San Francisco Opera’s popular (and free!) Opera in the Park event returns for its 50th anniversary in spectacular fashion this Sunday, September 7th, 2025.
Music director Eun Sun Kim leads some of SF Opera’s biggest players from the 2025-26 season for an afternoon of masterful duets, solos, arias, and more, presented by the San Francisco Chronicle. Bring a picnic and arrive early to snag a good spot in front of the stage, because the all-ages event drew over 30,000 people last year.
New this year is a Picnic Contest, where guests are invited to set up the most elaborate picnic to enjoy during the show. Celebrity judges will roam throughout the lawn to scout out the best picnic, and the winner will receive a special prize. Just avoid using tarps, live flames, or anything that could block other guests’ view.
Opera in the Park will run from 1:30-3:30pm at Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Guests are invited to bring blankets or low-profile lawn chairs (no tarps) and snag a first-come, first-served spot on the meadow.
Food and drink vendors will be on-site for you to grab a bite during the show. There will also be four complimentary hydration stations available throughout the meadow to refill your reusable bottles or cups with water.
Due to reserved parking for crew and staff, the usual street parking will be limited. It’s worth taking advantage of the complimentary bike valet on the east side of the meadow, the free Golden Gate Park shuttle, and other modes of transportation. There is some ADA parking available on Bowling Green Drive, along with a drop-off location.
About San Francisco Opera
San Francisco Opera dates back to 1923, and it recently celebrated 100 years of wonderful performances. It’s housed in the historic War Memorial Opera House, which was built during the Great Depression as a memorial for San Franciscans who served in WWI.
SF Opera continues to spread the joy of musical storytelling through seasonal performances, opera training programs, K-12 education programs, and community outreach. As a local nonprofit, SF Opera is sustained largely thanks to the contributions of donors and subscribers.
For its 2025-26 season, SF Opera is preparing to present some significant operas, including Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto, Huang Ruo and David Henry Hwang’s The Monkey King (猴王悟空), Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally’s Dead Man Walking, and Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia.
🌐 Learn more: San Francisco Opera