Events
Craft Comedy Outdoors: Best of the East Bay
July 1. Have a laugh this weekend at Federation Brewing in Oakland. See comics from Conan, Late Night, Sketchfest, Punchline and Comedy Central. Award-winning beer from Federation Brewing and food from local vendors. 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets available for four at a table ($60), tickets for two together ($30) or park bench tickets for two ($30). 420 3rd St., Oakland. Tickets
Jessie Street Block Party
July 2. Come hang out with Westfield San Francisco Centre at the Jessie Street Block Party, a new music, dining and arts venue. The free event features live music from pop artist Michelle Lambert and DJs; mural painting by Jaz Miyahgi; food and fare by Executive Order Bar & Lounge and the Cavalier Restaurant; giveaways; and more. 4-10 p.m. 868 Mission St. westfield.com
Original 1925 Parkway Theater Ghost Tour
July 3-4. The Parkway Theater was originally built in 1925 and has sat empty and neglected for the past 12 years—but work is now underway to give it a new lease on life as a cannabis consumption complex. If you want to take a look at the renovations so far, behind the scenes tours of the theater are now available. Warning: haunted. Ages 21+ or 18+ with medical card. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland, 510.879.6708. ivyhillcannabis.com
Fourth of July
50th Half Moon Bay Fourth of July Parade
July 4. Half Moon Bay’s Ol’ Fashioned Fourth of July Parade is back on with plans to make an even bigger bang. Prepare for a music-driven community street festival to bookend the parade, craft beer from Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, refreshing wine from Half Moon Bay Winery, specialty cocktails from the master mixologists at Craft Bar Services, hand-crafted fermented Dr. Hops Hard Kombucha and more. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Main St. july4th.miramarevents.com
Thrive City Block Party and Fourth of July Weekend Celebration
July 4. Celebrate the holiday weekend as the Warriors host the Thrive City Block Party, presented by Chase at Thrive City, in the plaza surrounding Chase Center in Mission Bay. Visitors to the Thrive City Block Party will enjoy two full days of local food vendors, live entertainment, beer gardens and family-friendly activations—including a kids zone and a gaming lounge. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 1 Warriors Way. chasecenter.com
San Francisco Fourth of July Fireworks
July 4. After a year off during COVID, Mayor London Breed announced that San Francisco’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show is back on for 2021. Enjoy fireworks along the waterfront, activities all day around Fisherman’s Wharf, and a ferry ride around the bay. Find your own spot to view the fireworks at locations including Angel or Treasure Island, Bernal Heights Park, Twin Peaks or the Berkeley Marina. 9:30 p.m. Free. Pier 39 and Aquatic Park.
Food + Drink
SPONSORED
Ghirardelli Square
July 2, 4. Start the long weekend with some local blooms and live music at Ghirardelli Square! Poppy the Flower Truck (pictured) will be popping up in Fountain Plaza Friday from noon to 4 p.m., followed by live music until 6 p.m. Continue the fun with SugarBeast in SF Brewing Co.’s beer garden on Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. Cheers! 900 North Point St. ghirardellisq.com
Ernest San Francisco
Open. Get ready for a new dining experience by Brandon Rice, the chef de cuisine for over five years at Rich Table. Experience a market-driven menu with intense global flavors that reflects the way that Rice loves to eat—fun and approachable, yet refined. Grab a beer and a snack at the bar or taste your way through the menu of raw bar and snacks, vegetables and mains. You can order off the seasonally-changing menu, or try the $95 chef’s choice prix-fixe set. W-Su 5-9:30 p.m. 1890 Bryant St. ernestsf.com
Arts + Culture
The Exploratorium
Reopens July 1. After more than 15 months of closure, The Exploratorium is finally reopening! Get the family together to check this public learning laboratory exploring the world through science, art and human perception. Timed tickets for members and the general public will be available in advance on the Exploratorium’s website. W-Sa 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Th (ages 18+) 6-10 p.m., Su noon-5 p.m. $29.95. Pier 15, Embarcadero at Green St., 415.528.4444. exploratorium.edu
SFMOMA Free Entry for Bay Area Residents
July 1. All residents of the nine Bay Area counties are invited to spend an evening at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). On the first Thursday of every month, Bay Area residents can enjoy SFMOMA’s galleries filled with lively and inspiring art—for free. 4-8 p.m. 151 Third St., 415.357.4000. sfmoma.org | Tickets
South First Fridays Art Walk
July 2. Join an eclectic evening of arts and culture in downtown San Jose’s SoFA district every first Friday of the month. Check out nearly 20 galleries, shops, bars and even a yoga studio participating in the free monthly art walk. Masks required. 5-9 p.m. Free. South First Street and William Street, San Jose. southfirstfridays.com
Cirque Oui-Et Improvised Circus at Stage Werx Theatre
July 3. The worlds of traditional circus and improvisational theater collide explosively in a new kind of never-before-seen theatrical experience. Merging the experimental nature of improvisational theater with the thrill of a one-ring circus, Cirque Out-Et combines feats of derring-do and athleticism with an unscripted narrative to give the audience a view of not just the ring but of the roustabouts behind the scenes who bring a circus show to life. 8-9 p.m. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. 446 Valencia St. Tickets
Photo credits: Jessie Street Block Party, Westfield website. Ivy Hill Cannabis, Facebook. Half Moon Bay Ol’ Fashioned 4th of July Parade, Facebook. Thrive City, Chase Center website. S.F. Fireworks, Cedric Letsch via Unsplash. Ernest San Francisco, Facebook. Federation Brewing, Facebook. South First Fridays, Facebook. Stage Werx Theatr, website. All other images are courtesy of the venues.
