From Napa Valley and Healdsburg to North Beach and Half Moon Bay, this season graces the San Francisco Bay Area with outdoor festivals, fabulous concerts, cultural and theater performances, museum exhibitions, and baseball, of course. There are so many ways to celebrate Mother’s Day while planning ahead for Father’s Day, too.
CURRENT
Through May 26
BroadwaySF | Funny Girl
Broadway musical revival that dazzles with classics: Don’t Rain On My Parade, I’m the Greatest Star, and People. A bittersweet comedy about Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side dreaming of becoming a star. Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St. Broadwaysf.org
Through May 27
San Francisco Decorator Showcase
In Pacific Heights, two dozen top interior designers remake 27 living spaces in this culturally and historically significant Dutch Colonial Revival mansion with commanding bay views. Fundraiser for University High School Financial Aid Program. 2898 Broadway. decoratorshowcase.org
Through July 21
de Young | Irving Penn
One of the 20th century’s greatest photographers was Vogue’s longest-standing contributor, revolutionizing fashion photography in the postwar era. Approximately 175 Irving Penn photographs spanning nearly 70 years. Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. famsf.org/exhibitions/irving-penn
Through Aug. 11
de Young | Fashioning San Francisco: A Century of Style
One hundred collection highlights plus local loans of high fashion and haute couture in the first major presentation of the costume collection in over 35 years. Showcasing designs from French couturiers, Japanese avant-garde designers, and other pillars of the fashion industry. Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. famsf.org/exhibitions/fashioning-san-francisco
Through Aug. 18
Legion of Honor | Japanese Prints in Transition: From the Floating World to the Modern World
In 1868 Japan’s shogun was overthrown, marking the end of feudal military rule and ushering in the Meiji era of modernization. The exhibition highlights the stylistic transition and the work of one artist, Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, who successfully spanned two worlds. 100 34th Ave. at Lincoln Park. famsf.org
MAY
May 1, 2-4, 22-25
San Francisco Symphony | Film With Live Orchestra
Classics on the big screen accompanied by full orchestra, this month opens with The Wizard of Oz followed by Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Later in the month, Gladiator Live (also with SF Symphony Chorus), and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Encanto. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. sfsymphony.org
May 2 through June 15
San Francisco Playhouse | The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams’ seminal work, awarded best American play of 1945 by New York Drama Critics Circle, continues to strike a chord as one of the best plays of the last century. 450 Post St. sfplayhouse.org
May 3
A Taste of TEL HI 2024
Influential business leaders, local politicians, and community-minded individuals come together annually in support of a great cause focused on the future of San Francisco’s children. Oracle Park, Club Level, 24 Willie Mays Plaza. telhi.org/event/a-taste-of-tel-hi-2024
May 3 through 31
Smuin Contemporary Ballet | Dance Series 2
The company concludes its 30th anniversary season. The program starts off at San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center for the Arts before moving to venues in Mountain View, Walnut Creek, and Carmel. smuinballet.org/events/ds2-season30
May 4
Kentucky Derby at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Garden
On the 150th anniversary of Run for the Roses, these expansive grounds are the West Coast’s largest Kentucky Derby party. Fashion contests, live entertainment, Southern cuisine paired with award-winning wines plus large-screen viewing of Kentucky Derby day races. kj.com/kyderby
May 4 through Aug. 18
SFMOMA | The Art of Noise
Music is amplified by great design, from concert posters to Sony Walkmans and Apple iPods. Over 800 works explore ground-breaking designs that enrich our collective memory. 151 Third St. sfmoma.org
May 5 through June 16
Berkeley Repertory Theatre | Galileo: A Rock Musical
World premiere directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer. Audiences are propelled through the tumultuous times of the audacious inventor whose discoveries revolutionized understanding of the universe. Roda Theatre, 2025 Addison St, Berkeley. berkeleyrep.org
May 9
Olivia Decker Power of Music Series
Credited as the first and only flute, cello, and percussion ensemble, Solidaire Trio brings innovation to contemporary classical compositions. Reception featuring wines from Blackbird Vineyards, a Festival Napa Valley Partner Winery, as well as light fare. 6 p.m. The Avery, 488 Folsom St. festivalnapavalley.org/calendar/solidaire-trio
May 9 and 11 – 12
SFJAZZ Gala & After Party
Honoring Patti Austin in a benefit for artistic and education programs. The GRAMMY Award-winning singer and songwriter performs three shows following her evening as honoree and SFJAZZ Lifetime Achievement Award-winner. SFJAZZ, 201 Franklin St. sfjazz.org
May 11
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals Notes & Words
Writers and musicians are on stage together in support of this annual fundraiser. Grammy-award winning musician Dan Wilson of Semisonic headlines. Musical performances by The Curtis Family C-Notes and Oakland School for the Arts; readings from authors Nicholas D. Kristof and C Pam Zhang. Fox Theater, Oakland. notesandwords.org
May 11 – 12
Mill Valley Music Festival
A free two-day outdoor arts and culture event produced by the Mill Valley Chamber and Noise Pop Industries featuring a diverse, multi-genre mix of diverse national acts and local lights, plus world-class food, drink and art. millvalleymusicfest.com
May 11 – 19
Presidio Theatre | The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Based on Charles Dickens’ final unfinished novel, this comedic whodunit invites the audience to solve its mystery by choosing the identity of the murderer. A musical presented by Lamplighters Musical Theatre. 99 Moraga Ave. presidiotheatre.org
May 12
Top of the Mark Mother’s Day Brunch
Chef’s favorites: an assortment of caviars and roes, fresh oysters, shellfish on ice, dim sum, and delectable desserts from the Mark Hopkins pastry kitchen and bubbly set against breathtaking panoramic views. 999 California St. http://tinyurl.com/TOTM-Mom
May 12
La Crema Mother’s Day Brunch
Treat Mom to La Crema wines and brunch at the historic Saralee’s Vineyard. Executive Chef Tracey Shepos creates a special occasion brunch. Limited to 30 guests at 11 a.m. 3575 Slusser Rd., Windsor. exploretock.com/lacrema/event/461404/mothers-day-brunch
May 12
Mother’s Day Brunch at TRUSS Restaurant + Bar
Farm-to-table buffet curated by Executive Chef Rogelio Garcia has a seafood tower option. Also, Mommy and Me Yoga and a Flower Workshop with bubbles and bites. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, 400 Silverado Trail. opentable.com/r/truss-restaurant-plus-bar-calistoga
May 16 – 19
Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience
A four-day celebration featuring the best of world-renowned food and wines. Showcasing farmers, growers, winemakers, and chefs at events in venues around Healdsburg. Wines from Sonoma County and other great wine regions of the world. On May 17, Grammy winner Christone Kingfish Ingram headlines an outdoor concert at Rodney Strong Vineyards. healdsburgwineandfood.com
May 19
Bay to Breakers
Heads up! The freewheelin’ footrace has been a City by the Bay staple since May 1912 and the wackiness continues in 2024. From the Embarcadero to Ocean Beach, from about 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. baytobreakers.com
May 24 – 26
Bottlerock Napa Valley
“Three days of music + food + wine + craft brew” with a red hot musical artist lineup and a sizzling culinary stage. Festival headliners for 2024: Stevie Nicks, Pearl Jam, Ed Sheeran, Megan Thee Stallion, Maná, and Queens of the Stone Age and more. Napa Valley Expo. bottlerocknapavalley.com
May 30 – June 30
San Francisco Opera | The Magic Flute
Mozart’s final opera comes alive in an acclaimed production of a fairytale-like quest for love and wisdom. Music Director Eun Sun Kim leads a humanistic journey of awakening with some of the composer’s most sublime music. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave. sfopera.org
May 31 – June 1
Napa Valley Barrel Auction
Weekend schedule of special events: Napa Valley Barrel Auction at HALL, Vintner-Hosted Dinners, Napa Valley Your Way, and the Auction Napa Valley at Far Niente. Proceeds benefit youth mental health programming in Napa Valley. collectivenapavalley.org
For more curated listings, see our Events Calendar: June 2024