Keep your pumpkin spice latte. We'll be sipping rum in a pineapple this weekend.
Tonga Room Rooftop Rumtoberfest
Keep your pumpkin spice latte. When it comes to fall drinking, we’ll take something served in a pineapple. Join like-minded cocktail lovers in the rooftop garden of the elegant Fairmont Hotel for this ode to all things Tiki. Take advantage of San Francisco’s indian summer nights while playing lawn games and getting henna tattoos as you wait for the kalua pig to roast. Drinks are inspired by the famous Tonga Room, just steps away if you’re looking for the afterparty.
The Gaslamp Fantasy: A Benefit for the SF Conservatory of Flowers
A fanciful night of floral fantasy awaits as the Conservatory of Flowers flings its doors open for a rare after hours party. This upscale soiree promises dance and art performances, high-end bites and bevvies, and a chance to view this Victorian landmark and its gorgeous greenhouses at night. Tumbledown House will perform live on one stage as the crew from Dirty Bird turns out beats on another. The dress code, like a rare orchid, is fancy but funky.
Undiscovered SF: Creative Night Market
Come out for October’s edition of Undiscovered SF, a Filipino-themed night market that goes down in the Old Mint every third Friday of the month. Located in the newly-minted SoMa Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District, it’s a one-stop-shop for exploring Filipino food vendors and local artisans while enjoying a full bar, karaoke and live performances. L.A.-based Low Leaf headlines this weekend’s event with a grip of other talent. More than 6,000 people came out for the inaugural event, so get there early.
Photograph: Courtesy FOGG
Work hard, then play hard as you enjoy the city’s legendary October weather at the annual FOGG Fest (that’s Friends of the Golden Gate, obviously). Spend the morning engaged in some fun volunteer work with Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, then kick back and reward yourself with yoga, brews, food, DIY craft stations and tunes courtesy DJ Marky Enriquez, a.k.a. Proof. Give your usual Saturday hang special meaning by helping to care for the city’s well-used parks.
The breed beloved by HRM Elizabeth II and celebrated by many more for their squat legs, active minds and bow-tie butts is getting a convention of their own at NorCal Corgi Con. Watch the fetching beasts compete in a costume contest, races and even a Ninja Warrior-style throw down. Whether you share your home with a corgi or just have to stop and pet every one you see on the street, it’s worth the jaunt out to Ocean Beach (look between Stairwells 2 and 5).
McLaren Bike Park Grand Opening
The long-awaited McLaren Bike Park is finally opening this weekend to much fanfare. In the works since 2008, this corner of the park will now be home to the city’s only bicycle skills course, with levels for riders of all ages and abilities. Come out to celebrate this achievement with an official ribbon-cutting, kids’ races, an invitation only pump-style competition with local pros, food trucks and a raffle.
Photograph: Courtesy the Klipptones
Tucked in a sunnier, slightly less-trafficked corner of San Francisco, Potrero Hill is home to a tight-knit crew of neighbors who have put on a festival celebrating this enclave for 28 years. Venture over to see what all the fuss is about with great food, performances by The Klipptones and more, historical presentations, and tons of kids’ activities. Benefitting the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, it all goes down up the hill on 20th Street (between Wisconsin and Missouri Streets).
One of the world’s favorite, albeit kitschy, tourist destinations is right here in San Francisco. The annual Wharf Fest celebrates all that makes Fisherman’s Wharf the neighborhood locals love to pretend to hate. Relish the city’s mild fall climate, check out live entertainment and find out once and for all who churns out the best chowder at a competitive cook-off.
Sundance Stompede Hoedown 2017
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the crowning event of the Sundance Stompede, a four-day festival for LGBT fans of country-western dancing. The Hoedown at Regency Ballroom promises a night of performances and live music, all to benefit worthy causes like the AIDS Emergency Fund and Center for Immigrant Protection. You’ll meet fellow cowpokes from around the country while dancing to tunes from Grammy-nominated Ty Herndon. Yeehaw!
Cruise with Chromeo, the fancy footed romeos, at this intimate DJ set on a boat. The consummate and cheeky entertainers always deliver big ’n’ bassy, squelchy and irresistibly funky electro-pop, made all the better by jaw-dropping views of the bay. Soon-to-be-famous Blair features, while the Make It Funky crew takes over the rooftop deck. Finally, a good reason to party at sea; don’t forget your captain’s hat.