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50+ Things to Do Over Memorial Day Weekend 2024 (San Francisco + Bay Area)

A 3-day weekend of fairs, festivals, parades, night markets, comedy shows and more fun
By - posted 5/24/2024 No Comment

Memorial Day weekend is here, and the vibrant city of San Francisco is ready to celebrate for a few days, and then honor its fallen on Monday. From enriching cultural experiences to energizing community gatherings, the city and the Bay Area is brimming with events that won’t cost you a dime or will save you serious bucks. Check out these 50+ fantastic, budget-friendly activities where you can have a blast without reaching for your wallet.


Friday, May 23

Ferry Flicks at Fort Point “The Princess Bride” w/ Drag Bingo + Free Popcorn (SF)
Friday, May 23 – 7:00 pm - Ends at 10:00 pm | Cost: $8.95*
*$8.95 tickets include Free popcorn
| San Francisco Ferry Building
Ferry Flicks at Fort Point "The Princess Bride" w/ Drag Bingo + Free Popcorn (SF)
Sunset screenings of “cult classics” at the iconic Ferry Building. paired with cold, fizzy beer & tasty snacks, it’s a perfect Friday night The Princess Bride: A fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love. He must find her after a long ...

Saturday, May 24

2025 San Francisco Carnaval Festival & Parade (May 24-25)
Saturday, May 24 – 10:00 am - Ends at 6:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free, but donations are accepted
| Harrison Street
2025 San Francisco Carnaval Festival & Parade (May 24-25)

Carnaval San Francisco is back for 2025 with their 47th annual celebration. The free, two–day Festival covers 17 blocks in the Mission District, with five main stages, 50 local performing artists, and 400 vendors. The festival includes international food, dancing, sampling sites and entertainment for ...

Sunday, May 25

2025 San Francisco Carnaval Grand Parade
Sunday, May 25 – 9:30 am - Ends at 2:30 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free, but donations are accepted
| 24th & Bryant
2025 San Francisco Carnaval Grand Parade

Carnaval San Francisco is back for 2025 with their 47th annual celebration. The free, two–day Festival covers 17 blocks in the Mission District, with five main stages, 50 local performing artists, and 400 vendors. The festival includes international food, dancing, sampling sites and entertainment for ...

2025 San Francisco Carnaval Festival & Parade
Sunday, May 25 – 10:00 am - Ends at 6:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free, but donations are accepted
| Harrison Street
2025 San Francisco Carnaval Festival & Parade

Carnaval San Francisco is back for 2025 with their 47th annual celebration. The free, two–day Festival covers 17 blocks in the Mission District, with five main stages, 50 local performing artists, and 400 vendors. The festival includes international food, dancing, sampling sites and entertainment for ...

51st Annual Muir Beach Volunteer Firefighters’ Barbecue
Sunday, May 25 – 12:00 pm - Ends at 5:00 pm | Cost: $10*
*Entry/Parking fee is $30 per vehicle; carpooling is encouraged. $10 entry fee for walk-in and bike-in attendees
| Santos Meadow (Mt. Tam)
51st Annual Muir Beach Volunteer Firefighters’ Barbecue
The Muir Beach Volunteer Fire Department is thrilled to announce details for the 51st Annual Muir Beach Volunteer Firefighters’ Barbecue on Sunday afternoon of Memorial Day Weekend, May 25, in Santos Meadow near Muir Beach and Muir Woods. Featuring delicious food, fantastic live music, tasty craft beers, premium wine, and a whole lot of fun ...
Golden Gate Park Band’s Free Symphony in the Park: Armenian Culture Day (2025)
Sunday, May 25 – 1:00 pm - Ends at 2:45 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free, but donations are welcome.
| Spreckels Temple of Music (Golden Gate Park Bandshell)
Golden Gate Park Band's Free Symphony in the Park: Armenian Culture Day (2025)

The Golden Gate Park Band presents its 143rd season in Golden Gate Park’s music concourse. That’s right, this 30-piece symphony has been playing free concerts in Golden Gate Park since 1882. For 2025, the Golden Gate Park Band performs free weekly concerts most Sundays at 1 pm. ...Every Sunday

Monday, May 26

Memorial Day Bonfire Night at SF’s Ocean Beach (2025)
Monday, May 26 – 5:00 pm - Ends at 9:30 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Fire rings are first come, first serve
| Ocean Beach Fire Pits
Memorial Day Bonfire Night at SF's Ocean Beach (2025)

For the first time in four months, it’s finally legal again to have a bonfire at Ocean Beach. During the “No Burn” Season (which runs from November 1 to the end of February), bonfires are not allowed, but starting March 1, 2025 bonfires are back ...