Editor’s note: This article originally posted on the San Francisco Examiner. Click here for more culture reporting at sfexaminer.com
With September in full swing, warm weather has arrived in San Francisco.
Outdoor movie screenings, street block parties, a neighborhood art walk and a lowrider parade are just some of the 18 events you should check out over the next seven days in The City.
San Francisco Science Fiction Short Film and TV Festival Showcase (Monday)
TasteTV, a locally based food, wine and lifestyle network, is screening an afternoon of science-fiction short films, online videos and television episodes as part of its second annual celebration.
The festival will be held at Lost Marbles Brewery, which is located at 823 Clement St. It runs from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Attendees can reserve their space through Eventbrite.
The 49th San Francisco Comedy Competition finals (Wednesday)
Five comics will take the stage, each having 20 minutes to display their humorous chops. By the end of the night, a panel of judges and audience reactions will determine winner of the long-running comedy event.
4 Star Theater, located at 2200 Clement St., will host the finals. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., with the show starting 30 minutes after that. Tickets can be purchased at the theater’s website.
Zoe B. Wallbrook: History Lessons, in conversation with Renee Swindle (Wednesday)
Local author Renee Swindle will chat with writer Zoe B. Wallbrook about “History Lessons,” the latter’s new mystery novel that follows a college history professor who must solve her colleague’s murder before she becomes the next target.
The event takes place at Bookshop West Portal, located at 80 West Portal Ave. Attendees, who can RSVP their attendance through Eventbrite, will be able to meet Wallbrook in store.
Aseem Agrawal, front, takes part in the inaugural Oktoberfest on Front Street celebration in The City on Sept. 20, 2024.
Craig Lee/The Examiner
Free all-levels ukulele class (Wednesday)
From 7-8 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of every month, the Bird Ukulele Society hosts an all-levels adult ukulele class at the Bird School of Music at 1924 Polk St.
Participants can learn new songs, improve their skills, or enjoy singing and playing along in a group setting. Ukuleles are available to use on a first-come, first-served basis, and participants can also view instruments for sale.
You can RSVP through Eventbrite for free, but donations are encouraged.
‘Top Chefs’ Thursdays presented by Escape from New York Pizza (Thursday)
Every week, this pizzeria’s Financial District location hosts a happy hour with live music from the Top Chefs Band, $4 pepperoni and cheese pizza slices, $5 beer and wine, and $10 cocktails.
Escape from New York Pizza is located at 333 Bush St. Happy hours run from 5 to 7 p.m.
‘The Streets of San Francisco’ Screening presented by Tenderloin Museum (Thursday)
The Tenderloin Museum is showing two episodes of “The Streets of San Francisco,” a 1970s crime drama that was filmed in part on location in the neighborhood. Guests will get to watch a virtual message from a yet-to-be-announced guest star and discuss the ways in which media has shaped people’s perception of the neighborhood over the years.
Thursday’s event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Guests can RSVP via Humanitix, with a $10 donation being suggested.
The Downtown SF Partnership will host its second annual Oktoberfest on Front Street celebration this week.
Craig Lee/The Examiner
Oktoberfest on Front Street (Friday)
The Downtown SF Partnership will host its second annual Oktoberfest celebration, a block party that stretches along Front Street between California and Sacramento Streets.
A trio of bars — Schroeder’s, Harrington’s Bar and Grill, and Royal Exchange — will serve food and beverages. There will also be an axe-throwing game, a beer-chugging contest and even a chance for attendees to take pictures with a vintage Volkswagen van.
Guests are encouraged to wear lederhosen and dirndls. The Oktoberfest celebration runs from 2 to 10 p.m.
2025 San Francisco Greek Food Festival (Friday-Sunday)
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral will host “A Journey of Greek Culture,” the 74th edition of San Francisco’s long-running celebration of Greek cuisine. This year’s event will include a pop-up coffee shop selling Greek desserts and coffee. Cuisine includes spanakopita, gyros and stuffed peppers. Folk dance groups will perform, as will DJ Jukebox C.
Admission is free, with parking available at the Annunciation Cathedral for $20. The festival runs Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. The cathedral is located at 245 Valencia St.
Admission is free to the San Francisco Greek Food Festival, which is hosted by Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Courtesy Kostas Petrakos
‘Animalusa’ Portuguese animation showcase presented by Roxie Theater (Friday-Tuesday)
Off the heels of two stints in Barcelona, Animalusa is arriving in the United States for the first time with a San Francisco screening of Portuguese animated short films that are selected by a committee of specialists. By being commercially screened, the five films set to be shown will automatically qualify for submission to the Academy Awards.
Tickets can be purchased on the theater’s website, with showtimes depending on the date. The showcase lasts for an hour.
Fall Equinox Art Walk in Inner Sunset (Friday)
Inner Sunset galleries and shops on Irving Street between 7th and 17th avenues are teaming up to bring residents a celebration of local art, live music and small businesses. Participating businesses will host art pop-ups and performances, offering complimentary bites and sips for guests’ enjoyment.
The art walk runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Attendees can RSVP their attendance online.
Floating Features: Cinema on the Bay (Friday)
Once a month, the Roxie Theater teams with the Red and White Fleet to turn the electric vessel Enhydra into a sailing movie theater. Weekly screenings include a two-hour twilight cruise and a feature film handpicked by Roxie’s staff. This week’s film is none other than the 1985 mystery film “Clue,” so bring your detective skills.
Drinks and snacks are available, with Roxie members getting a $10 discount on the price of admission. Friday’s film begins at 7 p.m., with guests boarding at Pier 43½. Tickets can be purchased online.
California Coastal Clean-Up Day 2025 (Saturday)
San Francisco Baykeeper is organizing The City’s involvement in the state’s largest annual volunteer event, when residents remove trash from shorelines, creeks and neighborhoods before litter can end up in local waterways. This year’s event features the “Trashure Hunt,” where volunteers can find special items throughout their session or a chance to win prizes.
Saturday’s event runs from 9 a.m. to noon, with participants meeting up at the Marina Yacht Harbor. Volunteers, who can register online, are asked to bring clothing that they do not mind getting dirty, closed-toe shoes, water, extra layers of clothing, a hat and sunglasses, and sunscreen. Materials such as gloves, trash bags and pickers will be provided.
Participants who raise $50 get free entry to the San Francisco Zoo — home of the red panda Mebo pictured above — as well as a commemorative shirt with free food and drinks.
Craig Lee/The Examiner
San Francisco Zoo’s 33rd annual Stroll for Epilepsy (Saturday)
The Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California will host its annual fundraising drive at San Francisco Zoo, where participants can raise $50 to get free entry to the grounds, as well as a commemorative shirt, food, and drinks.
Zoo gates open at 9 a.m., with the stroll starting one hour later at the zoo’s secondary gate. Service dogs are allowed except in areas where otherwise prohibited.
Disney’s ‘Big Hero 6’ presented by Cinema on the Square (Saturday)
Following last month’s debut in Union Square, the free monthly screening returns to transport viewers to “San Fransokyo,” the setting of Disney’s 2014 animated film. The Walt Disney Family Museum will host hands-on art activities geared toward creative minds of all ages.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the movie beginning two hours after that. Guests are encouraged to bring low-lying chairs, blankets and layers of clothing.
Muni Heritage Weekend 2025 (Saturday-Sunday)
Presented by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency in partnership with Market Street Railway, transit fanatics will have two days to ride the agency’s historic fleet of streetcars, buses and cable cars. There will also be interactive exhibits, family-friendly activities and exhibitions that highlight how public transportation shaped The City.
Celebrations take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Don Chee Way Plaza and the Market Street Railway Museum, which is located at 77 Steuart St. The free round-trip rides traverse the entirety of the F Market and Wharves line.
King of the Streets Hop and Lowrider Parade (Saturday)
The San Francisco Lowrider Council is hosting what organizers call the first-ever televised and streamed lowrider parade as part of The City’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. Over 300 custom lowriders will cruise down Mission Street to celebrate car culture and Latin communities.
The parade, which runs along Mission Street between Cesar Chavez and 17th streets, lasts from 1 to 3 p.m. The hopping competition takes place at the intersection of 24th and Mission streets from 3 to 5 p.m. More than 300 cars will be displayed from 2 to 8 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.
Heart of the Richmond District Night Market (Saturday)
Every third Saturday of the month, organizers celebrate local small businesses and the cultural richness of the neighborhood with a family-friendly event featuring food, shopping, live entertainment and games.
Saturday’s festival, which is this season’s finale, runs along Clement Street between 22nd and 25th avenues. It lasts from 4 to 8 p.m.
Sunday Streets Western Addition (Sunday)
The City’s regular series of car-free block parties is landing in the Western Addition, with this edition spanning O’Farrell Street between Steiner and Fillmore streets. The event will include face-painting sessions, live performances, games and other activities.
The event, which is free to attend, runs from noon to 4 p.m.
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source link
