BARTable This Weekend: Nov. 6-8
Get ready for some holiday cheer on the ice at the Union Square Holiday Ice Rink. Photo courtesy of the SF Travel Association.
Every week, BARTable finds the most fun and unique events accessible by public transportation. From street fairs to live music, there is plenty to do in the Bay Area this weekend. Check out the holiday ice rink at Union Square, the San Francisco Diwali Festival at Yerba Buena Gardens, “The Music of Queen” by the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Orchestra and much more.
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Check out the Club DARC electronic music experience at San Francisco’s Pier 48 this weekend. Photo courtesy of Club DARC.
General Skating + Learn to Skate at the Union Square Holiday Ice Rink
Saturdays and Sundays | Powell St.
8-9 a.m. (for lessons) | 300 Powell St.
Enjoy daily ice skating, special events and free weekend lessons at the Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square from November 4th through January 18th. Skaters with little to no experience are welcome to learn from professional skate instructors every weekend. Lessons are free to those who sign up in advance, though space is limited to 50 participants per day. Reservations will be allotted through a lottery system. Sign up at unionsquareicerink.com. Union Square is only about 0.2 miles from Powell St.
Club DARC by Goldenvoice
Nov. 7 | Powell St.
8 p.m. | Pier 48
From the organizers behind Portola Festival and Coachella comes Club DARC, an electronic music club experience at San Francisco’s Pier 48 featuring a season of shows. This weekend, catch sets by Armin van Buuren, Youna and Oleksandr. Take BART to Powell St., and then walk approximately 1.3 miles or transfer to Muni’s T Third Street line and exit at Mission Rock.
Classical Sundays at the Union Square Holiday Ice Rink
Sundays | Powell St.
10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. | 300 Powell St.
Head to the Union Square Holiday Ice Rink on Sundays for Classical Sunday Skate Sessions! Enjoy the holiday spirit as you skate to soothing classical music, brought to you by Classical California. Get tickets in advance at unionsquareicerink.com. Take BART to Powell St., and walk about 0.2 miles to Union Square to enjoy the experience.
From Tchaikovsky to Copland: Classical Contemporaries
Nov. 7, 8 | Walnut Creek
Times vary | 1601 Civic Drive
California Symphony's November concerts explore the relationships between musical contemporaries across Russia and America. With Russian composer Anton Arensky's "Variations on a Theme" by Tchaikovsky, as well as Tchaikovsky's own "Serenade for Strings,” the event also features American composer Aaron Copland's "Clarinet Concerto" (with California Symphony's new principal clarinet, Cory Tiffin) and Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings.” These performances take place at the Lesher Center for the Arts, just 0.5 miles away from Walnut Creek BART.
"Terror Vault SLASHED: Return to Hellville"
Through Nov. 8 | Powell St.
Various times | 88 5th St.
This Halloween weekend, step inside a twisted 1980s slasher movie where the movie is starting… and you’re in it. Guests are transported into the abandoned town of Shellville, where a string of happenings has left an entire community deserted. Audiences must navigate a series of cinematic environments while attempting to stop more from happening. Step into this haunting and immersive theatre at the San Francisco Mint just feet from Powell 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!
Get into the Diwali spirit at Oakland Diwali this Saturday. Photo courtesy of Visit Oakland.
Castro Art Walk
Nov. 6 | 16th St. Mission
5-9 p.m. | Castro District
Immerse yourself in the world of art this Friday. The Castro Art Walk includes creative installations and special events. Several neighborhood businesses will participate in the Art Walk route, showcasing the work of local artists. Go on a self-guided tour to explore the artists’ work. Start at Castro St. and Market St., which is about 0.9 miles from 16th St. Mission.
“Crazy Funny Asians” Live Comedy Show
Nov. 6, 7 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
Times vary | 1414 Market St.
Inspired by the blockbuster movie, “Crazy Rich Asians,” this weekly comedy showcase celebrates Asian-American culture and heritage with laughs. Featuring some of the Bay Area’s funniest Asian comics, the shows are currently taking place every Friday and Saturday night at The Function in San Francisco. RSVP on Eventbrite for free admission. This event is just 0.3 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.
Oakland Diwali
Nov. 7 | Lake Merritt
6-10 p.m. | 252 2nd Street
This evening event in the Jack London district is a large-scale, family-friendly Diwali celebration. With dance and music performances and delicious Indian food, this free event blends South Asian culture with Oakland community vibes. Lake Merritt is 0.6 miles away.
Muchos Art and Comics Expo
Nov. 8 | Ashby
Noon-5 p.m. | 3105 Shattuck Ave.
Head to La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley for the 2026 Muchos Art and Comics Expo. Featuring more than 50 artists presenting their comics, zines and prints for sale, the event celebrates the Bay Area’s rich zine culture and highlights the talents of artists of color and in the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Pentel Arts will also present workshops. To get there, take BART to Ashby and head just 0.2 miles to the venue.
San Francisco Diwali Festival at Yerba Buena Gardens
Nov. 8 | Montgomery St.
1-5 p.m. | 750 Howard St.
Make your way to Yerba Buena Gardens for an afternoon of Diwali festivities, including contemporary and traditional South Asian performances. This free, outdoor celebration also features a curated selection of local makers, artisan vendors and food. Performers include Grammy-nominated artist Alam Khan, the Raaga School of Music, Rang De Bollywood Dance Company, DJ Mumbai Rani and the Dhol King. Take BART to the festival, which is about 0.3 miles from Montgomery 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!
Enjoy Cuban music in San Francisco this Friday, as the highly esteemed Buena Vista Orchestra plays at the Warfield. Photo courtesy of the Warfield Theatre.
Plini at the UC Theatre
Nov. 6 | Downtown Berkeley
7 p.m. | 2036 University Ave.
An Australian “progressive instrumentalist guitarist,” Plini is internationally recognized for his fluid guitar work and his unique approach to instrumental music. As part of his “An Unnameable Desire” North American tour, you can catch him live in Berkeley this Friday. See why this guitarist, composer and producer has earned a global following. To get to the show, take BART to Downtown Berkeley, and you’ll be just 0.2 miles away.
Buena Vista Orchestra at the Warfield
Nov. 6 | Powell St.
8 p.m. | 982 Market St.
The highly acclaimed Buena Vista Orchestra, often called the world’s foremost Cuban music repertory ensemble, performs at the Warfield in San Francisco this Friday. Featuring an all-star lineup of musicians, the group includes internationally celebrated performers, including musicians who have been connected to legendary groups like the Buena Vista Social Club and Afro-Cuban All Stars. Don’t miss this opportunity to see them live at the Warfield. Take BART to Powell St., and you’ll be only 0.1 miles from the theater.
Lalo Guerrero Legacy Festival
Nov. 6, 7 | Downtown Berkeley
Times vary | 2020 Addison St.
The Freight in Berkeley honors the “Father of Chicano Music,” Eduardo “Lalo” Guerrero. Co-curated by Lalo’s son, recording artist Mark Guerrero, the celebration brings together musical icons shaped by Lalo’s legacy for two nights of concerts and other activities, including a participatory “ofrenda,” a marigold-making station and more. Lalo Guerrero was a Mexican-American artist whose legacy spans multiple genres, including salsa, norteña, corridos, cumbias, rock and roll, blues and much more. The Freight is located in Downtown Berkeley.
HUGEL at the Greek Theatre
Nov. 7 | Downtown Berkeley
6 p.m. | 2001 Gayley Road
A key architect of the global Afro Latin House movement, HUGEL is a multi-platinum artist at the top of the global dance scene. With a rhythmic, emotionally charged sound, HUGEL delivers beats made for a crowded dance floor. See this Marseille-born DJ in person at Berkeley’s Greek Theatre this Saturday. To get there, take BART to Downtown Berkeley, which is 0.9 miles away from the theater.
“The Music of Queen” by the SF Conservatory of Music Orchestra
Nov. 7 | Powell St.
7:30 p.m. | 445 Geary St.
Hear the music of the legendary band Queen performed by a full orchestra. The San Francisco Conservatory of Music Orchestra presents their versions of some of the Queen’s greatest hits, including “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We are the Champions.” Music lovers and Queen fans will definitely want to check this out. The performance takes place at the Curran Theatre, just 0.2 miles from Powell St.
Check out this article for BARTable Diwali events. Or click here to see what’s on at Bay Area museums this fall. Interested in a holiday ballet show? See how you can win tickets to Smuin’s “The Christmas Ballet” in Walnut Creek. And, as you start thinking about holiday shopping, don’t miss these top shopping malls in the Bay Area.
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