Fleet Week continues with daily band concerts across the city and, of course, the airshow, and an event at the Exploratorium where you can meet the Snowbird pilots (and more). There’s also some jazz, a compelling performance of Led Zeppelin music, Litquake, an art walk, a dumpling festival, that big parade in North Beach, and other ways to spend your week. Read on.
Thursday, Oct. 9
After Dark, the Exploratorium’s monthly event for adults 18 and older, has a packed evening planned, featuring Dancing in the Sky, a performance from Earth Circus, a storytelling cabaret with KQED, a meet-and-greet with the Canadian Snowbirds, a short film about starling murmuration, and more. 6–10 p.m. Tickets: $23.
Litquake, the city’s annual literary festival of readings, screenings, discussions, and more, opens tonight with (no so) Guilty Pleasures, and you’re invited to celebrate the books you’d never admit to reading. When you buy your ticket, include your dark literary indulgence, and comedian Natasha Muse will perform a custom set based on your answers. (Daily events are planned through Oct. 25, so be sure to check the festival schedule.) Tickets: $55 and change.
Friday, Oct. 10
The Fleet Week Air Show starts today (11:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.), following the Parade of Ships (10:30/11 a.m. to noon). (Airshow starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.) Free viewing.
Tonight is the last night of the season to enjoy the community spirit and culinary delights of the Chinatown Night Market. Stroll the street under the festive red lanterns while you eat, drink, shop, and support the merchants. 5:30 to 9 p.m. (The 1st Marine Division Band will play from 6 to 7:30 p.m.) Grant Avenue (at Sacramento Street). Free admission.
Rock ’n roll meets classic when The San Francisco Conservatory of Music will perform Music of Led Zeppelin with vocalist Justin Sargent in a two-hour, 18-song setlist. 7 p.m. at the Curran Theatre. Tickets from $84 and change.
Saturday, Oct. 11
12th Annual More Than Two Blocks of Art: Site and Sound features over two blocks of art on Market Street from Fifth to Seventh streets with over 20 art exhibitions celebrating creativity, uniting musicians, D.J.s, and radio stations with painters, illustrators, and sculptors. Art walk map here. Free admission, but you may get a free drink ticket if you RSVP.
Sunday, Oct. 12
Attention all dumpling lovers: The World of Dumplings will feature dumplings from around the world, including wontons, gyozas, momos (Nepal), manties (Turkey), ravioli, and empanadas from over 20 restaurant vendors. Also enjoy live music, a beer garden, cooking demos, trivia, cultural performances, and family fun. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ferry Building. Free admission; RSVP required for activities.
Who doesn’t love North Beach? Head over to the 157th (that’s since 1868 for reference) Italian Heritage Festival Parade, celebrating Italian culture with floats, bands, vintage cars, and performances, including the 1st Marine Division and Navy Band Southwest Ceremonial Band as part of Fleet Week. 12:30 p.m. at Jefferson and Powell streets in Fisherman’s Wharf; ends at Washington Square. Free admission.
Monday, Oct. 13
The 1st Marine Division Ceremonial Band will perform at the High School Band Challenge. Competing high school bands will seek to take home a cash prize donated by the Fleet Week Association. The Marine Corps band showcases opportunities available for high school students who may wish to pursue music in the corps. 9 a.m. to noon. at the Golden Gate Park Band Shell. Free admission.
With their French cafe music of swing jazz, waltzes, and musette, Bistro Moustache will transport you to a Parisian cafe, maybe where we all want to be right now. 5–8 p.m. at Scopo Divino (check out their happy hour menu and wine list). No cover.
Tuesday, Oct. 14
Featuring a global and intergenerational group of artists, Unbound: Art, Blackness & the Universe explores the intersections of Blackness and the cosmos. The multimedia exhibition invites visitors to wonder: What else can Blackness be? What if we approached Blackness with the same wonder we bring to the universe? Tuesday through Sunday through Aug. 16, 2026 at MOAD. Tickets from $7.
It will be a busy time out there in the coming days, so enjoy, be safe, and be nice.
