Pride Is Officially Here with Plenty of Fun Things to Do in San Francisco This Weekend
Get outside and celebrate Pride!
Summer in SF is officially here, which means there are seemingly endless amounts of fun to be had in all forms this weekend. From theatrical performances to dance parties to multiple “proms” to Pride celebrations to outdoor concerts to festivals (yes, plural, although we suspect the Union Street Festival may garner a slightly bigger crowd than the Soy & Tofu Festival) to a book sale, this is not the weekend to spend inside catching up on Netflix. Keep reading to see for yourself.
Friday, June 2–Sunday, June 4
Mid-Market
Do it missionary style at The Book of Mormon, a hilarious musical from the creators of South Park that follows two LDS missionaries as they try to convert the inhabitants of a remote Ugandan village. The show is only playing in SF through June 18, so don’t miss your chance to see it.
Cost: $80 to $284 (with a limited number of $25 tickets)
Friday, June 2–Sunday, June 4
Mission and Online
The 22nd San Francisco Documentary Festival is taking over the Roxie Theater from June 1 to 11. Check out 85 new non-fiction films (shorts and feature-length) about politics, music, social issues, youth-oriented subcultures, and more.
Cost: Passes start at $90 for virtual screenings and $174 for in-person screenings, but you can also get tickets to individual screenings.
Friday, June 2
Castro
The Castro Theatre is hosting “A Night of Queer Entertainment” to welcome Pride month with Bay Area legends and performances that include drag, theatre, music, and film. There will also be DJs, raffles, and “tasty libations.”
Cost: Tickets are $20 (but no one will be turned away for lack of funds) and will also be available at the door.
Friday, June 2
Sausalito
You can hear live music every week at Sausalito’s summer music festival. Sit on the lawn of Gabrielson Park (on the waterfront in downtown Sausalito) and buy food and beverages (including alcohol) from a local community group (or bring your own) while listening to an array of bands. Bobby Young Project, a blues band, is kicking things off this Friday.
Cost: Admission is free.
Friday, June 2
SoMa
This anti-prom is for everyone who didn’t fit in at their prom. Whether you went to high school when LGBTQ+ couples weren’t allowed, were a misfit, graduated early, or just didn’t feel like you should go, the Cat Club is celebrating you with a night of dancing and tons of emo and pop punk hits.
Cost: Tickets are $5 to $7.
Saturday, June 3–Sunday, June 4
Cow Hollow
Summer officially kicks off this weekend at the 45th Union Street Festival (which has a new producer, Miramar Events, that promises to bring a new energy and vibe to the event). There will be live music and DJs on multiple stages, streets lined with vendors selling their wares, a collaborative paint temple, the annual Waiters Race, and lots of food and drinks (yes, including ones with alcohol—the fair may be getting a new vibe, but if there’s one thing you can be sure will remain the same it’s that most of the adults will be drinking). You can also stop by the Octagon House, a Union Street landmark that usually has pretty limited public hours (for free) from 11 am to 2 pm on both days.
Cost: Admission is free.
Saturday, June 3–Sunday, June 4
North Beach
Festa Italiana (which is different from the North Beach Festival) is taking over Stockton Street (between Union and Filbert) for a two-day festival with live Italian music, a pizza toss by Tony Gemignani (Tony’s Pizza Napoletana), a “symphony” of accordions, children’s corner, plus lots of Italian food, drink, and products for sale. And though it’s too late to sign up to run the 102nd Statuto Race, you can still get tickets for the bottomless brunch.
Cost: Admission is free.
Saturday, June 3–Sunday, June 4
San Jose
If you’re into collectible toys like LEGOs, Transformers, Star Wars, Disney, and all of the rest of it, you probably already know about this two-day show with over 200 toy and collectible vendors taking place at the Santa Clara Fairgrounds, but just in case you are, and you didn’t, now you do.
Cost: Tickets are $16 to $21.
Saturday, June 3–Sunday, June 4
Downtown Sunnyvale
Downtown Sunnyvale is transforming into an art and wine haven this weekend with two days of live music, artisan vendors, art experiences, wine, beer, and margaritas, food trucks, and more.
Cost: Admission is free.
Saturday, June 3
Golden Gate Park Bandshell
Spend your afternoon and early evening in Golden Gate Park enjoying the magical experience the folks from All Day I Dream have created for you. The event starts with guided yoga, meditation, and sound healing, followed by DJ sets from Lee Burridge, Double Touch, and Gab Rhome. Need a break from the Bandshell’s “dance floor”? There will also be an interactive arts and wellness area within the festival called The Waking Hour Sanctuary.
Cost: Tickets are $65.
Saturday, June 3
Potrero Hill
Calling all book lovers: Join the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library at the Book Sale Block Party for a day of author readings, storytime (for the kids), and a sale that includes over 10,000 books, comics, vinyl, and other media. They’re partnering with Thee Parkside, so you can grab a drink while listening to the author readings.
Cost: Admission is free.
Saturday, June 3
Golden Gate Park
If you’re an SF resident, take advantage of the fact that you get free admission to the Botanical Garden and check out Gamelan in the Garden, a showcase of Balinese performing arts held in different parts of the garden throughout the afternoon from noon to 5 pm.
Cost: Admission is free.
Saturday, June 3
Starts in Union Square
Stookey’s Club Moderne invites you to go on a “rainbow-hued adventure” through the city with stops at bars like The Summer Place, Lost Cat, and more. You’ll get a digital map of the crawl so you can drink at your own place (and find out the specials at each location before you go).
Cost: General Admission tickets are $10, and VIP tickets are $250.
Saturday, June 3
Japantown
Japantown’s Peace Plaza will be filled with vendors celebrating everything soy and tofu this Saturday. From 11 am to 5 pm, partake in tofu soft serve ice cream, popsicles made with soy milk, wafu dogs, Indian-spiced tofu, and more. There will also be live performances, raffles, and more.
Cost: Admission is free.
Saturday, June 3
Mission
The iconic Peaches Christ is taking over The Chapel on Saturday night with an 18+ Queer Prom to get everyone excited for Pride. There will be music from DJ LAKEVERETT, a tarot card reader, a photo booth, drag performances, a fashion show, and more. The show is 18+, but drinks will be available for those 21 and over.
Cost: Admission is free (please register and bring cash to tip the performers, all of whom are Queer).
Sunday, June 4
Begins at Vista Point (Marin)
Join Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action, political leaders, gun violence survivors, and others for the Wear Orange march across the Golden Gate Bridge. The event starts with a rally at Vista Point (on the Marin side), followed by a march across the bridge to SF. Rally begins at 11 am. Wear orange and bring signs (no bigger than 2x3 and not on sticks).
Cost: Admission is free.
Sunday, June 4
Mission
Zeitgeist is hosting “Zietmarkt Summer Edition” from noon to 5 pm on Sunday. Enjoy an afternoon in the sunshine (hopefully) on the patio while drinking beer and shopping wares from local artists and vendors.
Cost: Admission is free.