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, September 29th
The Modernist, San Francisco
8 PM, Ages: All
$25
You are invited to celebrate the 17th season of the Award-winning Fashion Community Week's opening Fashion Week party on Friday, September 29th at the chic members club, The Modernist.
Join us to enjoy delicious crafted cocktails, conversations and socializing with the local fashionistas! We invite you to wear your favorite cocktail attire to join us in fun photo sessions.
We look forward to having a fun time with you at our Fashion Week Party!
Live music by DJ Ben Interiano
Oakland Museum of California, San Francisco
3 PM, Ages: All
Free
Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid is a free event that provide a gathering place to listen to live music, enjoy hands-on activities, and get food from Off the Grid food trucks. Take advantage of late-night access to our galleries and special exhibitions with a Museum ticket, or bring a blanket and lounge in our garden, now open with direct access to Lake Merritt.
Limited flat-rate parking for Friday Nights is available in the OMCA Garage for $10.
As we enter the holiday season, Friday Nights at OMCA with Off the Grid (OTG) will begin its seasonal break. The final Friday Nights at OMCA with OTG of 2023 will be October 27. Oakland’s favorite weekly block party will resume in April 2024. During the Friday Nights break, OMCA will remain open to the public during the Museum’s regular business hours, including admission to special exhibitions, Into the Brightness: Artists from Creativity Explored, Creative Growth & NIAD and Por el Pueblo: The Legacy and Influence of MalaquÃas Montoya.
Saturday, September 30th
Stow Lake Boathouse, San Francisco
7:30 PM, Ages: All
$35
About Lakehouse Jazz
Indulge in a truly unique and immersive music experience at Lakehouse Jazz. Our intimate concert series, nestled within the iconic Golden Gate Park, offers the perfect setting to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. As Karl the Fog sets in and illuminates the lake, join us inside for an evening of influenced jazz music from the Bay Area's finest musicians, paired with a glass of wine or beer.
Not only will you enjoy an unforgettable night of live jazz, but your attendance also supports the local art scene and its musicians.
Experience the thrill of the unknown with our secret concert series, featuring new bands every Friday and Saturday. Discover a wide range of jazz styles, from 1920s swing to latin, funk, fusion, hip-hop, bossa, and original compositions. This concert series is produced by Mellow Sessions, ensuring a one-of-a-kind experience. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this exclusive and intimate concert, considered the best-reviewed worldwide. Secure your tickets now and elevate your music experience to new heights!
About the venue
Located in the heart of SF's famous Golden Gate Park, there’s a lovely boathouse known only by a few locals. Every Friday we transform this space into a non-conventional intimate music venue. Nearby you can start off your evening by visiting the best Gold Gate Park has to offer. Our top favorites are the De Young Museum, the Japanese Garden, the Academy of Science, and of course a cruise around the Stow Lake on a paddleboat, perfect for a group party or a date!
Experience a one-of-a-kind night of live music in a unique setting, and make lasting memories with friends and loved ones. Don't miss out on this local secret, purchase your tickets now and get ready to be transported to an unforgettable night of music and beauty in the heart of San Francisco.
Union Square, San Francisco
1 PM, Ages: All
Free
Join us for an incredible music experience in the heart of San Francisco! We are thrilled to present a series of free performances that will captivate music enthusiasts, families, and adult-beverage afficionados alike.
Every Saturday, from July through mid-October from 1pm - 4pm, and beginning in August, every 3rd Thursday, from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Union Square Plaza will come alive with the sounds of talented local artists, celebrating the rich musical heritage of this iconic city. San Francisco, renowned as a music destination and the birthplace of legendary musicians and groups such as the Grateful Dead, Metallica, Janis Joplin, and Carlos Santana, sets the stage for an extraordinary lineup of performances.
Prepare to be amazed by a diverse range of musical genres, featuring local songwriters, solo musicians, up-and-coming stars, energizing EDM and Dance DJ sets, soulful jazz renditions, and captivating Latin rhythms. The launch event will feature DJ Sep and Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, with future collaborations lined up with esteemed indoor entertainment venues such as Biscuits & Blues and American Conservatory Theatre (ACT).
As you indulge in a weekend of friends, food, and music, Union Square Plaza offers a vibrant setting for your enjoyment. Delight in delicious offerings from food trucks and experience the lively atmosphere of our Beer, Wine and Spirit Garden during certain concerts (see website for dates). Before and after the show, extend your experience at the numerous local restaurants and bars surrounding the venue, where you can discover the unique and delicious flavors of Union Square.
For families, we have a range of exciting activities lined up, including magicians, balloon art, face painting, flower crown making and so much more (check calendar for lists of activities). Introducing the Union Square Bloom Passport, offering an interactive and family-friendly experience. Dive into a world of floral education, interactive games, and captivating displays. Collaborating with local floral designers, more than 30 of Union Square's hotels, theaters, restaurants, bars, and retail establishments have adorned their storefronts with breathtaking floral arrangements, creating a gateway to discovery for all. The Union Square Bloom Passport is perfect for families looking to explore, learn, and have fun together.
For the 21+ audience, we have an exclusive treat in store. Meet the Bloom + Bubbles Passport, a district-wide cocktail program that presents a selection of 29 enticing floral cocktails available at Union Square hotels, restaurants, and bars. On July 29th, after the free 1 pm to 4 pm concert, from 5 pm to 9 pm, we invite you to join us for a district-wide Bloom & Bubbles Bar Crawl. Explore the city's vibrant nightlife as five bars and two clubs offer irresistible drink specials, making it an evening to remember. Those who purchase a ticket to the Bar Crawl, will get an exclusive offer to be redeemed at our Alcohol Garden prior to the Crawl
Don't miss this marvelous interactive opportunity to be part of San Francisco's thriving music scene and enjoy a weekend filled with music, food, drinks, and fun. Mark your calendars and join us for an unforgettable celebration in Union Square Plaza!
The new initiative is a collaboration between the Union Square Alliance, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, and the Office of Economic Workforce Development (OEWD) funded by their SF Live grant.
For more information about the lineup, pop-up bar gardens, rotating food vendor, family-friendly activities, and 21+ events, visit here. Information for August – October to be announced soon.
Sunday, October 1st
37th Between Ortega and Pacheco, San Francisco
9 AM, Ages: All
Free
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)
Getting There
Muni: Lines 7, 29, 48
Unlike most of San Francisco, street parking is usually fairly easy surrounding the market.
Every Sunday
Typically 25+ vendors
Seasonal tastings
Live Music
Kids Storytelling
Weekly activities and fun
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.
Westbrae Nursery, Berkeley
9 AM, Ages: All
Free
Westbrae Nursery, a worker-owned cooperative, runs its annual Pumpkin Patch from October 1-31, 2023 — with 100% of the pumpkin sales benefiting the local Cornell elementary school!
Nestled in the back of the nursery in the charming North Berkeley Westbrae neighborhood, you will find a festive pumpkin patch stocked to the brim with pumpkins in all shapes, colors, and sizes.
The Westbrae Pumpkin Patch is a hidden gem (one of the only pumpkin patches in Berkeley!) and is an East Bay favorite.
The pumpkin patch is open every day from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Spend a relaxing fall afternoon picking out pumpkins and enjoying other local Westbrae treasures, like the Westbrae Biergarten, Coffee Conscious, and Berkeley Bagels.
Fall Bake Sales – Oct. 14 + Oct. 21
Westbrae Nursery will also be hosting a bake sale on October 14, 2023 and October 21, 2023 from 12pm-3 pm at the pumpkin patch, selling delicious fall-themed baked goods. All sales benefit a local elementary school.