Happy Friday Everyone! You've worked hard all week, and now it's time to have fun! Getting out and enjoying the beautiful Bay Area, as well as enjoying the company of friends old and new, is great for your mental health. So check out some of our favorite events from around the Bay that you can attend this weekend!
Click on any of the event titles for a link to the event.
Friday, March 31st
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
5:30 PM, Ages: All
Free
Live music will return for its third season at the Golden Gate Bandshell’s iconic stage with another series of free outdoor concerts in Golden Gate Park.
The series, Illuminate Live, which kicks off March 1, 2023, will bring 100+ free concerts to the GGP Music Concourse in 2023. The lineup of performers returning to the stage is diverse and local as it was in its first two seasons—the 2023 concerts will feature R&B, soul, jazz, funk, big band musicians, string ensembles, indie and psychedelic rock bands, and many diverse singer-songwriters. In addition, the series will include reggae, salsa, and some EDM and electronic music.
In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, all concerts throughout March will feature women or women-fronted bands. The series begins March 1 with “Market to Bandshell” featuring three female singer-songwriters: Common De Nomi, Frances Ancheta Becker and Nikki Nash. Friday, March 3 features R&B and soul with Nate’ SoulSanger, and Saturday, March 4 from noon to 4 p.m. it’s Women of the World Day – a Musical Journey showcasing female artists Ants, Monica Maria, and Free Press Music. Sunday, March 5 will present up-and-coming reggae artist Estrella and her band alongside house DJs Irie Dole and DJ Guid8nce for Crucial Reggae Sundays’ 2023 kick-off.
The free, all-ages concerts will run through mid-November of 2023, and echo the past two seasons’ schedule with Singer-Songwriter/Folk/Rock Wednesday; Jazz, Soul, R&B and Funk Friday Happy Hours; Cultural and Community performances on Saturdays; and Reggae Sundays, as well as many special events, including a special performance for St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 with celebrated Bay Area artist Shana Morrison and her band Caledonia performing two sets from 4:30 to 7 pm.
Fort Mason, San Francisco
5 PM, Ages: All
Free (Food Separate)
California’s largest nighttime street food festival is back in San Francisco every Friday beginning March 24, 2023! Off the Grid: Fort Mason Center returns for its 13th season celebrating the variety, diversity and passion of the Bay Area food truck scene and beyond.
With over 50 food creators throughout the season, you can find your favorite treats while also discovering new and delicious dishes. Along with a diverse selection of food options, each Friday will also feature the Kivelstadt Cellars WineGarten, full cocktail bar, live music, and more!
Off the Grid: Fort Mason Friday Night Food Truck Party
March 24 – June 23, 2023
Every Friday | 5-10 pm – Rain or Shine
Fort Mason Center parking lot, 2 Marina Blvd., SF
FREE Admission
Please note that as of March 2023 Off the Grid has only announced dates through June 23rd but says “The 2023 season will be every Friday 5-10pm from March 24 – June 23 and then we will return in the fall for another round of special events.”
See the food truck lineup (25+ every week from a rotating list of 50 food trucks)
Special Events & Updates
Every 3rd Friday – Fido Fridays – 10% off bar for pet owners during “yappy” hour
Every 1st Friday – Family Fridays – 10% off bar for parents during happy hour
See offthegrid.com for updates
Saturday, April 1st
SF Playhouse, San Francisco
3 PM, Ages: All
$35
Based on the iconic 1985 film – which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game – Clue is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery.
“… a welcome throwback to an era of physical comedy that’s been mostly usurped by sarcasm.” – The New York Times
At a remote mansion, six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. As the body count rises, Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, Colonel Mustard, and Wadsworth, the butler, race to find the killer.
Clue is the comedy whodunit that will leave both cult-fans and newcomers in stitches as they try to figure out WHO did it, WHERE, and with WHAT?!
Children's Fairyland, Oakland
6 PM, Ages: 21+
$35
For one spectacular evening, Fairyland invites you to the park for an adults-only Alice in Wonderland immersive experience on Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 6-10 p.m. Join us for an immersive experience through the looking glass when the park becomes a tea garden, the Red Queen’s court, and a dance floor where hips and heads are sure to roll!
These rare 21+ parties almost always sell out, so don’t be late.
Fancy teas
Dessert bar
Food trucks
Libations
Live DJ
Photo booth
Costumes
Dress Up!
Dust off your dress up trunk because this will be a night of outrageously fun costumes! Bring that fabulous costume of yours into the chapel for a photo booth moment you’ll always remember.
Drink Up!
With hot, cold, and alcohol infused options, feel free to sip on the tea of your choice! Pull up to the bar for beer, wine, and mar-TEA-nis.
Fill Up! Satisfy your sweet tooth at our loaded dessert bar, full of brownies, cupcakes, and other decadent treats. Vegan and gluten free options? Indubitably! Fancy a fuller fare? Hop on over to the food trucks for a smorgasbord sure to satiate any craving.
Indulge yourself with delicious eats by The Chairman food truck, Halal Bites of Chicago, and Blocko Vegan Tacos.
Beautiful teas provided by Teas with Meaning, Bundts & Crumpets Specialty Teas, and Julie’s Coffee and Tea Garden.
Sunday, April 2nd
County Fair Building, San Francisco
11 AM, Ages: All
$25
Chocolate lovers, get ready for a world of premium chocolate!
The original and premier artisan chocolate festival on the West Coast takes place this Spring at the 15th Annual San Francisco International CHOCOLATE SALON, in San Francisco. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, buyers and journalists can experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary metropolitan areas.
Featuring a delicious selection chosen and curated by the Organizers, the Annual International CHOCOLATE SALON participants have included master chocolatiers, confectioners, and other culinary artisans.
Salon highlights feature chocolate tasting, demonstrations - (Salon Entry includes all chocolate tastings, demos, etc.). The is the international chocolate festival not to miss!
** WHAT ELSE? For chocolate lovers, get a copy of your own Official Chocolate Journal for notes, thoughts, recipes and autographs.Get directly from Amazon.com HERE, or order from the Salon ABOVE for pickup at Will Call. DRESS FOR SUCCESS: "Official Chocolate Tasters" Shirts and Hats. Find them here.READ THIS INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO USE YOUR ADVANCE TICKET 1. Purchase Advance Tickets 2. Your purchased ticket or tickets are reserved for you at SF Chocolate Salon.Please bring them with you to Will Call the day of the Salon (Photo ID Required). 3. If you purchase more than one ticket, all attendees must be present in order to receive the tickets, which are under your name only. 4. Each ticket purchased is good for one day at the Salon 5. No refunds available within 7 days of the actual Salon date. Refunds issued via Eventbrite or original ticket issuer. Information available at: www.SFChocolateSalon.com
37th Avenue, San Francisco
9 AM, Ages: All
$49
A weekly market featuring farmers, ranchers, food artisans, live music, children’s activities, vendors, makers, merchants, artists, and local organizations. Explore all the amazing local businesses surrounding the farmers market at sunsetstrong.com.
You can find us every Sunday 9am-2pm year round on 37th avenue/Ortega and every Wednesday 3pm-7pm (June to August)
The Wednesday and Sunday Outer Sunset Farmers Market & Mercantile features ranchers, local farm fresh produce, unique artisan foods, delicious pop-up eateries, talented makers, local merchants, live music and an extensive Fun Zone for all ages.
Eat, drink, shop, play, connect and be local at our Wednesday and Sunday markets under the trees! www.sunsetmercantilesf.com for more details.