Experience the San Francisco Botanical Garden (1199 9th Avenue) in a new way with Flower Piano from September 10 to 20, featuring live music and hidden pianos woven throughout one of the city's most beautiful outdoor spaces. Kick off the festival on Thursday, September 10 with an opening night celebration headlined by La Gente SF, followed by 130 performances across 12 pianos, two weekends of live music and opportunities to take a seat at the keys during open play. Learn more and get tickets at the link below.

San Francisco families are invited to help shape the future of the city through the new "This Is Your City: 2026 Family Listening Series." The citywide effort includes an online survey and 14 Family Summits where children, youth, parents, caregivers and families can share their experiences and priorities to help inform future City planning and services. Several summits will take place at Rec and Park facilities beginning in September, with free food, childcare and interpretation available. Learn more, take the survey and find a Family Summit near you at the link below.

Celebrate 100 years of the dahlia as San Francisco's official flower at the Dahlia Dell in Golden Gate Park next to the Conservatory of Flowers (100 John F. Kennedy Drive) on Sunday, September 13 from 10 a.m. to noon. Hosted by the Dahlia Society of California, this free, family-friendly celebration will feature docent-led tours, special remarks, the dedication of Dahlia Circle and beautiful blooms throughout the Dell. Learn more at the link below.

Join San Francisco Children and Nature for its Nature Resource Fair at the Randall Museum (199 Museum Way) on Wednesday, September 16 from 4 to 6 p.m. Educators and administrators can connect with more than 30 nature-based programs and partners and discover field trips, classroom programs and other resources for bringing nature-based learning to students. Volunteers are also needed to support the event, with shifts available from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Learn more and register at the link below.

Thank you to everyone who joined the amazing opening weekend of Haight Street Art Center's "Forever Grateful, Golden Gate Park" exhibition, including Monday's free concert with Grahame Lesh and Friends at Robin Williams Meadow. The celebration continues at the County Fair Building (1199 9th Avenue) with concerts featuring psychedelic rock on September 17 and jazz on September 24. Jam out and explore the exhibition celebrating the Grateful Dead's legacy through historic objects, artwork, installations and more, which is on display through October 25. Learn more at the link below.

Rec and Park is seeking proposals to reimagine the approximately 9.5-acre Lake Merced West site (520 John Muir Drive) for public recreation. Potential uses could include a boathouse and dock, sports courts, walking paths, a playground, community building, restaurant and more. The last site visit is on September 22, with proposals due December 17. Learn more at the link below. 

The Randall Museum (199 Museum Way) will celebrate its 75th anniversary on the slopes of Corona Heights Park on Sunday, September 27, from 1 to 5 p.m. This free, family-friendly celebration will feature the opening of a new history exhibit, live music, crafts, climbing, skateboarding, archery and more.

For decades, the museum has offered hands-on art, science and nature programming rooted in the area’s distinctive hillside ecology. Ahead of the milestone, San Franciscans are invited to share their stories and memories of how the Randall has brought joy, inspiration, learning and community to their lives. 

Has visiting or taking classes at the Randall Museum ignited a new passion or even influenced your career path? Has it been part of your family across multiple generations? Click the link below if you'd like to share your Randall story. 

From watching furry friends feed at the Bison Paddock around noon to grabbing a San Francisco-born Burgerdog for lunch at the Golden Gate Park Golf Course, explore the hidden gems and best-kept secrets that make Golden Gate Park one of the best parks in the world from the San Francisco Chronicle at the link below. 

Join community partners for a Bio Blitz at Sunset Dunes and Noriega Street on Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Help explore and document the plants, animals and other wildlife found throughout San Francisco's coastal park while contributing to a better understanding of its biodiversity. Learn more and sign up at the link below.

Head to Alemany Farm (700 Alemany Boulevard) for two hands-on workshops this weekend. Learn about fall organic vegetable gardening in the Bay Area on Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a workshop on building your own worm bin and the basics of worm composting on Sunday, September 13 from 10 a.m. to noon. Learn more and register at the link below.

Head to the Bayview Transit Fair at India Basin Waterfront Park (900 Innes Avenue) on Saturday, September 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Celebrate Transit Month with bike giveaways, learn-to-ride activities for kids and adults, guided urban hike, free food, transit resources and more. Learn more and register at the link below.

Bring your bike to San Francisco Public Library's Bike Repair Fix-it Clinic at Fulton Plaza (Fulton Street between Larkin and Hyde streets) on Saturday, September 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. BikeMobile mechanics will provide free tune-ups and basic repairs, including flat tires, brake and gear adjustments and chain and tire replacements. Service is first come, first served. Learn more at the link below.

Catch the US Open Women's Championship at a free watch party at the Goldman Tennis Center (50 Bowling Green Drive) on Saturday, September 12 at 12:30 p.m. Watch the action on the big screen in the Koret Garden with fellow tennis fans and enjoy an afternoon of tennis, community fun and raffle prizes. Learn more and RSVP at the link below. 

Head to Candlestick Point State Recreation Area (500 Hunters Point Expressway) for the 4th Annual Kite by the Bay Festival on Saturday, September 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. Celebrate an afternoon on the waterfront with kite flying and family-friendly fun while enjoying views of the bay. Be sure to check out Rec and Park programs on site including from the Randall Museum and EcoCenter. Learn more and register at the link below.

The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival presents “Antony and Cleopatra” at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater (40 John F. Shelley Drive) in McLaren Park on September 12 and 13. Shakespeare’s tragedy follows the passionate and politically charged romance between Roman leader Mark Antony and Egyptian queen Cleopatra as love, loyalty and power collide. The production then moves to Sue Bierman Park (Washington and Drumm streets) for performances on September 19, 20, 26 and 27. Performances begin at 2 p.m. and run approximately 90 minutes. Admission is free and no tickets are required. Learn more at the link below.

Celebrate the culture and traditions of Türkiye at the 3rd Annual San Francisco Turkish Festival at Embarcadero Plaza (Market Street and The Embarcadero) on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy traditional music and dance, Turkish cuisine, arts and crafts, cultural exhibitions and family-friendly activities. Learn more at the link below.

Spread out a blanket and enjoy Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema’s Under the Stars at Precita Park (3200 Folsom Street) on Saturday, September 12. Community partner tables, picnicking and dance activities begin at 6 p.m., followed by local short films and awards from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Learn more at the link below.

Head to Noe Valley Town Square (3861 24th Street) for the 5th Annual Noe Valley Art Festival on Sunday, September 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free community event features work from local artists, including photography, painting, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture and more, along with live music, painting demonstrations and activities for kids. Learn more at the link below.

Opera in the Park returns to Robin Williams Meadow (320 Bowling Green Drive) in Golden Gate Park on Sunday, September 13 at 1:30 p.m. Music Director Eun Sun Kim will lead the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and stars from the 2026-27 season for an afternoon of arias, duets and more. This free concert runs approximately two hours, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more at the link below.

Celebrate the eve of Mexican Independence Day at Civic Center Plaza (335 McAllister Street) on Tuesday, September 15 from 4 to 9 p.m. This free celebration of El Grito de Independencia features music, Mexican food and community festivities, culminating in a reenactment of the historic call for Mexican independence from Spain in 1810.

Enjoy free weekly concerts, including Illuminate Live performances at the Golden Gate Bandshell, Fulton Plaza and the Whale’s Tail, plus the Golden Gate Park Band’s Sunday concert at the Bandshell. See upcoming shows below:  

Fulton Plaza (Fulton Street between Larkin & Hyde streets)

September 10 | noon-3 p.m. - Larisa Roberts, Michael Annotti, & No Mansfield

September 15 | noon-3 p.m. - Elise Nova, Kevin Fagan, & Mark Joseph

 

Golden Gate Bandshell (75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive)

September 11 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. - Friday Happy Hour featuring Hobo Paradise

September 12 | 10 a.m.-noon - Kids Festival featuring Mister G & Teacher Barb & The Musicmakers

September 13 | 1-2:30 p.m. - Golden Gate Park Band Concert: ¡Viva Mexico! Bailamos con la Musica

September 13 | 4:30-7:30 p.m. - Reggae Sunday featuring Monkey Ska & resident DJs Guid8nce, Sep, & Irie Dole

September 16 | 4-7 p.m. - Midweek Melodies featuring Angry Outlaws, Hyperdrive Kittens, & Indestructible

 

The Whale's Tail (14th Avenue East Meadow & the JFK Promenade)

September 12 | noon-6 p.m. - Jon Bennett, Karaj Lost Coast, Kevin Coffey, & Roman Antonian

September 13 | noon-6 p.m. - Jos Eckert & Nate Harris

 

Sign up for Rec and Park's Girls Play Sports volleyball league, with teams for ages 10U, 12U, 14U and 15U. The 10-week season runs from September through November, with practices once a week and games at Upper Noe Recreation Center (295 Day Street). Players will develop skills such as bumping, setting, and serving. All skill levels are welcome. Learn more and register at the link below.

Mobile Rec is back for its fall season, visiting Joe DiMaggio Playground (651 Lombard Street) for a day of free skateboarding and scooters on Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rec and Park staff will be on hand to teach skills ranging from pushing and stopping to dropping in and kick turns. Limited equipment will be available, and helmets are required for all participants. Learn more at the link below.

Join En2Action for its pop-up series at the India Basin Waterfront Park Food Pavilion (900 Innes Avenue), held on weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Papa Rudy’s, a proud family-owned business, has been serving the Bayview-Hunters Point community for over 30 years. Founded in 1993 by Chef Garland Steuben, it is a local staple for slow-cooked marinated barbecue and soul food with a family vibe. Today, the second generation keeps the tradition alive and will be bringing the same authentic flavors to the Food Pavilion on Saturdays and Sundays. Learn more at the link below. 

Join San Francisco Bay Sox Girls Baseball for free clinics to work on your game this offseason. The first will take place on Saturday, September 12 for girls of all skill levels at Moscone Recreation Center (1800 Chestnut Street) from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for ages 7 to 10 and noon to 1:30 p.m. for ages 11 to 14. For more information and to register, click the link below.

Head to Union Square (333 Post Street) for A KPOP NARA SF Summer on Saturday, September 12, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Part of the Second Saturdays ‘Round the World series, this free event features a K-pop dance class, random play dance with DJ JON, photo card trading and toploader decorating. Learn more at the link below.

Take aim this fall with Rec and Park’s archery programs:

Archery After School: Ages 8–15 at Betty Ann Ong Chinese Recreation Center (1199 Mason Street). Tuesdays, 4:30–5:45 p.m. Sessions begin September 15 and November 3.

Indoor Target League: Youth and adult divisions for ages 8 and older at Richmond Recreation Center (251 18th Avenue). Wednesdays, 5:45–7:45 p.m. Sessions begin September 16 and October 28.

Girls Play Sports: Archery: Ages 8–17 at Cayuga Playground (301 Naglee Avenue). Fridays, 4–5 p.m. Sessions begin September 18 and October 23.

Archery Development: Ages 8 and older at Golden Gate Park Archery Range (901 47th Avenue). Saturday introductory classes run 10–11:30 a.m.; intermediate/advanced classes run noon–1:30 p.m. Sessions begin September 19, October 10 and November 14.

Archery & Adventure Camp: Ages 8–13. Pickup and drop-off at Cabrillo Playground (851 38th Avenue). Sessions run November 23–25, December 21–23 and December 28–30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For questions, contact joseph.arnaldo@sfgov.org.

Ahead of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, our Video of the Week comes from NBC Bay Area and remembers San Francisco native Betty Ann Ong, the flight attendant aboard American Airlines Flight 11 who made the first call alerting authorities to the hijacking on September 11, 2001.

Twenty-five years later, her family continues to honor her bravery and legacy, which also lives on at the Betty Ann Ong Recreation Center in Chinatown, where she grew up and played as a child. Learn more about her life and legacy at the link below.