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 Flower Piano to the 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 to start planning your September in the Bay Area.
1. Immerse yourself in a classical concert by Candlelight
The extremely popular concert series known simply as Candlelight is turning heads right now in San Francisco! You’ll enjoy works from Beethoven, Beyoncé and more 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. Learn more here.
2. Flower Piano at SF Botanical Garden
Flower Piano is back at the SF Botanical Garden this year! A number 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: September 13-22, 2024
3. Park Market at Crane Cove
There’s a new recurring market in town, and we can’t wait to check out its next event this weekend. The Park Market will come to Crane Cove Park in the Dogpatch every month through October with a different theme for each rendition.
🗓️ Dates: September 28, 2024
4. Autumn Moon Festival in Chinatown
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: September 14-15, 2024
5. Folsom Street Fair in SoMa
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.
If this sounds like your cup of tea, then be sure to save the date for Sunday, September 29, from 11 am-6 pm along Folsom Street.
🗓️ Dates: September 29, 2024
6. Go to a free Portugal. The Man concert at the Civic Center Plaza
A free concert is coming to Civic Center Plaza this September. On Friday, September 20, Another Planet Entertainment will host a free concert featuring Portugal. The Man. The concert is open to all ages, and all you have to do is RSVP to the show.
7. Celebrate Oktoberfest at California’s first Entertainment Zone
The first Entertainement Zone in California is opening right here in San Francisco. On Friday September 20 a portion of Front Street will allow bars to serve alcohol to 21+ patrons to go. The entertainments zone is for Schroeders’ Annual Oktoberfest Block Party, featuring 2 other Front Street bars.
8. Join Diplo’s Run Club
This isn’t your average run club. Famous EDM musician Diplo is hosting a Sunday morning run club, with an afterparty. On Sunday September 8 you can run a waterfront 5k and finish the morning with a Diplo show, including several openers.
9. Watch a free Shakespeare play in a beautiful park
Shakespeare in the Park is back for another wonderful year of free performances. This year’s play is the classic comedy The Tempest featuring multiple shows at two parks. You can catch a performance at either McClaren park or Sue Bierman Park near the SF Embarcadero.
Check out the Shakespeare in the Park 2024 schedule:
Jerry Garcia Amphitheater
- Saturday, August 31 at 2:00 pm (Preview)
- Sunday, September 1 at 2:00 pm (Preview)
- Monday (Labor Day), September 2 at 2:00 pm (Opening)
- Saturday, September 7 at 2:00 pm
- Sunday, September 8 at 2:00 pm
Sue Bierman Park
- Saturday, September 14 at 2:00 pm (Preview)
- Sunday, September 15 at 2:00 pm (Opening)
- Saturday, September 21 at 2:00 pm
- Sunday, September 22 at 2:00 pm
10. Golden Gate Park’s Dahlia Garden
The Dahlia Garden, located in Golden Gate Park right near the Conservatory of Flowers, has reached peak bloom–and these colorful, unique flowers are not to be missed. Dahlias generally start to bloom there in June, reaching peak bloom in August and September. You can still catch them all the way into October.
11. Apple picking in the Bay Area
Apple season peaks in the Bay Area in September and October, so many local orchards will soon 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.
12. Bay Area pumpkin patches
Happy fall, San Francisco! Spooky season is here, 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.
13. 15 terrifying haunted houses to test your bravery in the Bay Area
There are plenty of fun seasonal activities to enjoy during this time, from apple picking to pumpkin carving. But if you’re looking for something a bit more spooky, you’re in the right place. We’ve rounded up some of the best haunted houses in the Bay Area, plus some ghost tours for those wanting a tamer experience. Read on to start planning your Halloween season!
14. Oktoberfest events in the Bay Area
Some of the best breweries and organizations in the Bay Area are hosting 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.
15. Free admission days in San Francisco
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.
16. Best museum exhibitions to see right now in SF
As we enter a new month in San Francisco, many local museums are refreshing and replacing their temporary exhibitions. Now’s a great time to take stock and plan ahead to see some of these wonderful displays before they’re gone.
17. Free movie screenings with Sundown Cinema
Sundown Cinema is back through the fall and the movie lineup is fantastic! This popular series presents awesome FREE movies on a giant screen in various San Francisco parks. Here’s what to look for in September.
🗓️ Dates: Friday, September 6 at Duboce Park – SF’s Lost Landscapes: Found Home Movies
18. Free concerts at the Bandshell
The Golden Gate Park Bandshell has announced the latest lineup for its 2024 season of Illuminate Live, which began on March 1st and runs 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.
19. Ferry Building activities
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.
20. Watch Demon Slayer with a live concert
Popular anime Demon Slayer is coming to SF, with a 18 piece orchestra. The beloved anime will have two showings on September 28, featuring an immersive audio experience as the orchestra plays the soundtrack. Golden Gate Theater is hosting the performance, and it’s definitely a unique show to add to your bucket list.
21. 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 6-10pm with a different theme every week, featuring guest speakers, films, great music, and more.
🗓️ Dates: Thursdays
22. NightLife at the California 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.
🗓️ Dates: Thursdays
23. Portola Music Festival
The Portola Music Festival is San Francisco’s newest live music festival happening on September 28-29 1 at Pier 80. They just released the 2024 lineup with headliners Fisher, Discolsure, M.I.A., plus a host of other exciting talent including Jamie XX, Four Tet, Justice, and many more.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 28-29, 2024
24. Haight Ashbury Street Fair
This annual event takes place on Haight Street between Masonic and Stanyan, with stages at both ends of the Fair. The Fair will feature dozens of local vendors along Haight Street and welcomes the return of beer tents to the event. The event is one of the highlights of SF’s festival season and has previously hosted acts including Jefferson Starship/Airplane, The Tubes, Metallica, Noel Redding (Jimi Hendrix Experience), and many others.
🗓️ Dates: Sept. 15, 2024
25. Cheer on our home teams at these September major league sports games
Bay Area sports fans are lucky to enjoy a year-round rotation of top-tier sporting events with 6 local major league teams in the realms of baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and soccer.
We’re already well into baseball season, meaning you can catch numerous SF Giants home games at Oracle Park or Oakland A’s home games at the Coliseum. Soccer season is also in full swing for the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park, and football season begins for the 49ers this month at Levi’s Stadium.
26. Free activities at Salesforce Park
San Francisco’s Salesforce Park is an amazing 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, bootcamps, live music, bird walks, garden tours, drum circles, and much more.
27. Filoli Summer Nights
The Filoli estate in Woodside is currently putting on a special Summer Nights series, happening Wednesday and Thursday evenings through September 19. The estate typically closes at 5pm 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 September 19
28. Upcoming 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 29-Sept. 2 – Monterey County Fair
- Sept. 5-8 – Gold County Fair
- Sept. 5-8 – Madera District Fair
- Sept. 11-15 – Santa Cruz County Fair
- Sept. 12-15 – Lodi Grape Festival
29. Get a dose of Burning Man in San Francisco
San Francisco is the birthplace of Burning Man and an ideal place to get a taste of the festival’s fun and creativity year-round. Even if you’d rather be riding a dust-covered bike through Black Rock City, here are a couple of places to get those good Burning Man vibes in SF.
30. Unique sports and activities at Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park contains a multitude of areas that cater to unique sports, activities, and hobbies. Here are a few of the most unique ones to try out for yourself.
- Archery
- Disc Golf
- Roller skating
- And more!
31. Kid-friendly activities in and around SF
We’re lucky to live in a city with countless activities and attractions for both kids and adults. Whether you’re a parent looking for a fun new kid-friendly event on weekends, or a babysitter hoping to switch up your shift, these activities are fail-safe ways to keep the young’uns entertained.
32. Eating and drinking around Union Square
Union Square is packed with overpriced and underwhelming restaurants, but there are a few spots that we think are worth a visit. Here are a few places to grab a delicious meal or refreshing drink downtown.
33. Eclectic tiki bars around SF
Tiki bars take us out of our foggy city, to a far-flung tropical paradise–for the simple cost of a Mai Tai or Piña Colada. The Bay Area was home to some of the earliest tiki bars in the US, and the genre has both evolved and endured in SF. Here are a few terrific spots to check out.
34. Unique buildings in the Bay Area
Take a drive around the Bay Area and you’ll surely pass by some breathtaking buildings, whether they’re mainstays of the San Francisco skyline or hidden gems that you can’t quite find your way back to. We’ve rounded up some of the most iconic and interesting buildings in San Francisco and beyond, including both well-known skyscrapers and discreet homes that are off the beaten path.
35. Hit the books at these SF study spots
As we head into back-to-school season, it’s a good time to scout out your favorite study spots so you can hit the ground running! Whether you’re a student looking for somewhere to crank out an essay, or you work from home and want a change of scenery, here are some great spots to visit and focus up.
36. Stock up on fall produce at these local 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 farmer’s markets are a must for countless SF residents who enjoy getting their food from local sources. Be sure to stop by these 10 fantastic farmer’s markets, located all around the city and bringing new, fresh produce to you every weekend.
37. Stuff your face at these essential pancake spots
Everyone knows that San Franciscans are total foodies, so they really know their stuff when it comes to choosing a place to eat out! We asked our Instagram followers for their best pancake recommendations in the city.
38. Check out these Bay Area arcade bars
Looking to shake up your weekend plans? It could be as simple as finding a great pinball machine! No matter how you want to keep yourself entertained, there’s something for everyone at these awesome arcade bars in the Bay Area.
See also: 24 hours in SF’s Mission District