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Labor Day Weekend in San Francisco: Discover 18 Top Activities for 2026
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: April 7, 2026
Labor Day weekend in San Francisco is full of fun events and activities. It includes the Saturday and Sunday leading up to the first Monday in September. In 2026, it's September 5 to 7.
You will find concerts all around SF and the Bay Area. There are also some great theater performances at venues all around SF.
Other highlights include visits to one of several museum exhibits, cruises around the bay, and free walking tours offered every day this weekend.
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1. Hairspray at the SF Playhouse
Head over to the SF Playhouse for the feel-good, colorful, Tony Award-winning "Hairspray."
This beloved upbeat musical is a celebration of diversity. Follow plus-size teenager Tracy Turnblad on her rise to stardom as she pursues her dream to dance on the popular Corny Collins Show.
Based in the 1960s, Tracy then uses her newfound platform to challenge racial segregation and change the face of television forever.
Dates: This Labor Day weekend in San Francisco, you will find one performance on Friday, two on Saturday, and one on Sunday. The show runs through September 12.
Make sure to pick up your tickets early, as you don't want to miss your chance to see this fantastic show!
>> Find additional shows this weekend in SF
2. Labor Day Weekend Concerts
Many of the concert venues in San Francisco and around the SF Bay will offer shows this Labor Day weekend. Some of the top shows include:
- Kamelot at The Fillmore
3. SF Giants
The San Francisco Giants host the St. Louis Cardinals this Labor Day in San Francisco.
The series starts on Monday, September 7, with a 5:10 pm game at our beautiful waterfront Oracle Park.
The three-game series continues on Tuesday at 6:45 pm and Wednesday at 12:45 pm.
>> Find tickets for this Giants series at home
>> Find out about more sports events happening around the Bay Area
4. SF 49ers
You're in for a special treat this Labor Day weekend in San Francisco, with our 49ers taking on TBD at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
- TBD
5. Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
The best way to get around this Labor Day weekend in San Francisco is on the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour.
You can hop on and off at any of their 15+ designated stops throughout the city, including Lombard Street, Fisherman's Wharf, and Union Square.
Other popular stops include the Golden Gate Park, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Painted Ladies of Alamo Square.
You can select from the 1-day or 2-day tour. It's the best way to easily get around quickly to see all SF has to offer.
>> Find additional details and ticketing information
6. California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is open 365 days a year, making this Labor Day weekend in San Francisco a perfect opportunity to visit this amazing museum.
It's really four museums in one, including the Steinhart Aquarium, the Four-Story Osher Rainforest, the Morrison Planetarium, and the Kimball Natural History Museum.
Pick up your tickets in advance to skip the ticket line upon arrival.
Tickets: Find advanced tickets so you can skip the line when you arrive
>> Learn more about visiting SF's top museum
7. 90-Minute Sailing Tour on the SF Bay
Head out on the SF Bay this Labor Day weekend. On this 90-minute cruise, you will experience the best of the bay. Cruise past top attractions such as Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Sausalito.
Refreshments are available for purchase on board.
This cruise operates all throughout the holiday weekend, departing at 1 pm and 3:30 pm each day.
Tickets: Find tickets for all days on GetYourGuide
More Fun Cruises for Labor Day Weekend
8. Comedy Shows
This holiday weekend, you will find comedy performances at the Punch Line, Cobb's Comedy Club, and other venues around town.
Some of the top picks include:
- Malik Elassal at the Punch Line Comedy Club, 9/4 & 9/5
Find the Perfect Hotel for Your Visit
9. SF with Kids
Are you traveling to San Francisco with your entire family? If so, you will find plenty of fun things to do with the kids this weekend.
Options range from visiting the SF Zoo to experiencing all of the kid-friendly entertainment on Pier 39.
Other highlights include cruising around the bay, tinkering with the hands-on exhibits at the Exploratorium, and visiting the California Academy of Sciences.
>> Click here for a list of 25+ fun, family-friendly things to do in San Francisco
10. Visit Napa or Sonoma
Labor Day weekend is one of the best times to visit the Northern California wine regions. During this time, both the leaves and the grapes turn colors, and the landscape is gorgeous.
You can sip and sample some of the top reds and whites on the market today from our famed Napa and Sonoma Valley wineries.
These full-day tours depart around 8 am and return in the early evening, allowing you to still explore the city that night.
>> Read more about all of the great wine tours to Napa & Sonoma
11. Hunt for Ghosts
San Francisco is full of history, which means there are dozens of ghost stories to be told.
This Gold and Ghouls Tour takes you around downtown San Francisco with stories from the Gold Rush of 1849, famous tragedies, and some of SF's most famous hotels, and more.
This one-hour tour (you can also opt for the 1.5-hour tour) takes you through Nob Hill, Union Square, and other places in downtown SF.
>> More details about this fun and interesting tour
12. Free Walking Tours
This holiday weekend, and every weekend, the SF Public Library offers free walking tours throughout the city.
On Saturday, you can explore our bustling Chinatown, check out the murals in the Mission, or walk on the Golden Gate Bridge.
On Sunday, you can visit the eclectic Haight-Ashbury District or stroll down Billionaires’ Row in Nob Hill.
Monday is also full of fun tours, including walks around Fisherman's Wharf and the Japanese Tea Garden.
>> Visit the SF City Guides site for more details
>> Additional Guided Walking Tours in SF
13. Additional Free Things to Do
One of the best things about San Francisco is that there are numerous free activities to enjoy. They include several attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, and the Palace of Fine Arts.
In addition, you can visit some of SF's museums at no cost. The list below provides you with more details on these and other free SF activities, events, attractions, and more!
14. Alcatraz
You will find that many of our attractions are closed on the Monday holiday. However, Alcatraz is open throughout Labor Day weekend in San Francisco.
This former maximum-security federal prison on a unique island in the bay known as "The Rock" is a must-see for San Francisco visitors.
Make sure to get tickets well in advance, as they sell out quickly for this busy holiday.
>> Learn more about visiting Alcatraz
15. Aquarium of the Bay
The Aquarium of the Bay is open all weekend long at Pier 39 in Fisherman's Wharf.
I love coming here to walk through the tunnels and watch the fish and sharks of the SF Bay swim all around and above me.
They are open from 10 am to 5 pm.
>> More fun things to do on Pier 39
16. Conservatory of Flowers
The Conservatory of Flowers is also open for the Labor Day weekend and holiday.
Head over and see their amazing collection of colorful flowers and plants from 10 am to 4:30 pm.
17. Exploratorium
The Exploratorium is usually closed on Mondays, but they will open their doors from 10 am to 5 pm this Labor Day Monday in San Francisco.
>> See pictures and learn more about visiting
18. SF Museum of Modern Art
The SF Museum of Modern Art is also open all weekend long, including on Monday.
They are open from 10 am to 5 pm.
>> Find a list of special exhibits at each museum this weekend
Hi, I’m Jill!
I’ve been sharing San Francisco travel advice since 2009 and have helped millions of people explore the city like a local. Whether you’re dreaming of sea lions, cable cars, or a great sourdough bread bowl, I’m here to help you plan an unforgettable trip with real tips from someone who actually lives here.
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