SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING GUIDE.
San Francisco Events in May 2025: Mother's Day, Memorial Day Weekend, & Other Things to Do
by Jill Loeffler •
San Francisco events in May 2025 include sporting events, free museum days, and performances with the SF Symphony.
Spoil your mom this Mother's Day with several fun activities planned just for her and the family. You will also discover a variety of colorful and memorable things to do over Memorial Day weekend.
I've also included some fun tours and day trips from San Francisco. You can take a cruise, head up to wine country, or explore SF on foot on a free walking tour with the SF Public Library.
Read on for more details on what I love to do this month here and other top San Francisco events in May 2025.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
Table of Contents
Sporting Events
SF Giants Baseball
Dates: 5/1 - 5/4, 5/12 - 5/14, 5/16 - 5/18, and 5/19 - 5/21
Location: Oracle Park in the South of Market District
Tickets: Ticketmaster | TicketNetwork
Some of the best San Francisco events in May take place by the water at the ballpark. Head over to Oracle Park this May to catch the SF Giants in action.
In May, they have 13 home games in San Francisco. They play host to teams such as the Arizona Diamondbacks, The Athletics and The Colorado Rockies.
- 5/1 - 5/4: Colorado Rockies
- 5/12 - 5/14: Arizona Diamondbacks
- 5/16 - 5/18: The Athletics
- 5/19 - 5/21: Kansas City Royals
>> Find the full schedule this year
Bay to Breakers
Date: 5/18
Race through the city in your most comfortable and colorful costume. The Bay to Breakers run is a unique experience with more than 100,000 people running in costume from the Bay, on the eastern side, to the Breakers, out on the western coast of the city.
This 12k run is not for the faint of heart, however, as many people are challenged by the number of hills on this course. This year, they are also offering a Breaker Bonus which is an additional 3k for a total run of 15k.
It's fun to run, but also fun to watch along the sidelines. This is one of the biggest San Francisco events in May.
>> Find a full list of details + information on how to register
Museums: Free Days & Exhibits
Free Museum Admission Days
Dates: Several at the beginning of the month
Save money and visit SF's top museums during their free admission days. Each month, several museums offer free entrance to their permanent collections.
You can see dozens of artifacts at the Asian Art Museum, enjoy fine arts at the de Young Museum, or discover new plants and flowers at the San Francisco Botanical Garden.
These are some of the top free San Francisco events in May.
>> Uncover free San Francisco museum days for May
Museum Exhibits
Dates: All throughout the month
I love visiting the museum exhibits at our top museums. All year round, San Francisco's world-renowned museums host excellent exhibits that you won't want to miss.
This month, these are some of the ones I can't wait to check out:
- Contemporary Painting in Papua New Guinea: Mathias Kauage and His Family at the de Young Museum
- Looted at the Contemporary Jewish Museum
- Fortuna and the Immortality Garden (Machine) at the Museum of Modern Art
>> Check out the full list of exhibits this month at SF's top museums
Uncover the Best Hotel Deals for Your Stay
Don't book your room before checking out the great discounts online. There are a variety of deals available including discounts off your room rate, free parking, and more.
Click the links below to check out the latest offers on San Francisco hotels during your stay.
Booking: Find great deals all around San Francisco for your upcoming stay!
TripAdvisor: What's the #1 hotel in San Francisco? Read reviews & find hotel deals on TripAdvisor!
VRBO: Besides hotels, you'll also find some great places to stay locally through VRBO. Book an apartment or a room and feel more like a local. Find some great places to stay on VRBO here.
Holidays
Mother's Day
Date: 5/11
Celebrate your mom on Sunday, May 11 in San Francisco. You will find a wide range of things to do to make the day extra special.
You can visit one of our museums, do a little shopping, and enjoy a cruise.
You can also make your way over to Alcatraz for the day or spend time exploring the Golden Gate Bridge. There are plenty of wonderful places for the entire family to enjoy a lovely brunch or lunch to celebrate.
>> Find a list of all of the things to do this year for Mother's Day in SF
Memorial Day Weekend
Dates: 5/23 - 5/26
Spend Memorial Weekend with us and enjoy dozens of fun activities. This weekend, you can head out on the water on a cruise, attend the Carnaval Festival in the Mission, or catch a baseball game.
You can also honor those who have died for our country at one of the Memorial Day events.
Click the link below for a full list of activities for this weekend.
>> Find a full list of activities this Memorial Day weekend
Live Music & Concerts
Dates: All throughout the month
SF's beloved and unique concert venues, including the Fillmore and the Warfield, host great performances all year long.
You'll also find large concerts by the best bands in rock and pop at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and the Masonic. You will also find large international bands on stage at the Chase Center.
- 5/3: Dean Lewis at The Regency Ballroom
- 5/9 & 5/10: They Might Be Giants at The Fillmore
- 5/10: Disturbed, Daughtry & Nothing More at the Chase Center
- 5/14: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
- 5/19: Allison Russell at The Fillmore
>> Visit the live music calendar to find out who else in town this May
Festivals & Street Fairs
Carnaval Celebration
Dates: Saturday, 5/24 & Sunday, 5/25
The large Carnaval Celebration in the Mission District is back this Memorial Day Weekend. This two-day long festival includes live music, dancing, local food, and other entertainment.
One of the biggest draws to this event is their annual parade. It's held on Sunday morning and is full of colorful entries. You'll find floats, cars, and dozens of dance groups performing their routines.
More about what to expect from this year's event.
Taiwanese American Cultural Festival
Date: TBD
The Bay Area's biggest Taiwanese American celebration is expecting thousands of people to come and enjoy delicious traditional food, music, art, and other vibrant parts of Taiwanese culture.
Head over to Union Square on from 10 am to 4 pm for this family-friendly event and connect with this beautiful ethnic group.
>> Visit their site for details
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
Dates: Several performances from May to October
The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival will take place this summer, but with fewer performances each month. They are mostly lunch time celebrations with a few outdoor classes mixed-in.
All shows are free and open to the public. It's a fun way to spend an hour or so during your stay in San Francisco. Discover what the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival has to offer.
>> Full festival calendar for May
Theater & Performing Arts
Broadway Shows & Other Theater Preformances
Parade (5/13 - 6/8): The biggest show on stage this May in San Francisco is the Parade at the Curran Theater. It's the story of a young Jewish couple living in Georgia. The couple's faith is tested when the husband is accused of an unthinkable crime. It's all about love, loyalty, and justice.
Here are just a few of the top theater performances this month in San Francisco:
- Simple Mexican Pleasures (4/4 - 5/11) at the New Conservatory Theatre
- The Acting Company (4/15 - 5/4) at the Toni Rembe Theater
- The Curious Incident of the Dog (5/1 - 6/21) in the Night-time at the SF Playhouse
- To My Girls (5/9 - 6/8) at the New Conservatory Theatre
- Co-Founders (5/29 - 7/6) at the Strand Theater
>> Find additional theater performances this month in SF
SF Symphony
Dates: Several dates in May
Location: Davies Symphony Hall
The SF Symphony will offer more than a dozen performances in May 2025.
Shows this month include The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Film with Live Orchestra (5/8 - 5/10), Stasevska Conducts Sibelius 5 (5/15 - 5/17), and Salonen Conducts The Firebird (5/23 - 5/25).
>> Visit my page to learn more and to find out how to book your tickets to all performances
Comedy
Dates: All Throughout the Month
Each month, SF offers a variety of laugh-out-loud performances, including stand-up at the Punch Line and Cobb's comedy clubs in North Beach, and improv by companies like BATS.
- TBD
Check the schedule for upcoming performances of your favorite visiting and local comedians.
>> Check out the full list of upcoming comedy shows
Other Events
San Francisco Decorator Showcase
Dates: TBD
This event, which takes place in the most prestigious San Francisco homes, is regarded as the West Coast's premier design showcase event, featuring the wonderful work of the region's top interior and landscape designers.
All proceeds benefit the San Francisco University High School financial aid program.
>> Visit their site to learn more
National Cemetery Memorial Day Event
Date: 5/26
The largest Memorial Day event in San Francisco is at the National Cemetery in the Presidio. The event starts at 10:30 am with a band concert. It's followed by a formal ceremony that starts at around 11 am.
Military personnel will speak along with a Gold Star family ceremony.
Find details on this event in the Presidio.
Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl
Dates: TBD
Another fun event this Cinco de Mayo is this pub crawl that starts at Mayes Oyster House. The crawl starts at 4 pm and runs until 10 pm on Sunday night. It includes some great drink specials.
Participating bars include the Lush Lounge, Blur, Vertigo, Mcteagues and many others.
Tours
SF Bay Cruises
As you are enjoying all of these San Francisco events in May, I also recommend checking out some of our great bay cruises. They offer a fun few hours on the waterfront as you soak in the views all around.
Our SF Bay Cruises give you the chance to cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, around Alcatraz Island, and along our northern shoreline. You will also learn all about SF's attractions and our colorful history.
Most of our bay cruises leave from Fisherman's Wharf around Pier 39 to 43. They are a great way to relax for a few hours as you learn even more about San Francisco.
Here are a few of my favorites.
SF Bay Cruise: The SF Bay Cruise is the most popular option. It's a one-hour tour that takes you near our top attractions. Take pictures under the Golden Gate Bridge and learn about the infamous prisoners of Alcatraz. It leaves several times a day from Fisherman's Wharf. Check for tickets here.
Sunset Cruise: Sit back, relax and let the breeze blow through your hair on this 1.5 hour sunset cruise. I love taking this tour for great views around the SF Bay including the chance to see the sunset and go under the Golden Gate Bridge! It starts and leaves from Fisherman's Wharf at 7 pm. Find out more about this cruise and check for ticket availability.
Lunch or Dinner Buffet Cruise: This cruise is another one of my personal favorites. I love having a nice buffet meal while cruising around the SF Bay. You can select from the lunch or dinner cruise (I like the dinner cruise best!). Your ticket will include the cruise, the buffet meal, and unlimited coffee, tea and soft drinks. If you want wine, beer or cocktails, they do have a bar on board so you can purchase what you would like to drink (these are not included with your ticket price). Find out more and check for tickets.
Free Walking Tours with SF City Guides
Dates: Every day of the month
Every day of the year, you will find five to six wonderful tours offered by SF City Guides. Supported by the SF Public Library, all walks offer the history and fun facts about a specific district or attraction.
You can stroll over the Golden Gate Bridge, walk the historic alleys of Chinatown, and learn more about how the Palace of Fine Arts came to be.
All walks are free and last for around two hours.
>> Find more free walking tours
>> Additional fun, free things to do in San Francisco in May
Day Trips from San Francisco
In addition to all of the fun San Francisco events in May, you will also find some great places to see just an hour or two away. If you have a little extra time, make sure to spend at least one day on a trip outside SF.
What are the most popular day trips from SF this May?
The most requested trip is to Napa Valley and Sonoma County wine countries. These two regions offer the best wines in CA. They are side-by-side about an hour or two north of SF. You can sample their famous wines, learn all about how wine is made, and admire the vineyards. Here is the tour I like the most.
The second most popular trip this month is to Muir Woods. This National Park is just an hour north of SF and is home to dozens of Coastal Redwoods. These mighty trees live for hundreds of years and you will never forget a walk through this forest. This is the tour that I usually go on (as I like go on them often to make sure nothing changes).
May is also a great time to visit Yosemite. The ride here takes a few hours, but it's worth it. You will get the chance to see Half Dome, climbers making their way up El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls just as the snow is melting. It's an amazing experience and one you do not want to miss. This is the tour I recommend for a wonderful day in Yosemite.
You can visit all of these locations on your own or let someone else do the driving. If this is your first time in the Bay Area, I recommend a guided tour which will make the day a blast. Your knowledgeable guide will also tell you all about your upcoming destination, answer any questions, and help you find your way around.
>> Find additional wonderful day trips from SF
More Tips to Plan Your Visit
More Things To Do in San Francisco in May: In addition to these special San Francisco events in May, check out my tips for what to wear and other fun things to do at this time of year, including the best day trips, guided tours, nighttime events, and free events in May. More on how to make the most of your May vacation in SF.
Weather in May: Are you unsure what you need to pack for your stay? If so, then check out my page that will give you advice about the weather and tips on what to wear while you are here. What to pack for a trip to SF in May.
More Bay Area Events in May 2025
BottleRock Napa Valley
Dates: 5/23 - 5/25
Tickets: StubHub | TicketNetwork
One of the top SF Bay Area events in May is the highly anticipated three-day BottleRock music festival in Napa Valley. This North Bay event has an impressive lineup every year!
In addition to the great music, there will be award-winning culinary treats and, of course, the world's best wine and brew. The festival runs from 11:30 am to 10 pm each day at the Napa Valley Expo.
Jack London Square Art Festival
Date: TBD
This free event features chalk artists creating 6x6 foot murals in person. This family-friendly event is a great way to see behind the scenes on how artists work.
You will also be allowed to interact with the art by standing in it or doing something with the art itself.
This event features chalk artists, interactive art, a DJ, a kids chalk zone, and live painting. Starting at 3 pm, you and your kids can also enjoy a free art class (you will need to bring your own materials).
It will be in Restaurant Row from 1 pm to 4 pm.
>> Visit the Jack London Square site for details
Himalayan Fair in Berkeley
Dates: TBD
The Himalayan Fair was founded in 1983 when record-breaking mountain climber Arlene Blum organized a picnic gathering of Tibetan and Nepali friends in Berkeley. Each year since then, the fair has grown larger and more elaborate, welcoming vendors and performers from as far as Kathmandu.
Here, you'll find delicious food, artisan crafts, music, and dance from the Himalayas at one of the most unique SF Bay Area events in May. Head over to Live Oak Park in Berkeley (East Bay) on Saturday from 10am to 7pm, and on Sunday from 10 am to 5:30 pm.
>> Visit their site for more details
California Roots Music & Arts Festival
Dates: 5/23 - 5/25
Tickets: Find tickets for all three days
Another large music festival this Memorial Day Weekend takes place at the Monterey County Fair and Event Center, about two hours south of San Francisco.
This one offers good vibes and a more down-to-earth atmosphere, embracing "California Roots" in the redwoods and partnering with a local campsite to provide alternative lodging for guests.
>> More Monterey events this month
Rotary Club of Saratoga Fine Arts Show
Dates: 5/3 - 5/4
This annual event has been showcasing fine arts and hand crafts for over 60 years.
Held in the open-air walkways of West Valley College, guests can enjoy music, specialty wines and beers, and tasty bites from food trucks while perusing the 125 booths.
There is also a kids activities corner for the whole family.
Bay Area Book Festival in Berkeley
Date: 5/31 & 6/1 from 11 am to 5 pm
The Bay Area Book Festival in Berkeley offers two days of literary fun with some of the most famous authors in today's world attending.
There are talks, readings and an opening night gala if you want to meet and greet some of the authors. There are also children, teen and family programs for you to enjoy.
>> Visit their site to learn more
More Pages to Enhance Your Visit
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!
