From a closing-night residency that's already legendary to Formula 1 cars screaming through your neighborhood for free, this weekend delivers peak San Francisco chaos in the best possible way.
Look, I've lived through a lot of ridiculous SF weekends, but this one? This one might actually break me. You've got Sam Smith closing out a historic residency at a newly reopened landmark theater, Red Bull literally shutting down a street to do F1 donuts, Noise Pop in full swing across every venue that matters, the Chinese New Year Parade taking over Chinatown, and somehow the Warriors are also playing. Good luck picking just one thing.
SF Beer Week is also officially underway (because of course it is), Dianne Reeves is holding court at SFJAZZ for three nights, and Los Tigres del Norte are bringing one of the biggest Mexican acts in history to Chase Center. Oh, and Steve Aoki's celebrating 30 years of Dim Mak by turning Bill Graham into a bass cathedral. I genuinely don't know where to start.
Here's my curated list of what actually deserves your time this weekend. Everything has been verified, cross-checked, and personally vetted. A few AllEvents listings had wrong dates (Boston Celtics game was Thursday, Ottmar Liebert is Monday), so I've corrected those and focused on what's actually happening Friday through Sunday. Grab your calendar. You can browse more events and save your favorites on AllEvents.
How this list works: Events are organized by when they're happening. Each listing includes the what, why, who, when, and practical details you need. If I think something is skippable, I'll tell you.
What: Formula 1 cars tearing through the streets of Marina Boulevard in a free public demonstration event, presented by Ford. This is Red Bull Racing bringing actual F1 machinery to San Francisco for the first time.
Why go: When was the last time you saw an F1 car doing donuts outside Safeway? The sound alone will rattle your fillings from three blocks away, and the spectacle of watching million-dollar racing machines navigate city streets is genuinely surreal. Free events don't get much bigger than this.
Who it's for: Car enthusiasts, families with kids who love anything loud and fast, Instagram content creators, anyone who's ever wanted to experience F1 energy without flying to Monaco. Honestly, anyone who can handle crowds and wants a wild story.
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
What: The closing night of Sam Smith's historic eight-night residency at the newly restored Castro Theatre. This intimate engagement marks the iconic venue's grand reopening, and Sam Smith hand-selected SF as one of only two cities for this exclusive run.
Why go: This isn't just a concert, it's a moment. The Castro has been closed for extensive renovations, and reopening it with Sam Smith feels appropriately monumental. The venue's acoustics in that room, that artist's voice, and the emotional weight of what this theater means to the LGBTQ+ community? Bring tissues.
Who it's for: Sam Smith devotees, Castro Theatre nostalgists, anyone who appreciates a truly intimate show with a global superstar, and people who understand that some performances are about more than just the music.
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 8:00 PM (doors at 7:00 PM)
What: The legendary norteño group brings their massive "La Lotería Tour" to Chase Center. With over 50 years of history, countless Grammys, and a catalog that essentially defines regional Mexican music, this is an institution performing at peak power.
Why go: Los Tigres del Norte don't just play concerts, they lead communal experiences. Their songs about immigration, working-class life, and social justice have made them icons beyond music, and their live shows are absolute celebrations. This is heritage, history, and incredible musicianship in one night.
Who it's for: Fans of regional Mexican music, anyone who grew up hearing Los Tigres at family gatherings, people who appreciate artists with genuine cultural significance, and music lovers who want to experience one of the most important Latin American acts ever.
When: Friday, February 20, 2026, 8:00 PM
What: The kickoff celebration for SF Beer Week, hosted by the Bay Area Brewers Guild at the stunning Salesforce Park rooftop. Dozens of local breweries pour their best, live music plays, and you drink craft beer 70 feet above street level with the skyline glittering around you.
Why go: It's the single best day of SF Beer Week concentrated into one afternoon. Instead of hopping between taprooms, you get them all in one gorgeous setting. The Salesforce Park venue is underrated as a party space, and the breweries bring special releases you won't find elsewhere.
Who it's for: Craft beer enthusiasts, people who want to support local breweries, anyone looking for a daytime weekend activity with excellent vibes, and friends groups who can never agree on which brewery to visit.
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM (VIP starts at noon, GA at 1:30 PM)
What: One of the largest Chinese New Year celebrations outside of Asia, featuring elaborate floats, lion dancers, firecrackers, marching bands, and the famous 268-foot Golden Dragon. The parade winds through Chinatown and downtown in a spectacle that's been running since the 1860s.
Why go: There's genuinely nothing else like it in North America. The scale is staggering, the cultural displays are beautiful, and the atmosphere is pure joy. It's Year of the Horse, and SF's Chinatown knows how to celebrate properly.
Who it's for: Everyone. Seriously. Families, couples, solo wanderers, tourists, locals who've never bothered to go, people who love parades, people who hate parades but love fireworks, photographers, foodies who want to hit dim sum after.
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 5:00 PM
What: Steve Aoki celebrates 30 years of his Dim Mak label with a massive show at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Timmy Trumpet and Riot Ten are direct support, meaning this is three hours of relentless EDM energy.
Why go: Aoki's live shows are pure spectacle, complete with the infamous cake-throwing and rafting on the crowd. Bill Graham's standing-room floor is perfect for this kind of controlled chaos, and the sound system absolutely rips. Thirty years of Dim Mak means the setlist will dig deep.
Who it's for: EDM fans, people who need to dance off the work week, Aoki loyalists, anyone who appreciates over-the-top stage production, and folks who can handle being on their feet for hours.
When: Friday, February 20, 2026, 7:00 PM
What: Three nights with the most decorated vocalist in jazz history. Dianne Reeves, five-time Grammy winner and NEA Jazz Master, performs at SFJAZZ's Miner Auditorium with her band in what promises to be the vocal performance of the season.
Why go: Reeves doesn't just sing, she inhabits music. Her voice is an instrument of supernatural flexibility, and watching her work a room is a masterclass in the art form. SFJAZZ's intimate Miner Auditorium means you're close enough to see her breathe.
Who it's for: Jazz lovers, vocal music enthusiasts, anyone who appreciates technical mastery, date-night seekers who want something more sophisticated than dinner and a movie.
When: Friday, February 20 through Sunday, February 22, 2026, 7:30 PM each night
What: The Broadway adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' tear-jerking romance, now touring and playing the Orpheum Theatre through March 1. Three couples portray Allie and Noah at different ages, with music by Ingrid Michaelson.
Why go: If you've ever cried at the movie (don't lie), this delivers that emotional devastation in a new way. Ingrid Michaelson's score is genuinely beautiful, and the triple-casting device lets you see the full arc of the love story in ways the film couldn't.
Who it's for: Fans of the book or film, Broadway musical enthusiasts, couples who want to ugly-cry together, people who appreciate theatrical storytelling about enduring love.
When: Multiple performances Friday through Sunday. Saturday matinee at 1:00 PM, evening shows at 7:30 PM.
What: NBA regular season matchup at Chase Center, with the Warriors hosting the Nuggets in what should be a competitive Sunday afternoon game. Early tip time means you can catch basketball and still have your evening free.
Why go: Chase Center is one of the best venues in the NBA, the Warriors-Nuggets rivalry has real teeth after recent playoff meetings, and Sunday matinee games have a different, almost relaxed energy compared to night games.
Who it's for: Basketball fans, families looking for Sunday entertainment, visitors who want to see the Warriors experience, people who prefer daytime events.
When: Sunday, February 22, 2026, 12:30 PM
What: The Grammy-winning jazz vocalist performs a special concert presented by SFJAZZ at the larger Davies Symphony Hall. Porter's rich baritone and soulful delivery have made him one of the most acclaimed voices in contemporary jazz.
Why go: Porter's voice is like warm honey poured over gravel, impossibly smooth yet deeply textured. Moving from the SFJAZZ Center to Davies gives this an event quality, and his live performances carry genuine spiritual weight without being preachy.
Who it's for: Jazz and soul fans, people who want a Sunday evening of elegance, anyone who found Dianne Reeves tickets sold out but still wants world-class vocals.
When: Sunday, February 22, 2026, 8:00 PM
What: SF's beloved indie music festival spanning 11 days, 15+ venues, and 160+ artists. During our target weekend, highlights include DeVotchKa's tribute to Little Miss Sunshine, Giraffage & Chrome Sparks, Death Valley Girls, Wisp, and Christopher Owens across venues from Public Works to Bottom of the Hill.
Why go: Noise Pop is how you discover your next favorite band. The festival's genius is scattering shows across the city's best intimate venues, so instead of a massive festival field, you're catching bands in 200-capacity rooms where you can feel the bass in your chest.
Why it's for: Indie music devotees, people who like their concerts small and sweaty, music discovery addicts, anyone who appreciates that San Francisco's club scene is actually phenomenal.
When: Festival runs Feb 19 – March 1. Weekend highlights:
Friday, Feb 20: Christopher Owens at Swedish American Hall (8 PM), Marie Davidson at Public Works (9 PM)
Saturday, Feb 21: DeVotchKa at Gray Area (7 PM), Giraffage & Chrome Sparks at Public Works (9:30 PM), Death Valley Girls at Kilowatt (8:30 PM)
Sunday, Feb 22: Wisp at Great American Music Hall (8 PM), J. Robbins plays Burning Airlines at Bottom of the Hill (7:30 PM)
Need to know: Tickets are per-show. Check noisepopfest.com for the full schedule. Wisp is particularly notable since she's from SF and this is a hometown hero moment. Venues are all-ages or 21+ depending on the show.
What: Adam Conover (Adam Ruins Everything) tapes his new comedy special at Punch Line with two shows. This is your chance to be in the room for a taping that'll eventually hit streaming platforms.
Why go: Special tapings have different energy than regular shows, the comedian is locked in, the crowd knows they're part of something being recorded, and you get comedy at a discount since they want full houses.
Who it's for: Comedy fans, Adam Conover followers, people who want bragging rights when the special drops, anyone looking for Saturday night entertainment that isn't a concert or club.
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 7:00 PM and 9:15 PM shows.
What: Guest conductor Jaap van Zweden leads the SF Symphony through Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 and Symphony No. 7, kicking off a three-season cycle of all nine Beethoven symphonies.
Why go: The Seventh's Allegretto is one of the most famous movements in classical music for a reason, and hearing it in Davies Symphony Hall's acoustics with a full orchestra is genuinely transporting. Van Zweden is a meticulous conductor known for bringing fresh energy to canonical works.
Who it's for: Classical music lovers, people who know Symphony No. 7 from The King's Speech and want to hear it properly, culture-seekers looking for something sophisticated.
When: Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21, 2026, 7:30 PM
What: Disney's touring ice show brings classic characters to life through skating and choreography, this time with a dance party theme featuring favorites from Frozen, Moana, Encanto, Coco, and more.
Why go: If you have kids between 3 and 10, this is pretty much a guaranteed win. The production values are high, the songs are bangers (you already know all the words to "Let It Go"), and watching little ones lose their minds when Elsa appears is its own reward.
Who it's for: Families with young children, grandparents looking for something to do with the grandkids, adults who aren't ashamed to admit they still love Disney and want an excuse to sing along.
When: Multiple shows Friday through Sunday. Check times; Saturday and Sunday afternoons are most family-friendly.
What: Ukrainian pop superstar Svetlana Loboda brings her North American tour to the Peninsula. LOBODA is one of the biggest pop acts in Eastern Europe, known for theatrical performances and dance-heavy shows.
Why go: If you're part of the Bay Area's substantial Ukrainian and Russian-speaking community, this is a major event. For everyone else, it's a chance to experience pop at a scale that rarely makes it to the US, performed by an artist who fills stadiums back home.
Who it's for: Eastern European diaspora communities, pop music fans curious about international stars, anyone who wants to experience a completely different musical tradition.
When: Friday, February 20, 2026, 8:00 PM
DeVotchKa's Little Miss Sunshine Tribute (Sat, Gray Area): If you loved that movie's soundtrack, this is them playing it live. Intimate venue, emotional music, unexpected Saturday night choice.
DeVotchKa Little Miss Sunshine
Lunar New Year Lantern Festival (Sat-Sun, Milpitas): The 5th annual festival at Bodhi Meditation Center features traditional lantern displays, cultural performances, and blessing ceremonies. About 45 minutes from the city but worth it for the visuals.
J. Robbins plays Burning Airlines (Sun, Bottom of the Hill): For indie rock heads of a certain age, Jawbox frontman playing his other band's material is church. Tiny venue, loud guitars, pure nostalgia.
Giraffage & Chrome Sparks (Sat, Public Works): Electronic producers doing a Noise Pop joint set in one of SF's best club spaces. This will go late.
Shanice at Yoshi's Oakland (Sat): Yes, "I Love Your Smile" Shanice. At one of the best jazz venues on the West Coast. This is delightfully random and will be packed with 90s R&B devotees.
What's the weather like?
February in SF means layers. Expect highs around 55-60°F, lows in the mid-40s, and the possibility of rain. Pack a light jacket and don't trust sunshine, it lies.
Best neighborhood for bar-hopping after events?
The Mission for divey options with character, Hayes Valley if you want cocktails near Davies Symphony Hall, Marina if you're near the Red Bull event and want to stay local.
Do I need a car?
Generally, no. BART, Muni, and rideshare cover most of these events. You'll want a car only for Disney on Ice in San Jose or the Milpitas Lantern Festival.
Where should I eat?
House of Nanking in Chinatown before or after the parade (cash only, long lines, worth it). For pre-concert in Hayes Valley, try Suppenkuche or Souvla.
Is SF Beer Week just the fest?
No, it runs Feb 20-March 1 with events at breweries citywide. The fest is the kickoff party, but individual breweries do tap takeovers, tours, and special releases all week.
San Francisco's throwing everything at you this weekend. An F1 takeover, a legendary residency closing, one of the best indie festivals anywhere, a parade that's older than most American cities, and enough live music to fill a year's worth of normal weekends. My advice? Pick your lane, don't try to do everything, and let the city surprise you with whatever you stumble into. That's how the best SF weekends work anyway.
