BARTable This Weekend: April 19-21

Last Updated On Apr. 17, 2024

Follow the Cherry Blossom Parade from Downtown SF to Japantown on April 21. Photo Courtesy of Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival.

This weekend promises plenty of fun BARTable events throughout the Bay Area. Head to San Francisco for the colorful Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival or listen to DJ sets inside the iconic Grace Cathedral. Zip over to Oakland for free Friday Nights at OMCA, celebrate BART’s last legacy train at MacArthur station, or attend the launch of the new Oakland Soul jersey at NIDO’s backyard. Go to the theater, attend an outdoor movie or take the kids to Habitot’s moving mini-museum in Richmond. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, don’t forget your Clipper card! Are you hosting an event near a BART station? Visit this page to learn about "what is BARTable."

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”A Strange Loop” at the Toni Rembe Theater. Photo Courtesy of American Conservatory Theater.

Kristina Wong "Sweatshop Overlord"

Through May 5 | Civic Center/ UN Plaza
Times Vary | 1127 Market St.

On Day 3 of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kristina Wong began sewing masks out of old bedsheets and bra straps on her Hello Kitty sewing machine. Before long, she was leading the Auntie Sewing Squad, a work-from-home sweatshop of hundreds of volunteers—including children and her own mother—to fix the U.S. public health care system while in quarantine. It was a feminist care utopia forming in the midst of crisis. Or was it a mutual aid doomsday cult? The answer to that question is something you’ll have to decide for yourself as Kristina takes you through her journey in this Pulitzer finalist play. Bear witness to the bizarre at the A.C.T.'s Strand Theater, 0.2 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.

“A Strange Loop”
Through May 12 | Powell St
Times Vary | 415 Geary St.

The bold and heartfelt Tony Award-winning musical arrives directly from Broadway. Michael R. Jackson's Pulitzer Prize-winning funny work of art exposes the heart and soul of a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer. The thoughts in his head come to life on stage by the hilarious ensemble. See this unmissable show at A.C.T.'s Toni Rembe Theater just 0.3 miles from Powell St.

"Blue Door"
Through May 12 | Downtown Berkeley
Times Vary | 2081 Addison St.

This two-man play at the Aurora Theatre Company showcases over a century of history in a very personal way. The story follows Lewis, a Black mathematics professor. During a night of sleepless delusion, he meets three generations of Black ancestors who lived during times of enslavement, Jim Crow and Black Power. Lewis's journey is full of joy, pain, resiliency and music. Take BART to Downtown Berkeley to see Lewis travel through the past to determine his future 0.3 miles away at 2081 Addison St.

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!

Food trucks at the Oakland Museum of California for their Friday night event. Photo Courtesy of OCMA.

Mother's Day Market at El Tiangue Marketplace
April 19 | 16^th St Mission
11 a.m.-5 p.m. | 2137 Mission St.

Shopping, music, delicious treats and manicures—what a wonderful way to celebrate all the special women in your life. The Mother’s Day Market is the perfect place to find unique gifts, have lots of fun and show appreciation to all the moms out there. Take BART to 16^th St Mission and walk 0.1 miles to the El Tiangue Marketplace.

Friday Nights at OMCA
April 19 | Lake Merritt
5-9 p.m. | 1000 Oak St.

Gather with friends and family on Friday night at the OMCA in the heart of Oakland. Listen to live music, experience hands-on activities and enjoy Off the Grid food trucks on 10th Street between Oak and Fallon Streets. Beer, wine and cocktails are also available. Consider purchasing a museum ticket. It's optional but will get you late-night access to galleries and special exhibitions. Take BART to Lake Merritt and walk 413 feet to the fun.

PROXY Spring Series Outdoor Movie: Perfect Days
April 19 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
7:15-10 p.m. | 432 Octavia St.

Spend the evening in Hayes Valley at a free outdoor screening of “Fremont.” Directed by Babak Jalali, the story follows Donya, a 20-something Afghan translator who used to work for the U.S. government but is now living in California and has trouble sleeping. After being promoted to writing the fortunes in a fortune cookie factory in San Francisco, Donya sends a message via fortune cookie out into the world, unsure where it will land. Before catching the show, grab a Fort Point Beer or a non-alcoholic tonic from the Juice Shop on-site. Take BART to the entertainment 0.6 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.

Riding into History: Final Run of the First Fleet
April 20 | MacArthur
12 p.m. | 555 40th St.

It’s the end of an era. Join the retirement celebration and ride into history on BART’S last legacy trains. Enjoy food trucks, speeches, activities, a raffle and a pop-up merch store before boarding the classic trains for one final ride. The last hurrah will take passengers from MacArthur to Bay Fair or Fremont Station — the same trip BART provided when it opened Sept. 11, 1972.

Habitot Mobile Museum at Richmond Library
April 20 | Richmond
10 a.m.-3:45 p.m. | 325 Civic Center Plaza

Habitot’s moving museum is heading to Richmond this weekend. The arriving activities are best for families with kids ages 0 to 5, but adults are encouraged to join the fun. Expect plenty of art, STEM and activities like a rocket & vehicle launcher, rocket building and tinkering, a waterworks station, a paintable wall, a baby ball pit and more. Learn something new with little ones 0.5 miles from Richmond Station.

Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival’s Grand Parade
April 21 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
1 p.m. | 355 McAllister St.

Enjoy the colorful streets of San Francisco and Japantown this weekend at the Cherry Blossom Festival’s final Sunday. A procession of taiko drummers and dancers will accompany decorative floats carrying Japanese Americans and other Asian American communities. The parade begins at the Civic Center Plaza and proceeds up Polk Street to Post Street, ending in Japantown. Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza and join the celebration, which is 0.2 miles away.

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!

Mercury Soul at Grace Cathedral. Photo courtesy of Grace Cathedral.

Mercury Soul at Grace Cathedral
April 19 | Powell St
7:30 p.m. | 1100 California St.

For a night of DJ sets, classical music, movement and visual arts, head to the beautiful Grace Cathedral atop Nob Hill. This unique event lets you enjoy a mixture of sounds in a stunning setting. Explore the cathedral, join the dance party, and relax while listening to the music of Arvo Pärt, Francis Poulenc and William Byrd. Grace Cathedral is 0.7 miles from Powell St.

Disco Donutz LOL: Love Out Loud Pop-Up Mini Festival
April 20 | West Oakland
12 p.m.-2 a.m. | 1255 7^th St.

Two fully themed stages, interactive art, a mini trampoline park, food trucks and arcade games are only a few things you'll find at this fun mini-festival. Plus, with over 40 DJs, performers and artists, there’ll likely be something new around every corner. This community event is family-friendly until 8 p.m., when it will transition to ages 21 and up. Check out the entertainment 0.2 miles from West Oakland.

"Through the Looking Glass"
April 20 | Powell St
8 p.m.-2 a.m. | 1023 Market St.

This whimsical journey of art and music is a blur of reality and imagination. Immerse yourself in a wonderland of exhibits at the International Art Museum of America and get the unique opportunity to meet talented artists. Expect DJs, a silent auction, free snacks, games and much more. Peek through the looking glass just 0.2 miles from Powell St. You might just see something in a new light.

Check out this article for our favorite weekly farmer's markets. Or click here for our favorite BARTable date night spots. Looking for the best BARTable restaurants? We have you covered with our favorite carnivorous restaurants and vegan eats. Seeking a refreshing adult beverage? Check out these BARTable breweries to get your beer on. 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 Instagram, Tik Tok 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.