Every weekend, we search for the best activities and fun things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Whether you’re looking for unique events, the best new restaurants, or free activities, there are always plenty of memorable ways to make the most of your weekend around SF. Plus, this weekend is Labor Day, which is the perfect chance to take a day trip or enjoy an extra day exploring the city.
For more ideas, check out our October guide and free activities guide.
Find unique holiday gifts from 250+ curated makers at Fort Mason.
Renegade Craft Fair returns to Fort Mason Center on November 14–15, 2026, bringing over 250 curated vendors selling ceramics, jewelry, clothing, homewares and more. The two-day indoor fair takes place in the Festival Pavilion, open 11:00–17:00 each day.
Brick Exhibition is a limited-run, walk-through showcase of large-scale LEGO® masterpieces across five themed zones — from global landmarks and Disney fairy tales to Star Wars builds and an interactive Play Zone — at Stonestown Galleria in San Francisco. Tickets are officially on sale now, so get yours soon!
See 142 works from RM’s personal art collection curated into eight gallery areas at SFMOMA.
SFMOMA’s collaboration with BTS’ RM opened on October 3, 2026, featuring 142 works from RM’s personal collection alongside over 30 pieces from SFMOMA across eight distinct gallery areas spanning 1,500 years. The exhibition runs through February 7, 2027; an audio guide is available in English and Korean and tickets include access to the museum’s permanent galleries.
Grace Cathedral has been transformed with a dazzling light show called Aura. The show uses large-scale light projections incorporated with the architecture of the cathedral, and is accompanied by original music. Tickets sell fast, so we recommend getting yours soon.
See 130 rare artifacts from Cairo and Luxor at the de Young this August through January.
The U.S. premiere of Treasures of the Pharaohs, an international exhibition of 130 artifacts loaned from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and the Luxor Museum, will be on view at San Francisco’s de Young Museum from August 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027, exploring pharaonic government, society, daily life, and funerary practices.
Enjoy free stargazing at SFSU’s observatory on select Wed–Fri nights through December 4.
San Francisco State University is hosting free stargazing nights at its campus observatory (Thornton Hall) on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings this October through early December. Sessions run 7–9 pm in October and 6:30–9 pm in November and December, weather permitting, and the series runs through December 4, 2026.
Experience San Francisco’s history through dazzling acrobatics and live performance. Dear San Francisco is an ode to San Francisco featuring music, acrobats, dancers, and historical storytelling. The show at Club Fugazi highlights impressive acrobatics and talented performers — tickets often sell out, so book soon.
Hear a century-old organ for free every Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Rodin Gallery.
The Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park hosts weekly organ recitals in the Rodin Gallery every Saturday at 4:00 p.m.; the museum is free for San Francisco residents on Saturdays, so you can enjoy the century-old organ and galleries at no cost.
San Francisco has plenty of neighborhoods with great shops, from small, local boutiques to larger brands. There are so many places to explore if you need to do some shopping, including Haight Street with numerous vintage stores, or the Fillmore, packed with boutiques and restaurants.
There’s never a bad weekend for live music in the Bay Area. Visit our full running concert guide for a breakdown of the biggest concert tours in town.
Experience live jazz in a Prohibition-era speakeasy turned iconic Downtown club. For a classic night out in San Francisco this weekend, head to Dawn Club, a historic jazz bar in Downtown San Francisco. Originally a 1920s speakeasy, it now hosts live jazz nightly alongside cocktails, with reservations available on its website. Music runs weeknights and weekends with set evening schedules.
Experience live jazz in a Prohibition-era speakeasy turned iconic Downtown club. For a classic night out in the city, head to Dawn Club—a historic jazz bar in Downtown San Francisco that began as a 1920s speakeasy and now hosts live jazz nightly. Pair the music with cocktails, and book ahead if you can (reservations are available on its website). Music runs weeknights and weekends with set evening schedules.