There are plenty of exciting new things to do this May in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Whether you’re a foodie looking to try out a new spot or an outdoorsy type with a hankering for fresh air, these ideas will definitely get the ball rolling. Scroll down to start planning your May in SF!
1. Enjoy classical music by candlelight at this magical concert series
The extremely popular concert series known simply as Candlelight is turning heads right now in San Francisco! The Bay Area’s top musicians perform classical covers of everything from Vivaldi to Taylor Swift, surrounded by hundreds of flickering candles. Venues include St. Ignatius Church and the International Art Museum of America.
- May 21: Candlelight Spring: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & More
- May 28: Candlelight Spring: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
- May 31: Candlelight: The Best of The Beatles on Strings
2. Free concerts are in full swing at the Bandshell! Here’s the full lineup through July
The San Francisco live music scene is on another level! The Illuminate Live series is bringing dozens of free concerts courtesy of Illuminate and SF Rec & Parks. All performances are free and family-friendly, with the impressive Golden Gate Bandshell as the backdrop. The Bandshell, which is 120 years old, added new lighting, a state-of-the-art sound system, and a new stage during the pandemic.
- Wednesdays: Singer-Songwriter/Folk/Rock
- Fridays: Jazz, Soul, R&B and Funk Happy Hours
- Saturdays: Cultural and Community performances
- Sundays: Reggae Sundays
3. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the Mission’s Lowrider car show and pop-up block party
Don’t miss out on the ultimate Cinco de Mayo celebration courtesy of SF Lowrider Council and Hella Paisa. The celebrations go from 10 am-4 pm on Saturday, May 11, at John Connell High School, featuring 30+ street vendors, music, and fun. Stay till the end of the lowrider cruise, which kicks off at 4 pm.
4. Join the 5th annual Embarcadero Center Wine Walk
May 8, 2024
Visit San Francisco’s Embarcadero Center for their popular annual Wine Walk, presented by BXP and Sonoma County Fire Relief. Savor delicious local wines while browsing some of the city’s most beloved storefronts and businesses. Even better, all proceeds will go to Sonoma County Fire Relief.
5. Watch a free movie screening in an SF park
Sundown Cinema makes its return for 2024, featuring another packed schedule of your favorite films. On May 17 you can watch Selena and sing along at Dolores Park. It’s the perfect Friday night activity, and it’s completely free. Bring some blankets, snacks, and your friends, and watch some classic movies.
6. May at the Ferry Building: movie nights, live music, and more
San Francisco’s Ferry Building is one of the city’s most iconic buildings, serving as a hotspot for tourists and locals alike. It’s a center for events, pop-ups, a farmers’ market, and countless excellent merchants who sell their wares daily in the building’s many stalls. This May brings an exciting new lineup of activities, including a special Mother’s Day pop-up and weekly movie nights at Fort Point Beer.
- May 5: Head West Marketplace
- May 12: Gardeneur Plant Market
- May 12: Mother’s Day activities
- Fridays: Ferry Flicks
- Wednesdays: Live Music on the Plaza
- Tues/Thurs/Sat: Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
7. Enjoy science with a cocktail at the Exploratorium’s After Dark events
The Exploratorium at Pier 15 in San Francisco is an exciting place for discovery any time of the day, but these 18+ After Dark events are a must for some epic kid-free fun at their exhibits. After Dark happens each Thursday from 6-10 pm with a different theme every week, featuring guest speakers, films, great music, and more.
8. Don’t miss out on May NightLife events at the Academy of Sciences
NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences is one of our favorite ongoing events, and we’re thrilled to see more of these awesome themed soirees on the calendar! The popular Thursday night festivities feature live DJs, outdoor bars, ambiance lighting, and more alongside the Academy’s nearly 40,000 animal residents.
9. 10 zesty margaritas to enjoy on Cinco de Mayo in San Francisco
Cinco de Mayo, often mistaken as Mexico’s Independence Day, commemorates Mexico’s underdog victory against France in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. In Mexico, the day’s importance has faded over time, but its significance in the US has grown substantially as a time to celebrate Mexican-American culture. As with many US holidays, commercialization has more or less turned May 5 into another excuse to party. If you like to partake in a margarita or 2 on this special day, we put this list together to help you get started in the city.
10. Check out places to spend a memorable Mother’s Day in San Francisco
May 12
Heads up – Mother’s Day is around the corner! Whether you’re looking to celebrate Mother’s Day on a budget or you want to go all-out with a nice meal, we’ve got plenty of exciting ideas to help you get the ball rolling.
- Take a stroll around the city’s unique gardens
- Make a reservation for a sunny outdoor brunch
- And more!
11. See which free museum days are coming up
We love San Francisco for its vibrant culture, history, and resources, but it’s no secret that living here costs a pretty penny. Whether you’re a college student on a budget or a bargain hunter wanting to see the sights, this list of free museum days will certainly help you save some bucks.
12. Check out SF’s best temporary museum exhibitions this May
As we enter a new month, many museum exhibitions in San Francisco are getting refreshed and replaced. We’re keeping tabs on the best new temporary exhibitions from SFMOMA to the Asian Art Museum, so you’ll never miss an amazing new display.
Museum exhibitions closing soon in SF
- Yayoi Kusama: Infinite Love and Dreaming of Earth’s Sphericity, I Would Offer My Love – closing May 28 at SFMOMA
- Lhola Amira: Facing the Future- closing May 5 at the de Young
- Irving Penn at the de Young – closing July 21 at the de Young
- Phoenix Kingdoms: The Last Splendor of China’s Bronze Age– closing July 22 at the Asian Art Museum
- Mr. Roboto – closing June 30 at the Museum of Craft and Design
- and more
13. The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival kicks off this month
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival is now hosting fantastic free programming multiple days a week, and their upcoming schedule is worth putting on your calendar. The independent nonprofit organization is dedicated to presenting accessible cultural events during 6 months of the year, including world-class music, theater, dance, kids’ shows, and more.
14. Support local businesses at SF Small Business Week
May 6-10
SF Small Business is marked by plenty of forums, networking events, and panels meant for business owners, but there are also opportunities for the public to come out and support the best of SF’s small business scene.
15. Dance the night away at the new Bhangra and Beats Night Market
This Friday night event called Bhangra and Beats Night Market is coming to Downtown SF on May 10, July 12, and September 13. The event exciting event will feature a variety of street food vendors, cocktails, and goods from local artisans. Unique local artisans and retailers will participate in the event. Goods include hard-to-find Indian goods and San Francisco Bay Area-made jewelry, apparel, personal care, and art.
16. Check out the Taiwanese American Cultural Festival at Union Square
May 11
The West Coast’s largest celebration of Taiwanese American Culture takes place this month at Union Square. Enjoy a day dedicated to Taiwanese cuisine, entertainment, and family-friendly activities at this event for 30 years running.
17. Keep the Mother’s Day celebrations going at Union Square in Bloom
May 12
Union Square will celebrate Mother’s Day with salsa music, flowers, and more on May 12 from 3-6 pm. Indulge in delicious food and drink while dancing the afternoon away with other families celebrating their mothers and mother figures.
18. The Mill Valley Music Festival is back this year for its 2nd rendition
May 11-12
There’s a new musical festival coming to the Bay Area in May! The Mill Valley Musical Festival will celebrate music and arts at the base of Mount Tam on May 11-12. The family-friendly festival will showcase a variety of genres from both local and national touring musicians.
19. Dance the day away at How Weird Street Faire
The West Coast’s longest-running dance festival is returning on May 4, 2024. This year’s theme is fittingly Star Weird Day: May the 4th be with you. The dance festival features world-class DJs and plenty of people dancing away at the 9 different stages. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $25.
20. Spot some spring flowers in Golden Gate Park
Spring flowers will be appearing in San Francisco in the coming months. Some blooms to look for in May include the last of the tulips, rhododendrons, California poppies, crabapple blossoms, calla lilies, fuchsia, and the beginning of the rose season.
21. Jam out to the first Blue Note Summer Sessions in Napa
Silverado Resort and Spa will soon kick off its Blue Note Summer Sessions, during which guests can enjoy a series of fun outdoor performances in Napa Valley. Here’s what’s coming up in May:
- May 31:Justin Moore at 7:30 pm
22. Join in the festivities at Bay to Breakers
May 19
Bay to Breakers is San Francisco’s famous fun run dating back to 1912! Hundreds will turn out to run, walk, or dance a 12km route through SF’s most iconic neighborhoods. The race always features elaborate costumes, en-route entertainment, and unforgettable moments.
23. See which free activities are coming up at SF’s floating Salesforce Park
San Francisco’s Salesforce Park is an amazing modern marvel in the Financial District. The verdant oasis rests 70 feet above the street atop the Salesforce Transit Center, and it’s completely free and open for the public to visit at any time. It also hosts a collection of free events every week, including yoga classes, bootcamps, live music, bird walks, garden tours, drum circles, and much more.
24. Check out all the events and exhibitions happening at Fort Mason Center
When’s the last time you paid a visit to San Francisco’s amazing Fort Mason Center? The popular art center hosts numerous exhibitions and events throughout the year, and there are some special ones coming up.
25. See Stevie Nicks, Pearl Jam and Ed Sheeran at BottleRock Napa Valley
May 24-26
BottleRock Napa is once again coming up, and you can look forward to some majorly good music. Headliners include the iconic Stevie Nicks, Pearl Jam, and Ed Sheeran. Other acts include Kali Uchis, St. Vincent, Dominic Fike, and many more. 3-day tickets are already sold-out, but you can still buy a 1-day ticket here.
26. Let loose at Carnaval SF in SF’s Mission District
May 25-26
Carnaval San Francisco is gearing up for a festive celebration taking over 17 blocks of the Mission District on Memorial Day weekend! The highly-anticipated free event is back for its 46th year, and you can expect plenty of vendors, a queen and king competition, and a Grand Parade with over 3,000 artists.
27. Check out a marvelous rooftop bars to check out in San Francisco
Everyone knows that rooftops in San Francisco are few and far between, but we managed to round up some stellar spots to try out when you’re looking to grab dinner or drinks with a view. Whether you prefer a swanky environment with craft cocktails or a laid-back terrace to enjoy a cold beer, we’re sure you’ll find something on this list that caters to your sensibility.
28. Try the most underrated places in SF, according to San Franciscans
Many San Franciscans are vocal about overrated spots in the city. But what about the most underrated places? We took to Instagram and Facebook to ask our followers this question: In your opinion, what’s the most underrated place in San Francisco? After reading through these fantastic responses, we can’t wait to go try some new spots.
27. Get close to nature at these 10 beautiful spots in the city recommended by San Franciscans, for San Franciscans
We wanted to hear your favorite spots to get close to nature, so we asked our Instagram followers for their best local outdoor escapes. They certainly didn’t disappoint, and these places inside of the City come highly recommended.
- Lands End
- Ocean Beach
- The Presidio
- And more!
29. Take a slippery ride down these awesome neighborhood slides
For decades, thrill-seeking adults and children alike have enjoyed these legendary slides hidden near the Castro. The Seward Street Slides were designed by a 14-year-old girl named Kim Clark, who grew up nearby.
The slides are located in Seward Mini Park, which is tucked away at 70 Corwin St in Noe Valley. Park hours are from 6 am-10 pm, and slide hours are from 10 am-5 pm. The park and slides are closed on Mondays.
30. Enjoy a picnic at these 15 charming spots in the c ity
San Francisco is home to some of the best parks and gardens in the world, so there’s no shortage of awesome picnic spots for you to enjoy a socially distanced meal with friends. Whether you want to support a local cafe and get some amazing food to go, or you prefer to pack your own delicious recipe to enjoy out in the sunshine, you’ll love all of these great options. Some are SF staples, and some are a little less well-known.
- Old Speedway Meadow
- Garden of Shakespeare’s Flowers
- Bernal Heights Park
- Palace of Fine Arts lawn
- And more!
31. Visit this historical country estate and its gorgeous gardens
If you haven’t heard of Filoli, you have got to add this spectacular historical estate to your list. According to its website, the Filoli property covers 654 acres in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The house and garden themselves cover 16 immaculate acres, having been beautifully maintained for over a century.
Filoli’s gardens are unique in that they bloom all year round, thanks to seasonal planting and carefully planned maintenance by the estate’s 14 full-time horticulturalists. Over 75,000 spring bulbs are planted each year.
You may visit Filoli at 86 Cañada Road in Woodside, CA, with a prior reservation from 10 am-5 pm daily. General admission costs $25 and there are reduced prices available for children, seniors and students.
32. Find these breathtaking cliff views just an hour out of the city
Wilder Ranch State Park, just a few minutes south of Davenport, is a 7,000-acre ranch from the late 1800s converted into a museum and nature preserve. This historic site sits along the Santa Cruz County coastline and is home to spectacular views, hikes, and wildlife.
There are several hiking trails you can take at Wilder Ranch. The Old Landing Cove Trail, Pacific to Redwoods Loop, and Wilder Ridge trails will give you up-close views of the breaking waves and access to some of the hidden beaches. The Englesman, Long Meadow, Eucalyptus, and Enchanted Loop trails will give you more views of the green countryside with a dazzling ocean backdrop. Be sure to visit Wilder Ranch State Park for an amazing weekend getaway from the city!
33. Sip on sparkling mead and enjoy the weather at this beautiful meadery
Just north of San Francisco in Point Reyes, there’s a beautiful meadery that makes sweet, sparkling honey wine. The timeless drink may have been overtaken in popularity by different wines, but it’s perfect for sipping on during a warm spring day. The meadery has beautiful gardens where you can enjoy your wine, and it even offers various events and tours for visitors.