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San Francisco Events in January 2023: Theater, Concerts, Festivals, and More in SF this Month
by Jill Loeffler •
Updated: January 3, 2022
San Francisco events in January 2023 include sporting events, concerts, Broadway theater, and the wine tasting festivals. Additional fun things to do include SF Sketchfest, the Martin Luther King, Jr. March & Festival, New Year's Day activities, and free walking tours.
Read on for a full calendar of this month's events.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
Golden State Warriors
Dates: 1/2, 1/4, 1/7, 1/10, 1/22, 1/25, 1/27
Location: Chase Center
Tickets: Ticketmaster | TicketNetwork
Head over Mission Bay in San Francisco to catch and exciting game with the Golden State Warriors. This January, you will find a half a dozen home games.
Cheer on their top players including Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and others.
They take on other top teams including the Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, and Brooklyn Nets.
SF Bay Cruises
As you are enjoying some of our top San Francisco events in January, make sure to spend a little time on the water. The SF Bay offers amazing views of the skyline, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
You will find several cruises each day this month.
The daytime cruises offer narration so you can learn more about the attractions you cruise by. All of them go under the Golden Gate Bridge twice, near Alcatraz and along the SF waterfront. You will also find some great ferries that will take you to and from Sausalito, Tiburon, and Angel Island.
The night cruises offer wonderful views of the sunset. Some offer drinks, dinner and/or dancing too.
Here are a few of the top options this month.
Dear Evan Hansen
Dates: Starts 1/24
Tickets: TicketNetwork | StubHub
Head over to The Orpheum Theater to see Dear Evan Hansen. Evan is a high school senior who has social anxiety and not many friends.
When a classmate dies, everyone thinks they were close friends. The parents of the classmate even thought Evan was a close friend.
As the lie gets further and further out of control, Evan faces the choice of correcting the lie or continuing to go down the rabbit hole. It's a touching story and one that has captured audiences around the world.
This production is one of the top San Francisco events in January.
Other Theater & Broadway Shows in January 2022
As You Like It: This play is a take on Shakespeare's famous play. It's a story of madness, love, and some zanny characters that are banished from the Court into the Forest. It's on stage at the SF Playhouse through January 14.
>> Find additional theater performances in January 2022
January Concerts 2022
Dates: Daily this month
Every day of the week, you will find some amazing concerts at SF's top venues.
Some of the biggest performers take the stage at the Chase Center, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, the Warfield, and the Nob Hill Masonic Center.
Some of your will also want to see amazing shows at The Fillmore, Slim's, and the Great American Music Hall.
SF Symphony
Dates: 1/6 - 1/31
Location: Davis Symphony Hall
Tickets: Ticketmaster | TicketNetwork
San Francisco events in January 2023 include several performances by the SF Symphony.
Their first show, Jurassic Park, is January 6 & 7.
Other top performances include Elim Chan conducts Tchaikovsky (1/12 - 1/14), Robin Ticciati conducts Mahler (1/20 - 1/22), and MTT & Jean-Yves Thibaudet (1/26 - 1/28).
All shows are at the Davies Symphony Hall in the Civic Center District.
Hotels Deals for Your Stay
If you are looking for a great hotel for your stay, I recommend starting your search on one of these three sites. The links below take you directly to their deals page, so you can find the best rate right away!
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: In addition to 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.
Hot Chocolate 15k/5k
Date: 1/8
What better a way to fight the cold and explore the city than in a fun footrace with thousands of others, all working your way towards a mug of hot chocolate and chocolate fondue at the finish line!
The course will take you by some star attractions in Golden Gate Park and along SF's Ocean Beach, and periodically there will be "Sweet Stations," where you can grab an energizing bite of marshmallows and chocolate.
It's one of the sweetest San Francisco events in January 2023!
SF Sketchfest
Dates: 1/20 - 2/5
One of the largest comedy festivals and San Francisco events in January is SF Sketchfest.
It features two and a half weeks of comedy sketches and performances by well known comedians.
There are also a handful of workshops, panels, and other fun activities. Each day, you will find three to four shows at venues all around SF.
You will find a limited number of discounted tickets to some of their fun performances. Here are just a few. Click the links for details.
FOG Design+Art Fair
Dates: 1/19 - 1/22
Location: Fort Mason Center
If you are fascinated by art, innovation, and design, you won't want to miss the 2023 FOG fair at the Fort Mason Center, put on in collaboration with the SF Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA).
The event will feature dozens of dealers and galleries of furniture, fine art, and design objects, in addition to special panel discussions and forums about the industry.
It's one of the top San Francisco events in January for those that love art and design.
Martin Luther King, Jr. March & Festival
Date: 1/11 - 1/16
The MLK, Jr. March & Festival is on Monday, January 16.
This annual event includes a march over the Lefty O'Doul Bridge near Oracle Park and through downtown San Francisco. It commemorates the famous Selma-to-Montgomery march over the Edmunds Pettus Bridge.
Other events include a panel discussions, the Liberation Film Festival, and a big event on the holiday. You will also find a few activities and events the days leading up to this important national holiday.
Free Museum Admission Days
Dates: Several early in the month
Touring museums can be a hefty investment, and you may feel limited to picking just one or two if you're on a budget during your visit.
But seeing the city's intellectual and artsy side doesn't have to be expensive.
Throughout the year, there are several free admission days at San Francisco's world-renowned museums, including the de Young Museum of Fine Arts, the Legion of Honor, and more.
ZinEx
Dates: 1/26 - 1/28
Love a good Zin? Want to find out what makes this variety of wine so tasty and special?
At the three-day ZinEx (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers), you have the chance to meet with the top producers of this lovely red and sample the best zinfandels around.
The Grand Tasting is on January 28 from 11 am to 4 pm.
Head over to One Market Pavilion and The Palace Hotel to enjoy this event!
Nightlife at the California Academy of Sciences
Dates: 1/5, 1/12, 1/19 & 1/26
Location: California Academy of Sciences
Are you looking for a fun 21+ museum event this January in SF? If so, then check out Nightlife at the California Academy of Sciences.
Every Thursday night from 6 pm to 10 pm, this science museum in Golden Gate Park offers adult a chance to learn and mingle. Each night is based around a different theme. Previous themes include Fermented Nightlife and Brain & Body Nightlife.
You can sip on cocktails as you meet other nature and science lovers. You can also explore the entire museum and learn as you go.
San Francisco Museum Traveling Exhibits
Dates: All month long
Another one of the top San Francisco events in January is our museum exhibits. All of our major museums welcome traveling exhibits from around the world to enhance your experience when you visit.
Here are just a few top picks this month.
Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs: At the de Young Museum, runs all month
Sightlines: Photographs from the Collection -- at the SF Museum of Modern Art, all month long
SF Ballet's 2023 Season
Date: 1/27
Location: War Memorial Opera House
The SF Ballet kicks off their 2023 season this month on January 27.
Their first performance of the season is called Next@90.
It's a performance of nine world premiere ballets from artists from around the world.
All performances are at the War Memorial Opera House in SF's Civic Center district.
San Francisco Events in January: Comedy
Dates: Several in January
You will find a variety of comedy shows all month long in San Francisco.
Top comedians from around the world perform here each month and January is no exception.
Catch a show at one of our internationally known comedy clubs such as Cobb's or the Punchline. You will also find some great comedians at other venues around town including the Nob Hill Masonic Center.
Noir City Film Festival
Dates: 1/20 - 1/29
This year, the Noir City film festival is once again take place at the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland.
You'll enjoy 4 days of great movies. The theme this year is "They Tried to Warn Us" and includes twelve movies from mid-20th century Hollywood.
The festival is put on by the Film Noir Foundation, which celebrates film noir as an original American cinematic movement. In the past, they've shown such films as Rear Window, The Dark Corner, Los Tallos Amargos, and Deception.
>> Get the full movie lineup and more on their website
Bay Area Brew Fest
Date: 1/28
The annual Bay Area Brew Fest features dozens of international and domestic beers, as well as the top gourmet food trucks in SF.
The event is held at Fort Mason with an afternoon and an evening session. There are also early admission and VIP admission tickets available.
All tickets include unlimited pours.
New Year's Day Events & Activities
Date: 1/1
Start 2022 off right, with whatever makes you happy. For some of you, that might mean a hearty brunch to recover from a long night out on the town. For others, that might mean heading back out to the bars for some good college football.
And if you're only in SF during the holidays, don't worry; lots of attractions will still be open on New Year's Day for you to enjoy, including the California Academy of Sciences, the SF Zoo, the Japanese Tea Garden, bay cruises, and more.
What to Wear in SF
Are you looking for some tips on what to bring with you to San Francisco? If so, then check out my guide to the weather in January. It offers tips on what a typical day is like this month as well as packing advice and a few other fun things to consider when visiting in January.
Additional Tips to Plan Your Stay in January
Are you looking for some additional ideas and advice for your stay? While you will find plenty of fun San Francisco events in January, you will also find other fun things to do including visiting Muir Woods and Yosemite. You will also find some great tours and discounts all throughout the month.
>> More tips to plan your stay in January
More SF Bay Area Events in January
San Jose Sharks Hockey
Dates: 1/7, 1/13, 1/16, 1/18
Location: San Jose (South Bay)
Tickets: Ticketmaster | TicketNetwork
Another popular sport this time of year is hockey. A little winter chill outside sets the mood for entering the "Shark Tank" (SAP Center) to watch the San Jose Sharks play an exciting game on ice. Watch them take on the Boston Bruins, the New Jersey Devils, and the Dallas Stars.
The arena is just about an hour southeast of SF.
Live Jazz at Yoshi's
Dates: Several nights a week
Location: Oakland (East Bay)
It started as just a small sushi bar, but for years Yoshi's has been combining its fabulous Japanese cuisine with top notch live jazz. They've welcomed greats like Dizzy Gillespie, Betty Carter, Diana Krall, Max Roach, and hundreds more to their stage. Check out what this exciting night scene is all about at Jack London Square in Oakland.
Santa Cruz Fungus Fair
Dates: No big fair in 2023, guided walks on January 7, 8 and 14, 15
Location: Santa Cruz (2 hours south of SF)
You've probably never been to an event like this Fungus Federation Fungus Fair! You'll see, learn, and taste everything you ever wanted to about different species of fungi through cooking demonstrations, speakers, hands-on activities, and a re-created woodland featuring hundreds of wild mushrooms. The event takes place over three days at the Louden Nelson Community Center in Santa Cruz.
>> More facts about the fabulous Fungus Fair
Napa Truffle Festival
Dates: 1/13 - 1/16
Location: Napa (North Bay)
This four-day festival held in the heart of California's wine country celebrates truffles, one of the most prized elements of international high cuisine. This unique event combines two essential aspects: chef expertise on fine cooking with truffles, and scientist expertise on truffle cultivation.
Throughout the weekend, you'll have the opportunity to hear from both sides, as well as taste at the Truffles and Wine Dinner, and buy at the festival Marketplace.
>> All about the Napa Truffle Festival
>> Additional things to do this January in Napa
Winter WINEland in Sonoma
Dates: 1/14 - 1/15
Location: Sonoma (North Bay)
This year marks another year of the popular of Winter WINEland event in Northern Sonoma County. During this two-day event, you'll have the opportunity to choose among the participating wineries along Wine Road to visit the vineyards, meet the winemakers, and sample some of their best bottles. Each winery will highlight limited production, new release, and library wines.
This year, they are limited the number of tickets available. Instead of the normal walk in option, you also must make reservations at each winery along your route. This will allow them to control crowds. Wineries are unable to accommodate parties with more than 6 people.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
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