It’s a full three-day weekend ahead to enjoy from a Memorial Day commemoration to night markets, street fairs, free community days, and more. Read on for some ideas.
Thursday, May 21
Sunset Mercantile presents Cole Valley Nights: Cinema in the Valley, the inaugural Cole Valley All-Ages Short Film Fest with the theme “Summer Thrillers.” 4 to 9 p.m. at Cole Street between Carl and Parnassus streets. Free admission; reserve a spot here.
LionDanceMe will perform at tonight’s Third Thursdays on Treat, which will celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Also on the lineup is a D.J. set by Kendo, local vendors, a candle-making class, and more, like food from the popular Senior Sisig food truck. 5 p.m. at Treat Cut. Free admission.
Hear José Andrés, the World Central Kitchen founder and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs. 7:30 p.m. at the Sydney Goldstein Theater. Tickets from $54.
Friday, May 22
A new exhibition is opening today at the California Academy of Sciences: Vivid: Immerse Your Senses, a first-of-its-kind multisensory experience that renders six unique ecosystems in larger-than-life detail through ultra-“high-resolution video projections, ambient soundscapes, and nature-inspired scents” to create a transportive, full-body journey through some of Earth’s most mysterious realms. That means you can experience what it’s like to swim with sperm whales, and other realms, including smell nature-inspired scents, and have interactive animal avatars as guides. Tickets from $39.
FoodieLand Night Market, inspired by Asia’s open-air night markets, is an outdoor, family-friendly food festival featuring 175 vendors representing foods and flavors from around the world, along with entertainment, live music, and more. 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Sunday at the Cow Palace. Tickets: $12.
Celebrate Harvey Milk Day and gather outside of Queer Arts Featured art gallery, previously Harvey Milk’s camera shop, with music and speakers, and join a procession to Jane Warner Plaza. Free admission.
Saturday, May 23
Carnaval S.F takes over 17 blocks of the Mission District today with five main stages and five D.J. block parties, 50 local performing artists, and 400 vendors, plus a grand parade (Sunday) led by Brazilian soccer legend Romário Ku broadcast live on kpix.com. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday. Visit the link above for a schedule of events. Free admission.
Sunday, May 24
Today is a Free Community Day at SFMOMA. Visitors will have full access to the entire museum, including the new special exhibition, Matisse’s Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal.
And tonight is the Opening Party of the 4th Annual San Francisco AAPI Cocktail Week, celebrating AAPI bars, bartenders, and community. This year’s theme is “Spice Routes,” highlighting ingredients and flavors of AAPI cultures and regions. Tonight will feature Bangkok’s Bar Us and Kuala Lumpur’s Penrose and includes cigar rolling and bites from The Happy Crane. 6 to 10 p.m. at Pacific Cocktail Haven. Tickets: $162; passes available.
Notable next week
Monday, May 25
Today is National Parks Day, so head over to Muir Woods or down to the Maritime National Historical Park at the Hyde Street Pier to tour the historic vessels — admission will be free.
The Presidio will host its 159th Memorial Day Commemoration to honor those who have died while serving in the U.S. armed forces. The program will include a rifle volley, musical performances, and distinguished speakers. Following the ceremony, there will be a meditative piano concert with Alla Gladysheva at the Interfaith Center. 10:30 a.m. to noon at the San Francisco National Cemetery. Free admission.
Tuesday, May 26
Presidio Pop-up returns today, with an expanded lineup of diverse food vendors for visitors (roster of vendors and their schedules is here). Through May, enjoy a colorful ground mural by Presidio Activator alum, artist, and activist Favianna Rodriguez, which “centers the park’s flowers, leaves, and insects, and reminds viewers that food begins with flowers.” 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekends through October at the Presidio Tunnel Tops.
Enjoy whatever you do in the next several days, just be safe and kind.
