On one hand, you could be bummed about the arrival of fall since it means that somehow 2018 is already wrapping things up. On the other, you could get fired up about all of the forthcoming opportunities to drink beer, wine, sake, whiskey, and, eventually, spiked eggnog, as well as fun fairs featuring everything from pumpkins and paddles (read on to find out more!) to costumes and corn mazes.
Fall also brings a few SF traditions, like the Blue Angels, the rodeo, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, and, after a year away, Treasure Island Music Fest.
Open up your mind to the “Music of the Night”
September 20-30
SHN Orpheum Theatre
The Phantom of the Opera is in San Francisco for a limited run, so if you haven’t seen this new production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic (said to be “bigger and better than ever before”), now is the time.
Cost: $56-$256
Get “On Your Feet!”
September 20-October 7
SHN Golden Gate Theatre
The story behind Emilio and Gloria Estefan’s journey from Cuba to becoming music sensations in America is enthralling, but even more so when it’s told through all of their hits, including “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “Conga,” and “1-2-3.”
Cost: $55-$246
Rent a picnic at a beautiful winery (for a good cause)
September 20-November 25
Provenance Vineyards, Rutherford
This Napa Valley winery has a newly renovated terrace with a huge mural from artist Heather Day, and this fall only, you can “Rent-a-Picnic” to enjoy it. The price includes the rental of a winery picnic blanket, umbrella, wine chiller, and spot to enjoy it all, as well as a picnic tote with a cheese board, cheese knives, and GoVino glasses that you can take home with you. All you need to bring is the food to enjoy. (Note: There’s a Dean & DeLuca two minutes up the road.)
Cost: $50 per couple, plus the cost of wine (25% of sales will be donated to Creativity Explored)
Say cheers to the 125th anniversary of the oldest German restaurant on the West Coast
September 21
Schroeder’s
Schroeder’s is celebrating its 125th birthday and Oktoberfest with a blowout block party from 3 to 8pm (when the party will move indoors). There will be music from Polkalicious, DJs, dancing, traditional German fare, and lots and lots of beer. Show up in traditional German dress if you want a free beer.
Cost: Admission is free, but you can purchase tokens ahead of time for discounts and a free boot on a lanyard
See dozens of films from Latino directors
September 14-30
Various locations
The San Francisco Latino Film Festival is packed with events and rare foreign documentary and short film screenings from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Spain, and more.
Cost: Free-$14
Walk along the waterfront with wine
September 22
Jack London Square, Oakland
The first-ever Wine Walk on the Waterfront will have tastings from more than 25 Northern California wineries, discounts at local restaurants and stores, and live entertainment -- including a performance on the world’s first synesthesia piano.
Cost: GA: $30 (includes unlimited tastings); premium: $50 (includes unlimited tastings and restaurant tastings)
Drink Anchor’s autumn beers
September 26
Anchor Public Taps
At this intimate event, Anchor’s pilot brewer will walk you through a tasting of a variety of new and limited beer releases for the changing seasons, as well as teach you about Anchor’s brewing process and the ingredients they use.
Cost: $20 (includes a welcome beer and four generous pours)
Enter a 24-hour adventure race
September 28-29
Starting line is at Crissy Field
Questival is like The Amazing Race, but you can have teams of up to six people and it all happens in the city you (read: think you) know so well. Earn points to win $5,000 in prizes by completing over 200 challenges, like finding hidden places, brushing someone else’s teeth, sharing a meal over a campfire, starting a public dance party with strangers, and standing under a natural waterfall.
Cost: $42
Titillate your every sense at a circus-infused dinner-theater experience
September 28-November 17
Tortona Big Top, Oakland
Vau de Vire and Oakland Center present The Soiled Dove, a dinner-theater experience under a big top tent that is a portal to a lawless time in the Barbary Coast and an entire township of brothels, saloons, midway games, and bars. We’re not quite sure what you should expect, but it sounds like an adventure.
Cost: GA: $59; VIP: $137 (includes four-course dinner)
Taste and learn about sake
September 29
Hotel Kabuki
In honor of World Sake Day, Hotel Kabuki is throwing a party where you can taste 200 kinds of sake, stop by education stations, meet owners and master sake makers, and purchase the sake you like to take home.
Cost: $80
Cure your hangover with non-stop Bloodys
September 29
SOMArts Cultural Center
The Bloody Mary festival is an all-day celebration of the beloved brunch cocktail/hangover cure. You’ll be able to taste Bloodys from bars and restaurants like Cliff House, The Saratoga, Elite Café, Horsefeather, The Rampe, and more, and then vote on your pick for the People’s Choice Award. There will also be bites to enjoy, live music, and more.
Cost: GA: $45 (2hr and 15 minute session); VIP: $55 (3 hr session)
Party under the stars
September 29
Crissy Field
Trails Forever NightHowl is a party thrown by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy to benefit park trails and programs. Dance by the water to the sounds of live DJ sets, enjoy all-you-can-eat bites and s’mores by the campfire, as well as a hosted bar of cocktails, wine, and beer, and lots of surprises.
Cost: GA: $100 (but you can save $15 a ticket if you buy four tickets)
Partake in “Shop-toberfest” with views of the Bay
September 29-30
Treasure Island
TreasureFest is blending its monthly flea market with Oktoberfest. As always, there will be full bars, live music, and over 400 food, clothing, and craft vendors. But this weekend there will also be craft brew from over a dozen local brewers complete with “husband/boyfriend/person who doesn’t like shopping/sitting” duties (aka an outdoor bar for chillin’).
Cost: GA: $5; VIP with two admission tickets and two drinks: $19; VIP with four admission tickets and four drinks: $35
Go to the biggest leather and fetish fair in the world
September 30
Folsom Street from Eighth to 13th Streets
The Folsom Street Fair brings nearly 400,000 leather and fetish players from all over to 13 city blocks where there will be live music and DJs, BDSM demos, booths with fetish gear and toys, and lots and lots of nudity.
Cost: A minimum $10 donation is requested, which gets you $2 off of each drink you purchase from a Folsom Street Events beverage booth
Celebrate the wine country harvest
September 30
Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens, Fulton
Toast to a successful harvest at a celebration with live cooking demonstrations, food from local purveyors, educational seminars on things like wine blending and truffle hunting, outdoor painting sessions, live music, and, yes, plenty of wine.
Cost: $150
Watch The Big Lebowski on a SoMa patio
September 30
Dirty Habit
This bar in the Hotel Zelos is showing outdoor movies for SF’s second summer. There will be themed cocktails and concessions available for sale, so we’re pretty sure you’ll be able to solve that White Russian hankering.
Cost: $17 includes movie ticket and noise-cancelling headphones rental
Honor the men and women of the armed forces by watching cool air shows and ship parades
October 1-8
In the air and on the water (north side of the city)
Fleet Week is full of events like veterans art exhibits, ship tours, and K-9 demos, but the highlight every year is the parade of ships on Friday at 11:30am when the first U.S. Navy ships enter the Bay from under the Golden Gate Bridge and the three days of air shows (Fri-Sun) from noon to 4pm when you can see all kinds of planes, including the Blue Angels, flying above the water.
Cost: Free
Go to a free three-day concert in the park
October 5-7
Golden Gate Park
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is just that: a concert that’s bluegrass… kinda. This year’s lineup includes Ani DiFranco, Emmylou Harris & the Red Dirt Boys, Ween, Jeff Tweedy, and dozens others. BYO beer and wine (no glass), food (there will also be food for sale), and even your dogs that are comfortable with loud music and being on leash.
Cost: Free
See a hilarious and heartbreaking drag show
October 5-6
Marines’ Memorial Theatre
Things You Shouldn’t Say is a true story about four friends from SF who had an epiphany at a Bette Midler show that inspired them to start The Kinsey Sicks, a “Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet.” This show takes place during the Trump era and shows how “hatred and deceit can be fought with humor and heart.”
Cost: $40-$75
Go to a huge daytime costume party
October 7
Intersection of Castro & 18th Streets and surrounding area
The Castro Street Fair is a SF LGBTQ festival founded by Harvey Milk where people dress up and enjoy live music, DJs, and strange performances.
Cost: $10 donation requested
Taste the top 100 wines
October 9
City View at Metreon
Wine & Spirits Top 100 Tasting Event honors the wineries around the world that delivered the best wine throughout the year and you get to sip on them all, while chatting with the winemakers.
Cost: GA: $125; VIP: $185 (entry an hour early)
See the blockbuster musical Miss Saigon
October 9-November 4
SHN Orpheum Theatre
This musical that takes place during the Vietnam War, but is based on Madame Butterfly, opened up over 25 years ago. This version is said to be grittier and more realistic (albeit it with the same music that made people fall in love with it then).
Cost: $56-$256
Hang out with fellow book lovers
October 11-20
Various locations (160 venues)
Litquake is SF’s beloved literary festival where you can get inspired by interactive workshops, lectures, walking tours, and the most anticipated event: Lit Crawl... like a bar crawl, but for author readings.
Cost: Mostly free
Get in a fall mood at a pumpkin festival
Oct 13-14
Half Moon Bay
The Half Moon Bay Arts & Pumpkin Festival is the perfect way to transition from our second summer to cozy sweaters and PSLs. There will be wares from artists and craft makers, live music on multiple stages, pie-eating contests, a haunted barn, homemade food, pumpkin carving, and a display of all of the gigantic pumpkin champions.
Cost: Admission is free
Go to Treasure Island Music Fest now that it’s in Oakland
Oct 13-14
Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, Oakland
After a year hiatus, Treasure Island Music Festival is back at a new location. Other than that, the deal is the same: hip-hop, electronic, and dance music on Saturday (A$AP Rocky, Santigold, etc.), indie rock and folk on Sunday (Tame Impala, Lord Huron, etc.), tasty food from Bay Area restaurants, roaming performers, and, of course, the famous Ferris wheel.
Cost: Single day GA: $105; single day VIP: $225; weekend GA: $185; weekend VIP: $335
Take the bull by the horns and go to a rodeo
October 12-13
Cow Palace
The Grand National Livestock, Horse Show and Rodeo rides into town for two weekends this fall. There will be BBQ, livestock expositions, horse shows, mechanical bull rides, real bull rides (for the pros), and more. The events also runs October 19 and 20.
Cost: $3-$145
Life moves pretty fast. Slow down and watch Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Octover 14
Dirty Habit
Hang out on the patio of this chic hotel bar and watch this classic John Hughes flick while sipping and snacking on Bueller-themed cocktails and bites.
Cost: $17 includes movie ticket and noise-cancelling headphones rental
See the most intense standup paddling race in the world
October 15-November 2
Crissy Field to Ocean Beach
Red Bull Heavy Water is a SUP race where athletes start inside the Bay, paddle under the Golden Gate Bridge, and finish at Ocean Beach. If you’ve ever looked at the water in that area, you know what a crazy challenge this race will be, but it’s worth it for prize money totaling $75K. Race window is October 15 - November 2 with a five-day alert when optimal conditions are in place.
Cost: Free to watch
See a Wes Craven classic on a rooftop patio
October 26-28
Dirty Habit
What’s your favorite scary movie? If it’s Scream, you’re in luck because this hotel bar is showing it on the patio. There will also be themed cocktails and bites to purchase and accidentally throw in the air when you get scared.
Cost: $17 includes movie ticket and noise-cancelling headphones rental
Tasted whiskies from around the world
November 2
Marriott Marquis
Meet whiskey distillers and experts at this event where you will taste selections of single malt and blended Scotch, Irish, bourbon, rye, Tennessee, Japanese, Canadian, Taiwanese, and craft-distilled whiskeys. FYI: This event always sells out well before the date.
Cost: GA: $325 (early bird $275); VIP: $445 (early bird $345) (admission an hour early)
Be amazed by Cirque du Soleil
November 15-January 6
AT&T Park
Cirque du Soleil’s newest performance, VOLTA, “explores the themes of celebrating differences and unique qualities in a world where technology often isolates people from one another rather than freeing them.” Expect beautiful and jaw-dropping performances in the water and air.
Spend “Christmas Eve” in Victorian London
November 17-December 23
Cow Palace
For six weekends leading up to Christmas, the Dickens Fair transforms the Cow Palace into an elaborate party with music halls, pubs, dance floors, and Christmas shops filled with hundreds of colorful costumed characters.
Cost: $18-$30
Ride a wine train with Santa
November 19-December 28
Napa
The Napa Valley Wine Train gets transformed by elves for the holidays. Hop aboard for a 1 1/2-hour interactive musical journey through wine country. Hot cocoa and cookies are included, but Santa’s big helpers (aka the grown-ups) can also buy wine.
Cost: $49 to $69; wine is additional and everyone is asked to bring an unwrapped gift for Foster Kids of Napa
Run to earn your turkey and pie
November 22
Polo Field, Golden Gate Park
Before you watch football and feast, run a 5K foot race so you feel good about that third slice of pie later on in the day.
Cost: $40
Watch A Bronx Tale unfold on stage
November 27-December 23
SHN Golden Gate Theatre
This story about growing up in the Bronx in the ’60s and being taken under the wing of a mob boss was a one-man play before it was one of your favorite movies. And now it’s a high-energy musical that was also [co] directed by DeNiro and will continue to make you laugh and cry.
Cost: $56-$256
See a rock opera based on Meat Loaf’s best-selling albums
December 4-23
SHN Orpheum Theatre
If you thought you’d do anything but go to a Meat Loaf musical think again because Bat Out of Hell, a show about star-crossed lovers set in post-apocalyptic New York with all of Meat Loaf’s hits, is amazing and if you miss it, there’ll never be no turning back.
Cost: $56-$256
See a Christmas classic performed on stage
December 6-26
A.C.T.’s Geary Theater
Seeing Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol performed on stage during the holidays has become a beloved tradition in San Francisco, and a good reminder of what the season is truly all about.
Cost: $10-$150
Dress up like Santa and drink
December 8
All over SF
Put on your best Christmas costume and do some serious day drinking at this debaucherous event that shows no signs of slowing down.
Cost: Free to attend; for those meeting in Union Square, unwrapped toys are requested
Sign up here for our daily San Francisco email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun SF has to offer.