What's Up This Weekend with Fonseca 09/04/26
- fonsecashow
- 2 days ago
- 11 min read
Friday, September 4
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 – Livermore
Free First Friday at the San Mateo County History Museum (Free) – Redwood City
First Friday at CuriOdyssey – San Mateo
Free First Friday at the Museum of Art and History (Free) – Santa Cruz
Saturday, September 5
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!
Meet Wildlife – Tiburon
Tarantula Tales – Antioch
Cereal Cinema – Oakland
MOCHA at the Library (Free) – Oakland
Fun on the Farm – San Ramon
Scottish Highlands Gathering and Games – Pleasanton
Belmont Greek Festival – Belmont
NorCal Bats (Free) – San Jose
Carnival Nights at Gilroy Gardens – Gilroy
Sunday, September 6
The Big Draw Festival – San Francisco
First Sundays at OMCA (Free) – Oakland
Alice in Wanderland – Berkeley
Fall Neon Scorpion Hikes – Clayton
Garin Apple Festival – Hayward
Free First Sundays at NUMU (Free) – Los Gatos
STEM Sundays (Free) – San Jose
Monday, September 7
Five Dollar Day at the Lawrence – Berkeley
Labor Day Open House at Crab Cove (Free) – Alameda
Fall Country Cooking at Ardenwood – Fremont
🎬 Major New Wide Releases — Friday, Sept. 4
1. By Any MeansStars: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Wahlberg, Nicole Beharie, David Strathairn, Giancarlo EspositoGenre: Crime / Action / Historical ThrillerInspired by true events surrounding the 1966 murder of civil-rights leader Vernon Dahmer. A Black FBI agent teams with Mafia figure Gregory Scarpa while investigating KKK violence in Mississippi. Paramount is releasing it nationwide.
2. OnslaughtStars: Adria Arjona, Dan Stevens, Rebecca Hall, Eric Wareheim, Reginald VelJohnsonGenre: Action / Horror / Sci-FiFrom director Adam Wingard. A former military sniper must protect her daughter and community when genetically enhanced super-soldiers escape from a nearby government facility. A24 release.
3. Tom and Jerry: Forbidden CompassGenre: Animation / Comedy / Family / FantasyTom and Jerry head out on a globe-spanning adventure involving a mysterious magical artifact. It's getting a wide theatrical release from Viva Pictures.
4. The Sun Never SetsStars: Dakota Fanning, Debby Ryan, Brandon Daley, Phil PhillipsGenre: Romance / DramaA character-driven romantic drama about relationships, timing, personal growth and changing priorities. IFC Films is releasing it nationwide.
Friday, September 4
5:00 PM – Soccer: Saint Mary’s vs. Marist — Saint Mary’s Stadium, Moraga.
6:00 PM – Football: Stanford vs. No. 7 Miami — Stanford Stadium.
7:00 PM – Soccer: Bay FC vs. Kansas City Current — PayPal Park, San Jose.
7:00 PM – Soccer: San José State vs. No. 1 Stanford — Spartan Soccer Complex, San Jose.
7:00 PM – Soccer: USF vs. Air Force — Negoesco Stadium, San Francisco.
Saturday, September 5
TBD – Soccer: The Town FC vs. Tacoma Defiance — MLS NEXT Pro home match.
7:30 PM – Football: Cal vs. UCLA — California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley.
Sunday, September 6
12:00 PM – Soccer: USF Women vs. Nevada — Negoesco Stadium, San Francisco.
1:00 PM – Soccer: Cal Women vs. Columbia — Edwards Stadium, Berkeley.
1:00 PM – Soccer: Saint Mary’s Women vs. Northern Arizona — Saint Mary’s Stadium, Moraga.
1:00 PM – Soccer: Santa Clara Women vs. No. 1 Stanford — Stevens Stadium/Buck Shaw Field, Santa Clara.
4:00 PM – Soccer: Cal Men vs. North Carolina — Edwards Stadium, Berkeley.
7:00 PM – Soccer: San José State vs. Sacramento State — Spartan Soccer Complex, San Jose.
Monday, September 7 — Labor Day
4:00 PM – Soccer: Stanford Men vs. CSUN — Maloney Field at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium, Stanford.
5:10 PM – Baseball: San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals — Oracle Park, San Francisco. MLB specifically lists this as the Giants’ Labor Day home game.
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, September 4
5:00 PM — The Chainsmokers — Discovery Meadow, San Jose.
6:00 PM — Black Tiger Sex Machine + Kai Wachi — The Midway, San Francisco.
6:00 PM — DevilDriver + Ov Sulfur + Cultus Black — The Ritz, San Jose.
7:00 PM — Styx & Chicago: The Windy Cities Tour — Toyota Pavilion at Concord.
7:30 PM — Hal Richards Quintet — Bird & Beckett, San Francisco.
8:00 PM — BIGBANG — Oakland Coliseum.
8:00 PM — Bettye LaVette — Freight & Salvage, Berkeley.
8:00 PM — Drink The Sea featuring Peter Buck, Barrett Martin, Alain Johannes & Duke Garwood — The Guild Theatre, Menlo Park.
8:00 PM — Banda El Recodo — Graton Resort & Casino, Rohnert Park.
8:00 PM — Adam Lieb — The Saint, St. Helena.
8:00 PM — Nitzer Ebb + Lead Into Gold — Regency Ballroom, San Francisco.
8:00 PM — Gothicumbia — Great American Music Hall, San Francisco.
8:00 PM-ish — Big Daddy Cade's Tribute to B.B. King — Biscuits & Blues, San Francisco.
9:00 PM — Sister Nancy & The Steady Rock Band — The Chapel, San Francisco.
9:00 PM — The English Beat — Cornerstone, Berkeley.
9:00 PM — Tonic Walter + TVLI — The Independent, San Francisco.
9:00 PM — Alan Vuong + Elias + Last Known Species — Rickshaw Stop, San Francisco.
9:30 PM — Kirk Whalum — Yoshi's, Oakland.
10:00 PM — Jason Ross: True North Tour — 1015 Folsom, San Francisco.
Saturday, September 5
3:00 PM — Purple Disco Machine + RuPaul DJ Set + DJ Holographic — Electroluxx Block Party at The Midway, San Francisco.
6:00 PM — Lost 80's Live — Mountain Winery, Saratoga.
7:00 PM — Kamelot: Dark Asylum World Tour — The Fillmore, San Francisco.
7:00 PM — Con Funk Shun + Lenny Williams — Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions, Napa.
7:30 PM — Danny Bittker Quintet — Bird & Beckett, San Francisco.
8:00 PM — BIGBANG — Oakland Coliseum.
Brandon Flowers — Fox Theater, Oakland.
8:00 PM — Grupo Duelo: Gravedad Tour 2026 — San Jose Civic.
8:00 PM — Tab Benoit + Tommy Castro + The Zac Schulze Gang — Uptown Theatre Napa.
8:00 PM — Sam Garrett — Napa Music Hall.
8:00 PM — Bettye LaVette — Freight & Salvage, Berkeley.
8:00 PM — Valerie: A Tribute to Amy Winehouse — August Hall, San Francisco.
Drink The Sea — The Chapel, San Francisco.
Pallbearer + Ordh + Chrome Ghost — Great American Music Hall.
The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band — Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley.
The Emo Night Tour — The Independent, San Francisco.
Sunday, September 6
11:00 AM — Elizabeth Mitchell: You Are My Little Bird 20th Anniversary Tour — Freight & Salvage, Berkeley.
1:00 PM — Golden Gate Park Band — Golden Gate Park Bandshell, San Francisco — FREE.
3:00 PM — Alan Walker — Discovery Meadow, San Jose.
4:20–7:30 PM — Crucial Reggae Sundays featuring Roommate — Golden Gate Park Bandshell — FREE.
5:00 PM — Next Gen Jam with Dylan Acker Quartet — Bird & Beckett, San Francisco.
7:00 PM — Sons of Champlin with Bill Champlin — Yoshi's Oakland.
8:00 PM — Babyface — Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions.
8:00 PM — Katchafire — Napa Music Hall.
8:00 PM — A Tribute to Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris — Freight & Salvage, Berkeley.
8:00 PM — Clinton Fearon + Iriefuse — Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley.
8:00 PM — Hai Lai A Mu — Graton Resort & Casino, Rohnert Park.
9:00 PM — Tiffany Day: Halo Tour — 1015 Folsom, San Francisco.
Venjent + Oktae — DNA Lounge, San Francisco.
Helms Alee + Disastroid + Thornpusher — Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco.
Monday, September 7 — Labor Day
1:00–2:30 PM — Golden Gate Park Band: Labor Day Concert — Golden Gate Park Bandshell — FREE.
2:00–6:00 PM — Grahame Lesh & Friends — Robin Williams Meadow, Golden Gate Park — FREE.
2:00 PM onward — Hiero Day — The Midway, San Francisco.
7:00 PM — A.J. Croce — Mountain Winery, Saratoga.
7:30 PM — Aimee Nolte — Yoshi's, Oakland.
7:30 PM — Duo Changüísonico: José “El Sinsonte” Andrés + Kai Lyons — Bird & Beckett, San Francisco.
8:00 PM — The Charlatans UK + Frankie Rose — Castro Theatre, San Francisco.
Mad Caddies + Diesel Boy + Stay Out — Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco.
Dead Set 805 — 4 Star Theater, San Francisco.
Sunfish + Box Cutter + Kiori — Kilowatt, San Francisco.
Friday, September 4
I’m not finding a major Bay Area street fair or carnival on Friday. Most of the Labor Day fairs begin Saturday.
Saturday, September 5
8 AM–6 PM — 160th Scottish Highland Gathering & Games — Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton. Huge fair-style event with Highland athletics, pipe bands, dancing, live entertainment, food, animals and cultural exhibits.
10 AM–5 PM — Millbrae Art & Wine Festival — Broadway, Downtown Millbrae. FREE. This is probably the weekend's biggest traditional street fair, with 170+ artists, food, wine/beer, live music and kids' activities.
10 AM–5 PM — Kings Mountain Art Fair — Kings Mountain Community Center/Firehouse near Woodside. FREE. More than 125 artists set up beneath the redwoods, plus food and children's games/crafts.
12–10 PM — Belmont Greek Festival — Church of the Holy Cross, Belmont. Greek food, music, dancing and cultural activities.
2–6 PM — SF Chinatown Hungry Ghost Festival — Grant Avenue between California and Sacramento, San Francisco. FREE. A genuine street festival with Chinatown streets closed for the event, cultural traditions, performances and activities.
Sunday, September 6
8 AM–6 PM — Scottish Highland Gathering & Games — Day 2 — Pleasanton.
10 AM–5 PM — Millbrae Art & Wine Festival — Day 2 — Downtown Millbrae. FREE.
10 AM–5 PM — Kings Mountain Art Fair — Day 2 — Woodside/Kings Mountain. FREE.
10 AM–2 PM — Garin Apple Festival — Garin Regional Park, Hayward. Apple tasting and cider pressing, orchard activities, live music, crafts and games.
10 AM–3:30 PM — Chinatown Car Show & Car Parade — Grant Avenue, San Francisco. FREE. Vintage, classic and exotic cars plus lion dancing, live music and martial arts; car parade starts at 3 PM.
11 AM–6 PM — African American Family Day — deFremery Park, Oakland. Free community festival with entertainment, BBQ and family activities; advance free ticket required.
12–6 PM — Bizerkeley Food Fest — Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park, Berkeley. More than 70 food vendors, live entertainment, bounce houses, games and family activities. This is one of the more carnival-like family events this weekend.
12–6 PM — San José Lowrider Day Festival — San José City Hall. FREE. Lowriders, live music, food vendors, local vendors and family activities, followed by the car-cruise atmosphere downtown.
12 PM onward — 138th Tomales Festival — Tomales Community Park, West Marin. FREE. Live music, oysters and other food, beer/wine, artisans, children's activities and community booths.
12–10 PM — Belmont Greek Festival — Day 2 — Belmont.
Monday, September 7 — Labor Day
10 AM–5 PM — Kings Mountain Art Fair — Final Day — Kings Mountain/Woodside. FREE. This is the clearest traditional fair continuing through Labor Day Monday.
For radio show prep, I would lead with Millbrae Art & Wine Festival, Pleasanton Scottish Highland Games, Belmont Greek Festival, SF Chinatown Hungry Ghost Festival, Chinatown Car Show, Bizerkeley Food Fest, and Kings Mountain Art Fair.
One correction worth flagging: some online calendars are incorrectly showing the Castro Valley Fall Festival this weekend. The official local schedule confirms it is actually September 12–13, 2026, so I left it off this list.
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