Have fun with your family at these September events taking place around the Bay Area. For even more items, visit our online calendar.
Sept. 26
“Bluey’s Big Play”
ALSO SEPT. 27. Join the Heelers in their first live theater show featuring brilliantly created puppets. This is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life. 10am, 1 and 4pm. $30.50 and up.
Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St, San Francisco
us.atgtickets.com/whats-on/san-francisco
Chalk2Heal
Join the nonprofit Kids & Art Foundation for a family-friendly community event celebrating the healing power of creativity during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Sunset Dunes Park becomes a vibrant outdoor canvas as children, families, artists and community members come together to create colorful sidewalk art in support of children navigating cancer. 12-3pm. FREE.
Sunset Dunes Park, Ocean Beach, San Francisco
Sept. 27
Family Day at LEAF Urban Farm
Enjoy a day of hands-on fun for all ages with environmentally friendly crafts, composting methods, kid-friendly activities, honey tasting and touring the farm. 11am-1pm. $10 per family.
LEAF Urban Farm, 38339 Mission Blvd., Fremont
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/family-day-at-the-garden-tickets-1992801320394?aff=oddtdtcreator
Oct. 2
Sunset Fridays Concert Series
ALSO OCT. 9. San Francisco Zoo & Gardens’ concert series features contemporary top hits band the Kliptones today and Motown band Steady Eddy & The Shakers on Oct. 9. The event will also include outdoor bars and gourmet bites, kid-friendly activities, special entertainment and the new “Dinos Rule!” exhibition (ticket required). 5-7pm. $14 for 12 and up, 11 and under and members FREE; tickets for “Dinos Rule!” are $9 for non-members and $8 zoo members, ages 2 and under FREE.
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, Playfield Lawn, Sloat Boulevard and Great Highway, San Francisco
sfzoo.org/sf-zoo-sunset-fridays
Oct. 3
African Arts Festival
Celebrate African music, dance and culture at this annual event. In addition to live performances, it features interactive drum and dance lessons, face painting for kids, and vendors selling traditional African food, clothing, jewelry and more. 11am-4pm. FREE.
Yerba Buena Gardens, Great Lawn, Mission Street between Third and Fourth streets, San Francisco
ybgfestival.org/event/african-arts-festival-2026
Harvest Festival
Enjoy carnival games, a wreath-making station, face painting, an animal meet-and-greet, live music, food and more. 12-4pm. FREE.
Downtown Santa Cruz, Parking lot 16 and Church Street
downtownsantacruz.com/do/harvest-festival-1
Science in the Park
Learn more about STEAM, the environment and health, while having fun and supporting the schools in District 2. The event includes interactive/hands-on activities like building and launching a water rocket, interactive live animal demonstrations, an egg drop contest, a bicycle repair station, free health screenings, and more. 9am-3pm. FREE.
Cal State East Bay, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward
The Great Costume Give-Away
Just in time for Halloween, the South Bay Musical Theatre presents “It’s The Great Costume Give-Away.” Costumes from decades of SBMT productions will be available at its studio. 9am-1pm (or until they run out of costumes). FREE.
SBMT rehearsal studio, 761 Mahbury Road, #20, San Jose.
Oct. 4
Fleet Week
THROUGH OCT. 12. The week includes the Parade of Ships, ship tours, an exposition, concerts, a high school band challenge and the famous Air Show with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. The air show is Oct. 9-11 at 12-4pm between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. It can be viewed throughout San Francisco, but tickets can be purchased to watch it from the Marina Green. For a schedule of events and more information, check the website.
Little Italy San Jose Italian Festival
Celebrate all things Italian at this festival featuring Italian cuisine, live entertainment, a car show, cultural exhibits, Italian Museum tours, children’s activities and more. 11am-7pm. FREE.
Little Italy San Jose, 323 W. St. John St., San Jose
littleitalysj.com/little-italy-san-jose-festival
Oct. 7
“Phantom of the Opera”
THROUGH OCT. 18. This revitalized new production of the legendary musical features celebrated scores such as “The Music of the Night,” “All I Ask of You,” “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” and “Masquerade.” It tells the story of Christine Daaé, a young soprano whose extraordinary voice enchants a mysterious masked figure known as The Phantom. Recommended for ages 8 and up. $63-409.
Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose
Oct. 9
626 Night Market
THROUGH OCT. 11. Enjoy Asian street food, handcrafted merch and live performances. 3-11pm. $8.
Alameda County Fairgrounds, 2005 Valley Ave., Gate 8, Pleasanton
Oct. 10
“Every Saturday Night”
THROUGH NOV. 1. Inspired by true events, this new musical by Bay Area playwright, composer and director Danny Duncan and playwright Michael Gene Sullivan celebrates the historic Fillmore District. It follows two Black boys – one living in the present time and one living in the 1950s – as they explore home, belonging and resilience, revealing how the Fillmore’s past and present are connected by displacement, gentrification and the enduring fight to stay rooted in the community. $28.
The Strand Theater, 1127 Market St., San Francisco
sfbatco.org/every-saturday-night
“Coraline in Concert”
Experience the beloved animated film “Coraline” on the big screen with the Other World Symphony performing Bruno Coulais’s score, conducted by James Olmstead. Guests will also get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at LAIKA’s highly anticipated sixth film, “Wildwood,” in theaters Oct. 23. Rated PG. 7:30pm. Tickets start at $61.
Curran Theatre, 445 Geary St., San Francisco
us.atgtickets.com/whats-on/san-francisco
San Carlos Art & Wine Faire
THROUGH OCT. 11. This annual event features more than 200 artists, a Family Fun Zone with kids’ entertainment, beer and wine, live performances, food vendors and more. 10am-6pm. FREE.
San Carlos Avenue at Laurel Street, San Carlos
cityofsancarlos.org/city_hall/departments_and_divisions/parks_and_recreation/art___wine_faire.php
Oct. 11
Italian Heritage Festival and Parade
Celebrating Italian heritage, the event includes a parade with floats, Italian and Italian American dignitaries, auto show, live music and performances and representatives from organizations and businesses. The parade begins at 12:30pm at Jefferson and Powell streets in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, proceeds through North Beach on Columbus Avenue and ends at Washington Square. FREE.
North Beach, San Francisco
Oct. 12
Indigenous Peoples Day
Celebrate San Francisco Indigenous Peoples Day with Native American art, music and vendors. The event highlights the diverse and talented community of Indigenous artists in the Bay Area, California and the Americas. 12-4pm. FREE.
Yerba Buena Gardens, Great Lawn,Mission Street between Third and Fourth streets, San Francisco
Oct. 17
Diwali Festival of Lights & Fireworks
This Hindu Festival of Lights celebration (Diwali Dhamaka Dhamaka) features Indian food, traditional music and dancing, carnival rides, a kids’ zone and fireworks. 12-11pm. Tickets start at $12.51.
Alameda County Fairgrounds, 2005 Valley Ave., Gate 8, Pleasanton
Oct. 24
Music for Families
Enjoy the excitement of live classical music with the entire family at this concert series with the San Francisco Symphony. Recommended for ages 5–12. Kids’ tickets are half off. 2pm. Tickets start at $29.50.
Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Chili Cook-off
Professional and amateur chefs compete for the title of Best Chili. Tasting kits go on sale at 10am, tasting begins at 1pm, winners are announced at 4pm. Tasting kits are $15 and include eight taste tickets, spoon, cup and People’s Choice ballot.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz
Oct. 25
Local Children’s Author Book Launch Event
El Cerrito author Kate O’Shaughnessy celebrates the launch of her new book “Brittle Magic,” with a special event for readers to meet her and discuss the book. “Brittle Magic” is about a girl searching for the magical gift she believes will finally make her special. 4pm. FREE.
Linden Tree Books, 265 State St., Los Altos
Oct. 30
“The Addams Family”
THROUGH NOV. 15. Palo Alto Players performs this delightfully dark, hilariously twisted celebration of family eccentricity. In this original tale, every father’s nightmare comes to life: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen head over heels for a charming, intelligent young man from a “normal” family. Recommended for ages 8 and up. 7:30pm Fridays and Saturdays, 2pm matinees Sundays and select Saturdays. Check website for ticket prices.
Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
