Take in the views of the Oakland Estuary and relax with fabulous free music as the Soundwaves music series returns to Jack London Square on the Oakland waterfront.
Published: October, 2016
JLS Soundwaves
Take in the views of the Oakland Estuary and relax with fabulous free music as the Soundwaves music series returns to Jack London Square on the Oakland waterfront. Locals and visitors are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair for festive Sunday afternoons of fabulous music including high-energy blues and bluegrass from Dirty Cello on October 2; Afro-Latin funk from Sang Matiz on October 9; and jazz hip-hop funk from Kev Choice on October 16. Musicgoers are invited to shop the farmer’s market and grab a late lunch at one of Jack London Square’s delicious waterfront restaurants before Soundwaves shows from 3 to 5 p.m. to make a day of the event. Visitors can bike, ferry, BART or drive to Jack London Square. For more information, visit www.jacklondonsquare.com.
Castro Street Fair
Head over to the Castro district on Sunday, October 2 to celebrate the 43rd anniversary of the Castro Street Fair. This fun S.F. festival features mouth-watering gourmet food, live music performers from around the world and plenty of dancing in the streets. Founded by the original “Mayor of the Castro,” Harvey Milk, this local tradition celebrates the LGBT community. It’s a time when everyone comes together and enjoys the diversity within the city. This lively event is held the first Sunday in October from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the intersection of Market and Castro. Here you will find two live music stages, two “dance alleys,” and Kink Karnival Way.
Fleet Week Cruise
The SS Jeremiah O’Brien’s annual San Francisco Fleet Week cruise is coming up on Saturday and Sunday October 8 and 9, sailing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. The O’Brien participates with the S.F. Fleet Week Cruise around San Francisco Bay where she will tour out under the Golden Gate Bridge, around Alcatraz, the Bay Bridge, along the San Francisco waterfront to view the visiting Navy ships, and the air show featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Live music is provided by Natural Gas Jazz Band on Saturday and the Las Galinas Valley Sanitary District Non-Marching Band on Sunday. Food and drink is provided with your ticket: continental breakfast by Tommy’s Donuts, hot dog lunch by Annie’s Hot Dogs, and ice cream dessert by It’s-It Ice Cream. Beverages like water, soda, beer and wine are also provided. Tickets are $165 for all passengers on Saturday. On Sunday, tickets are $140 for adults and $85 for children ages 5-16, or $375 for a family of two adults and two children. Boarding is at 9 a.m. For more information or to order tickets, visit www.ssjeremiahobrien.org.
Tall Ship Returns
Lady Washington, the official ship of Washington State, returns to Jack London Square October 5. The 112-foot wooden brig will take guests on a five-hour cruise October 8 and 9 to view the U.S. Navy Blue Angels from the perfect vantage point, San Francisco Bay. It will remain in Oakland through October 18 with walk-on tours available for a $5 donation. There will also be an adventure sail on Sunday, October 16 from 2 to 5 p.m. Tickets for all sailings are available at historicalseaport.org or by calling (800) 200-5239.
Italian Heritage Parade
The Italian Heritage Parade in San Francisco is the city’s oldest civic event. It’s also the nation’s oldest Italian American Parade, dating back to 1868. This annual event is part of the Columbus Day celebration. It starts in Fisherman’s Wharf and makes its way from block to block until it reaches North Beach. This area is also known as Little Italy. The parade begins at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 9 at the corner of Jefferson and Stockton. It heads straight down Jefferson and turns south at Leavenworth for two blocks. It then turns again at Columbus and makes its final turn on Vallejo. Finally it circles back to Washington Square Park for the small, family-friendly festival.
Treasure Island Music Festival
This popular annual music festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year on October 15-16. It takes place on Treasure Island and, with two full days of incredible music, you will get the chance to see 26 bands. Traditionally the festival has hosted top emerging artists who then went on to become huge hitmakers. This year’s headliners include Sigur Ros, Ice Cube, James Blake, Purity Ring, and Zhu. For more information and tickets, visit treasureislandfestival.com.
Bay Gala Under the Sea
Join bay.org from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday, October 21 under the Bay for an evening of fanciful cocktails, sustainable seafood, and an eclectic array of music at the 2016 San Francisco Bay Gala. The San Francisco Bay Gala is the city’s biggest party celebrating the Bay and the stellar beauty of our local ecosystems. This chic event supports bay.org’s efforts to keep our Bay harmoniously balanced. The gala will be held among river otters, sharks and 20,000 other fish at Aquarium of the Bay on Pier 39, which will transform into a musical utopia with themed rooms, live music, dancing and more. Show off your haute side and rock out with us as we work to protect San Francisco Bay. For more information, visit www.sfbaygala.org.
Boo! Bark, Brews & Bites
On Saturday, October 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., pets and their humans are invited to enjoy a Halloween celebration on the Oakland waterfront with tricks, treats, frights and delights! The Boo! Bark, Brews + Bites festivities will fill Jack London Square with paw painting for pups, pet pampering, a pet psychic, pooch photo booths, doggy treats and more! From ghouls to ghosts, four-legged friends are also invited to participate in a canine costume contest to show off their Halloween spirit! Restaurants will offer Halloween specials at Boo! Bark, Brews + Bites, and pets are welcome to restaurants with outdoor dining year round. Also, bring your dog to a special doggie walk-in movie screening of Best In Show on Friday evening at 6 p.m. Visitors can bike, ferry or drive to Jack London Square. For more information, visit www.jacklondonsquare.com.
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