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Culture

19 fun events in SF this week, from coffee tastings to an Indian wedding dance party

What’s worth checking out? We’ll help you choose.

Walk the Mission for coffee, art, and culture on Mission Loteria’s "Cafecito" tour. | Source: Mission Loteria

Outgoers is a weekly column published in partnership with the event newsletter of the same name founded by Josh Constine. Outgoers texts readers a list of San Francisco events and activities worthy of their time. The Standard features those, plus a few extra, every week. Sign up for Outgoers by clicking this link (opens in new tab) on your phone (a third-party service).

SoMa Nights block party (opens in new tab)

It’s a neighborhood party on Folsom between 7th and 12th, with local businesses and street vendors, plus live music and DJs at the local clubs.

Date and time
Thursday, Aug. 28, 5 to 9 p.m.

Cal Academy NightLife with Souls of Mischief (opens in new tab)

Oakland hip-hop legends Souls of Mischief kick off Hiero Day weekend with a rare live set at Golden Gate Parks Natural History Museum, with bonus workshops on graffiti, beatmaking, and breakdancing.

A large aquarium exhibits fish swimming near the surface, with people viewing them from below. The room is dimly lit, featuring aquatic-themed decor and displays.
Join a special installment of NightLife with the kickoff of Hiero Day weekend. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
Date and time
Thursday, Aug. 28, 6 to 10 p.m.

Flight roulette (opens in new tab)

Meet at SFO for a surrealist travel experiment in which one participant is randomly chosen for a surprise weekend getaway, with the rest designing the trip in real time.

Date and time
Friday, Aug. 29, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Tycho with Brijean (opens in new tab)

The Grammy-nominated Bay Area soundscape producer brings his lush live show to The Midway, with back up from Brijean’s dreamy disco beats.

Date and time
Friday, Aug. 29, 6:30 p.m.

SF Industrial Ball (opens in new tab)

Get your spooky formal wear on and join the cult of dark, pounding industrial music as Death Guild and other crews take over two rooms at the Cat Club.

Date and time
Friday, Aug. 29, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Indie Sleaze Please (opens in new tab)

A glitter-and-grime throwback night of indie rock, electroclash, and bloghouse bangers from LCD Soundsystem, MGMT, and more, for those nostalgic for their hipster heyday.

Date and time
Friday, Aug. 29, 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.

SBTRKT (opens in new tab)

With hits like “Wildfire,” U.K. electronic producer SBTRKT brings creative beats to a SoMa club.

Date and time
Friday, Aug. 29, 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

Puro Sabor after-hours (opens in new tab)

A femme-forward late-night reggaeton and Latin bass takeover booms on a Funktion-One system.

Date and time
Friday, Aug. 29, 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Mission Street ‘Cafecito’ coffee tour (opens in new tab)

Explore the Mission’s murals and culture on this walking tour with tastings at three cafes: Café de Olla, Abanico Coffee Roasters, and Le Dix-Sept Pâtisserie.

Stop by some of the best cafes in the Mission on a walking tour. | Source: Mission Loteria
Date and time
Saturday, Aug. 30, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Second Degree rave (opens in new tab)

Party at a SoMa fundraiser for those displaced by July’s fire at Natoma Street, with local favorites like Bored Lord and Finishher spinning.

Date and time
Saturday, Aug. 30, 2 to 10 p.m.

Hala, Sige Festival (opens in new tab)

This nonprofit indie music and arts festival at Sentro Filipino features mixed-genre local acts curated by SF’s Sonikcute.

Date and time
Saturday, Aug. 30, 6 to 11:30 p.m.

Crash an Indian Wedding party (opens in new tab)

A dazzling dance party featuring bhangra anthems, drummers, dance lessons, henna art, and vibrant performances.

Date and time
Saturday, Aug. 30, 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Techno rave (opens in new tab)

A late-night party from the rave crew known as program, featuring B2B sets with Freeman 713, moth, and more.

Date and time
Saturday, Aug. 30, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Japanese BonPOP Festival (opens in new tab)

A lovely afternoon at the SF Botanical Garden offers taiko drumming, folk music, and Bon Odori dancing in a reimagined Obon Odori festival honoring ancestors.

Gather in Golden Gate Park to honor the ancestors. | Source: KOHO SF
Date and time
Sunday, Aug. 31, 2 to 6 p.m.

R&B and Ribs block party with Ashanti (opens in new tab)

Ashanti and Trey Songz play a Labor Day Sunday party with barbecue vendors aplenty.

Date and time
Sunday, Aug. 31, 2 to 9 p.m.

Melodies of Love (opens in new tab)

A celebration of house, disco, and garage on El Rio’s colorful patio.

Date and time
Sunday, Aug. 31, 3 to 8 p.m.

Il Giro di SF bike race (opens in new tab)

A 49-year Labor Day tradition, this slate of waterfront races turns waterfront Levi’s Plaza into a daylong cycling festival.

Bike the city in the 49th annual Il Giro race. | Source: Il Giro
Date and time
Monday, Sept. 1, 8 a.m.

Hiero Day 2025 (opens in new tab)

Join the annual celebration showcasing a plethora of culture, talent, and a variety of the best local food and crafts available in the greater Bay Area.

Date and time
Monday, Sept. 1, 3 to 9 p.m.

Motown on Mondays (opens in new tab)

Catch one of SF’s most raucous dance parties, with DJs spinning remixes of Motown originals — and this week, you don’t have to go to work first.

Date and time
Monday, Sept. 1, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.