golden gate park

Ladies, put on your skirts and get ready to run. Not merely a race, but a "social fitness experiment," the upcoming SkirtChaser 5K is an innovative concept where the women take off from the start line promptly promptly at 2 p.m., and three minutes later, the men follow. Regardless of gender, the first person to cross the finish line will go home with $500. Awards will also be given to the second and third place finishers, as well as a special "Skivvies Award" recipient. End your athletic activities with a block party full of food, drinks, live music and fashion show.

The Conservatory of Flowers brings back its popular garden railway exhibition with new features & surprises sure to delight young & old alike. It’s a celebration of the city of San Francisco as a model train, cable car & more wind their way through a lush landscape of dwarf plants & zip past mini versions of the city's landmark buildings.

This Saturday, BYOQ. Head to Golden Gate Park for an afternoon of live music, DJs, performances, art, fashion and more. Don't forget to bring your own queer and get ready for some fun. The event features Honey Sound System, Excuses for Skipping, The Cartographers, DJ Black, Azure, Rainbow Death Pony, Lucky Jesus, Jetskiis, La Chica Boom, Diamond Daggers and more.

Are you ready for the best free music this side of the Mississippi? Dust off your cowboy hat and head to Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park for the ninth annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival. The star-studded lineup is extraordinary and goes way beyond bluegrass faves such as Gillian Welch and Emmylou Harris: Billy Bragg, Old 97s and alt-country songstress Neko Case are also on the bill.

Don't worry if you missed the SF Opera at Stern Grove. See them a little closer to home at this free annual event. Pack up a picnic and enjoy the day in the park—it's high culture on the cheap. And what's more—many of the stars from this year's season will be present for what they call "arias al fresco."

Go underground for the SF Zine Fest. Founded in 2002, it's a conference for independent and underground publishers on the West Coast. Flip through unique and creative publications you never knew existed. Although this event is geared towards zines, all are welcome.