Celebrate Day of the Dead at the world premiere of 'Luna Mexicana,' a new ballet about painter Frida Kahlo. (Courtesy of Oakland Ballet(
24 Fun Things: Día de Los Muertos, Feast Mendocino, the Big Book Sale + more Bay Area events
29 October 2018
Get your second wind for Día de Los Muertos festivities—including a Frida Kahlo–themed ballet at Oakland's Paramount Theatre—Jurassic Park at the SF Symphony, Science Discovery Day at AT&T Park, after-hours mini golf, and more!
Russian River Brewery Opens
When: 11am to midnight daily
Where: Russian River Brewery, 725 4th St. (Santa Rosa), russianriverbrewing.com
Why: It's a cult favorite. Now, Russian River Brewery has expanded into a new mega location to house a restaurant (serving pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and more), a tasting room, two bars, and a beer garden. Time to plan a trip up north.
The Rocky Horror Show, Live
When: 8pm
Where: Victoria Theater, 2961 16th St. (Mission)
Why: Because 'tis the season for a tranny trek through Translyvania. // Tickets ($20) are available at rayoflighttheatre.com.
Izakaya + Wine Pairings
When: 6:30 to 9:30pm
Where: Pabu, 101 California St. (FiDi), michaelmina.net
Why: Team Pabu's modern fare—think seared foie, scallops, black cod, and more—with Sonoma Coast pours from Freeman Winery at this special five-course tasting menu featuring winemaker Akiko Freeman. // Reservations ($150) can be made by calling the restaurant, 415-668-7228.
Donnie Darko + The Hollywood Knights
When: 7pm
Where: The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St. (Castro)
Why: The 2001 cult classic starring Jake Gyllenhaal is a perfect way to celebrate Halloween week from the comfort of a chair with a big bag of popcorn. Make it a double feature and stay for The Hollywood Knights, a 1990 teen flick starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Tony Danza. // Tickets ($13) are available at ticketweb.com.
Nina Simone in Super Stereo
When: 8pm and 10pm
Where: Envelop SF at The Midway, 900 Marin St.
Why: Let the queen of blues put a spell on you as Envelop SF turns up the volume on its 32 surround speakers for a fully immersive listening experience set to Nina Simone's best-loved album. // Tickets ($25) are available at eventbrite.com.
The Big Book Sale
When: 10am to 6pm, through Nov. 4
Where: Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, 710 Van Ness Ave (Civic Center)
Why: Fifty-four years, 500,000 books, $2 to $4 each, and 10,000 of your closest friends. // For more info, go to facebook.com/events.
Haunted Mini Golf
When: 6 to 9pm
Where: Stagecoach Greens, 1379 4th St. (Mission Bay), stagecoachgreens.com
Why: Coffins and corpses set a new scene at this Wild West–themed mini golf where a special three-hour event is stuffed with above-par Halloween fun—think unlimited golf, an open bar (pumpkin-spice rosé omg), free tarot readings, a costume contest, and music. // Tickets ($37-$57) are available at eventbrite.com.
Game Night Trickery
When: 4pm to midnight
Where: The Emporium, 616 Divisadero St., emporiumsf.com
Why: Cash money for the coolest costume! Plus, $2 tokens at the door, no cover charge, drinks, and games galore. // For more info, go to facebook.com.
Dia de los Muertos
When: 4 to 8pm
Where: Mission Community Market, 90 Bartlett St. (Mission)
Why: Live music, face painting, fresh flowers, and food (from CUESA and the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market) are all part of the festivities. // For more info, go to facebook.com.
Masters of Merlot
When: 5:30pm to 9pm
Where: CIA at Copia, 501 1st St. (Napa), ciaatcopia.com
Why: Haven't you heard? Merlot is back. Head up to Napa for a seminar guided by five industry experts followed by a mix-and-mingle wine tasting with more than 20 wineries and small bites. // Tickets ($65-100) are available on eventbrite.com.
The Andy Warhol of Korea
When: 6 to 8pm
Where: Minnesota Street Project, 1275 Minnesota St. (Dogpatch)
Why: "Longing for Freedom" showcases the work of North Korean defector artist Song Byeok, known for putting a pop culture spin on the country's well-known propagandist messages. Join the Human Rights Foundation for the opening night party. // Event is free but space is limited; RSVP at eventbrite.com.
Ceramic Art Sale
When: 6 to 8pm
Where: Tartine Bakery, 600 Guerrero St. (Mission), tartinebakery.com
Why: Halloween is over, and it's officially acceptable to start shopping for Christmas gifts. Peruse the wares of artists Eleonor Bostrom, Cal Finn Ceramics, Pot and Shrooms, Sarah Duyer, Zoe Dering, and Holly Coley.
Jurassic Park!
When: 8pm nightly through Saturday, Nov. 3 and Tuesday, Nov. 6
Where: San Francisco Symphony, Davies Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center)
Why: What could be more epic than screening this outsized classic with a dramatic live score by the SF Symphony? // Tickets ($80 and up) are available at sfsymphony.org.
5th Annual Indian Market
When: 3-9pm Friday, 10am to 3pm Saturday
Where: Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St. (Oakland), museumca.org
Why: Native American Heritage Month means it's time to shop jewelry, baskets, prints, and more. Admission is included with tix to the museum; after 5pm Friday, hit up Off the Grid food trucks, hear live music, and more.
Feast Mendocino
When: Through Nov. 11
Where: Locations throughout Mendocino County
Why: We'll take just about any excuse to get up to Mendo and Feast Mendocino offers several, from farm tours and foraging treks to winemaker dinners and dim sum breakfasts—and, of course, lots and lots of fungi. Catch the biggest event of the week, Savour Mendocino, on Saturday for an all-day, farm-to-table affair of cooking and exploration. // Prices vary; for information and tickets, go to visitmendocino.com.
The Improvised Shakespeare Company
When: Doors 7:30, show 8pm
Where: Herbst Theatre
Why: Throw out a name or a topic of a play that hasn't yet been written and this off-the-cuff comedytroupe will make it happen—live, impromptu, and in the language of The Bard himself. // Tickets ($40) are available at ticketmaster.com.
Luna Mexicana
When: 7:30pm Friday, 4pm Saturday
Where: Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway (Oakland)
Why: Give the tremendous Oakland Ballet some love at the Day of the Dead celebration featuring the world premiere of Viva la Vida, a new ballet about the visionary Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. // Tickets ($22 and up) are available at oaklandballet.org.
Science Festival Discovery Day
When: 11am to 4:30pm
Where: AT&T Park (Mission Bay)
Why: Geek out with science demos, experiments, games, and opportunities to meet local scientists and engineers on the field and around the ballpark. // Free to attend; for more info, go to bayareasciencefestival.org.
Omnivore's 10th Anniversary Bash
When: 3 to 5pm
Where: Omnivore Books on Food, 3885 Cesar Chavez (Noe Valley), omnivorebooks.com
Why: Cake! Join the party for this beloved local bookshop where there will be food, party favors, and maybe even famous foodie sightings. // For more information, go to omnivorebooks.com/events.
SF International Tea Festival
When: 10am to 5pm
Where: Ferry Building (Embarcadero), ferrybuildingmarketplace.com
Why: Experts from more than 20 tea brands—including Young Mountain, Imperial Tea Court, Harney & Sons, and Silk Road—will be on hand to offering tastings and talk trends in several presentations. You'll take home a goodie bag with tea samples and a porcelain cup. // Tickets ($25-$30) are available on eventbrite.com.
Snowbomb Festival
When: 10am to 5pm
Where: Pier 35, 1454 Embarcadero
Why: Ski season is just around the corner—actually, it's kind of here. Kick things off by shopping ski and snowboard apparel as well as deals on gear at the 13th Annual Snowbomb Festival. Snag discounted lift tickets, check out a climbing wall, watch a BMX expo show, and enjoy beer from Lagunitas, Fort Point, and others. // Admission is free; for more info, go to sfskifest.com.
The Commons' 1st Sundays Block Party
When: 11am to 3pm
Where: Civic Center Plaza
Why: Last one of the season! Bring the kids or the pups to shop goods from SF Etsy artisans, try some DIY arts and crafts, eat street food from Off the Grid, and more. // For more info, go to facebook.com.
Corgi Meetup
When: 11am to 2pm
Where: Spark Social SF, 601 Mission Bay Blvd N. (Mission Bay)
Why: Food trucks, drinks, and corgi 🍑. All dogs welcome! // For more info, go to facebook.com.
DIY Vertical Gardening
When: 7 to 9pm
Where: Succulence, 402 Cortland Ave. (Bernal Heights), thesucculence.com
Why: This monthly class will teach you everything you need to make your garden reach the sky. The world is your planter. // Tickets ($65) include wine, snacks, and all supplies, and are available at eventbrite.com.