Have fun with your family with these September events taking place around the Bay Area. For even more items, visit our online calendar.
Sept. 1
SFMOMA: Call for Fan Art
Bring a piece of original artwork celebrating Bay Area athletes, sports teams or fans for a chance to have it displayed and get free admission for two to SFMOMA. It’s part of “Get in the Game: Sports, Arts, Culture” and six companion exhibitions focused on sports that will be the largest presentation dedicated to a single subject to date. Exhibits on diversity in skateboarding, international competition and a new mural by Bay Area cartoonist Gene Luen Yang will be on display through the spring. 10am-4pm. FREE.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 151 Third St., San Francisco
sfmoma.org/event/call-for-fan-art-bay-area-sports
Scottish Highland Gathering and Games
This Bay Area tradition since 1866 includes Scottish competitions, ceremonies, cuisine and entertainment from highland dancing to sheepdog trials. 8am-6pm. From $39.20 adults, $22.40 ages 12-17 and 65 and up, $5.60 ages 5-11, 5 and under FREE; parking $15.
Alameda County Fairgrounds, 2005 Valley Ave., Pleasanton
Storytime with Charlotte Cheng
Local author Charlotte Cheng reads from her books “Roar-Choo!” and “I Miss You Most.” 11am. FREE.
Books Inc., 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
Sept. 3
Community Day
Admission is free on the first Tue. of each month at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Arboretum and Botanic Garden. Parking is limited so carpooling or transit is recommended. 9qm-5pm. FREE.
UCSC Arboretum, 1156 High St., Santa Cruz
Sept. 4
“Voyage of Europa Clipper: Exploring an Alien Ocean”
THROUGH SEPT. 9. The California Academy of Sciences will host this pop-up exhibition from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory which includes an inflatable model of one of Jupiter’s moons, spacecraft and instrument models, interactive experiments and all-ages activities that blend science and art. Kevin Hand, director of JPL’s Ocean Worlds Lab, will give a talk Sept. 9 at 7:30pm. Included with admission of $25-50, 2 and under FREE.
California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco
Sept. 6
“The Prom”
THROUGH OCT. 13. This musical is a hilarious and heartwarming story of what happens when four eccentric Broadway stars swoop into a small Indiana town to boost their careers by championing a high school student’s right to bring her girlfriend to prom. $19-55.
Berkeley Playhouse, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
THROUGH SEPT. 22. Palo Alto Players presents this musical tale of Charlie Bucket and the other winners of Golden Tickets that allow them a life-changing, behind-the-scenes tour of Willy Wonka’s madcap chocolate factory. Recommended for ages 6 and up; under age 3 not admitted. $20-63.
Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
Story Road Night Market
ALSO SEPT. 7 and OCT. 11-12. This new market in the heart of San Jose’s Vietnamese community features a variety of street food concepts, a vendor market, a
live music stage, a beer garden and a pop-up plaza. 4-10pm. FREE.
Grand Century Shopping Mall (parking lot), 1111 Story Road, San Jose
Sept. 7
Fiesta in La Plaza
Celebrate the vibrant traditions of the Latino community with mariachi, folklorico dancers and a free beach concert. Enjoy rides and games plus special food and beverages. 11am-9pm. FREE admission, ride wristbands $39.95 and up.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz
beachboardwalk.com/fiesta-en-la-playa
Sept. 8
World Arts West Dance Festival
Bring a blanket and picnic, and enjoy free music and dance from around the globe with the Golden Gate Bridge as backdrop at this 45th annual festival. This year’s theme is “Dance as Activism.” 1-4pm. FREE.
Presidio Tunnel Tops East Meadow, 210 Lincoln Blvd., San Francisco
Sept. 11
Santa Cruz County Fair
THROUGH SEPT. 15. Celebrate “Pioneer Days to Modern Ways” at the fair with horse and livestock shows, a midway, fair food, entertainment from nightly drone shows to a Taylor Swift cover band, and more. $22 adults, $11 ages 6-12, kids 12 and under FREE on Sept. 12; parking $15.
Highway 152, Watsonville
Sept. 13
Unhinged: Hotel
THROUGH NOV. 2. This immersive walk-through Halloween maze experience returns with a new storyline, characters and scares. The evening begins with available food and drink and a fortune teller in a scary ambience and ends with an outdoor scare zone and Halloween museum. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult guardian. $69.99 and up.
Winchester Mystery House, 525 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose
winchestermysteryhouse.com/unhinged
Sept. 14
“Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical”
THROUGH SEPT. 15. Find out what happens when Cat Kid and Molly Pollywog start an epic club to teach 21 rambunctious baby frogs how to make their own comics in this hilarious musical adaptation of Dav Pilkey’s “Dog Man” spin-off series. $42 and up.
Curran Theater, 445 Geary St., San Francisco
Chile, Mole, Pozole
This culinary festival is a unique take on a traditional Mexican Independence Day celebration, with fun for families including salsa tasting, traditional mole and pozole dishes, live mariachi music, folklorico, kids’ activities and local artisan vendors.
School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose
Sept. 15
Summer of Music
Enjoy the last performances in this free summer concert series that takes place outside local businesses in six neighborhoods across San Francisco. 2–5pm. FREE.
Various locations, San Francisco
Sept. 21
“Disney Jr. Live on Tour: Let’s Play!”
Mickey is getting ready for the biggest playdate ever at the Clubhouse with all his favorite pals, but mysterious weather keeps interrupting the fun. Can Team Spidey save the day? $50 and up
Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor St., San Francisco
Harvest History Festival
This sixth annual festival celebrates Mountain View’s agricultural past with live music, children’s activities and entertainment, art projects and a garden tour. 9am-12pm. FREE.
Heritage Park, 771 N. Rengstorff Ave., Mountain View
UN International Day of Peace
Join billions of people in more than 200 countries across the globe for the 40th anniversary of the Day of Peace, which started in San Francisco. Hosted by Pathways to Peace, the event will include a moment of silence at 12pm, a welcome by Mayor London Breed, a meditation, musical performances, dancers, drummers, a poetry slam and global peace walk to the Golden Gate Park. 11am-4pm. FREE.
Civic Center Plaza, between Grove, Larkin, Polk and McAllister streets, San Francisco
pathwaystopeace.org/international-day-of-peace-40th-anniversary
Sept. 22
Lowrider Art Showcase
Back for a second year, this event features a fleet of stunning lowrider cars, art making and painting demonstrations, local artists and vendors, DJs and dancing, and food options from local vendors. (Parking is at West Valley College with a free shuttle.) 12-4pm. FREE.
Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Road, Saratoga
Sept. 28
Mutt Strutt 2024
Walk the beautiful Masonic Home property and enjoy games and activities with your pet on the lawn. Features breakfast, a pet parade and costume contest, and more. Benefits school programs in the New Haven Unified School District. 8am-12pm. $25-55.
Masonic Homes of California, 34400 Mission Blvd., Union City
nhsfoundation.org/events/mutt-strut
Sept. 29
German Day at Golden Gate Park
Bay Area German organizations come together to celebrate and promote German language, culture and music with entertainment, activities and food, beer and wine available for purchase. 11am-4pm. FREE.
Golden Gate Park Bandshell and Music Concourse, 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco