Mayor Daniel Lurie announced earlier this week the return of the Civic Center Soundtrack concert series for its third season of free live music. The season will kick off at Fulton Plaza (Fulton and Larkin streets), on Tuesday, April 14, with concerts taking place Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. through October. The concerts will bring new performances and, for the first time, a rotating lineup of food trucks, creating a vibrant and welcoming lunchtime hub in the heart of San Francisco.

The new season builds on Mayor Lurie’s work to support artists and musicians, activate public spaces, and strengthen the city’s economic recovery through the arts and entertainment.

Funded and produced by Illuminate, the Civic Center Soundtrack is a partnership between the arts nonprofit, the San Francisco Public Library, Rec and Park, and the Civic Center Community Benefit District. Learn more at the link below. 

Happy Earth Month! Celebrate by getting outside in San Francisco's parks with a number of activities and events in April, including two workshops at Alemany Farm this weekend. 

Join the Friends of Alemany Farm (700 Alemany Boulevard) for an Introduction to Urban Beekeeping Workshop on Saturday, April 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the farm. Led by the San Francisco Beekeepers Association, the class explores honey bee biology, honey production, hive management, and more. It will conclude with a guided tasting of honey from local plants. 

On Sunday, April 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., come out to the farm for a native plant workshop. Explore San Francisco’s microclimates, soil types, and terrain through a tour of Alemany Farm’s diverse ecosystems. Attendees will be able to take home a native plant, with printed materials and live examples provided to illustrate local flora. Register for one or both of these workshops.

See our list of Earth Month events in our parks: 

Celebrate one year of Sunset Dunes at PloverFest between Sloat and Judah on Sunday, April 12 from noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy a “musical mile” of local bands and DJs performing at Sloat, Taraval, Pacheco, Noriega, Rivera and Judah, along with games and family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon. For more information, click the link below.

Join Volo Sports for its annual Peace, Love and Volo Field Day in Golden Gate Park on Monday, April 20 from 1 to 6 p.m. at Robin Williams Meadow and Hippie Hill. Stop by for an afternoon of free pickup volleyball and soccer, and wear your brightest tie-dye or grooviest flower power fashions to join the fun. For more information, including how to sign up for a late afternoon pickup session, click the link below.

Join Rec and Park, Another Planet Entertainment, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, San Francisco Police Department, and District Supervisors for the annual summer concerts in Golden Gate Park community meeting on Monday, April 20 in the County Fair Building (1199 9th Avenue) at 6 p.m. Swing by to receive information and provide feedback for the park's summer concerts, including Outside Lands Music Festival taking place from August 7 to 9.

Dance along the waterfront at a free EDM concert celebrating the 30th anniversary of San Francisco’s Om Records at Embarcadero Plaza (Market and Steuart streets) on Friday, May 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. Produced by Another Planet Entertainment in partnership with Rec and Park, the daytime event features DJs including Mark Farina, Colette b2b DJ Heather, Shiny Objects and J Boogie. This concert is part of the city’s ongoing effort to activate downtown with free, large-scale music events. Learn more from the San Francisco Chronicle at the link below. 

Stern Grove Festival returns for summer 2026 with a lineup of free concerts featuring artists including Al Green, Public Enemy, Patti LaBelle, Major Lazer and Japanese Breakfast. Held in one of San Francisco’s most iconic outdoor venues, the series runs throughout the summer with tickets available through a lottery opening six weeks before each show or by reserving a table. For more information, click the link below. 

The lawn at Allyne Park (2609 Gough Street) has reopened following an improvement project made possible through a partnership between Rec and Park, the Friends of Allyne Park, and District 2 Supervisor Stephen Sherrill. The project included new irrigation and re-sodding, ensuring the park’s popular lawn can be enjoyed year-round by neighbors and their dogs. The improvements were marked with a community celebration last weekend. Thanks to the Friends of Allyne Park for their advocacy. Plan a visit soon to enjoy this revitalized park. 

San Francisco’s most accessible downtown music spot is back, and better than ever.

Fulton Plaza is kicking off the third annual Civic Center Soundtrack, a free concert series from Illuminate that brings fresh energy to this iconic space while celebrating incredible local talent. Starting next week, visitors can stop by every Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 3 p.m. through October—perfect for a midday music break.

Helping launch the series is Dan Dectis, a seasoned performer known for his smooth blend of jazz, funk, and soul. A familiar face at Civic Center Soundtrack, Dan returns as one of this year’s opening acts.

“I’m looking forward to participating again this year,” he said. “I feel honored to be one of the opening performers for this year’s kickoff.”

Beyond the stage, Dan is also spreading his love for music through his weekly Community Music Hangout in Golden Gate Park, bringing musicians together to connect, collaborate, and create.

Don’t miss the kickoff at Fulton Plaza on Tuesday, April 14. Come soak up the sounds, support local artists, and experience the heartbeat of the city. Learn more at the link below. 

As we kick off April, it means that we're entering coyote pupping season. While coyotes are generally wary of humans, parent coyotes may become territorial if you or your pet come close to their den area. 

To foster a safe coexistence between you and our natural neighbors, please take the following precautions:

If you encounter a coyote, slowly back away, carrying any small children or pets. Do not run. You may also scare the coyote away by appearing large and making loud noises.

If you encounter a coyote or see someone putting out food for a coyote, report it to Animal Care and Control (ACC) at (415) 554-9400, or by email at acc@sfgov.org.

For more information, visit ACC's coyote page at the link below.

Join the Friends of the Golden Gate Park Band for its kickoff show at the Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive) on Friday, April 10 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. It will be a big band ensemble featuring special guest vocalist Ariana LaMark with a lively mix of swing, blues and danceable classics. Bring your dancing shoes or simply sit back and enjoy the rhythm. For more information, click the link below.

Browse plants, art and locally made goods at the Spring Garden Market at the County Fair Building (1199 9th Avenue) in Golden Gate Park on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hosted by the Gardens of Golden Gate Park, the market features local makers, small businesses and mission-driven organizations offering plant-related items, sustainable products and garden-inspired creations. For more information, click the link below.

Learn how to prepare for emergencies at the Emergency Preparedness Community Fair at Sunset Recreation Center (2201 Lawton Street) on Saturday, April 11 from noon to 2 p.m. Presented by the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management in partnership with Rec and Park, this free community event features live demonstrations, resource sharing, and expert guidance on family safety planning.

Catch Stanford Football at a free spring practice at Kezar Stadium (670 Kezar Drive) on Saturday, April 11. Gates open at 1:30 p.m. for a fan fest with food trucks, games and family-friendly activities, followed by practice at 2 p.m. and an autograph session with the team at 4 p.m. For more information, click the link below.

Night of Ideas returns to the Asian Art Museum and San Francisco Public Library, as well as Fulton Plaza (Fulton and Larkin streets), on Saturday, April 11 with the family portion taking place from 3 to 7 p.m., with the evening portion taking place from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Villa Albertine San Francisco, the Asian Art Museum, Circuit Network, KQED, and the San Francisco Public Library host a dynamic marathon of talks, live performances, workshops, food, art, and shared exploration. For more information and to RSVP, click the link below. 

Teens ages 13 to 18 are invited to Potrero Hill Recreation Center (801 Arkansas Street) for a 415 Day of Unity on Wednesday, April 15 from 3 to 7 p.m. This free event offers a safe, welcoming space with group games like volleyball and pickleball, a vision board workshop and PlayStation games, along with food and music throughout the afternoon. For more information, email aaron.holmes@sfgov.org. or contact the center at (415) 695-5009.

Head to the Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive) in Golden Gate Park for free concerts with Illuminate LIVE. See the upcoming schedule below:

San Francisco tennis players, advanced beginners to intermediate, are invited to play in the Tennis Coalition of San Francisco's social doubles series. Meet other players at your level for round-robin sets in an organized and fun environment. For more information and to register for the social on Sunday, April 12 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Goldman Tennis Center (Nancy Pelosi and Bowling Green drives), click the link below.

Rec and Park's annual Spring Fling last Saturday drew more than 3,000 attendees to Crocker Amazon Park, including Mayor Daniel Lurie and District 11 Supervisor Chyanne Chen, for a day of community celebration. The event featured an array of activities for all ages, ranging from traditional egg hunts and carnival rides to a rock-climbing wall and a giant slide.

Our Video of the Week comes from Mayor Lurie and highlights the event. Thank you to everyone who came out on this beautiful spring day, as well as to the Rec and Park staff and volunteers that made this event possible!

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