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What's Up This Weekend with Fonseca 08/27/26

Friday, August 28

Vivid: Immerse Your Senses ~ San FranciscoDescend from a verdant rainforest canopy to the pitch darkness of a bat cave, journey from golden prairie grasses to an invisible underground realm teeming with life, and sink from creaking ice floes to the ocean depths sperm whales call home—all without leaving Golden Gate Park. New exhibit Vivid: Immerse Your Senses is a multisensory experience at the California Academy of Sciences that transports visitors to six of Earth’s most awe-inspiring ecosystems.

Sunset Fridays at the Zoo – San Francisco

Pastimes of the Past (Free) – Livermore

Movies in the Park: Superman (Free) – Cupertino


Saturday, August 29

The Nature Play Grove at CuriOdyssey ~ San MateoThe Nature Play Grove is now open at CuriOdyssey! Nestled in Bay View Grove with breathtaking Bay views, this brand new outdoor space is designed to do something simple but powerful: inspire awe. Explore interactive exhibits that awaken the senses and invite open-ended play for the whole family. Whether you’re 5 or 55, wonder is waiting outside. Come find yours. Plan your visit today!

La Familia Peña-Govea Concert (Free) – San Francisco

Sand Sculpture Contest – Pt. Reyes Station

Wild Explorations (Free) – Berkeley

Cereal Cinema – Oakland

Fun on the Farm (Free) – San Ramon

Campfire: Bay Area Bats (Free) – Castro Valley

Coyote Hills Puppet Show (Free) – Fremont

Imagine Together – Belmont

Lucha Libro (Free) – San Jose


Sunday, August 30

Little Treasures: Play, Shop, Swap ~ San JoseDiscover Little Treasures, a joyful gathering for families of all ages, in partnership with MOTHER. Dive into playful activities and hands-on experiences throughout the day, with a lineup of programming featuring sessions of story, movement, and music designed to engage and inspire. Browse a curated mix of clothing, toys, and accessories, with both new finds and gently loved favorites chosen for their style and quality. Meet local makers and small businesses offering handmade goods.

Origami Palooza – San Francisco

Cal Sailing Open House (Free) – Berkeley

Sundays at Hagemann Ranch (Free) – Livermore

Bubble Bonanza – San Carlos

Math Festival (Free) – San Jose



🎬 BIG NEW THEATRICAL RELEASES

  • Coyote vs. Acme — PG


    The long-delayed live-action/animated Looney Tunes movie is finally here. Wile E. Coyote hires a lawyer to sue the Acme Corporation after years of defective products. Stars Will Forte, John Cena and Lana Condor. It’s opening wide and reviews are very strong so far.

  • The Dog Stars


    Ridley Scott directs this post-apocalyptic survival thriller starring Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley and Guy Pearce. After a pandemic devastates civilization, a pilot and survivalist try to stay alive in a dangerous new world. Wide release.

  • Buddy — R


    A bizarre new horror-comedy starring Cristin Milioti, Topher Grace and Michael Shannon, with Keegan-Michael Key voicing Buddy. A seemingly innocent children's TV show starring a giant orange unicorn turns seriously disturbing. Wide theatrical release.

  • Finding Emily — PG-13


    A new romantic comedy starring Angourie Rice, Spike Fearn and Minnie Driver. A musician receives the wrong phone number from the girl of his dreams and recruits a psychology student to help him find her. Wide release August 28.

  • It Ends


    A sci-fi/horror thriller about friends whose road trip takes a horrifying turn when they discover they may be trapped on a road that never ends. NEON is releasing it wide this weekend.

  • The Marching Band


    A French comedy-drama about two brothers from dramatically different backgrounds who discover each other later in life, with music bringing them together. It's also scheduled for a wider U.S. theatrical release August 28.






The Randall Museum (always free) – San FranciscoThe Randall Museum is a museum of science, nature and the arts as well as a San Francisco Recreation and Park Department community learning center.

The San Francisco Zoo (select Wednesdays) – San FranciscoFree only for San Francisco residents on select Wednesdays.

Asian Art Museum (1st Sunday) – San FranciscoOn the first Sunday of each month, general admission is free and tickets to special exhibitions are offered at a discounted price of $15. Limited same-day, walk-up availability, so it’s highly recommended that you reserve your tickets in advance.

SFMOMA (select days) – San FranciscoSFMOMA offers regularly scheduled free days and guests 18 and younger always enjoy free admission to the museum. Visit sfmoma.org/free-days for upcoming dates and activities or sign up for their newsletter to be notified when new events, exhibitions, and activities are announced.

Museum of the African Diaspora (2nd Saturday) – San FranciscoContemporary art and artists of the African Diaspora.

Museum of Craft and Design (1st Thursday) – San FranciscoMCD showcases designers, makers and artists through an exciting and distinctive series of craft and design-focused exhibitions and public programs.

The de Young Museum (Tuesdays and Saturdays) – San FranciscoSaturdays free for Bay Area residents. Tuesdays free for all.

The Fine Arts Museum (Tuesdays and Saturdays) – San FranciscoSaturdays free for Bay Area residents. Tuesdays free for all.

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (Wednesdays) – San FranciscoThe cultural anchor of San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens neighborhood with work that spans the realms of contemporary art, performance, film, civic engagement, and public life.

Conservatory of Flowers (1st Tuesday) – San FranciscoSet in a landmark building — the oldest public wood-and-glass conservatory in North America — the Conservatory of Flowers inspires awe and fascination with its rare and tropical plant collection.

San Francisco Botanical Garden (2nd Tuesday) – San FranciscoExplore 55 beautiful acres of landscaped gardens and open spaces that showcase more than 8,000 different kinds of plants from around the world.

Cable Car Museum (always free) – San FranciscoHouses a collection of historic cable cars, photographs, mechanical displays.

San Francisco Fire Department Museum (always free) – San FranciscoAs the museum is staffed by volunteers, it is best if you call 415-558-3546 after 1PM on the day of your visit to make sure it will be open.

The Marine Mammal Center (always free) – SausalitoTickets are free but must be reserved online in advance.

Bay Model Center (always free) – SausalitoThe model provides scientists, educators and visitors interested in San Francisco Bay and the Bay – Delta Model a unique opportunity to view the complete bay-delta system at a glance.

Oakland Museum of California (first Sunday) – OaklandEvery first Sunday of the month, admission to OMCA’s Galleries of California Art, History, Natural Sciences, and any Special Exhibitions in our Great Hall are free.

Telescope Viewing at Chabot (Fri & Sat evenings) – OaklandJoin Chabot astronomers on the Observatory Deck for a free telescope viewing! Weather permitting, this is a chance to explore stars, planets and more through Chabot’s historic telescopes.

Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (1st Thursday) – BerkeleyAs part of the University of California, Berkeley, BAMPFA is committed to artistic diversity through its robust slate of art exhibitions, film screenings, artist talks, live performances, and educational programs that shed new light on the art of the past and connect audiences with leading filmmakers and artists of our time.

Richmond Art Center (always free) – RichmondOpportunities for adults, teens and kids to create, see and learn about art.

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front Museum (always free) – RichmondEducational and interactive exhibits designed for visitors of all ages, offering insights into the significant impact of WWII on daily life.

San Mateo County History Museum (1st Friday) – Redwood CityFree admission to the History Museum 10AM – 4PM. Free Playing in the Past at 11AM. Free general tour at the History Museum at 2PM.

South Bay Historical Railroad Society Museum (always free) – Santa ClaraThe museum consists of three major areas: the historic buildings, railroad artifacts, and operating scale model displays. Open Tuesday evenings and Saturdays.

The Intel Museum (always free) – Santa ClaraGo behind the scenes in the high-tech world of California’s famed Silicon Valley. See what it’s like inside an ultra-clean, highly automated silicon chip factory, and connect with technologies that give us new ways to work, learn, play, and communicate. The Intel Museum is 10,000 square feet of fun, interactive learning for children and adults. Open Mondays through Friday, 9AM-5PM. Call 408-765-5050 to confirm the museum is open to the public, since they sometimes close for private events.

San Jose Museum of Art (First Friday after 6pm)Contemporary art in downtown San Jose. Occasional free community art days.

Home Depot Kids Workshop (1st Saturday) – all locationsJoin at 9AM on the First Saturday of every month.

FRIDAY — AUGUST 28

  • USHER + Chris Brown — The R&B Tour — Levi's Stadium — 7:00 PM. This is the first of two consecutive Bay Area stadium shows Friday and Saturday.

  • 5 Seconds of Summer — Everyone’s A Star! World Tour — Shoreline Amphitheatre — 7:00 PM.

  • FIA — The Love Me Tour — The Mountain Winery — 7:30 PM.

  • Courtney Barnett — Creature of Habit Tour — The Fillmore — 8:00 PM.

  • The Greyboy Allstars — Castro Theatre — 8:00 PM.

  • Sweet Pill — August Hall — 8:00 PM.

  • Osees — The Chapel — 8:30 PM.

  • Wax + DJ Hoppa — The Independent — 9:00 PM.

  • Bill Callahan — The UC Theatre — 8:00 PM.

  • Richard Elliot — Yoshi's Oakland — 7:30 PM & 9:30 PM.

  • Hayden James — Audio SF — 9:30 PM; he’s also listed for an earlier 4–9 PM event at Aracely.

  • Ron Vincent Quartet — Bird & Beckett Books & Records — 7:30 PM.

  • The Delta Wires — Biscuits & Blues — 6:30 & 9:00 PM.

  • My New Band Believe — Rickshaw Stop — 8:00 PM.

  • Pokémon Rap Concert: Genwunner vs. Cam Steady — Brick & Mortar Music Hall — 9:00 PM.

  • Truncate — Halcyon SF — 10:00 PM.

SATURDAY — AUGUST 29

This is the monster concert night of the weekend.

  • USHER + Chris Brown — The R&B Tour — Levi's Stadium — 7:00 PM. Second Bay Area show.

  • Nas & The Roots — A Great Night in Hip Hop — Shoreline Amphitheatre — 7:00 PM.

  • J. Cole — The Fall-Off Tour — Oakland Arena — 8:00 PM. This is night one of a two-night Oakland run.

  • Tori Amos — In Times of Dragons Tour, with Bartees Strange — Greek Theatre — 8:00 PM.

  • Sonu Nigam — Revolution Tour 2026 — SAP Center — 8:00 PM.

  • BelicoFest San Jose — PayPal Park — 5:00 PM. Major Música Mexicana festival and the stadium’s first major live-music event.

  • Brad Mehldau: Ride Into the Sun — Elliott Smith tribute — Paramount Theatre — 8:00 PM. The lineup includes Chris Thile, Blake Mills, Matt Chamberlain and John Davis with orchestra.

  • I Love the ’90s Tour featuring Vanilla Ice — The Mountain Winery — 7:30 PM. The bill also includes Rob Base, Young MC and C+C Music Factory.

  • Simon Phillips & Protocol 6 — Yoshi's Oakland — 7:30 PM.

  • Stunna Girl — Pete Be Center — 8:30 PM.

  • Brenn! — Amateur at Best Tour — The Independent — 9:00 PM.

  • Mini Trees — Rickshaw Stop — 8:45 PM.

  • MarQ — Brick & Mortar Music Hall — 9:00 PM.

  • John 00 Fleming — Halcyon SF — 10:00 PM.

  • Angel Adedokun Quartet — Bird & Beckett Books & Records — 7:30 PM.

  • California Turnaround — live country/trucker music at The Riptide — 7:30 PM.

  • Club Mandalay: Live Jazz — International Hotel Manilatown Center — 2:00 PM, FREE.

SUNDAY — AUGUST 30

  • J. Cole — The Fall-Off Tour — Oakland Arena — 8:00 PM. Night two. The arena confirms both August 29 and 30 dates.

  • Diana Ross — The Mountain Winery — 7:30 PM. One of my biggest picks of the weekend.

  • Charlie Wilson — Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions — 7:00 PM.

  • El Tri — San Jose Civic — 8:00 PM.

  • Simon Phillips & Protocol 6 — Yoshi's Oakland — 7:00 PM.

  • Black Music Festival — Great American Music Hall — 4:00 PM.

  • The Coltrane Influence: Wayne Escoffery & Tal Cohen — Black Cat Jazz Supper Club — 7:00 & 9:15 PM.

  • The Bobby Young Project — Biscuits & Blues — 6:30 PM.

  • SF Bay Brazilian Day & Lavagem Festival — La Peña Cultural Center — Noon, FREE.

  • Golden Gate Park Band — “¡Olé! The Heart of Spain” — Golden Gate Bandshell — 1:00–2:30 PM, FREE.

  • Crucial Reggae Sunday — Golden Gate Bandshell — 4:30–7:30 PM, FREE.

Friday, August 28

  • San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks — 7:15 PM, Oracle Park, San Francisco.

  • San Jose Giants vs. Visalia Rawhide — 7:00 PM, Excite Ballpark, San Jose. It’s Superhero Night + Friday Night Fireworks.

  • Oakland Ballers vs. Long Beach Coast — 6:35 PM, Raimondi Park, Oakland. Island Night.

  • Cal Volleyball vs. Pacific — 7:00 PM, Haas Pavilion, Berkeley.

  • Cal Field Hockey vs. American — 6:00 PM, Underhill Field, Berkeley.

  • Stanford Field Hockey vs. UMass Lowell — 4:00 PM, Stanford. Home opener.

  • Saint Mary’s Volleyball vs. UC San Diego — 7:00 PM, University Credit Union Pavilion, Moraga.

Saturday, August 29 — BIG SPORTS DAY

San Francisco Giants — DOUBLEHEADER

  • Giants vs. Diamondbacks — Game 1 — 1:05 PM, Oracle Park.

  • Giants vs. Diamondbacks — Game 2 — 7:05 PM, Oracle Park.


    This is a split doubleheader; fans leave the stadium after Game 1 and separate admission is required for Game 2.

Game 1 includes the Jung Hoo Lee Bobblehead giveaway. Game 2 features the Jeff Kent Hall of Fame Celebration and replica ring giveaway.

College Football

  • Stanford vs. Hawai'i — 4:00 PM, Stanford Stadium. This is Stanford's 2026 home opener, with Pacific Islander Heritage festivities and Cardinal Kids Day.

Soccer

  • Oakland Roots vs. Orange County SC — 5:00 PM, Oakland Coliseum. Show Up! Back-to-School Night.

Baseball

  • San Jose Giants vs. Visalia Rawhide — 5:00 PM, Excite Ballpark. This one has a lot going on: Día de los Churros, Lucha Libre, Barracuda Night, kids run the bases and a Giants/Barracuda hooded shirsey giveaway.

  • Oakland Ballers vs. Long Beach Coast — 4:35 PM, Raimondi Park. Pregame car show begins at 2:30 PM.

College Soccer

  • Cal Women's Soccer vs. LMU — 3:00 PM, Edwards Stadium, Berkeley.

College Volleyball

  • Cal vs. UC San Diego — 7:00 PM, Haas Pavilion, Berkeley.

  • Saint Mary's vs. Southern Utah — 7:00 PM, University Credit Union Pavilion, Moraga.

Sunday, August 30

Baseball

  • San Jose Giants vs. Visalia Rawhide — 1:00 PM, Excite Ballpark. Fan Appreciation Weekend and kids run the bases.

  • Oakland Ballers vs. Long Beach Coast — 1:05 PM, Raimondi Park. Fan Appreciation Day with a Scrappy plush keychain giveaway.

Important: There is NO Giants game Sunday at Oracle Park. The originally scheduled August 30 game was moved into Saturday's split doubleheader.

College Soccer

  • Santa Clara Women's Soccer vs. UCLA — 1:00 PM, Stevens Stadium/Buck Shaw Field. This is one of Sunday's stronger college matchups.

  • Stanford Women's Soccer vs. Cal State Fullerton — 1:00 PM, Stanford.

  • San Jose State Men's Soccer vs. Saint Mary's — 1:00 PM, Spartan Soccer Complex.

  • Stanford Men's Soccer vs. UC Davis — 7:00 PM, Cagan Stadium.

  • Santa Clara Men's Soccer vs. Utah Valley — 7:30 PM, Stevens Stadium/Buck Shaw Field.

College Volleyball

  • Saint Mary's vs. Cal — 2:00 PM, University Credit Union Pavilion, Moraga.

College Field Hockey

  • Stanford vs. American — 11:00 AM, Stanford.

  • Cal vs. Central Michigan — 1:00 PM, Underhill Field, Berkeley.

Friday, August 28

  • Visitacion Valley Night Market & Block Party — San Francisco — 4–8:30 PM, Leland Avenue between Bayshore and Peabody. FREE. More than 45 vendors, food, shopping, live music, street dancing and family activities. This is the first Visitacion Valley Night Market.

  • Pokémon XP + Pokémon World Championships — San Francisco — Moscone Center, Friday–Sunday. This is more of a giant fan expo/festival than a traditional fair, but it should be one of the busiest family events in the city this weekend. Pokémon XP tickets start around $90, while some World Championships-related activities around the city are free.

Saturday, August 29 — the biggest fair/festival day

  • Castro Carnival Block Party — San Francisco — Noon–5 PM, Noe Street near Market. FREE. Family-friendly carnival celebration with live entertainment, LGBTQ+ artists, drag performances and community activities.

  • Rock the Gates Summer Fleadh — San Francisco — 2–10 PM, United Irish Cultural Center, 2700 45th Avenue. Three stages, Celtic and classic rock, Irish music and dance, food, vendors, children's activities and a bounce house. Kids under 18 are free with an adult.

  • Bark (& Meow) Around the Block — Berkeley — 10 AM–4 PM, Berkeley Humane, 2700 Ninth Street. FREE.A genuine family street fair plus California's largest single-location pet adoption event: 300+ animals, 30+ shelters, music, food, drinks, vendors and children's activities.

  • Martinez 150th Anniversary Sesquicentennial Festival — Martinez Waterfront — 11 AM–7 PM. FREE. This is one of the best family-fair choices: live music, climbing wall, foam parties, children's obstacle course, arts and crafts, face painting, bubbles, water activities, kites, kayaking and more.

  • Crab Cove Fish Festival — Alameda — 10 AM–4 PM, Crab Cove Visitor Center. FREE. Family festival with marine life activities, exhibits, food trucks and children's programming.

  • Silicon Valley Pride Night Festival — Downtown San Jose — 6–11 PM Saturday, followed by Sunday's parade/festival. Entertainment, artists, food vendors, community organizations and family activities.

  • Puppet Fair Weekend — Children's Fairyland, Oakland — 10 AM–4 PM Saturday AND Sunday. Multiple puppet companies, puppet-making, backstage activities and performances, including Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Included with Fairyland admission.

  • RAD Napa Action Art Fest — Napa — 11 AM–4 PM. FREE. Open-air art fair with artists, makers, live music, performances, food, beverages and hands-on art activities for all ages.

  • 44th Annual Point Reyes Sand Sculpture Contest — Drakes Beach — 9 AM–3 PM. FREE. Families, kids and adults create elaborate sand sculptures; registration at 9, judging at noon and awards at 3.

  • Scales Reptile Expo — Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa — Saturday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM at Grace Pavilion. Reptiles, snakes, lizards, turtles, exhibitors and vendors.

  • Real Neato Music Festival — Guerneville — 2–10 PM, Rio Nido Roadhouse. A one-day outdoor music festival in the Russian River redwoods.

  • Marin Pignic — Marin Humane — 10 AM–2 PM. A wonderfully odd little festival dedicated to guinea pigs, including rescue fundraising and community activities.

Sunday, August 30

  • Silicon Valley Pride Parade & Festival — Downtown San Jose — Parade 11 AM–1 PM, ending at Plaza Park, with the Pride festival continuing Sunday. One of the largest events in the Bay Area this weekend.

  • Berkeley Pride: From Joy to Justice — Berkeley — 11 AM–5 PM, Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park. Live performers, artists, vendors, community organizations and family programming. Adults $20; children 12 and under free.

  • SF Bay Brazilian Day & Lavagem Festival — Berkeley — Noon–6 PM, La Peña Cultural Center. FREE. Street procession, drumming, ceremonial blessing, Brazilian music, dance, food, arts and crafts.

  • BonPOP 2026 Japanese Bon Odori Festival — Golden Gate Park — 2–6 PM, Botanical Garden Fountain Plaza. Vendors and activities from 2–4, followed by Bon Odori dancing from 4–6, plus taiko, lanterns and Japanese cultural activities.

  • Cape & Cowl Con — Alameda — 11 AM–6 PM, Faction Brewing. FREE, all ages. More than 150 comic artists and vendors, makers, food and a children's area.

  • Hot Summer Sundays Car Show — Downtown Danville — Sunday in Historic Downtown Danville. Classic cars, customs and community festival atmosphere.

  • Found in the Fog Antique & Collectibles Market — San Francisco — 8 AM–3 PM, Marina Middle School, 3500 Fillmore. Vintage goods, antiques, collectibles, art, records, clothing and local vendors. Admission varies by entry time.

  • Chinatown Family Block Party — San Francisco — 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, Grant Avenue between Sacramento and Clay. FREE. Lion dancing, family activities and community celebration.

  • Puppet Fair Weekend — Children's Fairyland, Oakland — 10 AM–4 PM, second day.

  • Scales Reptile Expo — Santa Rosa — 10 AM–5 PM, second day at Sonoma County Fairgrounds.


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