Outgoers is a weekly column published in partnership with the event newsletter of the same name founded by Josh Constine. Each week, Outgoers texts readers a list of San Francisco events and activities worthy of their time. The Standard features those events, plus a few extra, every week. Sign up for Outgoers by clicking this link (opens in new tab) on your phone.
Gush dance festival
The festival by Joe Goode Performance Group offers premieres of new works and selections from past favorites.
- Date and time
- Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 10-12, 8 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 13, 3 p.m.
Fleet Week Parade of Ships
Watch the West Coast’s largest procession of Navy ships sail through the bay, led by the SF Fire Department boat making rainbows with its water jets.
- Date and time
- Friday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Fleet Week air show with the Blue Angels
See F22s, parachuters, and dozens of low-flying aircraft at this annual air show over the bay, with the Blue Angels performing at 3 p.m.
- Date and time
- Friday, Oct. 11, 12:45 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 12-13, 12:30 p.m.
Chinatown Night Market
Grant Avenue fills with food vendors, traditional music, DJs, and lion dance performances at this lively street festival.
- Date and time
- Friday, Oct. 11, 5:30-9 p.m.
The Grotto rave
Dress in black and green for Cave Rave’s latest warehouse trap and techno after-hours party.
- Date and time
- Friday, Oct. 11, 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Electric Fields
Justin Martin of the famous Dirtybird house-music crew headlines SF Live’s free (with RSVP) mini-festival, with lighting by arts group Illuminate, at the Golden Gate Bandshell.
- Date and time
- Saturday, Oct. 12, 2-6 p.m.
76th Grand National Rodeo
Bull riding, steer wrestling, bareback riding, team roping, and more, plus western-themed food and shopping — in other words, what the Cow Palace was built for in 1941.
- Date and time
- Friday-Saturday, Oct. 11-12, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Inspiritus mime theater
Be amazed and beguiled by this mix of traditional French and modern American mime arts, part of FlopFest.
- Website
- FlopFest (opens in new tab)
- Date and time
- Friday-Sunday, Oct. 11-13, 7:30 p.m.
World of Dumplings festival
At this street-food party, get your fill of ravioli, momo, gyoza, wontons, and more.
- Date and time
- Saturday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tenderloin Family Fall Fest in Little Saigon
Larkin Street closes for this autumnal gathering featuring ponies, painting, a bounce house, and games.
- Date and time
- Saturday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Drunk Theatre’s ‘Nightmare on Valencia St.’ comedy show
What happens when comedians take five shots of whiskey and improvise? The results are hilarious at this acclaimed show — this time, with a spooky twist.
- Date and time
- Saturday, Oct. 12, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Electronica with Rival Consoles
The masters of pulsing soundscapes play at the futuristic art gallery Gray Area, with its epic lighting rig.
- Website
- Gray Area (opens in new tab)
- Date and time
- Saturday, Oct. 12, 8 p.m.
Kiesza concert
With a billion streams of “Hideaway,” Kiesza ruled the 2010s and collaborated with Deadmau5 and Diplo. Now she’s playing the intimate DNA Lounge.
- Website
- Popscene (opens in new tab)
- Date and time
- Saturday, Oct. 12, 9 p.m.
Burning Man Decompression
Sound camps, art installations, and all manners of costumed weirdos will fill the Potrero streets Sunday.
- Date and time
- Sunday, Oct. 13, noon to midnight
Levant Street block party in Corona Heights
Music, vendors, games, and more line the streets of one of SF’s prettiest and most under-hyped neighborhoods.
- Date and time
- Sunday, Oct. 13, 12-6 p.m.
Talk with sci-fi master Neal Stephenson
The novelist discusses his new book, “Polostan,” about espionage in the atomic age.
- Date and time
- Wednesday, Oct. 16, 7-8:30 p.m.
Atlas Genius with Robert Delong
The indie rockers take the stage at the Independent with opening act Delong, who makes music with video game controllers, motion sensors, and drums.
- Date and time
- Wednesday, Oct. 16, 8 p.m.
Indigenous People’s Day in Yerba Buena
Native American dancers, singers, drummers, and vendors fill SoMa’s waterfall-studded park.
- Date and time
- Monday, Oct. 14, at noon
Motown on Mondays dance party
SF’s best Monday-night party sees DJs remix soulful oldies with modern beats as crowds rejoice at Madrone Art Bar.
- Date and time
- Monday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m.-2 a.m.
Larry David: In conversation with the ‘Seinfeld’ creator
The comedic legend and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star appears at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium to discuss how he made some of TV’s funniest shows.
- Date and time
- Monday, Oct. 14, at 7:30pm
Updated on Friday, Oct. 11 with three more activities.