San Francisco Weekend Guide: May 5th–May 7th
It’s the inaugural weekend of May and there’s a lot to do. So, let’s skip the pleasantries and get to business.
Friday is May 5th, marking the Cinco de Mayo holiday. As such, there are festivities all weekend from block parties to parades.
Next, since it’s the first weekend of the month, there is a lot of free stuff like free admission to the Asian Art Museum and free admission to the de Young, Legion of Honor, and the Contemporary Jewish Museum for Bank of America card holders. Also, Saturday is Free Comic Book Day, and some local stores are participating.
Now that the warmer months are approaching, many of the summer-long activities and festivals are kicking off this weekend too, such as Friday nights’ “Off the Grid” and the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival.
Additionally, the Bay Bridge has officially opened up a bike lane halfway to San Francisco, which runs from Oakland to the new vista point at Yerba Buena Island.
Oh, and there’s gonna be a meteor shower.
If you need some ideas for what to do this weekend, check out the 49 Miles guide to the first weekend of May:
Related: San Francisco Entertainment Guide: May 2017
Friday, Cinco de Mayo
TEQUILA TIME → 7×7 and La Cocina invite you to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a hosted bar, holiday festivities, food, and a Hornitos tequila tasting station.
7X7 Tequila Party | Stock in Trade, 2036 Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA | Friday: 6PM-8PM | Free
CINCO de OAKLAND → Enjoy free cultural events such as Latino music, food, and art. Highlights include Oakland’s First Friday, Art Murmur, and a poolside party with Latino beats at Jack London Waterfront Hotel.
Cinco de Mayo Street Festival & Walk | Uptown Oakland, Telegraph Avenue and 19th Street | Friday: 5PM-9PM | Free, RSVP Required
CIGAR de MAYO →
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a live salsa band, DJ, and a heated outdoor patio at Cigar Bar’s Happy Hour party. There is no cover, but VIP admission is $10.
Cinco de Mayo Happy Hour Party | Cigar Bar & Grill, 850 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA | Friday: 5PM-10PM | Free
BLOCK PARTY → Taverna Aventine is once again closing off Hotaling Alley for its annual Cinco de Mayo block party. This indoor and outdoor event includes live music, food trucks, and most importantly, Donald Trump piñatas.
Annual Cinco de Mayo Alley Party | Taverna Avertine, 582 Washington Street, San Francisco, CA | Friday: 4PM-10:30PM | Free
PLAY GAMES → Urban Putt will be celebrating its anniversary with half-off mini golf.
Urban Putt 3rd Anniversary Party | Urban Putt, 1096 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA | Friday: 4PM-12AM | $6 (usually $12)
GO OFF THE GRID → Off the Grid at Fort Mason is making its official comeback for the summer. This year, guests can expect a new layout and an expanded lineup of food trucks and vendors at this weekly Friday night event. On the Fort Mason grounds, the Mexican Museum will have extended hours until 8PM in observance of Cinco de Mayo.
Off the Grid Food Truck Party | Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Boulevard, San Francisco, CA | Friday: 5PM-10PM | Free
ART CRAWL → Every first Friday of the month, North Beach art galleries stay open late for a self-guided art crawl, featuring special events that showcase this neighborhood’s art and entertainment scene.
North Beach Art Crawl | Grant Avenue and Vallejo Street, San Francisco, CA | Every First Friday of the Month: 6PM-9PM | Free
Related: 11 Inspiring Art Exhibits in SF Right Now
Saturday, May 6th
THE FESTIVAL → Enjoy Cinco de Mayo in the Mission at this all-day, family-friendly festival. This celebration will feature over 65 vendors, featuring Mexican and Latino foods, music, art, and more.
13th Annual SF Cinco de Mayo Festival | The Mission, Valencia and 24th Street, San Francisco, CA | Saturday: 10AM-6PM | Free
FLOWERS FOR SALE → The San Francisco Botanical Garden is hosting their 50th annual plant sale, with over 2,500 different plants that you can’t find elsewhere.
SF Botanical Garden Annual Plant Sale | County Fair Building, 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA | Saturday: 10AM-2PM | Free
WEAR A HAT → Head out to Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley for Kentucky Derby Day. There will be a hat contest, mint juleps, and ponies.
Kentucky Derby Day Bash & Hat Contest | Golden Gate Fields, 1100 Eastshore Highway, Berkeley, CA | Saturday: All Day | $6
FREE COMICS → Many comic book publishers, such as DC and Marvel, are putting out free comics to over 2,000 participating vendors. Check out which stores are participating and discover a comic book that speaks to your soul.
Free Comic Book Day | Across the Bay Area, check site to see which stores are participating | Saturday: All Day | Free
Sunday, May 7th
SUMMER OF WEIRD → This is kind of the kick-off to the summer’s turn-up festival season. This increasingly popular festival’s theme is “Summer of Weird,” in light of the anniversary of the Summer of Love. This event is the 18th gathering of this countercultural faire.
How Weird Street Faire | SoMa, Howard and 1st Street, San Francisco, CA | Sunday: 12PM-8PM | Free
TACO FESTIVAL → SoMa StrEat Food and Funcheap are collaborating on Cinco de Mayo weekend for a taco-intensive food festival. Indulge in a day full of San Francisco’s best tacos and wrestling.
Lucha Libre Taco-Con | SoMa Street Food Park, 428 11th Street, San Francisco, CA | Sunday: 11AM-4PM | $5-$40
GARDEN PARTY → This is the kickoff event for YBC’s ongoing festival through October. There will be tons of live entertainment, dancing, music, and activities for kids.
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival Kick-Off | Esplanade at Yerba Buena Gardens, 773 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA | Sunday: 1PM-3PM | Free
CINCO de CAR SHOW → See over 100 of San Francisco’s finest lowrider classic cars from the 1940’s through the 1970’s. This is the 4th annual Cinco de Mayo “Give Something Back” Lowrider Show, presented by the SF Lowrider Council. The event will be filled with cars, food, DJs, and good people. Proceeds go to support John O’Connell High.
Cinco de Mayo Lowrider Car Show | John O’Connell High School, 2355 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA | Sunday: 10AM-4PM | Free
PICNIC IN THE PRESIDIO → In case you miss Friday’s Off the Grid event, this Presidio Picnic occurs every Sunday until the end of October, including free yoga, lawn games, and a photo booth.
Off the Grid Presidio Picnic | Main Post Lawn, 103 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA | Sunday: 11AM-4PM | Free
Related: 7 Best Fully-Fenced Dog Parks in SF
Celebrate Early→ The Athleta store on Fillmore Street is celebrating mothers and daughters by hosting an in-store dance class and Mother’s Day card making. Refreshments will be served.
Mother-Daughter Dance Party & Card Making | Athleta, 2226 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA | May 7th: 9:30AM-11:30AM | Free
Celebrate Early, Twice→An evening of painting, sipping, food, and laughter. This is an instructor-led painting class with wine. They provide the materials, and you make your masterpiece alongside your mother-figure. There are two seatings, the first at 3PM and the second at 6PM.
Mother’s Day Wine and Paint Night | Hotel Majestic, 1500 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA | May 7th: 3PM-5PM & 6PM-8PM | $50
Visit an Open House→ Check out an open house at this mesmerizing residence!
Open House | 652 Lakeview Avenue, San Francisco, CA | Saturday & Sunday: 2PM-4PM | Free
