The SF Must List: What to Do in San Francisco This November
Surely, it turns out that the Dreamforce mega conference is not the only occasion causing a stir in San Francisco this November.
Halloween is over and summer is long behind us, but that doesn’t mean that your exuberantly fun lifestyle has to be any less thrilling. Even though temperatures are cooling down and the demure mood of autumn is in full effect, there are still plenty of exciting events across San Francisco to spice up your season.
Indeed, there’s no time for ennui this November, as this month’s itinerary is filled with tremendous events like the 60th Annual International Auto Show and a plethora of film festivals. Whether your budget is limitless or non-existent, we have aggregated the City’s coolest events to keep you warm through Thanksgiving.
Related: 11 Last Minute Road Trips Near San Francisco
Cinema & Media
The American Indian Film Festival is built upon its founding belief in film as a transformative tool. The Festival presents contemporary Indian voices that dispel popular, often damaging, myths and advance appreciation of Native artistic and societal contributions, fostering understanding of the culture, traditions, and contemporary issues of Native Americans.
American Indian Film Festival | Brava Theater Center, 2781 24th Street, San Francisco, CA |
The San Francisco Transgender Film Festival screens films that promote the visibility of transgender and gender variant people, challenging the mainstream media’s negative stereotypes of the trans communities.
San Francisco Transgender Film Festival | Roxie Theater, 3125 16th Street, San Francisco, CA | November 10th-12th: check schedule for showtimes | $12-$15 per film or $65 for a festival pass
The Italian Film Festival will screen seven dramas by up-and-coming directors who are competing for the City of Florence Award. The competition is between four award-winning documentaries and five new dramas by veteran directors, and the San Francisco audience will vote for the winner.
San Francisco Italian Film Festival | Castro and Vogue Theaters, San Francisco, CA | November 8th-12th: check schedule for showtimes | $10+ per film or $120 for a festival pass
Head to the Castro Theatre for one of their iconic musical sing-along screenings. This month the historic theatre will screen Beauty and the Beast, so make sure to be their guest.
Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along | The Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street, San Francisco, CA | November 22nd, 24th-27th, and 29th: check calendar for showtimes | $16
Related: 8 Things All San Franciscans Must Watch on Netflix
Comedy
Cobb’s Comedy Club is hosting a side-splitting evening of stand-up comedy, courtesy of an array of hilarious local comedians…all of whom just happen to be women!
Really Funny Comedians (Who Happen to Be Women) | Cobb’s Comedy Club, 915 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA | November 5th: 7:30PM | $20
You probably know him from Saturday Night Live. Late-night host and comedy hot-shot Seth Meyers will be dropping by the Bay for an evening of comedic insight.
Seth Meyers | The Masonic, 1111 California Street, San Francisco, CA | November 17th: 7PM | $40+
Prepare for your inevitable family dysfunction this holiday season by laughing it off at BAT’s Improv special Family Drama.
Family Drama | BATS Improv, 2 Marina Blvd, Building B, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA | November 4th-25th: every Saturday at 8PM | $18
Trevor Noah is the most successful comedian in Africa and is the host of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning The Daily Show on Comedy Central, and he’ll be making a rare engagement in San Francisco shortly after Thanksgiving.
Trevor Noah | The Masonic, 1111 California Street, San Francisco, CA | November 26th: 5PM | $65+
Live Music & Concerts
Music newcomer Lizzo is making a splash on the entertainment scene and gradually building her star, so make sure to check her out before she’s too famous for you.
Lizzo | The Fillmore, 1805 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA | Thursday, November 9th: 8PM | $42+
Be sure to witness this tour. Katy Perry will brining her roaring Witness tour to San Jose, which will light up your month like fireworks.
Katy Perry: The Witness World Tour | Tuesday, November 14th: 7PM | SAP Center, 525 West Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA | $56+
Thought that you wouldn’t get a chance to see Guns N’ Roses in concert in your lifetime? Think again!
Guns N’ Roses: Not in This Lifetime Tour | Oracle Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA | November 21st: 7:30PM | $62+
Want to go to 9 concerts but can only afford 1? The Jingle Ball is the panacea to all your concert needs. This end-of-the-year blowout concert features Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Halsey, Charlie Puth, and a couple of the One Direction boys.
WiLD 94.9’s Jingle Ball | SAP Center, 525 West Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA | Thursday, November 30th: 7:30PM | $41+
Related: Channel Your Inner Rockstar: San Francisco’s 7 Best Karaoke Bars
Theatre & Opera
Composed at the height of the Belle Epoque, this sensual opera follows a pair of not-so-innocent young lovers as they tangle with the toast of Paris, inviting dangerous consequences. The SF Opera recommends this show for a date night, especially for lovers of Paris. The show features bright lights, lavish parties, and the height of fashion at every turn. But at what price?
Manon | San Francisco Opera, 301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA | November 4th-22nd: check schedule for showtimes | $26-$370+
Not to be confused with the Angelina Jolie movie. Presented by ACT, this Jacobean play tells the timeless tragedy of passion and betrayal. Beatrice spins an ever-deepening web of manipulation and lies, all in the pursuit of love. But how far is she willing to go to fulfill her deepest desires?
The Changeling | The Rueff at A.C.T.’s Strand Theater, 1127 Market Street, San Francisco, CA | November 9th–18th: 7PM | $20
Discover a whole new world at the Orpheum Theatre, which will be showing Disney’s Alladin through January, opening this month.
Alladin | Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market Street, San Francisco, CA | November 1st-January 8th: check schedule for showtimes | $45+
Related: Game Over: San Francisco’s 7 Coolest Arcades
Dance
Between the Wish and the Thing is a dance that asks you to imagine the future. From fortune cookies to stock market predictions, childhood dreams to science fiction adventures, the show takes the viewer on an immersive performance journey, combining movement, storytelling, and live music with influences ranging from ballet and modern dance
Between the Wish and the Thing | ODC, B.Way Theater, 3153 17th Street, San Francisco, CA | November 16th-18th: check schedule for showtimes | $25-$50
Culture
All car fans rejoice! The famed International Auto Show is returning to Moscone Center this month. Roll on over to learn more about electric vehicles and gawk at cars you can’t afford.
60th Annual International Car Show | Moscone Center, 747 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA | November 18th-26th: 10AM-9PM | $10
NPR’s Michael Krasny (aka the voice of your commute) will be interviewing whistleblower Edward Snowden, who has made worldwide headlines by revealing classified government intel to the public.
Edward Snowden in Conversation with NPR’s Michael Krasny | The Curran Theatre, 445 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA | Wednesday, November 8th: 7:30PM | $40+
Brother of Amy Sedaris and award-winning author of Me Talk Pretty One Day and more, David Sedaris will be making an appearance in San Francisco full of witty quips and charmingly unusual anecdotes.
An Evening with David Sedaris |War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA | Monday, November 13th: 7:30PM | $83+
Not sure how to honor Veteran’s Day? Well, the National Park Service has an idea. Head to any of the local national parks and monuments for Veteran’s Day weekend for free! So if you’ve been meaning to check out Muir Woods or Yosemite but want hang on to your dollars, then this is your chance.
Free Entrance to National Parks | Veteran’s Day Weekend: November 11th-12th | All national parks and monuments, including Muir Woods and Yosemite National Park | Free!
