Happy September, San Francisco! Yes, we’re already at the beginning of another month, and the changing of the seasons brings a new host of activities. From SF Botanical Garden’s Flower Piano event to Chinatown’s Autumn Moon Festival, there’s never a dull moment in the city, and we’re sure that these great events and fun plans will keep you busy in your free time.
Scroll on for a full list of events and things to do this September in San Francisco.
San Francisco weather in September
September and October are generally considered to be the best times of year in San Francisco, thanks to minimal fog and rain. This is SF’s “real summer,” with the highest amount of sunny and warm days. But no matter what the forecast looks like, don’t forget to bring layers just in case.
1. Flower Piano
Flower Piano is back at the SF Botanical Garden this year! A collection of public pianos will be placed around the gardens so you can enjoy lovely music in an even lovelier setting. The event is free for SF residents, but you’ll still need to reserve ahead of time as it’s one of the garden’s most popular events of the year.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 12-21, 2025
2. Haight Ashbury Street Fair
This annual event takes place on Haight Street between Masonic and Stanyan, with stages at both ends of the street. Enjoy dozens of local vendors, including ample beer tents, and stay tuned as we await the music and performer schedule.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 7, 2025
3. Autumn Moon Festival
Chinatown’s beloved event celebrating the moon and summer harvest goes back to 1991. This spectacular festival will take Chinatown by storm, with countless food vendors, nonstop entertainment, lion dancing, mooncakes, kids’ activities, and more. The event is free to attend and will happen all along Grant Avenue between Broadway and California Street.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 27-28, 2025
4. Free concerts by Shaboozey and Poolside
Don’t miss the final two concerts of San Francisco’s free concert series this September. First up is Poolside’s Daytime Disco, courtesy of producer, songwriter, and former SF resident Jeffrey Paradise. A week later, we’ll enjoy a massive event courtesy of EMPIRE 15, which includes performances by Shaboozey, Fireboy DML, and Red Leather.
🗓️ Dates:
- Sept. 7, 2025: Poolside’s Daytime Disco at Union Square
- Sept. 15, 2025: EMPIRE 15 at Civic Center Plaza
5. Outdoor movie screening in Union Square
Union Square is hosting a series of free outdoor movie screenings, and the September movie is Big Hero 6. You can watch the screening on September 20, 2025, in Union Square, and while you’re in the area, we recommend checking out the new Nintendo store before the movie.
🗓️ Date: September 20, 2025
6. Get a taste of the European Riviera at this brand-new market on Treasure Island
A new food extravaganza is taking over Treasure Island this September, brought to life by Off The Grid! Open every Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm, the island adventure is bringing coastal flavors to the Bay Area. Come for the Mediterranean bites and beverages from over 15 food trucks, stay for resident DJs and jaw-dropping views. Find out more about Off the Grid Treasure Island here!
🗓️ Dates: September 13, 20 & 27 2025
7. Superman screening at Oracle Park
Oracle Park is hosting an exciting movie night, screening the hit film Superman this September. The screening will take place on the stadium’s massive scoreboard, and you can sit in the lower seats or directly on the field to watch the movie. The screening is on Friday, September 5th, and you can expect a costume contest, photo opportunities, and even a dog adoption event.
🗓️ Date: September 5, 2025
8. Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty
Ballet of Lights presents an enthralling rendition of Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty at San Francisco’s Brava Theater Center this fall. See the famous ballet interpreted with a captivating combination of classical choreography and luminous LED costumes.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 14, 2025
🎟️ Tickets: Ballet of Lights
9. Shakespeare in the Park
Shakespeare in the Park is back for another wonderful year of free performances. This year, they’ll present The Two Gentlemen of Verona at McLaren Park and Sue Bierman Park in SF.
🗓️ Dates:
- Sept. 1, 6, and 7 in McLaren Park
- Sept. 13, 14, 20, and 21 in Sue Bierman Park
10. Opera in the Park
Opera in the Park is back for another wonderful year in Golden Gate Park. The free opera showcase will take place in Robin Williams Meadow on Sunday, September 7th, to celebrate the beginning of the 2025-2026 opera season. The outdoor shows will run from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, featuring talented opera singers.
🗓️ Date: September 7, 2025
11. Portola Music Festival
The Portola Music Festival is back this September with a fantastic lineup. On September 20th, check out LCD Soundsystem, Christina Aguilera, The Chemical Brothers, Mau P, and Anti Up. On September 21st, headliners include Dom Dolla, Peggy Gou, Underworld, The Prodigy, Moby, and Despacio.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 20-21, 2025
12. See Art of Manga at the de Young
An exciting new exhibition is opening at the de Young Museum this September. The Art of Manga explores Manga as an art form, featuring over 700 original drawings, and the de Young will even host cosplay days. It’s the first major Manga exhibition in the United States, and the exhibition will open in SF on September 27. Advance tickets are on sale now.
🗓️ Dates: opening September 27
13. Candlelight concerts
The extremely popular concert series known simply as Candlelight is turning heads right now in San Francisco! Enjoy music by your favorite contemporary artists played by a talented string quartet, in an intimate environment surrounded by hundreds of luminous candles. The Bay Area’s top musicians perform classical music in lovely settings, including St. Ignatius Church and the International Art Museum of America.
🎟️ Tickets: Candlelight Concerts in San Francisco
14. Folsom Street Fair
San Francisco knows how to throw a party, and there are few parties as legendary as the Folsom Street Fair. Tens of thousands of leather and BDSM lovers gather to celebrate sexual liberation in SoMa, dressed in leather, latex, fishnets, harnesses, body paint, thongs, or… nothing at all.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 28, 2025
15. Join a daytime dance party at the Ferry Building
The Ferry Building regularly hosts exciting events throughout the month, including fitness classes, live music, and pop-up markets. This September, you can join an exciting morning dance party at the Ferry Building called Daybreaker. The event is scheduled for September 14th, and you can even attend a yoga class along with the dance party.
🗓️ Date: September 14
16. Golden Gate Park’s Dahlia Garden
The Dahlia Garden, located in Golden Gate Park right near the Conservatory of Flowers, usually reaches peak bloom in September, and these colorful, unique flowers are not to be missed. Make sure you stop by to see them before they’re gone.
17. The Jury Experience: An Immersive Courtroom Case
This live theater drama invites guests to step into a nail-biting 75-minute trial simulation at the Brava Theater Center. Audience members will closely follow the enthralling case, evaluating evidence and arguments, before delivering a final verdict that will determine the end of the show.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 26, 2025
🎟️ Tickets: The Jury Experience
18. Oktoberfest events
Some of the best local breweries and organizations host spectacular Oktoberfest events that will transport you straight to Munich. Don your lederhosen and cheers to these memorable celebrations in late September and early October, from Schroeder’s annual block party to the UICC’s Oktoberfest by the beach.
19. Apple picking in the Bay Area
Apple season peaks in the Bay Area in September and October, so many local orchards will open their doors for “U Pick,” when people can visit and pick their own apples. Grab a basket and drive out to apple country to load up on the sweetest local pickings, plus seasonal treats like apple pie and apple cider.
20. Bay Area pumpkin patches
Spooky season begins in September, and there’s no shortage of fun stuff to do… especially when we live right near Half Moon Bay, the pumpkin capital of the world. Whether you’re looking for family activities with kids or getting ahead of your Halloween decorating, these excellent Bay Area farms and pumpkin patches have got you covered.
21. The Jazz Room: A Journey to the Heart of New Orleans
Join a live musical journey through the history of jazz at San Francisco’s Palace Theatre this fall. The Jazz Room presents a mix of carefully chosen classics and spontaneous improvisation courtesy of a troupe of talented musicians and vocalists.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 7 and 21, 2025
🎟️ Tickets: The Jazz Room
22. September free museum days
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 local free museum days will certainly help you get started.
23. September museum exhibitions
As we enter a new month in San Francisco, many local museums are refreshing and replacing their temporary exhibitions. From the stunning free Black Gold installation at Fort Point, to the recently extended exhibition of Paul McCartney photos at the de Young, here’s what to see this month.
24. Golden Gate Park Bandshell concerts
Golden Gate Park Bandshell concerts began in March and run all the way through mid-November. These weekly free and family-friendly concerts are some of the most beloved events in the park. Catch over 100 performances in a variety of genres, including R&B, soul, jazz, funk, big band, strings, indie, rock, reggae, salsa, electronic, and EDM.
25. After Dark at the Exploratorium
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.
🎟️ Tickets: Exploratorium After Dark Thursdays
26. NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences
NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences is one of our favorite ongoing events. The popular Thursday night festivities feature live DJs, outdoor bars, ambiance lighting, and more alongside the Academy’s nearly 40,000 animal residents.
27. Free activities at Salesforce Park
San Francisco’s Salesforce Park is a remarkable modern marvel 70 feet above the street, atop the Salesforce Transit Center. It also hosts a collection of free events every week, including yoga classes, boot camps, live music, bird walks, garden tours, drum circles, and much more.
28. Filoli Summer Nights
The Filoli estate in Woodside is closing out its special Summer Nights series, happening Wednesday and Thursday evenings through September. The estate typically closes at 5 pm, so these after-hours events are great for exploring the gardens just before dusk with a cocktail in hand while enjoying live music.
🗓️ Dates: Wednesdays and Thursdays through Sept. 18, 2025
29. Bay Area county fairs
Have some good old-fashioned fun at these county fairs in and around the Bay Area! If you’re craving a funnel cake, hoping to blow off steam on a carnival ride, or seeking some quality animal time at a petting zoo, be sure to mark your calendar for these upcoming Bay Area fairs and festivals.
🗓️ Dates:
- Aug 28-Sept. 1 – Monterey County Fair
- Sept. 4-7 – Gold County Fair
- Sept. 4-7 – Madera District Fair
- Sept. 10-14 – Santa Cruz County Fair
- Sept. 11-15 – Lodi Grape Festival
30. San Francisco farmers markets
If you live in the Bay Area, you know that we have access to some of the best produce in the country. That’s why farmers’ markets are a must for countless SF residents who enjoy getting their food from local sources. Be sure to stop by these fantastic local farmers’ markets around SF, which bring new, fresh produce to you every weekend.