San Francisco Events in September: Fun Things to Do in 2023

San Francisco events in September 2023 include Labor Day Weekend activities, concerts, and festivals. The top Broadway theater performance is Hadestown at the Orpheum Theatre.

If you're a sports fan, catch a baseball game with the SF Giants or the Oakland A's. The 49ers also have games this month at home.

Read on for details on these and other top things to do this month in SF.

Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

Labor Day Weekend

Dates: 9/1 - 9/4

The best way to say goodbye to summer in SF is by enjoying the warm weather and variety of activities over the long Labor Day weekend. Highlights include festivals, concerts, tours, and more! 

This year, Labor Day Weekend runs from Friday, September 1 - Monday, September 4.

You will find some of the best San Francisco events in September all weekend long!

>> Visit our guide to Labor Day Weekend

Sporting Events

SF Giants

Dates: 9/8 - 9/10, 9/11 - 9/13, 9/25 - 9/27, and 9/29 - 10/1

Location: Oracle Park in the South of Market District

Tickets: Ticketmaster | StubHub

Watch the SF Giants baseball team play their last full month of the regular season.

This September, you have 13 opportunities to watch the Giants in full swing as they take on the Braves, Dodgers, Diamondbacks and others at home in Oracle Park.

There's no better way to enjoy the warm weather than at a ball game by the water. 

>> SF Giants full schedule & more about the team

Oakland A's

Dates: 9/1 - 9/3, 9/4 - 9/6, 9/15 - 9/17, 9/18 - 9/20, & 9/21 - 9/24

Tickets: Ticketmaster | StubHub

In addition to the SF Giants, you will also find a second MLB team here in the SF Bay Area. The Oakland A's play just over the bay.

This American League team plays 12 games this month against the Braves, White Sox, Mariners, and the Mets.

>> See the A's full schedule for September

49ers Football

Date: TBD

Location: Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara 

Tickets: Ticketmaster | TicketNetwork

The SF 49ers kick off their regular season home games this month at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The 49ers take on the Seattle Seahawks at 1:05 pm.

This is their only home game this September. You will find these San Francisco events in September about an hour south of SF. 

>> Check out the 49ers full schedule

Ideas to Help You Plan Your Stay

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 9 am to 6 pm and takes you directly from one attraction to the next. You can select from their 24- or 48-hour tour. They also have a cool night tour. The Big Bus Tour Company is the most popular and highly rated option. Visit this site to learn more.

VRBO: Want to experience San Francisco like a local? Use VRBO to book a condo, room, or other local accommodation for your stay. Visit VRBO to find places to stay throughout SF and the SF Bay Area.

CityPass: Save up to 44% on 4 of San Francisco's top attractions with the CityPass. This discount card includes admission to the California Academy of Sciences and a Blue & Gold Fleet Cruise. In addition, you can visit two other attractions of your choice from the following four options: Aquarium of the Bay, SF Zoo, Walt Disney Museum, and the Exploratorium. Visit this site to learn more.

Theater & Broadway Shows

Hadestown

Dates: 9/12 - 9/17

Tickets: Ticketmaster | StubHub

Head over to the Orpheum Theater for one of several performances of this award winning musical. It's the story of two classic Greek myths. 

The stories of Orpheum and Eurydice collide with the story of King Hades and Persephone in the underworld. It includes moments of fear and doubt, but also love and faith.

Find out this September in San Francisco!

>> Find additional performances this month

Museums: Free Days, Exhibits, & Other Events

Free Days

It's easy to visit multiple San Francisco museums without spending a ton of money—if you know when to go! This month, take advantage of the free admission days at some of SF's favorites, including the Asian Art Museum, de Young, Legion of Honor, and Conservatory of Flowers.

Usually, the free admission ticket will only get you into the general exhibits and permanent collections, but you can just pay an extra fee to see the special galleries. These San Francisco events in September are popular, so make sure to arrive early for your spot in line.

Find my calendar of free days here.

Museum Exhibits

Take some time to check out the fantastic exhibits currently on display at SF's world-renowned museums. The Legion of Honor is currently showing The Tudors: Art and Majesty in Renaissance England through September 24, Corporeal is on display at the SF MOMA, and We Become [Vessels] is at the Museum of Modern Art.

Click the link below to find out what else you can see at the Conservatory of Flowers, Walt Disney Museum, the SF Museum of Modern Art, and more. Don't miss out on these highly anticipated San Francisco events in September. 

Discover a detailed list of museum exhibits in SF.

Concerts & Live Music

Dates: Several in September

Most live music venues are now open and offering concerts in San Francisco. The city attracts some big names, but also has many great venues for independent and up-and-coming artists to showcase their talent.

Find a show you'll love at the Chase Center, Warfield, the Fillmore, or the Independent, among many others. 

>> Visit this page for a full calendar of shows at top venues in September

Additional Place for Live Music in September

SF Opera: The SF Opera will offer performances of Il Trovatore and The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs this September. Shows run throughout the month. Get more details about SF Opera. 

SF Symphony: September marks the opening of a new season at the SF Symphony. They are offering just one show this month Salonen Conducts An Alpine Symphony (9/29 - 9/30). See the full SF Symphony schedule.

Comedy

Dates: Several this month

San Francisco is a great place to catch stand-up shows, improv performances, and other hilariously entertaining plays and musicals. 

Some of the best comedians in the business, including have been featured at the Punch Line Comedy Club and Cobb's Comedy Club in the city. In addition, this month you can enjoy the annual free Comedy Day in Golden Gate Park.

>> See the detailed schedule of shows

Top Festivals & Street Fairs in SF this September

San Francisco Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival (9/23 & 9/24): Head over to colorful Grant Avenue in the heart of SF's Chinatown for two full days of entertainment, food, shopping, parades, children's activities, and more. Some of the highlights are the lion dancers and dragon parades. Maybe you'll even try a traditional mooncake to celebrate the full moon and Chinese culture! Get the full festival schedule.

California Rum Festival (9/16): Taste some of the best rums around at the California Rum Festival at the Hibernia Bank Building. You'll get to try a wonderful variety from large, micro, and boutique distilleries. In addition, attend seminars by rum producers and aficionados, and mingle with other rum lovers. 

Folsom Street Fair (9/24): This year's Folsom Street Fair will look similar to years past with a large event along Folsom Street. You will find entertainment, live music, and plenty of vendors.

Whiskies of the World (9/22): Whisky lovers, here's your chance to taste more than 200 varieties of Scotch, Bourbon, Canadian, Irish, and other imported whiskies from around the world. You can also attend seminars and learn how to pair certain whiskies with food and cigars.

South Asian Film Festival (TBD): This film festival is a can't-miss event for anyone intrigued by South Asian cultures--including 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 and Castro Theatre.

California Vegetarian Food Festival & Symposium (TBD): This year's festival will be held at the Palace of Fine Arts and features 100% vegan and green products. This one day event features plant based foods, chefs, entertainers, and lifestyle vendors. You will also find speakers, panelists, kids activities, and so much more. The event runs from 11 am to 6 pm. 

SF Fringe Festival (TBD): If you love theater, this month you are really in luck because September offers a 14-day grassroots theater festival, featuring over a hundred unique performances by dozens of indie companies. All performances will take place at the EXIT Theater in downtown SF at very accessible prices. 

Architecture and the City Festival (9/8 - 9/30): This month, all month long, San Francisco invites you to engage with its design and architecture in ways you haven't experienced before. These San Francisco events in September include behind-the-scenes and walking tours, films, exhibitions, lectures, and more. Explore and appreciate the city's true structural backbone in 2023. Visit the festival's website for more details.

A Taste of Greece (TBD): This annual event showcases the cultural and culinary diversity of SF's Mission District. Get your fill of delicious Greek treats such as spanakopita, mousaka, kotopoulo, and gyros. And of course, the festival wouldn't be complete without Greek wine, Greek pastries, and live Greek music and dance! 

Latino Film Festival (TBD): 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. Find additional film festivals in September.

>> See all the festivals happening this month in SF

San Francisco Cruises

One of the top San Francisco events in September is a cruise around the SF Bay. You will find more than a dozen options almost every day of the week.

Top daytime cruises include the 60-minute Bay Cruise, the Escape from the Rock Cruise, and the high speed Rocketboat adventure. You can also head out on a Bridge to Bridge Cruise or a wine tasting.

Our evening cruises are also popular. You can watch the sunset on a relaxing, casual cruise or dress up a bit for one of our dinner cruises. Our happy hour cruises are also popular and offer a few hours of cocktails on the water.

Here are the top picks for September.

60-Minute Bay Cruise: The 60-minute cruise leaves from Fisherman's Wharf and takes you around the SF Bay. You will ride under the Golden Gate Bridge, near Sausalito, around Alcatraz, and return to Fisherman's Wharf. The narration along the way will tell you more about SF and our top attractions. Check for ticket availability.

Sunset Sailing Cruise: In September, the Sunset Sailing Cruise leaves Fisherman's Wharf at 6:30 pm in September. It includes two complimentary beverages, light appetizers, and 1.5 hours on the water. Check for tickets in September.

Additional Cruises You Might Enjoy

Napa & Sonoma Wine Tours

One of my favorite San Francisco events in September is our Northern California wine country tours. You can head north to visit either Napa Valley or Sonoma or both in just one day.

These tours take you to three to five wineries and offer you the chance to take a sneak peak behind the scenes at the wine making process. You will also meet with those in the business and learn all about their wines and the history of these regions.

You can head up on your own, but the best thing about these guided tour is you don't have to worry about who is driving you back to SF. You will be picked up from your hotel, driven throughout one or both of these wine regions, and dropped off where you started.

Most of them are about 8 to 9 hours. If you are short on time, you will also find some great half-day tours too.

These are just a few of my top recommendations.

Napa & Sonoma Full Day Tour: Includes stops at 3 wineries. You will stop at a large winery and a smaller boutique winery, so you can get a feel for how they each create their wines. You will also have a free hour for lunch where you can grab a meal on your own at any place in the historic Sonoma Square or in the heart of Napa Valley. Tasting fees included for all three stops. Additional tastings and lunch not included. Runs daily. Check for availability for September.

Half-Day Tour: This tour will take you to the Carneros region in Sonoma County. It includes a stop at two wineries. You will also have about an hour to explore downtown Sonoma. The tour leaves SF at Noon and is about 5 hours long. Tasting fees at the first place are included and you will need to pay for your tasting at the second location. Check for availability this month.

More SF Bay Area Events

Oakland International Film Festival (9/14 - 9/23): This year marks the 20th anniversary of one of the largest SF Bay Area events in September--the Oakland International Film Festival. You can enjoy a variety of excellent independent works from around the globe at venues all over the East Bay city of Oakland. Attend the screenings, filmmaker panels, networking events, and more to celebrate five days of amazing shorts, documentaries, and feature films created by local and international artists. Find more information on the festival website

Monterey Jazz Festival (9/22 - 9/24): The legendary Monterey Jazz Festival is one of the SF Bay Area events in September that cannot be missed if you are a serious music fan. Over the 60 plus years of this festival, headliners have included Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Regina Carter and many more. With over 500 artists, 100 hours of music and eight different stages, you will be sure to get your fill of music, food, and fun events. The Monterey Jazz Festival always takes place on the third Saturday of September. Find out more and other fun events in Monterey this September.

Oakland Pride (9/9 - 9/10): Come out and show your pride in Oakland at this annual event. Located in downtown Oakland, the parade starts at 10:30 am, while the festival starts at 11 am and ends at 7 pm. Being that this is an all ages event there is a children's carnival area for them to play in and there is even a toddler's zone too. The festival always has a star singer and entertainer for everyone's enjoyment and fun. Last but not least, there is great food and other exhibits that are related to Pride. The parade is free for all to attend but the festival does have a fee.

Belmont Greek Festival (TBD): OPA! One of the classic Labor Day party events in the south bay of San Francisco is the Belmont Greek Festival. Three days of fun, drinking, dancing and the best food around is yours to enjoy at the Church of the Holy Cross. This event features church tours, exhibits that are dedicated to the Greek culture, live music, and even a classic Greek play. If you are looking to pick up some pieces of art for yourself, there is the agora (marketplace) for you to check out. Since this is an all ages festival, there is a kid's zone for the little ones. Visit their site for details.

Santa Cruz Greek Festival (TBD): Santa Cruz is known for the amazing beach, and The Boardwalk, but another reason to visit is their Greek Festival. This two-day event starts on Saturday morning and runs until Sunday night at 7 pm. Located in downtown Santa Cruz, this annual festival has been voted the best street festival in Santa Cruz County. As would be expected, there is more dancing, drinking, eating, exhibits and performances than you could imagine during this festival. If you, or your family, wants to really become a part of the fun, they even have dance lessons for all ages!

Mountain View Art & Wine Festival (9/9 & 9/10): This two-day festival in the heart of Silicon Valley is a celebration of everything related to arts and wines in the south bay. This event brings together over art pieces from 500 of America's best artists. The food is delicious and so varied that there is something for everyone's taste. Not only is there premium wine selections, but many breweries will be in attendance and there will be sangria and cocktails if you would prefer those. There is live music during the weekend, with each day having a special theme to it, and lots of room to dance. If you are a sport's fan, you are in luck, since they have giant TV screens playing NFL football and Major League baseball games during the festival.

Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival (9/16 & 9/17): Another of the SF Bay Area events in September that is always a fun time is the Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival. Set in the heart of Santa Clara's Central Park, this annual event is attended by over 50,000 people each year. Featuring both regional and national artists showing their best art pieces, food from all over the world, wineries and breweries from the local region, you are sure to find everything you'd like to eat, taste and buy. Kids are welcome and there is the much-loved Kid's Kingdom for them to play at during the festival.

Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival (9/16 - 9/17): Located in the picturesque Santa Cruz Mountains the Sol Festival is a three-day festival full of music, food, and enjoyment. Headliners have included acts such as George Clinton & Parliament, Ozomatli, Michael Franti & Spearhead among many others. The event is at Roaring Camp Meadows in Felton, CA.

Solano Avenue Stroll (9/10): For more than 40 years, the Solano Avenue Stroll has been one of the most enjoyable of the SF Bay Area Events in September. Making sure to wear your walking shoes as this event covers over 1 mile of the street and starts with their fun parade on Sunday at 10am. With over 50 food booths, 50 entertainers, and loads more non-profits and artisans, this event has something for everyone. Also make sure to visit the other businesses that are regularly located on Solano Avenue as they have so much to offer and you don't want to miss their wares and specialties. There are also rides and areas for kids. 

Capitola Art & Wine Festival (9/9 & 9/10): The gorgeous beach front city of Capitola is home to this magnificent art and wine festival. This family centered event has over 160 artists and vendors each year and over 22 wineries all located in the Santa Cruz mountain area. Being that Capitola is located ocean side, you will be able to taste some of the best seafood you could ever imagine fresh from the sea. Both days include dance performances, live music, and even a traveling magician to entertain you and the kids. Speaking of kids, there is a special kid's area for them to play around at when you need a break from all the fun.

Pacific Coast Fog Fest (9/23 & 9/24): This longstanding Pacifica tradition takes place on the last full weekend in September (usually that's when this quaint coastal town—known for its fog and its surfers—gets the best weather). Festivities kick off with a parade and marching band competition. Admission is free to the activities along downtown Palmetto Ave. which include arts and crafts booths, live music, family fun, and food stands. Proceeds benefit the local community. 

Summer's End (TBD): Spend a fun filled day of live music, face painting, and other free family-friendly activities in Half Moon Bay. This year's Summer's End is at John Carter Memorial Park and runs from 12 pm to 7 pm. Don't miss it! 

Sausalito Art Festival (Postponed until 2024): This Labor Day weekend, head over to Sausalito, the lovely waterfront town just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, for their annual arts festival. For over 60 years, the community has held this three-day event featuring a wonderful selection of art, music, food and drink. Enjoy live performances by both well known and local bands as you peruse the booths of over 270 artists selling everything from sculptures and paintings to glass, fiber, and wood works. Additional details about the festival.

More Tips to Visit SF in September

What to Wear in September: September is one of the best times to visit San Francisco. It's warm and usually sunny during the day. It then cools off at night making it the perfect weather for a night out on the town. Make sure to bring along layers for your stay in SF as you will find that the temperature can swing up to 10 degrees during the day from one district to the next. You will also find it's even chillier on the water and along the shoreline.

Read my September weather page for more tips on what to pack, what to wear, and a few other fun things to know before you visit. Tips on what to pack and wear in SF in September.

More Things to Do in SF this Month: In addition to the fun San Francisco events in September listed above, there is so much to do this month in the City by the Bay! Take a tour or boat cruise, attend a show, check out the nightlife, and get outside to enjoy SF's beautiful summer weather! Find additional September activities in SF.

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