BARTable This Weekend: Aug. 1–3

Check out Rossini’s "Le Comte Ory" at the Merola Summer Festival this weekend in the Bay Area. Photo courtesy of Merola Opera Program. 

It's the first weekend in August, and the Bay Area is packed with fun BARTable events. From world-class opera and outdoor festivals to free museum days and nights full of laughter, there's something happening near BART. Check out our free weekly roundup and don't forget your Clipper card!

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.

Don't miss “State of Play” at the ODC Theater this weekend near BART. Photo courtesy of ODC

Rossini’s "Le Comte Ory" at the Merola Summer Festival
Aug. 2 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
2 p.m. | 50 Oak St.

Conducted by Pierre Vallet and directed by Garnett Bruce, Rossini’s Le Comte Ory is a show full of laughter and mischief inside the Concert Hall at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Catch this fun opera 0.4 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.

“State of Play” at the ODC Theater
Through Aug. 2 & 3 | 24th St Mission
Times Vary | 3153 17th St.

Support the ODC Theater this weekend while being entertained by dancers from the Bay Area and beyond. Purchase a Day or Festival Pass and enjoy the shows 0.9 miles from 24th St Mission.

Fremont Festival of the Arts
Aug. 2 & 3 | Fremont
10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Downtown Fremont

Celebrate summer at the 41st Fremont Festival of the Arts, where several blocks of car-free streets transform into a lively hub filled with hundreds of artisan booths, live performances and hands-on activities for kids. Discover one of the Bay Area’s biggest and most beloved free festivals, just 0.4 miles from Fremont Station.

The Shotgun Players “The Magnolia Ballet”
Through Aug. 10 | Ashby
Times vary | 1901 Ashby Ave.

The Magnolia Ballet follows four men — a son, a lover, an ancestor and a father — through a Southern Gothic landscape. This haunting tale, blending poetry and prose, is only 0.1 mile from Ashby.

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!

Oakland First Fridays are a fantastic way to kick off the weekend! Photo courtesy of Hanover Broadway. 

Oakland First Fridays Street Festival
Aug. 1 | 19th St/Oakland
5–9:30 p.m. | Telegraph Ave. between 27th St. and 22nd St.  

Oakland First Fridays is back this week with ‍“Oakland Made,” a special event celebrating the makers, movers, creatives and entrepreneurial spirit that define Oakland. Discover music, shopping, food and a lively marketplace just 0.5 miles from 19th St/Oakland.

2nd Annual SF “Love Fest”
Aug. 2 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
11 a.m.–6 p.m. | 730 Larkin St.

The Love Fest SF event is a free, all-ages block festival in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood featuring three live DJ‑run music stages, art activations and local food and small-business vendors. Join the fun and festivities 0.5 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.

“Happy Gilmore” at Jack London Square
Aug. 2 | 12th St/Oakland City Center
Dusk/8:30 p.m. | Marina Lawn near Heinold’s: First and Last Chance Saloon

It’s another free movie night in Jack London Square, and this weekend you can catch “Happy Gilmore” — everyone’s favorite hockey player turned golfer. Bring a blanket and a takeaway from your favorite local eatery and get cozy as the sun goes down. Jack London Square is 0.7 miles from 12th St/Oakland City Center.

Summer Day Festival at ICA
Aug. 3 | Montgomery St
11 a.m.–5 p.m. | 345 Montgomery St.

Head to downtown San Francisco for a day of art, fashion and creativity. From a community clothing swap and Masako Miki–inspired mending lessons to button‑making, crafts and guided curatorial tours of the current exhibitions, this event is a fun one for the entire family, just 0.2 miles from Montgomery St.

Free Museum Days
Aug. 3 | Multiple stations
Times vary | Locations vary

The Asian Art Museum and the Oakland Museum of California both offer free admission days this weekend. Take advantage of these world-class museums near BART on both sides of the Bay.

• Asian Art Museum: Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza to experience artwork from Asian cultures, located just 0.1 miles away at 200 Larkin St.
• Oakland Museum of California: Take BART to Lake Merritt to enjoy OMCA’s Galleries of California Art, History and Natural Sciences, 0.1 miles away at 1000 Oak St.

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!

See the classic "The Princess Bride" at Davies Symphony Hall. Photo courtesy of DoTheBay.

The I Hate Children Children’s Show
Aug. 1 | Montgomery St
1–2:15 p.m. | 636 Jackson St.

Looking for a family outing that’s anything but ordinary? Check out Paul Nathan’s outrageous magic show, where kids get hilariously roasted, parents sip champagne and everyone is entertained. Catch the edgy and hilarious show 0.7 miles from Montgomery St.

Leanne Morgan at the Paramount Theatre
Aug. 1 | 19th St/Oakland
7 p.m. | 2025 Broadway

Comedy mega-star Leanne Morgan brings her “Just Getting Started” national tour to Oakland’s Paramount Theatre this weekend. Don’t miss her hilarious take on life, love and aging just steps from 19th St/Oakland.

Gateway Night Market
Aug 1 | Millbrae
4–10 p.m. | 200 Rollins Rd.

This vibrant night market is packed with sizzling street food, live music, artisan vendors and nonstop fun for the whole family. Don’t miss the ultimate summer evening out at Millbrae Station.

Downtown Berkeley’s Sidewalk Sessions
Aug 1 | Downtown Berkeley
6–8 p.m. | 2036 Shattuck Ave.

The Downtown Berkeley Association launched “Sidewalk Sessions,” a summer program bringing free, acoustic sounds to the streets of Berkeley. This Friday, see Baron Rubenbauer just steps from Downtown Berkeley.

“The Princess Bride” with the SF Symphony
Aug. 2 & 3 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
2 p.m. | 201 Van Ness Ave.

Experience the fairy tale magic of "The Princess Bride" like never before with conductor Jack Everly and the San Francisco Symphony. Enjoy the show, which you likely already know is full of giants, revenge, miracles and, of course — true love, just 0.3 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.

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 Instagram and Facebook to see all of the best BARTable events, places to eat and where to have fun around the Bay.