BARTable This Weekend: Sept. 25-27
Enjoy Oktoberfest festivities in Walnut Creek this weekend. Photo courtesy of Walnut Creek Downtown.
Every week, BARTable finds the most fun and unique events accessible by public transportation. From local sports to live music, there is plenty to do in the Bay Area this weekend. Check out the Walnut Creek Oktoberfest celebration, the Bay Area African Restaurant Week, the Visitacion Valley 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.
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with an American musical program, featuring works of Sibelius, Higdon and Bartók. Photo courtesy of the California Symphony.
Violet Day
Sept. 25 | System wide
All day | Locations vary
Celebrate the Golden State Valkyries before the team’s first game of the 2026 WNBA playoffs with Violet Day on the 25th. Featuring flag-raising ceremonies in Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose, violet-lit landmarks, discounts at local businesses and more, this is a region-wide show of support for the team. A rally at Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland takes place from 4 to 5 p.m. along with the flag-raising ceremony. If you’re heading to the Oakland event, take BART to 12th St. Oakland City Center Station, which is located directly underneath and adjacent to the Plaza. If you’re going to the opening playoff game at Chase Center on Sunday (the 27th), take BART to Powell St., and transfer to the Muni T Third Line to the UCSF/Chase Center (16th St.) platform.
Cal v. Clemson
Sept. 25 | Downtown Berkeley
7:30 p.m. | 2227 Piedmont Ave.
Head to Cal Memorial Stadium for some college football, as UC Berkeley’s California Golden Bears take on the Clemson Tigers. This high-profile game marks Clemson’s first time in Berkeley and serves as Cal’s ACC home opener. It promises to be an exciting matchup to include a drone and light show, and more! Take BART to Downtown Berkeley, which is about a 1-mile walk to the stadium or catch the free gameday shuttle.
Children's Fairyland "Drawn Together"
Sept. 25 | 19th Street
6-10 p.m. | 699 Bellevue Ave.
Fairyland opens exclusively to adults ages 21 and over, offering a rare opportunity for grown-ups to explore the magical world typically reserved for children and their families. Join an evening of live art, cocktails and creative connection with more than 50 local artists and industry professionals as they create Fairyland-inspired artwork live and in real time throughout the park. Exit BART at 19th St Oakland and find the adult night fun in 0.7 miles.
Bill Frisell and Harmony 5
Sept. 25 | Downtown Berkeley
8 p.m. | 2020 Addison St.
Head to the Freight in downtown Berkeley to catch Bill Frisell & Harmony Five. In addition to guitarist Frisell, the event features singer and instrumentalist Petra Haden, cellist and vocalist Hank Roberts, multi-instrumentalist Luke Bergman and drummer Tim Angulo. This show at the Freight is easily accessible by BART. Downtown Berkeley is within a block of the venue.
Sibelius, Higdon and Bartók: “American Connections”
Sept. 26-27 | Walnut Creek
Times vary | 1601 Civic Dr.
California Symphony celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with a concert of three works all premiered in the United States. From the serenity of Sibelius's ocean to Higdon's fresh contemporary voice and Bartók's exhilarating finale, this program offers a vivid musical arc. Tickets include a free 30-minute pre-concert talk by award-winning instructor Scott Foglesong, one hour before the show. Held at the Lesher Center for the Arts, the nearest BART Station (Walnut Creek) is just 0.5 miles away.
Portola Music Festival
Sept. 26-27 | 24th St. Mission
1 p.m. | 401 Cesar Chavez St. (Pier 80)
Portola is more than a jam-packed weekend on Pier 80, it's the center of the dance world for two days a year. The 2026 iteration features sets by Robyn, DOG BLOOD (Skrillex & Boys Noize), Swedish House Mafia, Tiësto, Zara Larsson, Four Tet and Ninajirachi, plus legends Soulwax, DJ Shadow, Mike D 5D, Fatboy Slim, Melanie C (DJ Set) and many more. Weekend and single-day passes are available for both GA and VIP experiences. Portola is a 21+ event. Take BART to 24th St. Mission, and board the free, official Portola Festival shuttle. The shuttles run on a continuous loop to Pier 80 between 12:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
Walnut Creek Oktoberfest
Sept. 25-26 | Walnut Creek
Various times | 1375 Civic Dr.
Oktoberfest is back in Walnut Creek! This two-day event features German beers, bratwurst, live music and other cultural fun at Civic Park East in Walnut Creek. Enjoy traditional German food and music, along with artisan vendors and more. The event is approximately half a mile from Walnut Creek Station.
Oakland Roots v. Phoenix Rising FC
Sept. 26 | Coliseum
7 p.m. | 7000 Coliseum Way
It’s “Beast Mode 510” day at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, as the Oakland Roots team up with Marshawn Lynch and Artists Writers & Artisans (AWA) for the Roots v. Phoenix Rising game. The pre-game tailgate will include local vendors and pop-ups, as well as other activities and a chance to meet Lynch himself. Selected fans will also get the chance to appear on the field with Lynch at halftime. Take BART to Coliseum Station, which is just 0.2 miles from the game.
SF Open Studios
Sept. 26-Oct. 25 | San Francisco
Various times | Various locations
Go beyond the gallery walls and discover where art comes to life. Each weekend highlights a different San Francisco neighborhood, giving you the opportunity to explore the city through art. Meet the makers, hear their stories, and find one-of-a-kind works of art along the way. Check out the maps and take BART to San Francisco for a day filled with art, creativity and discovery.
"Neon to New Orleans"
Sept. 27 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
3 p.m. | 401 Van Ness Ave.
The San Francisco Pride Band presents "Neon to New Orleans," a journey across America through the timeless evolution of jazz. Along the way, you’ll embrace the simple joys of life, the optimism born of hope and peace and the communal spirit of a New Orleans jazz funeral, where mourning and celebration move together in an unforgettable expression of life. Discover our mutual connections through gospel and soul, find empowerment through swing and dance, celebrate innovation and experience the chaotic glow of a monster-ravaged Sin City. This event will be held at the Herbst Theatre, located approximately 0.4 miles from the Civic Center/UN Plaza.
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!
Take a guided walk through the gardens of Salesforce Park. Photo courtesy of the Greenbelt Alliance.
Bay Area African Restaurant Week
Sept. 17-27 | Various Oakland stations
Times vary | Addresses vary
Check out the 3rd annual Bay Area African Restaurant Week (ARW) starting this Friday and running through the 27th. A special kickoff event will happen on Friday to launch this celebration of African, African-American and Caribbean cuisines, restaurants and chefs. Participating restaurants will have reduced-price menus and discounts, as well as special offerings during the festival. Check out the list of participating Oakland restaurants, and use the BART Trip Planner to get you there.
Visitacion Valley Night Market
Sept 25 | Balboa Park
4-8:30 p.m. | Leland Ave. bet. Bayshore and Peabody
This community-driven night market in San Francisco’s Visitacion Valley neighborhood features local food trucks, street dancing, live music, family-friendly activities and craft vendors. Experience a festive market atmosphere. The Night Market takes place along Leland Ave. between Bayshore and Peabody. It’s approximately 0.9 miles from Balboa Park.
Sundown Cinema: “School of Rock” (Ferry Building)
Sept. 25 | Embarcadero
Sundown | 1 Ferry Building
Sundown Cinema features “School of Rock” this Friday at the Back Plaza of the Ferry Building. Enjoy food and drinks from the many Ferry Building merchants before watching the iconic comedy. Bring seating and layers, and take in the bay views as you watch the movie. Head to the Ferry Building Back Plaza, located 0.3 miles from Embarcadero.
Duboce Park Outdoor Movie Night: “How to Train Your Dragon”
Sept. 26 | 16th St. Mission
7 p.m. | Duboce Ave. and Scott St.
Watch “How to Train Your Dragon” at the Duboce Park Upper Lawn this Saturday at the Park’s Outdoor Movie Night. The 2025 fantasy adventure film and live-action remake of the 2010 film will be shown on the big screen. Take BART to 16th St. Mission, which is just over a mile away. From there, you can take the N Judah or other MUNI lines within a few blocks of the park.
Salesforce Park Garden Walk
Sept 27 | Montgomery St.
10:15 a.m. | 425 Mission St.
Join Greenbelt Alliance for a free, guided walking tour through the 5.4-acre rooftop garden at Salesforce Park. Sitting four stories above downtown San Francisco, the garden includes more than 600 trees and 16,000 plants. An advance reservation is required. Take BART to Montgomery St., located just 0.2 miles from Salesforce Park.
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!
Check out a performance of “Peter Pan Goes Wrong.” Photo courtesy of the San Francisco Playhouse.
Kruder & Dorfmeister at the Fox Theater
Sept. 25 | 19th St. Oakland
5 p.m. | 1807 Telegraph Ave.
Catch the legendary Austrian electronic duo Kruder and Dorfmeister live at the Fox Theater in Oakland this Friday. Known for pioneering laid-back downtempo, trip-hop and lounge remixes, the musical duo brings their unique sound to the Bay Area this weekend. The 19th St. Oakland Station is just steps (about 0.1 mile) away.
Rush Hour Comedy Night at The Function in SF
Sept. 25-26 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
7 p.m. and 9 p.m. | 1414 Market St.
Check out this lively stand-up comedy showcase featuring Black and Asian comedians. Held Fridays and Saturdays at the Function in San Francisco, the program includes four to five comics in a 70 to 90-minute show. Discover new, local comedy talent at this night of laughs. The Civic Center/UN Plaza is about 0.3 miles away.
“Ha Chong-Hyun: Retrospective” Opening Weekend
Sept. 25-Jan 25 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
Times vary | 200 Larkin St.
“Ha Chong-Hyun: Retrospective” is the first museum exhibition in North America for one of Korea’s most influential contemporary artists. It will truly be a sensory journey through 60 years of innovative abstraction from an artist that transforms the surfaces of canvases up to eight feet tall into a treasure trove of texture. Head to the Yang Yamazaki Pavilion at the Asian Art Museum for this exhibition, which is just 0.2 miles from the Civic Center/UN Plaza.
“Peter Pan Goes Wrong”
Sept. 26-Nov. 28 | Powell St.
Times vary | 450 Post St.
The Bay Area premiere of “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” opens at the San Francisco Playhouse on Sept. 26th and runs through Nov. 28th. The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society takes on the classic “Peter Pan,” as the cast battles to keep things on track through technical mishaps, forgotten lines and more. Catch the mayhem at the SF Playhouse, located about 0.3 miles from Powell St.
Shreya Ghoshal at Oakland Arena
Sept. 26 | Coliseum
8 p.m. | 7000 Coliseum Way
Award-winning Indian singer Shreya Ghoshal will perform at the Oakland Arena on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. as part of her Unstoppable Tour. Known for her vocal range and versatility, Ghoshal is among India’s most influential singers. She has recorded songs for films and albums in several Indian and foreign languages. To see her at the Oakland Arena, take BART to Coliseum Station, about 0.3 miles away via the pedestrian overpass bridge.
Check out this article for Spanish Heritage Month activities in the Bay Area. Or click here to explore the San Francisco Main Public Library. Looking for a new neighborhood to explore in the East Bay? We have you covered with some shops and restaurants to check out in Berkeley’s Elmwood District. And don’t miss this guide to San Francisco’s Ferry Building.
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