20 Things to Do in San Francisco This Week · May 21–24, 2026

Festivals & Special Events

Carnaval SF 2026

San Francisco's annual two-day Carnaval festival spans 17 blocks in the Mission District with over 400 vendors, 50 local performers, and a massive parade.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 – Sunday, May 24, 2026 · Mission District, San Francisco

Pop-Ups on the Plaza: Juneteenth on the Waterfront

A Juneteenth celebration pop-up at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market featuring food vendors and community programming.

Sunday, June 7, 2026 11:00 AM · Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, San Francisco

Music & Nightlife

Makaya McCraven at SFJAZZ

Genre-defying drummer and producer Makaya McCraven performs a multi-night run at SFJAZZ Center.

Thursday, May 21, 2026 – Sunday, May 24, 2026 · SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco

Mt. Joy 2026: Celebrating 10 Years Of Mt. Joy

Mt. Joy marks a decade of music with a celebratory hometown show at the iconic Fillmore.

Friday, May 22, 2026 · The Fillmore, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco

Inessence Mega Weekender

A multi-venue dance music weekender event spanning Space 550 and Broadway Studios in San Francisco.

Friday, May 22, 2026 8:00 PM · Space 550 & Broadway Studios, San Francisco

Free Events

AAPI Heritage Month SF Downtown Block Party

A free outdoor block party celebrating AAPI Heritage Month in downtown San Francisco featuring Jai Wolf and friends.

Thursday, May 21, 2026 · Downtown San Francisco

Moving San Francisco: SFMTA Photos 1903–Now

A free photography exhibition tracing Muni's history from 1903 to the present at SF City Hall.

Thursday, May 21, 2026 · SF City Hall, North Light Court & Ground Floor, San Francisco

Hip Hop Dance Festival from All The Way Live

All the Way Live Foundation hosts a free outdoor Hip Hop Dance Festival at Fulton Plaza in Civic Center.

Saturday, May 30, 2026 · Fulton Plaza, Civic Center, San Francisco

20s & 30s Creative Minds + Coffee Meetup

A casual Sunday morning meetup for creative young professionals over coffee in San Francisco.

Sunday, May 31, 2026 10:00 AM · San Francisco

Free Pride Comedy Night at Thrive City

A free outdoor Pride comedy festival and cocktail party at Thrive City in front of Chase Center, featuring HBO comedian Akeem Woods and Sister Roma.

Friday, June 5, 2026 · Thrive City, Chase Center, San Francisco

Arts & Culture

Măcelaru Conducts Dvořák's New World at the SF Symphony

The SF Symphony performs Dvořák's beloved New World Symphony under conductor Măcelaru in a weekend run.

Friday, May 22, 2026 – Sunday, May 24, 2026 · SF Symphony, San Francisco

Cole Valley Nights Short Film Festival & Block Party

Cole Valley transforms into a free night market and block party featuring a short-film festival of locally made movies under three minutes, live music, and local food vendors.

Friday, May 22, 2026 4:00 PM · Cole Valley, San Francisco

Design Mentor Night

Cascade SF hosts a Design Mentor Night for experience designers to connect and get guidance from industry professionals.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 5:30 PM · San Francisco

Date Night

Ferry Flicks at Fort Point Beer Garden

An outdoor film screening at the Ferry Building's Fort Point Beer Garden — drinks, waterfront views, and a movie under the stars.

Friday, May 22, 2026 7:00 PM · Ferry Building, San Francisco

Food & Drink

Walking Tour: Bar and Cocktail History

A guided walking tour through downtown SF exploring the city's legendary bar and cocktail history.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 2:30 PM · Landing at Leidesdorff, San Francisco

Family-Friendly

Civic Center Scholastic Chess Tournament at UN Plaza

A low-stakes, high-fun chess tournament in UN Plaza hosted by the Civic Center CBD and the Mechanics Institute.

Sunday, May 31, 2026 10:00 AM · UN Plaza, Civic Center, San Francisco

Coastal Mom Movement: Mommy + Me Movement Class

A low-impact workout class for mamas of all stages — pregnant, postpartum, and beyond — followed by coffee, matcha, giveaways, and mom chat.

Friday, June 5, 2026 12:00 PM · 910 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco

Outdoors & Active

Walking Tour: Cityscapes & Public Spaces

A guided walking tour exploring downtown SF's cityscapes and public spaces.

Friday, May 22, 2026 10:30 AM · Montgomery Street, San Francisco

We're Not Really Runners SF

A welcoming weekly group run (or walk) with multiple route options followed by a post-run social outing.

Saturday, May 23, 2026 9:30 AM · Tadaima Mission, 20th Street, San Francisco

Golden Hour Picnic

A community golden hour picnic in San Francisco hosted by Gist IRL for making new friends in the city.

Sunday, June 7, 2026 5:00 PM · San Francisco