Expect traffic delays in downtown San Francisco this week as the city gears up to host world leaders—including President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Chinese President Xi Jinping–plus hundreds of CEOs for the APEC Summit.
That said, we promise these hand-picked events are worth braving the traffic. Have a good one.
Add some mahjong to your Mondays at Mamahuhu. The fast-casual Chinese-American restaurant is now hosting open play at all its locations. Put your name down for one of four mahjong sets or bring your own—you can also sign up for a waitlist and enjoy $5 egg rolls and $5 draft beers while waiting; Mondays, 6pm to 9pm. // 517 Clement St. (Inner Richmond), 3991 24th St. (Noe Valley), and 173 Throckmorton Ave. (Mill Valley); details at eatmamahuhu.com
Visit IlluminOdyssey, a light- and color-filled winter experience. The immersive and interactive installation for all ages will take you on a journey through CuriOdyssey's zoo, Discovery Field, and Bay View Grove; Tuesday through Sunday, 10am to 5pm until January 28th. // CuriOdyssey, 1651 Coyote Point Dr. (San Mateo); tickets on curiodyssey.org
Round up your besties for multi-talented Kristin Chenoweth's "For the Girls" tour, a tribute to the talented women singers who've inspired her—think Doris Day, Barbra Streisand, Peggy Lee, and Dolly Parton; Wednesday at 7:30pm. // Cal Performances, 101 Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley); tickets at calperformances.org
Sip natty wines and nosh on vegetarian bites while learning the Japanese art of kokedama; Thursday, 6pm to 8pm. // Arcana, 2512 Mission St. (Mission); tickets at eventbrite.com
Cheer on Peru in the World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia. Fútbol fans can gather and watch the match on a 75-inch flat screen and indulge on specials including $10 pisco sours and $5 Peruvian beers; bar opens at 11:30am Thursday, game at noon. // La Mar Cocina Peruana, Pier 1 ½ (Embarcadero); details at lamarsf.com
Follow the lights to the Exploratorium. This season's edition of "Glow" features luminous artworks big and small throughout the galleries and on the pier; on view Thursday through January 29th. // Exploratorium, Pier 15 (Embarcadero); tickets at exploratorium.edu
See A24’s debut film-musical, Dicks: The Musical, featuring a star-studded lineup including Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally, Bowen Yang, and Megan Thee Stallion on the big screen at The Castro Theatre; Thursday at 8pm. // The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St. (Castro); tickets at ticketweb.com
Superfine Art Fair is back at Fort Mason. Meet with 60 artists, enjoy curated cocktails, watch live body painting, and go home with your next masterpiece; Thursday through Sunday. // Gallery 308, Landmark Building A, 2 Marina Blvd. (Marina); save 30 percent on tickets with the code 7X7 at Eventbrite.
Thank you to our partners at Superfine Art Fair.
Take a trip down nostalgia lane at Nightlife: Book Fair. The classic book fair from your elementary school days gets a twist at this special after-hours event complete with diverse literary voices, Bay Area booksellers, drag story hour, free books from the SF Public Library, unexpected character cameos, and more; Thursday at 6pm. // California Academy of Sciences (Golden Gate Park); tickets at calacademy.org
Coo over some adorable, adoptable cats and dogs from the SFSPCA. Gaze through the cute holiday windows at the sweet available pets; noon to 5pm Thursday to Sunday, through January 1st. // Macy’s Union Square, 170 O'Farrell St. (Union Square); you can view the adoptable animals atsfspca.org
Disco down to Chinatown for a community celebration and artsy block party. There will be performances, contemporary art installations, exhibition tours, and more; Friday, 3pm to 6pm. // 800 Grant Ave. (Chinatown); details at cccsf.us
Kesha’s back and the party don’t start ‘til she walks in. Catch the popstar live, glittery theatrics and all, Friday at 8pm. // Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave. (Oakland); tickets at ticketmaster.com
Have some fun with TV personality and comedian Ross Matthews. His “I Gotchu, Gurl” show combines standup with cocktails, games, and audience participation; Friday at 7pm. // Palace of Fine Arts, 3601 Lyon St. (Marina); tickets at ticketmaster.com
Shop unique handmade gifts and goods at Patchwork Show Makers Market. Plus, craft something of your own—think holiday ornament decorating, DIY body scrubs, and T-shirt printing—at DIY stations; Saturday, 11am to 5pm. // Jack London Square,472 Water St. (Oakland); details at dearhandmadelife.com
West Coast Craft sets up shop this weekend. You know the drill: More than 275 artists and designers will be selling gorgeous goods plus there will be food, cocktails, music, and views of the bay; 10am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday. // Festival Pavilion, 2 Marina Blvd. (Marina); details at westcoastcraft.com
Experience Circus Freaks, a steamy variety show blending risqué burlesque, incredible drag performances, gravity-defying aerial artistry, and a dash of Madonna magic. The show is the brainchild of former Cirque du Soleil performer Christopher Childers, who has shared stages with legends like Michael Jackson, Prince, and Material Girl herself; Saturday, 7:30pm to 11:30pm. // The Foundry SF, 1425 Folsom St. (SoMa); tickets at eventbrite.com
Get a taste for Berkeley’s newest tasting room, Noria, at the winery’s grand opening event. Noria specializes in wines made to pair well with Japanese food, so you can expect food options from Shige Sushi and Roli Roti at the celebration; Saturday, 2pm to 5pm. // Noria Wines, 725 Gilman St. (Berkeley); tickets at eventbrite.com
Join bestselling author David Brooks in conversation at City Arts. He’ll discuss his newest book, How To Know a Person, a practical and heartfelt guide to fostering deeper connections at home, at work, and throughout our lives; Saturday at 7:30pm. // Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes St. (Hayes Valley); tickets at cityarts.net
Experience the best of Napa's upper valley at the Calistoga Food & Wine Festival. You'll taste your way through wines from dozens of wineries and bites from the area's best purveyors on the gorgeous Solage property without having to worry about making it to your next tasting on time...or who's driving. Bliss! Saturday, 1pm to 4pm. // Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection, 755 Silverado Trail North (Calistoga); tickets at aubergeresorts.com
Shop the Bay Area’s favorite home decor warehouse sale, the Le Marché pop-up. From Marseille soaps and Laguiole knives to Moroccan glassware and vintage pottery, there are so many treasures from around the world, all at an amazing price; Nov. 17-19. // KTF Warehouse, 2310 Fourth St. (Berkeley), lemarchepopup.com
Thank you to our partners at Le Marché.
