BARTable This Weekend: Aug. 21-23
Celebrate culture and community at the Oakland Chinatown 37th StreetFest. Photo courtesy of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce.
Every week, BARTable finds the most fun and unique events accessible by public transportation. From live music and theater to street festivals, there is plenty to do in the Bay Area this weekend. Check out Rock-N-Stroll in Rockridge, the Castro Night Market and much more.
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.
Go back in time and experience San Francisco during the Gold Rush at the San Francisco Historium Spotlight. Photo courtesy of the San Francisco Historium Spotlight.
Oakland Chinatown 37th StreetFest
Aug. 22-23 | 12th St. Oakland City Center
10 a.m.-5 p.m. | 388 9th St.
With food, live entertainment, art and activities, the 37th StreetFest in Oakland’s Chinatown is a celebration of culture and community. Watch the lion dance and other cultural performances while feasting on food from local vendors and restaurants. With thousands of attendees and more than 90 vendor booths, StreetFest is always a treat. 12th St. Oakland City Center is about 0.4 miles away.
San Francisco Historium Spotlight
Aug. 22-23 | Embarcadero
10 a.m.-6 p.m. | 1454 The Embarcadero
Strike it rich! Don’t miss the “San Francisco Historium Spotlight.” Gold Rush San Francisco will come roaring to life this weekend at Pier 35 with eye-catching sets, joyous entertainment, gourmet food and beverages, and artisan wares with this special event. Take in the sights, sounds and personalities of a rapidly growing city where merchants, miners, sailors, entrepreneurs, musicians, craftspeople and families from around the world came together to create something entirely new in a blast-from-the-past weekend brought to you by the minds behind “The Great Dickens Christmas Fair.” The event will be held at Pier 35, about 1.2 miles from Embarcadero.
Rockridge Rock-N-Stroll
Aug. 22 | Rockridge
11 a.m.-4 p.m. | 5951 College Ave.
This street festival features a one-mile leisurely stroll with mostly Rockridge-based artists and musicians. Enjoy the shops, restaurants, sweets and drinks along the way. The event includes an art bazaar with over 50 local artists, more than 20 street performances from local bands, pop-ups, tastings, special offers and more. Bring your family and pets for this delightful, music-filled day in the charming Rockridge district. The event spans College Ave. from Broadway to Alcatraz Ave. Take BART to Rockridge Station, and you’ll be in the middle of the action.
Through Sept. 13 | Embarcadero
11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Pier 15, The Embarcadero at Green 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!
Enjoy outdoor games, music, food and the Valkyries game on the big screen at Fridays on Front Street. Photo courtesy of the Downtown SF Partnership.
Rooftop Rhythms at Salesforce Park
Aug. 21 | Montgomery St.
3 p.m. | 425 Mission St.
Rooftop Rhythms at the Salesforce Park Amphitheater features live music from several artists. Hear the sounds of Tune-Yards, Rituals of Mine and Everyone is Dirty at this Friday afternoon event. Entry is first come, first served, so plan to arrive early to secure a spot. Take BART to Montgomery St., which is just 0.2 miles away.
Fridays on Front Street: Valkyries Game Night
Aug. 21 | Montgomery St.
4-9 p.m. | 240 Front St.
It’s Golden State Valkyries Game Night at the month’s Fridays on Front Street event. Watch the Valkyries game live on the big screen while enjoying outdoor games, music and food. Whether you're stopping by after work or making an evening of it, this “Fridays on Front Street” event is a great way to kick off the weekend. Montgomery St. BART is about 0.6 miles away.
Castro Night Market
Aug. 21 | 16th St. Mission
5-10 p.m. | 18th St. and Castro St.
Featuring local food vendors, merchants and live entertainment, the Castro Night Market is an opportunity to come together while supporting neighborhood businesses and local artists. In celebration of the Castro neighborhood, the market prioritizes queer-owned and Castro-based businesses. Head to 18th St. and Castro St. to enjoy the festivities. It’s about a mile from 16th St. Mission.
Duboce ParkJam
Aug. 22 | 16th St. Mission
Noon-5 p.m. | Duboce Ave. and Noe St.
Support local musicians at Duboce ParkJam on Saturday. Five musical groups will perform for an hour each. Bring a blanket, chairs and food and enjoy some music in the park. The 16th St. Mission BART Station is 0.8 miles away.
SUDS Francisco 2026: A Funk and Fermentation Festival
Aug. 23 | Montgomery St.
2-7 p.m. | 425 Mission St.
SUDS San Francisco explores the world of fermentation, from beer to natural wines, sakes, ciders, kombucha, pickles, kimchi, sourdough and more. This is the capstone event of Salesforce Park’s “Rooftop Rhythms” anniversary celebration weekend. It features unlimited tastings from breweries and wineries, food tastings and live music. Enjoy the amazing views from Salesforce Park while you take it all in. The Park is located 0.2 miles from Montgomery St. Station.
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!
Experience 30 plays in 60 minutes with “The Infinite Wrench.” Photo courtesy of the San Francisco Neo-Futurists.
The Jeffrey James Trio at Biscuits and Blues
Aug. 21 | Powell St.
6:30 p.m. | 401 Mason St.
Head to Biscuits and Blues in San Francisco for world-class blues, along with dinner and drinks. This performance features Jeffrey James, a Bay Area singer and guitarist who has played guitar for John Lee Hooker, Jr. Catch this live performance in an intimate setting. Biscuits and Blues is located just three blocks from Powell St.
SF Neo-Futurists’ “The Infinite Wrench”
Aug. 21-22 | Powell St.
9-10:30 p.m. | 447 Minna St.
Presented by the San Francisco Neo-Futurists, this show on Friday and Saturday nights features 30 original plays in 60 minutes. The audience determines the order of the plays, so every show is different. See why this has been described by the SF Chronicle as one of “22 San Francisco things everyone must do!” Just head to Powell St. BART, which is only 0.2 miles from the performance.
Five Finger Disco
Aug. 22 | West Oakland
3-9 p.m. | 1255 7th St.
The latest edition of Five Finger Disco brings Detroit’s REMARKABLE and LA’s Ashley Younniä to the Bay for some soulful daytime dancing. Held at 7th West in Oakland, this outdoor party features disco, house and funk music. Grab a bite from food vendors, and enjoy other vendors and pop-ups as well at this music-fueled party. 7th West is just 0.2 miles from West Oakland.
Ring Pop: A Y2K Rave
Aug. 22 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
9:30 p.m. | 298 11th St.
Ring Pop is described as a queer Y2K dance party featuring hits of the noughties. Dress for the occasion and be ready to sing and dance along. It’s a night of nostalgia, fashion and good music at OASIS, San Francisco’s acclaimed drag show nightclub and cabaret. Civic Center/UN Plaza is about 0.7 miles away.
Country Boogie Night at Gilman Brewing Company
Aug. 23 | North Berkeley
7-9 p.m. | 912 Gilman St.
Not Loud Concerts present Country Boogie Night in Berkeley. Held in the courtyard behind Gilman Brewing Company, the event features two country boogie bands, Dirty Cello and The Alex Lucero Band, dueling it out and trading songs. Enjoy some beer and pizza along with great music. North Berkeley Station is approximately 0.9 miles away.
Check out this article for the Bay Area’s top shopping malls. Or click here to explore BARTable Black-owned eateries. Want to do some shopping while enjoying the Rockridge Rock-N-Stroll this weekend? We have you covered with these Rockridge shopping highlights. And don’t miss the Bay Area’s best summer menus before the season’s over.
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