BARTable This Weekend: Jan 12-14

Last Updated On Jan. 08, 2024

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s Legacy during the day-long music festival at Yerba Buena Gardens (YBG). Photo courtesy of YBG.

This weekend, we're encouraging our readers to attend NorcalMLK event's honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on what would have been his 94th birthday celebration. There's plenty of time to visit an inaugural exhibit or an outdoor ice skating rink in Union Square or Walnut Creek. Just grab your coat and Clipper card! Are you hosting an event near a BART station? Visit this page to learn about "what is BARTable."

Use BART's Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.

BARTable partners with local organizations located near BART stations to shine a light on the incredible diversity of businesses, restaurants and happenings that are easily accessible by transit. Our partners provide special deals and prizes for our weekly giveaways, which you can find on our Contest and Deals page. Interested in becoming a BARTable partner? Learn more here.

Living Jazz and SFJAZZ host an annual celebration honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Photo courtesy of Living Jazz.

Living Jazz & SFJAZZ - Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Jan. 13 | 19th St Oakland
7:00 p.m. | 2025 Broadway

This special celebration features an exclusive lineup of Bay Area musical luminaries performing Stevie Wonder's music. Wonder’s version of “Happy Birthday” and his tireless campaigning with the King family led directly to the enshrinement of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed for the first time in 1986. Exit BART at 19th St/Oakland, then head 500 ft to the celebration at the Paramount Theatre.

Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square
Through Jan. 15 | Montgomery St or Powell St
Daily | 333 Post St.

The annual holiday ice rink in SF's Union Square is in its final weekend offering the magic of outdoor skating in the heart of downtown San Francisco. The rink is open through Monday. Make sure to plan ahead because the hour-long sessions run every 90 minutes. No skates? No problem! The ticket price includes a skate rental. The ice rink sits 0.4 miles away from Powell St and Montgomery St stations.

Walnut Creek on Ice
Through Jan. 15 | Walnut Creek
Daily | 1365 Civic Dr.

Downtown Walnut Creek’s ice rink always provides joyful seasonal fun. Ice skating outdoors is also a great way to burn off those post-holiday goodies! In its final weekend, book your skating session online before you go to secure your spot. Friday and Saturday sessions run until 11pm with the rink open through Monday. Take BART to Walnut Creek Station and travel 0.9 miles to 1365 Civic Drive.

Discover the Art of Light at "Glow"

Through Jan. 28 | Embarcadero

Times vary | 15 Embarcadero

Compose music with light, touch quantum physics, play LED dungeon crawlers, unveil hidden crystals, see yourself in mechanical mirrors, and more! Don’t miss this radiant seasonal expansion of the Exploratorium's iconic exhibits on light. Take BART to Embarcadero and walk 0.6 miles to Pier 15.

Pacita Abad

Through Jan. 28 | Montgomery St
Times Vary | 151 Third St.

Over a 32-year career, this prolific artist made a vast number of artworks that traverse a diversity of subjects—from colorful masks to intricately constructed underwater scenes to abstract compositions—revealing visual, material and conceptual concerns that still resonate to this day. Originally from the Philippines with a stop in San Francisco, the daring Pacita Abad traveled across more than 60 countries interacting with a myriad of artistic communities that can be seen in her more than 40 works on display at SFMOMA. BART to Montgomery St and walk 0.3 miles to the museum.

Illuminate SF Festival of Light
Through Jan. 31 | San Francisco
Times Vary | City-wide

Christmas trees and holiday decorations aren't the only things that are glowing bright this holiday season. Illuminate SF is the annual light art festival that brightens all of San Francisco throughout the season. While there are more than 40 permanent and temporary light art installations throughout the city, new holiday light installations are on display that will make for an illuminating and joyful experience. Find the light art trail to map your experience and keep your holiday season bright!

"Murakami: Monsterized"

Through Feb. 12 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
Times Vary | 200 Larkin St.

See the first solo exhibition in SF by artist Takashi Murakami, an internationally recognized artist. Murakami is a major figure in global pop culture whose influence extends to fashion, consumer products, curation and entertainment. With a boldly colored, upbeat style and a pop sensibility that draws inspiration from anime and manga, Murakami’s accessible and fun creations deliver more than meets the eye. See the ongoing exhibit at the Asian Art Museum that's 0.2 miles from the Civic Center/UN Plaza BART Station.

You needn’t pay a dime – or even a pretty penny! – to enjoy the breadth of the Bay Area’s offerings. Below you’ll find a roundup of free local events, including festivals, markets, museum admission-free days and more!

The monthly tradition continues during the East Bay Bike Party. Photo courtesy of SFEvents on Reddit.

East Bay Bike Party
Jan. 12 | Rockridge
7:30 p.m. | 5660 College Ave.

Dive into the ultimate aquatic showdown at the “Fish vs Fishermen” themed East Bay Bike Party Ride! Unleash your inner sea creature or channel your maritime mastery as you pedal through the streets to celebrate the age-old battle between fish and fishermen. Meet the crew at Rockridge Station and enjoy a safe ride, music and impromptu dance stops!

Pop Up San Jose Vintage Market Saturdays
Jan. 13 | Berryessa/North San Jose
10 a.m.-5 p.m. | 1590 Berryessa Rd.

Every second Saturday, find fashion inspo, vintage, artists, makers and more while supporting local small businesses at Pop Up San Jose. Take BART to Berryessa with the entrance located near Garden and the East Lot just steps away from the station.

SFMOMA Free Family Day
Jan. 14 | Montgomery
10 a.m.-6 p.m. | 151 Third St.

Enjoy a day of art and family fun at SFMOMA with free admission for up to four adults accompanying a child or teen. Plus, enjoy art-making activities inspired by the Pacita Abad exhibition currently on view. Take BART to Montgomery St and make your way 0.3 miles to the museum entrance.

The Bookmark Bookstore - Free Book Day
Jan. 14 | 12th St/Oakland City Center
10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | 721 Washington St.

The second Sunday of every month kids aged 12 and under can select a children’s book of their choice for free from the collection at the Bookmark Bookstore. Exit BART at 12th St/Oakland City Center at the shop is 0.3 miles away.

New Events

New events have just arrived in the Bay Area! New shows, one-time events, unique workshops, annual events or anything that's just popped up on our radar. Learn more about what qualifies as "BARTable" or use hashtag #sfbartable for the chance to be featured!

things to do near BART bay area california Watch the Harlem Globetrotter's stunning tricks at the Oakland Arena. Photo courtesy of 510 Families.

Harlem Globtrotters
Jan. 12 | Coliseum
7 p.m. | 7000 S Coliseum Way

Catch the world-renowned icons during their stop at Oakland Arena. The Harlem Globetrotters are synonymous with family entertainment and great basketball skills. The Globetrotters represent 90-plus years of breaking down barriers, acts of goodwill and a commitment to fans that goes beyond the game. Take BART to the Coliseum, then go 0.5 miles across the footbridge to catch the legendary stunt team.

"The Doo Wop Project"
Jan. 12 | Walnut Creek
7:30-9 p.m. | 1601 Civic Dr.

Leshner Center for the Arts takes audiences on a journey through the influential 'Doo Wop' decades. The musical journey features the sounds of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and The Four Seasons all the way to 'DooWopified' versions of modern musicians like Michael Jackson, Jason Mraz and Maroon 5. Take BART to Walnut Creek Station, and the show is 0.5 miles away at 1601 Civic Drive.

Paramount Theatre Tour
Jan. 13 | 19th St/Oakland
10 a.m. | 2025 Broadway

Oakland's Paramount Theatre is one of the finest remaining examples of Art Deco design in the United States. It's been restored to its original splendor, meticulously maintained and fully upgraded to modern technical standards, this historic landmark now serves all the art mediums and hosts a variety of shows. Take a trip through time during a Saturday morning tour. Take BART to 19th St/Oakland, and the theatre is 500 ft away.

Black Panther Museum Opening
Jan. 13 | 12th St/Oakland City Center
7 p.m. | 1427 Broadway

The latest exhibit at the newly opened Black Panther Party Museum, "Each One Teach One: The History of the Oakland Community School," celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Black Panther Party's model school. See historical narratives, personal stories and photography by Black Panther Party veteran Donald Cunningham. The inagural exhibit will be held one block from 12th St/Oakland City Center.

Ferry Building - Classic handmade pasta
Jan. 13 | 12th St/Oakland City Center
7 p.m. | 1427 Broadway

Learn how to make the perfect pasta dough and transform it into beautiful noodles, then make homemade sauce during this fun workshop! A trained chef will demo how to make pasta sauce from scratch then leave with a bragworthy, homemade meal. The class starts 0.2 miles away from Embarcadero at the Ferry Building.

More BARTable Fun

Looking for more BARTable things to do? Spend 36 minutes in Hayward exploring art, food and more. Stay warm at these BARTable indoor attractions. Need some need duds? Check out these BARTable vintage and consignment shops. Don't forget to use BART's  Trip Planner to plan your day! 

What are you doing this weekend?

Tell us about your weekend activities! Show us on social media at SFBARTable and #SFBARTable! Keep up with us on Facebook and Instagram to see all of the best BARTable events, places to eat and where to have fun around the Bay.