Enjoy light installations, outdoor festivals, a celebration of everyone’s favorite entertainer, an indoor film festival, art exhibition openings, and more, including one stately visitor docked at the waterfront.
Thursday, Sept. 24
Only two nights remain of Illuminate’s Grace Window, a stunning laser light installation that projects 720-foot light beams from the Fairmont roof directly through Grace Cathedral’s Rose Window. Sunset to sunrise through Friday; Grace Cathedral is open 8 p.m. to midnight with live music, and the lasers are orchestrated to respond to the music in real time. Free viewing.
The three-masted, 297-foot Mexican Navy training ship, Cuauhtémoc, sailed under the Gate yesterday for the first time in 17 years. The ship travels the world to share Mexican culture and history. Tours 10 a.m. to noon and 4 to 8 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; departure 10 a.m. after a “farewell at the dock” at 9: 30 a.m. Sunday, Piers 15–17.
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The San Francisco Film Preserve’s Re: Vision Festival of Restoration and Rediscovery, celebrating the work of archives and archivists “across decades, borders, and genre,” opens today with My Name Ain’t Suzie. Each of the 14 featured films is paired with a short. 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets from $20; festival passes also available.
Friday, Sept. 25
Today is Dolly Day! This celebration of Dolly Parton’s life will honor her generosity, creativity, joy, and, of course, her music. Y’all are encouraged to wear your cowboy hats, bling, fringe, big hair, “and all other forms of self-expression.” Noon to 3 p.m. in Union Square. Free admission.
The Sunset Night Market: Autumn Moon Festival spans seven blocks and features art and retail vendors, a wide variety of food vendors, mooncakes, lanterns, music, cultural performances, and more. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Irving Street (between 19th and 26th avenues). Free.
Courtesy YBCA
You’re invited to an opening night celebration of two exhibitions: Dread Scott: The Body Politic and Rael San Fratello: Prototypes and Provocations. Meet the artists and curator, enjoy cocktails, and dance to tunes spun by DJ afsoos. Gallery 1 and 2 at YBCA. 6 to 9 p.m. Free with RSVP.
Saturday, Sept. 26
Discover engineering in action at Engineering Day, a family-friendly celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math. Meet engineers and scientists, build bridges and water filters, and explore the many ways engineering shapes the world around us. The day also includes the launch of the WindBorne long-duration weather balloon from the Fog Bridge into the stratosphere. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Exploratorium. Free with museum admission (from $30).
The Chuseok Festival, a celebration of Korea’s harvest festival, features Korean food and drink, music, community, culture, live performances, traditional games, local Korean artists and businesses, games, and activities for all. Pups welcome. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Presidio Main Parade Lawn, Free; reserve here.
Enjoy a magical afternoon of circus performances by members of Circus Bella, food, family fun, face painting, and more, like free popcorn and cotton candy. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Mark’s Square. Free admission; RSVP here.
Sunday, Sept. 27
KALW is inviting you to a housewarming and grand opening of Warfield Commons, a reimagined multistory “hub for arts, media, culture, and civic engagement designed to activate community and amplify the stories of the Bay Area and beyond.” Enjoy live performances including music, a puppet show for the kiddos, culinary arts, building tours, artist activations, and more. Noon to 5 p.m. at Warfield Commons. Free admission; RSVP here.
Notable next week
Monday, Sept.28
Take an evening stroll down Market Street to see the giant 95-foot-high by 46-foot-wide digital artwork projected on the Humboldt Bank Building, a collaboration among Yerba Buena Partnership, SFMOMA, the Museum of the African Diaspora, and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. The inaugural projection is Jennifer Steinkamp’s It’s a nice day for a white wedding (2008), from SFMOMA’s collection, and inspired by Billy Idol’s “White Wedding.” Additional projections, designed as a welcome sign to the Yerba Buena arts district, are planned in 2027. Twilight to 10 p.m. through late November. Free viewing.
Enjoy your out and abouting, and remember to be safe and kind.
