Though it seems unlikely that the scorching, summer-like heat will linger through the weekend, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get out of the house to see what San Francisco is up to. For those who can’t get enough ghouls and ghosts in the run-up to Halloween, there’s a seat at a spooky nighttime movie at McLaren Park with your name on it. Get your street fair fix for the weekend in Potrero Hill, and read on for more recommendations.
1. Sundown Cinema in McLaren Park
🗓️ Friday | 5-8 p.m.
📍 Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, McLaren Park
🔗 sanfranciscoparksalliance.org
Between corn mazes, haunted tours and the eagerly anticipated return of Halloween festivities in the Castro, spooky season is in full swing in the Bay Area. Feel the chills run down your spine and prove you ain’t afraid of no ghosts as you venture into McLaren Park this Friday evening for an outdoor screening of Ghostbusters (1984). The film starts around 6:30 p.m., but there are food and drink vendors to peruse beforehand as the sun sets, plus pre-show entertainment including a costume contest for extra-spirited guests. Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, where the show is screened, has limited bench seating—and the weather can be unforgivingly brisk—so make sure you have plenty of blankets and sweaters in tow.
2. Neighborhood Garage Sale in Portola
🗓️ Saturday | 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
📍 Various locations, Portola neighborhood
🔗 portolasf.org
You never know whose trash may be your treasured find of the weekend. Stop by the Portola neighborhood for a community garage sale, where over 40 neighbors lay out their used clothing, furniture, housewares and collectibles for patient hands to pick through. Whether you’re pulling together your Halloween costume or seeking the perfect piece of decor to adorn your home, keep your eyes peeled, as you’re bound to stumble across something worth haggling for.
3. Civic Pride Festival in the Financial District
🗓️ Saturday | 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
📍 The Crossing at East Cut
🔗 eventbrite.com
In the face of citywide challenges, the San Francisco Civic Pride Festival aims to be a glimmer of positivity for community members–an ode to the city’s vibrant and resilient spirit. Shop local businesses, indulge in snacks from an eclectic sprawl of local food trucks and see live music from a surprise up-and-coming artist as well as other cultural performances throughout the afternoon. As a nod to the city’s love of public art, the arts-based nonprofit Paint the Void and Together SF teamed up to create 11 murals throughout the course of the event, each one representing a San Francisco district. SF-based artists will draw out the blueprints to each mural in their distinct style, and then volunteers can come in afterward to fill in the colors–think of it like a large-scale community paint-by-numbers.
4. Potrero Hill Festival in Potrero Hill
🗓️ Saturday | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
📍 20th Street between Wisconsin and Missouri streets
🔗 potrerofestival.com
Rebranded as the Potrero Hill Rhythm and Blues Festival this year, the event features a full day of live music on top of typical street fair fun. Taking advantage of the Potrero community outdoors, the festival stretches over four blocks on 20th Street. Whether you live down the block or across the bridge, it’s an opportunity to get to know the neighborhood a little better and interact with local organizations and businesses.
5. Shipyard Open Studios in Hunters Point
🗓️ Saturday-Sunday | 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
📍 Hunters Point Shipyard, Islais Creek Studios
🔗 shipyardartists.com
🎟️ Free-$25
Over 300 visual artists, musicians, writers and small businesses make up the Hunters Point Shipyard community. This weekend, get a deeper insight into the creative processes of these local artists as over 130 shipyard tenants open up their studios to the public—you can even buy a piece right then and there if something catches your eye. Across the two-day event, you can also take a history tour to learn about the shipyard’s past–though this activity costs extra. There is also live jazz to set the ambience and local food from culinary collective Ujamaa Kitchen.