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San Francisco Events in October 2024
by Jill Loeffler •
Top San Francisco events in October include concerts, festivals, and family-friendly things to do.
Other fun activities this month include Broadway shows, opera, and other theater performances.
My favorite events include Fleet Week, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, and the Castro Street Fair.
Don't miss our top festivals in October including Litquake, Halloween activities, and the Italian Heritage Parade.
Explore the area, too, with my recommendations for great tours, cruises, and other activities.
Read on for a full calendar of what's happening around SF and the Bay Area this month.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
Table of Contents
Fleet Week
Dates: October 7 - 15, Blue Angels Perform on October 11, 12, and 13
Location: Fisherman's Wharf & Waterfront
Join the crowds coming to the waterfront every year for SF's Fleet Week to be wowed by the Blue Angels roaring by in formation just overhead.
The Blue Angels will perform on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon.
This is one of my favorite events every year!
Festivities will kick off with the Parade of Ships, and throughout the week you can watch airshow practices and tour military ships as well.
It's by far the biggest of the San Francisco events in October.
>> Get the full Fleet Week schedule and photos of what to expect
Halloween Activities
Date: 10/31
San Francisco is one of the best places to celebrate Halloween each year.
You will find activities that range from trick-or-treating to 21+ party cruises around the SF Bay.
This year, Halloween falls on a Thursday.
You will find some activities the day of the holiday, but most usually fall the weekend before on Friday and Saturday.
My insider's guide will include the best options for all dates and some of the biggest San Francisco events in October.
>> Visit the Halloween page for a full list of this year's activities
Sporting Events in San Francisco in October
Golden State Warriors, NBA
Dates: Preseason: 10/11, 10/13 and 10/18; Season: 10/27, 10/29, and 10/30
Location: Chase Center in SF
Tickets: Ticketmaster | TicketNetwork
Catch the Golden State Warriors in pre-season and season play this October.
They play at the Chase Center in SF and a game at their home arena is a must for all basketball lovers.
They play around a half dozen games this month at home. This month, they take on the LA Lakers, the Detroit Pistons, and the Sacramento Kings.
- 10/11: Sacramento Kings
- 10/13: Detroit Pistons
- 10/18: Los Angeles Lakers
- 10/27: LA Clippers
- 10/29: New Orleans Pelicans
- 10/30: New Orleans Pelicans
Their tickets sell out early, so don't miss your chance to see one of our top sports teams from around the SF Bay.
>> Find more details on seeing a Golden State Warriors home game
49ers Football, NFL
Dates: 10/6, 10/20 & 10/27
Location: Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Get in on the action at Levi's Stadium as the San Francisco 49ers play in Santa Clara, just an hour south of the city.
This month, the 49ers have three home games.
The first is on 10/6 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Their second game is on 10/20 against the Kansas City Chiefs and their final game of the month is on 10/27 against the Dallas Cowboys.
- 10/6: Arizona Cardinals
- 10/20: Kansas City Chiefs
- 10/27: Dallas Cowboys
Go Niners!
>> Click here for the full schedule, how to get to the stadium, and more
San Jose Sharks NHL
Dates: 10/1, 10/4, 10/10, 10/12, 10/20, 10/29, 10/31
Tickets: Ticketmaster | TicketNetwork
If you love hockey, you can also head south for some NHL action.
Our San Jose Sharks start play this month and offer about a half dozen home games this month.
In October, they take on the Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings, and the Vegas Golden Knights.
- Utah, 10/1
- Anaheim Ducks, 10/4
- St. Louis Blues, 10/10
- Anaheim Ducks, 10/12
- Colorado Avalanche, 10/20
- Los Angeles Kings, 10/29
- Chicago Blackhawks, 10/31
They play about an hour south of SF and the SAP Center offers easy access from locations around the SF Bay.
>> Get this year's Sharks schedule
California Golden Bears, College Football
Dates: 10/5, 10/19 & 10/26
Tickets: Ticketmaster | TicketNetwork
The Cal Bears play in Berkeley, about 30 minutes east (and a little north) of SF.
They play three home games this October against the Miami Hurricanes, North Carolina State Wolfpack, and the Oregon State Beavers.
- 10/5: Miami Hurricanes
- 10/19: North Carolina State Wolfpack
- 10/26: Oregon State Beavers
All games are at at Kabam Field at California Memorial Stadium.
Stanford Cardinal, College Football
Dates: 10/5, 10/19 & 10/26
Tickets: Ticketmaster | TicketNetwork
Stanford plays down south, about 45 minutes away from SF.
This month, they play three home games against Virginia Tech Hokies, Southern Methodist (SMU) Mustangs, and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
- 10/5: Virginia Tech Hokies
- 10/19: SMU Mustangs
- 10/26: Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Theater Performances in October
This October in San Francisco, you will find several performances at our local theaters. These are just a few of the top performances.
Wicked, Traveling Broadway Performances
Dates: 8/28 - 10/13
Location: Orpheum Theater
Tickets: Ticketmaster | TicketNetwork
October is a great time to catch the last couple of weeks of shows for this run of Wicked in San Francisco.
It's a popular musical that tells the real story about the witches of Oz. It's one of my favorites and I've seen this show about five or six times.
I highly recommend it if you love the theater or Broadway musicals.
The Orpheum is also a great place to catch a show.
Additional Theater Performances in October
- 9/12 - 10/6: Noel Coward's Private Lives at the Toni Rembe Theater
- 9/21 - 11/9: The Play That Goes Wrong at the SF Playhouse
>> Get a calendar of additional theater performances in San Francisco this month
>> Find additional theater performances around the SF Bay Area this season
Museums: Free Days, Exhibits, & Other Museum Events
Free Museum Days
SF boasts several world-renowned museums, but visiting all of them can be pricey.
Luckily, each month, there are several free admission days!
These free admissions include access to these museums' permanent collections and you will need to pay extra for any special exhibits.
Some require that you book tickets in advance online as they are some of the most popular San Francisco events in October.
Find out which San Francisco museums offer free days in October.
Museum Exhibits
San Francisco has a wealth of interesting, beautiful, and diverse museums, offering fascinating exhibits throughout the year.
Here are some of my top picks:
- Into View: New Voices, New Stories through 10/17 at the Contemporary Jewish Museum
- Mary Lovelace O'Neal through 10/20 at the Museum of Modern Art
- About Place: Bay Area Artists from the Svane Gift at the de Young Museum of Fine Art
Check out the complete list and exact dates for the top museums.
Entry Tickets to Top SF Museums
Live Music & Concerts
In addition to the festival, most venues are fully open in San Francisco. You will find shows at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, the Masonic Center, the Chase Center, and the Fillmore.
In addition to these San Francisco events in October, you will also find dozens of amazing concerts throughout the Bay Area.
Here are some of the top performances. I've included links to tickets for each show to make it easier.
- 10/4: Kygo & Zara Larsson at the Chase Center at 7 pm
- 10/9: Weezer at the Chase Center at 7 pm
- 10/17: The Airborne Toxic Event at the Warfield at 8 pm
- 10/20: Charlie XCX & Troye Sivan at the Chase Center at 7:30 pm
- 10/25 & 10/26: Breakaway Music Festival at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium at 6 pm both nights
- 10/29: Nothing But Thieves at The Masonic at 8 pm
>> Check out the complete list of upcoming concerts this month around SF
More Live Music & Performances Around SF
SF Symphony
The world-renowned San Francisco Symphony offers more than one hundred events each year, and people from all over come to the elegant Davies Symphony Hall to see their most anticipated San Francisco events in October.
Here are this month's top performances:
- Esa-Pekka Salonen-Brahms 4, three performances from 10/4 - 10/6
- Esa-Pekka Salonen - Beethoven's Pastoral, three performances from 10/18 - 10/20
- Scott Terrell - Psycho, Film with Live Orchestra, 10/31
See the complete schedule of performances.
SF Opera
Going to the San Francisco Opera is an unforgettable experience. This month, you can catch a performance of The Handmaid's Tale and Tristan Und Isolde.
Both offer a handful of performances this month.
- The Handmaid's Tale, 10/1
- Tristan Und Isolde, 10/19, 10/23, & 10/27
Find more information about this and other operas this season.
Comedy Performances
If you're looking for a lighthearted night of comedy, you'll find plenty of shows in San Francisco almost every night of the week.
These shows include famous stand-up comedians, local stars, improv troupes, and comic musicals. It's a great way to spend an evening in the City by the Bay.
Here are just a few top shows to check out this month:
- 10/6: Omid Djalili at the Herbst Theatre at 8 pm
- 10/17 - 10/18: Laura Ramoso at the Palace of Fine Arts at 7:30 pm both nights
- 10/19: Martin Amini at the Palace of Fine Arts at 7 pm
>> Get more info about additional comedy performances this month
Festivals & Street Fairs
Italian Heritage Parade & Festival
Date: 10/13
San Francisco is home to the country's oldest Italian American Parade, which takes place annually as part of the Columbus Day celebration.
Follow the parade of floats, bands, and traditional Italian musicians from Fisherman's Wharf to the heart of North Beach (SF's Little Italy), where it will conclude at a small festival in Washington Square Park. It's one of the top family-friendly San Francisco events in October.
South Asian Film Festival
Date: 10/18 - 10/20
This film festival is a can't-miss event for anyone intrigued by South Asian cultures and it includes stories from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet, and Afghanistan.
Enjoy everything from documentaries to Bollywood over three days of screenings at the Roxie Theater.
>> See all the festivals happening this month in SF
Cine+Mas, Latino Film Festival
Dates: 10/11 - 11/3
This film festival features unique works from filmmakers from the US, Latin America, Spain, and Portugal.
Films will be screened at several venues around the city, including the Brava Theater Center, the Opera Plaza Cinema, and Galeria de la Raza.
Tickets are available for purchase for individual screenings, for five films, or for the entire festival.
Get details about this film festival.
Bearrison Street Fair
Date: 10/19
Join the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and the Bears of San Francisco for the 3rd annual Bearrison Street Fair. You'll find entertainment, drinks, food, and lots of dancing in the streets.
The festival is along Harrison Street near 11th Street. It runs from 12 pm to 6 pm.
Litquake
Date: 10/10 - 10/26
Every year, SF's longest running literary festival brings light to great reads and the world of literature through a variety of venues, including churches, bookstores, and even popular bars.
For over a week, you get to engage with authors, participate in workshops, attend panel discussions and group readings, and more.
Check out the full schedule of events and locations.
Castro Street Fair
Date: 10/6
This year is the 50th anniversary of the Castro Street Fair, which was started by Harvey Milk to celebrate the LGBT community and their supporters.
The all-day (11 am - 6 pm) fair features gourmet food, live music on two stages, lots of dancing in the streets, and more.
Join the fun at Market and Castro Streets, in the heart of the colorful, lively Castro district. It's one of the most talked about San Francisco events in October yearly!
Read more details about this festival.
United Nations Association Film Festival
Date: 10/17 - 10/27
Each year, the UNAFF features a selection of over 60 documentary films about important issues from all over the world. The theme for this year's festival is Compass for a Better World.
Screenings will take place in SF, East Palo Alto, and Stanford University.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Date: 10/4 - 10/6
Don't miss this annual free bluegrass festival. For three days, several stages in Golden Gate Park will feature the biggest names in the genre.
Pack your refreshments for a picnic in the park, or check out the more than 50 gourmet food and beverage vendors, in addition to the great music.
Find out who's playing this year and how to get there.
Potrero Hill Festival
Date: 10/19
If you're looking for a fun weekend activity for the whole family, head over to the Potrero Hill Festival on 20th Street between Missouri and Wisconsin.
On a beautiful fall day, this is the perfect place to enjoy two stages of live entertainment, food stalls, bouncy houses, a petting zoo, and more.
In addition, you'll find arts and crafts for sale as well as information from various non-profit organizations.
Other Events
Fall Art & Antiques Show
Date: 10/17 - 10/20
If you appreciate fine art and unique antique pieces, you'll love this large annual event at the Fort Mason Center.
The show opens with a preview gala followed by four days of viewing and buying beautiful pieces. Find out more on the organization's website.
Leap's Sandcastle Classic
Date: 10/26
The largest sandcastle competition in Northern California is not only fun for the family, and a great excuse to get the community together out on the beach.
It also raises money for a fantastic organization, Leap, that brings hands-on learning experiences to over 6,000 students across the Bay Area.
Head to Ocean Beach between 11 am and 3:30 pm to witness some dazzling sand creations! Visit the event website to see pictures and find out more.
Open Studios
Date: 9/19 - 10/13
Open Studios runs all month long, so you can take your time getting to know over 800 artists and their work all over the city. Each weekend will feature different districts, where you can wander in and out of the studios in that area to chat with the artists and purchase pieces on display.
This one of the unique San Francisco events in October that gives you the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the art scene in SF.
Fashion Week
Date: 10/12 - 10/27
As one of the world's leading hubs of innovation and a melting pot of cultures, it seems only natural that the theme of this year's annual SF Fashion Week is United States of Fashion 2.0.
This week-long convention will show how diversity became the battle cry of the fashion industry.
Check out the full schedule of events and find out how you can launch your own fashion product.
SF Cruises in October
Head down to SF's beautiful waterfront for one of the top San Francisco events in October. This month, spend an hour or two on the water as you soak in the views around the SF Bay.
You will find more than a dozen cruises leaving SF daily. After leaving SF, many of them cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, near Sausalito, and around Alcatraz. Some include food and drinks, some include narration, and all offer an unforgettable experience.
Here are just a few of the most popular.
- SF Bay Cruise: This 60-minute Bay Cruise is the most booked cruise. It runs several times a day, allowing you to choose what time works best for your schedule. You'll cruise along the SF coast, under the Golden Gate Bridge, near Alcatraz, and back to Fisherman's Wharf. Find tickets for your upcoming stay!
- Sunset Sailing Cruise: This is one of the most popular cruises each month and one of my favorites in October. This 1.5 hour sunset catamaran cruise takes sail from Pier 39 nightly at 6:30 pm in the first half of the month and 5:30 pm toward the end of this month. Make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes in advance. Find tickets for all dates.
Wine Tours from San Francisco
One of the best San Francisco events in October is our wine tours. These tours take you to two famous regions in Northern California: Napa Valley & Sonoma.
This time of year, you will find both regions buzzing with last-minute harvest activities. You can also get some great pictures of those last bundles of fully ripe grapes on the vines.
I love heading up on one of these tours as I don't have to worry about driving back to SF. It makes it a great way to do some tasting and not have to think about getting back to San Francisco afterward.
In addition, you will learn quite a bit about one or both regions from your knowledgeable guide.
Here are a few of my top picks this month.
- Sonoma & Napa Wine Country Tour: This full day tour takes you to three wineries. It leaves SF around 8:30 am daily. You will also have an hour for lunch on your own, so you can enjoy a tasty meal or do a little more tasting on your own. Find availability here.
- Small Group Wine Tasting Tour: If you prefer to head up with a smaller group, check out this tour. You will stop at three wineries in Napa, including a tour of the Castello di Amorosa's medieval castle. Find availability here.
>> Find additional tips for visiting these two popular regions
Other Events in the SF Bay Area
San Carlos Art & Wine Faire (10/12 - 10/13): From 10 am to 6 pm on both days, the city of San Carlos (located on the Peninsula) invites families to enjoy their annual street fair featuring 150 arts and crafts booths. There is also live entertainment, wine and beer, and lots of food to taste.
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival (10/19 - 10/20): This coastal town just south of San Francisco is famous for its pumpkin crops, especially when they're perfect for Halloween. This two-day festival features hundreds of artisan booths, as well as huge, record-winning pumpkins. There will be live entertainment for the whole family.
Additional Tips to Visit San Francisco in October
Things to Do: Are you looking for additional fun things to do during your visit? If so, check out my full list of the best things to do this month in SF. It includes the top cruises, tours, and other activities. Additional things to do in SF in October
What to Wear in SF in October: Are you still determining what you will need to pack for your stay in October? My guide to the weather in October is just what you need to prepare. It includes information on what to expect from the weather throughout the month. Tips on what to pack for your stay in October
Ideas to Make Your SF Vacation Unforgettable
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
The best way to get around San Francisco is on the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour. It runs from 10 am to 6 pm and takes you directly from one attraction to another.
You can select from their 1-day or 2-day tour. They also have a fantastic night tour.
The Big Bus Tour Company is the most popular and highly rated option.
Visit this site to learn more.
One-Hour Bay Cruise
Head out on the San Francisco Bay on this 60-minute Bay Cruise. See the Golden Gate Bridge from below, circle Alcatraz Island, and learn all about other local waterfront attractions.
Find more information and ticketing details.
Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour
The Coastal Redwoods near San Francisco are a must-see, and this half-day tour is the perfect way to explore them!
On this tour, you will head north to Muir Woods, where you will have time to check out this gorgeous national monument. On your way back, you will spend a little time in Sausalito.
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!
