SF Chinatown’s Autumn Moon Festival. Photo courtesy of Funcheap.

BARTable this weekend: Sept. 13-15

Last Updated On Sep. 10, 2024

San Francisco Chinatown’s Autumn Moon Festival. Photo courtesy of SF Funcheap.

It’s another busy weekend in the Bay! In San Francisco, don’t miss Chinatown’s Autumn Moon Festival, Shakespeare in the Park, a Mexican Independence Day celebration or the Bhangra and Beats Night Market. In the East Bay, enjoy Latin American live music, artisans and dance at the Festival Latino. Or ride to Rockridge to mark the end of an era at BART’s "Project Doneway," a farewell to paper tickets unique fashion show. BART riders can also catch a soccer match or a baseball game, explore art exhibits, enjoy opera and symphony performances and much more. Don’t forget your Clipper card, and enjoy this beautiful weekend near BART.

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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 the Festival Latino this weekend near BART. Photo courtesy of Festival Latino.

Don't miss the Festival Latino this weekend near BART. Photo courtesy of The Unity Council.

Oakland Roots SC v. San Antonio FC
Sept. 14 | Hayward
7 p.m. | 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd.

Cheer on the Oakland Roots as they take on the San Antonio FC in Hayward. Oakland Roots SC is a purpose-driven professional men's soccer team that harnesses the magic of Oakland and the power of sports as a social force for good. Witness them in action as they take that energy onto the pitch! Take BART to Hayward Station and hop on the AC Transit 60 bus to Pioneer Stadium to catch the match.

SF Chinatown’s Autumn Moon Festival
Sept. 14-15 | Montgomery St
11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Grant Ave. between California and Broadway

Autumn Moon celebrates the harvest and the full moon, which is seen as a symbol of reunion, abundance and harmony. Dating back 3,000 years to the Zhou Dynasty, this festival is steeped in history. It will, without a doubt, offer nonstop entertainment, yummy food vendors, plenty of mooncakes, kids’ activities, a dumpling eating contest, lion dancing and a lot more! Take BART to Montgomery St to join the party 0.4 miles away at Grant Ave.

Free Shakespeare at Sue Bierman Park
Sept. 14-15 | Embarcadero
2 p.m. | Washington St. & Drumm St.

Celebrate 42 years of Free Shakespeare in the Park this weekend near BART. The upcoming performance is "The Tempest," which runs on Sept. 14, 15, 21 & 22 at its newest downtown venue, Sue Bierman Park. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and pack a picnic. Take BART to Embarcadero for a classic tale of magic, revenge and forgiveness 0.2 miles away at Washington St. and Drumm St.

Mexican Independence Day "El Grito"
Sept. 15 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
5:30-8 p.m. | Civic Center Plaza, City Hall

Enjoy a free celebration featuring the traditional historic ceremony of “El Grito de Independencia.” Expect traditional Mexican music and folk dancing, Mexican food, a night market and lucha libre. Mayor London Breed will join Mexico’s Consul General Remedios Gómez Arnau as Guest of Honor at the el Grito ceremony. Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza for festivities 0.2 miles away at the Civic Center Plaza.

Festival Latino
Sept. 15 | Concord
Noon-5 p.m. | 2175 Willow Pass Rd.

The Unity Council is hosting the 3rd Annual Festival Latino this weekend. This free outdoor festival attracts over 5,000 people to Concord’s historic Todos Santos Plaza. Festival goers will enjoy live music, family-friendly games, Ballet Folklorico and traditional Latin American artisans. Take BART to Concord for fun and celebration 0.3 miles away at 2175 Willow Pass Rd.

California Jewish Open
Through Oct. 20 | Montgomery St
11 a.m.-5 p.m. | 736 Mission St.

The first major open-call exhibition invites Jewish-identifying artists in California to submit pieces in response to a central question: how are artists looking to the many aspects of Jewish culture, identity and community to foster, reimagine, hold or discover connection? The result? An exhibition of forty-seven artists reflecting on their connection to Judaism, the world and their own history. Expect paintings, sculptures, interactive video games, video works, photographs and more. Witness the exhibition 0.3 miles from Montgomery St.

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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!

San Francisco's Friday Night Market "Bhangra & Beats." Photo courtesy of Funcheap.

Chinatown Night Market
Sept. 13 | Montgomery St
5:30-9 p.m. | Grant Ave. between Sacramento and Jackson

The Chinatown Night Market returns to the beautiful lanterned-lined Grant Avenue in San Francisco’s Chinatown every second Friday. This weekend, the historic neighborhood will shine for an Asian Style Night Market that really shouldn’t be missed. Enjoy food, local merchants, entertainment, and a lively atmosphere in the vibrant heart of Chinatown. Take BART to Montgomery St to join the celebration 0.5 miles away at Grant Avenue and Sacramento Street.

Friday Night Market "Bhangra & Beats"
Sept. 13 | Montgomery St
5-10 p.m. | Battery St. at Clay St.

Bhangra & Beats will get everyone moving with South Asian Bhangra music and other popular Bay Area music genres. This weekend, three city blocks turn into a vibrant marketplace with delicious Indian street food, tasty cocktails from open-air bars and unique local artisans. This cultural corner includes Mehndi (Henna) tattoos, Sari wrapping, hair braiding, dance classes and interactive history and art installations. Dance, eat, drink and shop at this summer block party celebrating San Francisco’s cultural renaissance 0.4 miles from Montgomery St.

Outdoor “Groove on the Bricks” at Embarcadero Plaza
Sept. 13 | Embarcadero
3-7 p.m. | 1 Market St.

Join the all-ages DJ dance party this weekend near BART. Sip on a happy hour beverage from Osha Thai, dance until your heart’s content and enjoy the gorgeous waterfront views. Hosted by Into the Street, this event is a wonderful way to kick off the weekend. Get your groove on 0.1 miles from Embarcadero.

Garden at the Flea Pop-Up Vintage Market
Sept. 13-14 | Berryessa/North San Jose
Times Vary | 1590 Berryessa Rd.

Shop for new vintage closet finds, eat delicious local food and explore the gorgeous greenery at Garden at the Flea in San Jose. Founded in 2017, this popular event happens every second and fourth weekend of the month and features the best vintage selection in the Bay. Enjoy the space's beer garden, food truck park and exciting live performances. Find your way to Berryessa/North San Jose to enjoy the market 0.7 miles away.

BART’s “Project Doneway” Fashion Show
Sept. 14 | Rockridge
1-3 p.m. | 5660 College Ave.

BART is saying farewell to paper tickets with a runway fashion show featuring dozens of outfits made out of a variety of BART paper tickets by local fashion design students. Participating schools include Academy of Art University, Oakland School of the Arts, City College of San Francisco and San Francisco State University. This lively, free event will have a live DJ, stage and runway, models and more. Say goodbye to paper tickets and hello to innovative fashion designs 295 feet from Rockridge.

header 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!

Good Medicine: A Night of Live Stand-Up. Photo courtesy of Visit Oakland.

OMCA’s “Calli: The Art of Xicanx Peoples”
Sept. 13 | Lake Merritt
11 a.m.-9 p.m. | 1000 Oak St.

OMCA is hosting "Calli: The Art of Xicanx Peoples" now through Jan. 26, 2025. Xicanx refers to those with Mexican American heritage and this exhibit showcases and honors the stories of Xicanx people across California. This includes intergenerational, feminist, queer and Xicanx-Indigenous pieces offering ancestral forms of liberation, healing and being. Expect installations, sculptures, paintings, photography, poetry and more. Take BART to Lake Merritt and walk 413 feet to the fun.

San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres
Sept. 13-15 | Embarcadero
Times vary | 24 Willie Mays Plaza

Spend the evening or afternoon at the ballpark this weekend! The home team will take the field against the Padres at Oracle Park. Grab a hotdog and a cold drink, soak in the home team ambiance and enjoy the game. Take BART to Embarcadero and walk 1.2 miles, or transfer at Embarcadero to the Muni Metro N Line and pop out at the stadium at 24 Willie Mays Plaza.

Cynthia Erivo with the SF Symphony
Sept. 14 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
7:30 p.m. | 201 Van Ness Ave.

Acclaimed singer and actress Cynthia Erivo will be on stage with the SF Symphony at the Davies Symphony Hall this weekend. Known for her Tony Award-winning Broadway role in "The Color Purple" and her portrayal of Harriet Tubman in the film biopic "Harriet," she will surely light up the stage this weekend. Erivo will also appear as Elphaba in the upcoming film adaptation of "Wicked." Witness incredible talent 0.3 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.

San Francisco Opera: The Handmaid’s Tale
Sept. 14 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
8 p.m. | 301 Van Ness Ave.

Based on the novel by Margaret Atwood and the television series starring Elisabeth Moss, "The Handmaid’s Tale" is an intense operatic drama. Set in a dystopian future where women are forced into childbearing servitude by an extremist theocratic regime, this tale follows Offred, a handmaid, who is determined to find a way back to her child, no matter the cost. See this timeless drama 0.3 miles away from Civic Center/UN Plaza at the War Memorial Opera House.

Good Medicine: A Night of Live Stand-Up
Sept. 14 | Lake Merritt
7:30 p.m. | 1000 Oak St.

The smash-hit comedy show "Good Medicine" returns to OMCA for the third year in a row! Enjoy a night of live stand-up from the best and brightest Native comedians across North America. Bring a picnic and a blanket and arrive early for live tunes by John Paul Hodge, food by Wahpepah’s Kitchen and Provecho, and a Native artisan market featuring handcrafted jewelry, beadwork and accessories. Get ready to laugh 413 feet away from Lake Merritt.

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Looking for more BARTable things to do? Take BART to the best summer events. Enjoy the summer sunshine during a BARTable walk in San Jose. Or revamp your wardrobe at these BARTable shopping centers. Don't forget to use BART's Trip Planner to plan your outing!

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.

by Nicole Findlay

Nicole Findlay is a Bay Area native. As a freelance journalist, she covers travel destinations all around the world, but her favorite place to write about is home.