10

The Pacific Northwest brings us yet another new musical flavor in the alt hip hop power fusion trio, Free Creatures. The trio was born from emcee & producer Marv Ellis remixing original beats on an MPC live while rapping and freestyling in his beloved and charismatic style. This foundation provides the perfect pedestal for featuring the smooth, sweet swagger of upright bassist and singer Emily Turner, and the expansive effects of electric guitar layers and solos from upside-down leftie shredder Skyler Squglio.

Free Shakespeare in the Park Presents: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
8/30 | McLaren Park – Jerry Garcia Amphitheater | 40 John F Shelley Dr, SF | 2 p.m. | Free

Our 43rd season of Free Shakespeare in the Park brings you The Two Gentlemen of Verona, directed by Ely Sonny Orquiza.  Since 1983, as part of SF Shakes’ mission to make Shakespeare accessible to all, we’ve brought our Free Shakes production to audiences around the SF Bay Area; no tickets or Shakespeare experience required.

Artists Unite for Palestine
8/30 | San Francisco Mime Troupe | 855 Treat Ave, SF | 2 p.m. | Donation

Join us for a daytime art extravaganza with live music, art for sale, communal art activities, and more. All proceeds benefit families surviving genocide in Gaza. Family friendly! Featuring live music by The Sea Shells, Los Rasquaches, and special guests.

Sunday 8/31

R&B and Ribs Block Party
8/31 | The Midway | 900 Marin St, SF | 2 p.m. | $80.34, 21+

A day party with good food & dope djs. We’re bringing an extra special Block Party Labor Day Sunday to the Midway! With performances by Ashanti & Trey Songz plus all your favorite RIBS resident DJs.

Sunday Night Soul Roll
8/31 | Church of 8 Wheels | 554 Fillmore St, SF | 8 p.m. | $23.08

This is how you we spread rolligion!!! Come spend a Sunday night skating to some sweet soul music!!!

Crucial Reggae Sundays
8/31 | Golden Gate Bandshell | 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, SF | 4:20 p.m. | Free

Crucial Reggae Sundays: free, family-friendly reggae music in Golden Gate Parkhosted by Irie Dole, Guidance, and DJ Sep and featuring special guest Irie Rockerz.

Monday 9/1

Labor Day Kick Back
9/1 | Oeste – Bar | 722 Clay St, Oakland | 2 p.m. | $0-$65.87

Oakland Essence x Tropic Soul Summer is here. We’re bringing amazing vibes to great Venues in the SF/Bay Area.

Monday Night Trivia
9/1 | Magnolia SF – Haight | 1398 Haight St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | Free

Ready for a night of challenge and connection? Come ready to conquer with your team OR if you are on your own, opt for “Trivia Team Up” where we invite solo players to come and be matched with teammates for an unforgettable experience of meeting new people.

Hiero Day 2025 Street Festival
9/1 | Downtown Oakland | 1900 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | 12 p.m. | $16.93+

A dope celebration of music, art, and community in the heart of the TOWN! Featuring Hieroglyphics!

The Week of 9/2-9/8

Tuesday 9/2

Fall 2025 Creative Karaoke League
9/2 | Parliament Event Venue | 811 Washington St, Oakland | 7 p.m. | $40

Join the karaoke league where folks go hardcore and there’s glitter on the floor. If you want to go big, this is your league.

“SABOR” Taco Tuesdays | Latin Music Night
9/2 | ZOË Cocktail Bar & Bites | 579 Howard St, SF | 7 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP

Join us Every Tuesday Night at ZOË Cocktail Bar for a sizzling evening of Latin beats, mouthwatering tacos, and nonstop vibes. We’re turning up the volume with live DJ sets spinning the best in Top Latin Hits, Salsa, Bachata, Reggaeton, Hip Hop y mas! Paired with authentic tacos and killer cocktails, this is your midweek or weekend escape into Latin flavor and rhythm.

Wednesday 9/3

Mid-Week Mercado
9/3 | Salesforce Plaza | 100 Fremont St, SF | 11 a.m. | Free

Join us every Wednesday through September 24, for a vibrant, large-scale lunch market featuring 14 rotating pop-up food creators. This cultural marketplace offers downtown professionals, residents, and Salesforce Tower guests a chance to discover new flavors and build community connections.

Fat Dog
9/3 | Popscene @ Rickshaw Stop | 155 Fell St, SF | 7 p.m. | $27

Fat Dog are one of London’s most exciting new bands, conjuring the sort of frenzied and wild live shows not seen in the capital for years. Their debut album WOOF. is a brilliant and mind-bending blend of electro-punk, rock’n’roll snarling, techno soundscapes, industrial-pop and rave euphoria, music for letting go to or, in the words of frontman Joe Love, “screaming-into-a-pillow music”.

Tommy Guerrero
9/3 | The Chapel | 777 Valencia St, SF | 8 p.m. | $34.64

Born in San Francisco, Guerrero joined the skate company Powell Peralta in 1984 and became one of the original members of the legendary “Bones Brigade” team. TG has been playing music since the late ’70s with his brother Tony, both raised on a steady diet of DIY punk music/ethos and skateboarding-which informed and shaped the person he is today. Since then, Guerrero has become an accomplished bassist and guitarist with influences as diverse as John Coltrane, Bad Brains, Joy Division, Gabor Szabo and on and on… 

Thursday 9/4

Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga Concert Experience
9/4-9/6 | Davies Symphony Hall | 201 Van Ness Ave, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $75+

Marvel Studios’ The Infinity Saga Concert Experience is a new film concert that takes fans on an epic onscreen cinematic journey covering 23 films in one momentous concert event.

Science is a Piece of Cake: Marine Biology
9/4 | The Commons at KQED | 2601 Mariposa St, SF | 7 p.m. | $24.38

Learn all about ocean creatures via … cake! KQED’s Check, Please! Bay Area producer Cecilia Phillips is hosting a cake bake-off where marine biology will serve as our visual prompt. Each cake will be inspired by the marine life featured in the California Academy of Sciences’ aquariums. Enter the competition as a beginner, intermediate or advanced baker or join the audience to learn about who is living in our beautiful waters — while eating delicious cake!

American Patchwork Quartet
9/4 | Botanical Garden at Berkeley | 200 Centennial Dr, Berkeley | 5 p.m. Doors | $60

American Patchwork Quartet is an American musical group that reinterprets traditional folk songs with multicultural influences.

Jackie Clementine + Quattro + My Evergreen Soul
9/4 | Ivy Room | 860 San Pablo Ave, Albany | 7:30 p.m. | $14.73, All ages

Jackie Clementine is an indie garage rock band from Concord, CA.

Goo Goo Dolls, Dashboard Confessional
9/4 | Greek Theatre | 2001 Gayley Rd, Berkeley | 5:30 p.m. Doors | $66.75+

Goo Goo Dolls have quietly broken records, contributed a string of staples to the American songbook, connected to millions of fans, and indelibly impacted popular music for three-plus decades. Initially founded as an acoustic solo project by singer-songwriter/guitarist Chris Carrabba, Dashboard Confessional stands tall at the vanguard of an entire musical scene, adored for its groundbreaking sound and respected for its unwavering candor.

Friday 9/5

Superman Movie Night
9/5 | Oracle Park | 24 Willie Mays Plaza | 6 p.m. Doors | $28-$85

This summer’s biggest super hero is headed to the largest screen in San Francisco for one night only. Join us at Oracle Park on Friday, September 5 for a special screening of the DC Studios and Warner Bros. film SUPERMAN (2025).

Lil Wayne
9/5 | Shoreline Amphitheatre | 1 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View | 7 p.m. | $40.50+

Five-time Grammy award-winning rap icon Lil Wayne brings his ‘Tha Carter VI’ tour to the Bay Area, celebrating over 20 years of his iconic Tha Carter album series.

The Day the Sky Turned Orange
9/5-10/5 | Z Space’s Steindler Stage | 450 Florida St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $25+

This R&B and hip-hop musical from Julius Ernesto Rea, Olivia Kuper Harris, and David Michael Ott is a testament to living through the trials of 2020 as well as a compassionate reminder of the importance of caring for our planet, our communities, and ourselves.

Fort Mason Night Market 2025
9/5 | Fort Mason | 2 Marina Blvd, SF | 4 p.m. | Free, All ages

This outdoor market transforms the historic Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture into a dynamic showcase of local artisans, cuisine, and entertainment. This free public event combines the San Francisco Bay Area’s premier craft vendors with outstanding food offerings against a backdrop of stunning waterfront views.

Good VBZ Presents: Oakland Pride Kickoff Party ft. Jus10
9/5 | Fluid510 | 1544 Broadway, Oakland | 10 p.m. | $23.18+

Oakland… y’all ready? Pride weekend is about to go OFF and we’re starting it with the official kickoff party you’ve been waiting for. We’re bringing the one and only JUS10 — fresh off a feature in Revolt, blending hip hop grit with ballroom magic to create a performance that’s bold, unapologetic, and unforgettable. Jus10 lives where the beat drops meet the ballroom floor, giving power to the people and energy to the night.

Saturday 9/6

Artists and Makers Fair at The Box SF
9/6-9/7 | The Box SF | 1069 Howard St, SF | 11 a.m. | Free

Our beautiful SOMA venue will once again be opening up to an amazing group of local vendors who will be selling and showcasing their beautiful work. We are thrilled to invite you to join us for our multi-day public weekend events held each month at our historic building located in the heart of San Francisco!
These FREE monthly fairs span two days: Saturday (11am-5pm) & Sunday (11am-4pm). Reservations are NOT required!

Honey Dijon
9/6 | Gold Bar Distillery Treasure Island | 1 Avenue Of the Palms, SF | 2 p.m. | $44.94+

Buckle up… HONEY DIJON plays her biggest San Francisco headline ever on Saturday, September 6th at Gold Bar Treasure Island! Join us for an incredible sunset party with one of the most iconic artists on the globe.

X Ambassadors
9/6 | The Fillmore | 1805 Geary Blvd, SF | 8 p.m. | $52.50+

X Ambassadors is an American pop rock band from Ithaca, New York, that consists of lead vocalist Sam Harris, keyboardist Casey Harris, and drummer Adam Levin. Russ Flynn is a touring member who plays guitar and bass. Their most notable songs include “Jungle”, “Renegades”, and “Unsteady”.

Plaza Palooza Festival
9/6 | Soft Park – Levi’s Plaza | 1200 Battery St, SF | 11 a.m. | Free

Step into the rhythm of Plaza Palooza, where music, culture, and community come together. This year’s lineup features the powerful sounds of Oakland’s own Fantastic Negrito, a three-time Grammy winner known for his soulful fusion of blues, rock, and social storytelling. Also performing are Shadow Work, delivering genre-blending soul that defies expectations, and ASTU, whose powerful R&B-jazz-soul sound brings both intimacy and impact.

Views of Democracy – Opening Reception
9/6-10/25 | Rhythmix Cultural Works | 2513 Blanding Ave, Alameda | 3 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP

Views of Democracy is the culmination of more than a year of work to identify and curate a visual art exhibition that celebrates democracy. In Views of Democracy, you will see a wide range of media and technique, from video to sculpture and from painting to photography, textile art and mixed media. Some of the works are representational, others are fantastical; some are abstract, others include narrative. Several pieces in the show reference traditional symbols of America, some honor public institutions and some focus specifically on joy. Joy and art can be acts of resistance.

La Misa Negra
9/6 | The Independent | 628 Divisadero St, SF | 9 p.m. | $32.47, 21+

La Misa Negra is a 7-piece band from Oakland, California, known for their unique blend of cumbia and high-energy, Afro-Latin music. On stage, they deliver an electrifying performance that explodes with infectious dance grooves and punk rock energy, powered by horn and accordion-driven riffs, a fierce rhythm section, and a vintage-inspired sound.

FairyProud Pride Night
9/6 | Children’s Fairyland | 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland | 6 p.m. | $35-$40, 21+

What if your favorite gay bar turned into an amusement park? Poof! Fairy Proud!!Once a year, Fairyland is transformed into a live-out-loud PRIDE celebration bursting with queer joy and fierce fantasy. Ride the Jolly Trolly, dance under the Fairyland stars with three live DJs, savor local flavors in the Fairy food court, dive into delicious libations, and catch jaw-dropping, spectacular DRAG shows curated exclusively for Fairy Proud by the Bay Area’s premiere DRAG collectives. Three stages. Three DJs.

Sunday 9/7

HOLE: a new show by the SF Neo-Futurists
9/7 | TBA | SF | 2 p.m. | $28.52-$55.20

HOLE is an experimental theater piece by Amy Langer and Bahaar Taj in collaboration with the SF Neo-Futurists. Set outdoors at the beach, HOLE is a site-specific play that revolves around the act of literally digging a large hole in the ground, moving through themes of obsession, identity, community, kindness, and the strange persistence of compulsive digging in pop culture. A play without a fourth wall (or, in fact, any walls), HOLE asks the audience: What needs to be done for you to take up the shovel?

Oakland Pride Parade & Festival
9/7 | Oakland | Broadway & Thomas L Berkley Way, Oakland | 11 a.m. | Free, All ages

WE are STRONGER ✊🏾✊🏿✊🏼✊🏻 together than divided. Let’s do what we know BEST and STAND TOGETHER because IN UNITY, WE THRIVE!

San Francisco Symphony Free Community Performance
9/7 | San Francisco Public Library, Eureka Valley Branch | 1 Jose Sarria Ct, SF | 3 p.m. | Free

We’re proud to bring small ensembles to community spaces across San Francisco. These free concerts are an opportunity to get to know SF Symphony musicians and see them perform in an intimate setting.

Poolside’s Daytime Disco
9/7 | Union Square | 333 Post St, SF | 2 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP

Poolside is the recording project of producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jeffrey Paradise. The launch of the first ever Daytime Disco event in San Francisco’s Union Square is special by design. San Francisco is such an important part of Poolside’s history, a city Jeffrey Paradise had called home for years; first as a SFSU alumnus, and later as a DJ and Promoter of the famed Blow Up SF Parties.

The Flaming Lips + Modest Mouse
9/7 | Greek Theatre | 2001 Gayley Rd, Berkeley | 5 p.m. Doors | $83.75+

The Flaming Lips have since become one of the most iconic, influential, unpredictable, and vital forces in American alternative rock music, while Modest Mouse continues to prove themselves to be one of the most consistent live acts today.

Opera in the Park
9/7 | Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park | 320 Bowling Green Dr, SF | 1:30 p.m. | Free

Join us to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this beloved Bay Area tradition. Music Director Eun Sun Kim leads the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and stars from San Francisco Opera’s 2025–26 Season in an afternoon of glorious music.

Monday 9/8

Raphael Saadiq
9/8 | Davies Symphony Hall | 201 Van Ness Ave, SF | 8 p.m. | $66.75+

From D’Angelo’s iconic Voodoo to Solange’s A Seat at the Table, Saadiq has shaped some of the most influential albums of the 21st century. His own critically lauded Jimmy Lee (2019) further solidified his reputation as a boundary-pushing artist. His recent contributions to Beyoncé’s iconic albums, Renaissance and Cowboy Carter have earned him 8 more Grammy nominations. As he enters the fifth decade of his illustrious career, Raphael Saadiq remains an indispensable force, continuing to shape and redefine the sound of contemporary pop and soul.

The Week of 9/9-9/15

Tuesday 9/9

Cursive
9/9 | Bottom of the Hill | 1233 17th St, SF | 8 p.m. Doors | $35

Cursive is an American indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. Stylistically described as emo and post-hardcore. Over the past two decades, Cursive has become known for writing smart, tightly woven concept albums where frontman Tim Kasher turns his unflinching gaze on specific, oftentimes challenging themes, and examines them with an incisively brutal honesty. 

WIRED’s Uncanny Valley Live
9/9 | The Commons at KQED | 2601 Mariposa St, SF | 7 p.m. | $24.38

KQED Live presents a special live show with Uncanny Valley — the technology podcast from WIRED that gives us an insider look at the people, power and influence of Silicon Valley — hosted by Katie Drummond, Lauren Goode, and Michael Calore.

Wednesday 9/10

Sierra Hull
9/10 | The Independent | 628 Divisadero St, SF | 7:30 p.m. Doors | $32.47, 21+

A two-time Grammy Nominated artist and songwriter, recognized for both her most recent projects, 25 Trips (2020) and Weighted Mind (2016), she is also the 6x recipient of IBMA’s Mandolin Player of the Year, the first woman to ever receive this distinction. Her unique sound is rooted in bluegrass, and she is widely considered one of acoustic music’s most inventive artists.

Chinatown After Dark
9/10 | Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar | 57 Wentworth Place, SF | 8 p.m. | Free RSVP with a $5 suggested donation

Chinatown After Dark is back, and we’re turning up the heat w/ Yuka Yu, Nicky V on drums and more at the legendary Lion’s Den!

Dan Pelosi & Juanita MORE! – Let’s Party
9/10 | Jewish Community Center SF | 3200 California St, SF | 7 p.m. | $47 (Includes Book)

Bestselling cookbook author and internet favorite Dan Pelosi – aka @GrossyPelosi – brings his big-hearted, no-fuss approach to cooking and entertaining to the JCCSF. He’s joined by San Francisco’s own Juanita MORE! for a lively evening of stories, laughs, and tips on how to throw a great gathering, whether it’s a big holiday dinner or just Tuesday night with friends.

Pile
9/10 | Rickshaw Stop | 155 Fell St, SF | 8 p.m. | $20-$25, All ages

On its newest record, Pile weaves a Sisyphean fable concerned with labor and living. Pile presents this parable with jagged guitars, sputtering drum bombast, eerie synths and aqueous strings, with panoramic production and loud-quiet dynamism matching the emotionality of the band’s thunderous performances.

Thursday 9/11

One Show To Rule Them All
9/11 | Endgames Improv Theater | 2965 Mission St, SF | 7 p.m. | $17.35

Improvised Classics is a monthly improv comedy show where your favorite movies get totally reimagined—live, unscripted, and inspired by the audience.

ArtAuction25: Housing Heals 25th Annual Art Auction Fundraiser
9/11 | SOMArts Cultural Center | 934 Brannan St, SF | 5:30 p.m. | $35+

All proceeds from ArtAuction25 support the continued publication of Street Sheet and proceeds will fund our Human Rights and Housing Justice Organizing programs so we can continue advocating with and for the unhoused, ensuring that humane, empathetic, solution-based policies to end homelessness are prioritized over political theatrics that do nothing but waste money and harms unhoused San Franciscans.

NightLife: Claude’s Big 3-0
9/11 | California Academy of Sciences | 55 Music Concourse Dr, SF | 6 p.m. | $25, 21+

Claude’s turning 30—and we’re throwing the ultimate birthday bash fit for an alligator king. Think giveaways, crafts, music, and drinks, all capped off with a swamp-side celebration.

Mission Rock Movie Nights – Best In Show
9/11 | China Basin Park | 1 China Basin Park, SF | 7 p.m. | Free

Hey there movie lovers – Join us for movies at China Basin Park with your friends and family. Don’t forget to bring your blankets for a cozy evening. Movie starts at dusk.

Friday 9/12

Kat Robichaud’s Misfit Cabaret Till Death Do Us Part

9/12 | Great American Music Hall | 859 O’Farrell St, SF | 7 p.m. Doors | $92.80+

After 10 decadent years of music, madness, macabre and mayhem at Misfit Cabaret, we decided it was time to tie the knot. We’ve summoned original Misfits and bold new ones to take part in our latest revelry:  “Till Death Do Us Part”. Obviously, because this is Misfit Cabaret, this is not your garden-variety wedding…this is a fever dream of decadence, bawdiness, and damsels not in distress. Expect raucous chaos, devilish drag queens, nightmarish puppets, bedazzled burlesque babes, storytelling that is woven through original music, and a spectacle of love that lurches between sublime and spine-chilling.

Flower Piano 10th Anniversary Opening Night
9/12-9/21 | San Francisco Botanical Garden Golden Gate Park | 1199 9th Ave, SF | 4 p.m. | $75

Celebrate 10 years of Flower Piano and join us for a special opening night event in the Lounge on Friday, September 12. Includes general admission to Flower Piano.

The Warm Up: Kaytranada & Justice Tribute
9/12 | DNA Lounge | 375 11th St, SF | 9:30 p.m. | $12.50+, 18+

We’re throwing it down for two iconic acts who changed the way we dance, Kaytranada & Justice. From Kaytra’s smooth, soulful bounce to Justice’s gritty, electrified chaos, their sounds redefined modern nightlife. This party is a tribute to their influence.

Fall Teacher Night
9/12 | Oakland Museum of California | 1000 Oak St, Oakland | 4:30 p.m. | Free

TGIF! Here at OMCA, we recognize and want to celebrate the hard work that goes into the start of the school year. Bring your team! This event is free for teachers—RSVP is only required for those attending the journaling workshop. The first 100 arrivals receive Off The Grid food truck and drink tickets.

Mental Health Comedy Hour
9/12 | All Out Comedy Theater | 2550 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | 8 p.m. | $15+

Guided by the Mantra “We’re Not Okay, And That’s Okay”, Mental Health Comedy Hour is a show where comedians tell jokes before settling into more serious discussions about mental health. Part late night talk show part stand up comedy this show was co-founded by comedians Kristee Ono and Wonder Dave, we aim to destigmatize mental illness through genuine conversations and, of course, laughter.


Saturday 9/13

Sound Summit
9/13 | Mountain Theater | East Ridgecrest Blvd. in Mount Tamalpais State Park, Mill Valley | 11 a.m. | $70+

Sound Summit celebrates its 10th anniversary on Saturday, September 13, as CAKE returns to the historic Mountain Theater to headline the daylong festival atop Mount Tamalpais that has brought both exceptional music and benefit to the mountain and Bay Area community alike over the past decade.

EMPIRE 15: Shaboozey, Fireboy DML, Red Leather + more
9/13 | Civic Center Plaza | 355 Mcallister St, SF | 3 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP

Celebrate 15 years of EMPIRE in San Francisco with a FREE show in Civic Center Plaza on Saturday, September 13 from 3-7PM! Featuring performances from Shaboozey, Fireboy DML, Red Leather, and more to be announced, plus vendors, food trucks, and giveaways!

MacArthur Maze, Fresh Daily, Vese
9/13 | Brick and Mortar Music Hall | 1710 Mission St, SF | 8 p.m. Doors | $22.89, 21+

Independent hip-hop ensemble and crew, Macarthur Maze, combine only the most organic Bay Area ingredients to create a uniquely familiar powerhouse. Fresh Daily is a Brooklyn-born, Oakland-based rapper, graphic designer, and illustrator known for his sharp lyricism, jazzy boom-bap sound, and art-forward approach.

Castro Comedy Cabaret
9/13 | Beaux | 2344 Market St, SF | 6 p.m. | VIP & Pay What You Can Tickets: $1 – $650

Castro Comedy Cabaret is a bold, curated night of queer performance — blending stand-up, burlesque, storytelling, and surprise acts at one of San Francisco’s most iconic nightlife venues. Glamorous, community-rooted, and politically charged in all the right ways, each show brings together performers from across the Bay (and beyond) to light up the stage with laughter, sparkle, and substance.

Havoc Fest
9/13 | Ivy Room | 860 San Pablo Ave, Albany | 7 p.m. Doors | $17.82

Havoc Fest features Infirmities, Plan 9, Violent Coercion, & my neighbor’s band… Can’t!

Summer Tour of the Dell
9/13 | Dahlia Dell Golden Gate Park | Stanyan St, SF | 10 a.m. | Free

See the Dahlia Dell in all its glory and find out more about this amazing flower. Tours every 30 minutes from 10AM to 11:30AM. Led by experts in the Society. No tickets necessary. Bring the kids (dogs on leash okay) and your cameras!

Sunday 9/14

Billy Idol with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
9/14 | Greek Theatre | 2001 Gayley Rd, Berkeley | 5:30 p.m. Doors | $64.75+

46 years into his recording career, Billy Idol is still the ever-moving myth, the intellectual/feral internet-age bookworm/caveman of our dreams, finding modern language for the fiery, Eddie Cochran-meets-Ziggy Stardust rip’n’roar that he’s been making since he first stepped on stage.

B Legit W/ Live Band
9/14 | Yoshi’s Oakland | 510 Embarcadero W, Oakland | 7 p.m. & 9 p.m. | $80.10

His journey from Vallejo to the global stage, marked by trials and triumphs, is a testament to his resilience and creativity. B-Legit is more than an artist; he is a movement. Each beat, lyric, and performance reflects his story—a story rooted in hustle, heart, and the indomitable spirit of Hip Hop.

SUPER FLIP Film Screening & Fireside Chat w/ Director Celine Parreñas Shimiz
9/14 | Yerba Buena Center for the Arts | 701 Mission St, SF | 2 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP

SUPERFLIP is a monumental short film by Celine Parreñas Shimizu, Dean of UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television, filmed in the summer of 1995. The 30-minute film explores the life, love and labor of a Filipino immigrant couple and was shot in iconic SOMA locations such as the original Carmen’s Restaurant, Blanche’s Garden, Rigo’s Inner City/ Home mural and 330 Ritch/Victory Hall.

Button Brooches and Levi’s Love: A Workshop with Beau McCall
9/14 | Museum of Craft and Design | 2569 3rd St, SF | 1 p.m. | $10

Beau McCall returns to the Museum of Craft and Design on the closing day of Beau McCall: Buttons On! to lead a hands-on, drop-in workshop where you’ll transform Levi’s denim into eye-catching, button-forward brooches and pins. Come by for a few minutes or stay the whole time—there’s no formal agenda, just creative freedom. Join us at the end of the workshop for an informal runway show featuring participant-made pieces!

Monday 9/15

Litquake Presents: Songs for Other People’s Weddings: David Levithan and Jens Lekman
9/15 | Cafe du Nord | 2174 Market St, SF | 6:30 p.m. Doors | $26.24, 21+

Join Jens and David, along with emcee Andrew Sean Greer, for an unforgettable evening of story and song: part concert, part conversation, part celebration of shared creativity and the bittersweet nature of romantic love.

Noah Cyrus
9/15 | The Regency Ballroom | 1300 Van Ness Ave, SF | 8 p.m. | $51.32+

Noah Cyrus may have grown up in one of music’s most high-profile families, but after years in and around the spotlight, she emerges as her own woman and a fully realized artist. On her new album I Want My Loved Ones to Go With Me, Noah makes clear her independent voice and vision — while still recognizing those who shaped her. The album’s 11 tracks are all inspired by people Noah loves or has loved.

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