This post covers things to do in San Francisco in September, including concerts, free events, nighttime, as well as family-friendly activities.
You can find a few honorable mentions at the bottom of the post as well. Be sure to check out our master post, Things to Do in San Francisco for even more ideas.
TOP TEN EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO IN SEPTEMBER
This section features our top 10 activities to enjoy in San Francisco throughout September.
For tips on the best activities in San Francisco, check out our schedule of pay-what-you-like walking tours and other popular pages:
Several of the items below are already included for free with the purchase of a tourist discount pass.
1) Major Concerts
San Francisco is seeing quite a few big-name artists coming through town this September! There is something for everyone in this month's lineup of bands and musicians.
- Megadeth and Lamb of God | Sept 2nd
- Celine Dion | Sept 3rd - 4th
- Korn | Sept 11th
- Andrew W.K. | Sept 11th
- Beach Boys | Sept 14th
- Tame Impala | Sept 15th
- John Legend | Sept 15th
- The Monkees | Sept 15th
- Deftones | Sept 18th
- Kings of Leon | Sept 23rd
- Michael Buble | Sept 28th
Click here for a complete list of who’s playing in September.
2) Major Sporting Events
September is a great time for sports in San Francisco - you can catch the end of baseball season and see the beginning of football's regular season.
Baseball
Football
Click here for a complete list of who’s playing in September.
3) Theatre Performances
Broadway and Musicals in general are just starting to open up in September of 2021, so there aren't many productions taking place yet, but the one worth noting this month is Hamilton.
This is one of the most popular American musicals in years, so it makes sense that it would be the first show brought back after the pandemic.
The only problem is that this production will be in Sacramento, so if you're really interested, you should plan on making a day trip out of it.
There could be more productions announced before long, so make sure to check this complete list of what’s playing in September.
4) Sightseeing Tours
One of the best ways to see a city is by taking a tour - that way you won’t miss any important information. And we have quite a few San Francisco tours to offer this September!
If walking tours aren’t your style, we recommend taking a hop-on-hop-off bus tour as a convenient mode of transportation with live commentary about San Francisco.
Since San Francisco is right on the water, taking boat tours and dinner cruises are also quite popular.
Check out our schedule to see what we have available when you are here.
TIP: If you need somewhere to keep your bags while sightseeing, check out our posts on luggage storage in San Francisco.
5) Free National Park Day
To commemorate National Public Lands Day on September 25th, all National Parks will offer free entry!
The world-renowned Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, and Lassen Volcanic are within a day’s drive from San Francisco.
For more family-friendly activities, check out our full San Francisco with kids post.
6) San Francisco Donut Fest
Cure your sweet tooth at a festival dedicated entirely to donuts!
You can expect there to be tickets for at least 8-10 different donut samples, as well as both alcoholic and non-alcoholic brews to drink.
The Donut Fest is scheduled for September 26th, 2021 from 1 pm - 5 pm. Prices and locations have yet to be announced.
For more family-friendly events, check out our things to do with kids post for San Francisco.
7) Top Attractions in San Francisco
San Francisco is home to popular historic and cultural attractions, like the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. September is the perfect time to visit them thanks to fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures.
If you’re a fan of true crime stories and interested in the prison that held Al Capone, we recommend taking an Alcatraz tour.
Baseball fans will enjoy taking a tour of Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. We even have tips for how to see 3 innings for free.
There’s also a free museum for almost everything in the city, from cable cars and maritime history to art.
If you’re looking for some hiking, Muir Woods is a popular nearby national monument park.
8) Comedy Day in the Park
Head to the Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park for a free day of comedy.
On Sunday, September 12th, from 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm, enjoy over 40 stand-up comics and performances.
Every year has a completely different lineup. However, there is usually a surprise celebrity guest who makes an appearance such as Dave Chappelle, Ellen DeGeneres, and Whoopi Goldberg.
For more free events, check out our list of free things to do in San Francisco.
9) Fringe Theatre Festival
See a performance as part of the largest grassroots theatre festival in the Bay Area!
The San Francisco Fringe Festival will host dozens of independent theatre performances at various venues throughout the city.
This Fringe Festival is the second-oldest Fringe in the country and has been presenting performances since 1992.
Tickets for each show will cost no more than $13, and each show lasts no longer than 60 minutes.
100% of the ticket sales are returned to the performers, so this is a great way to support community theatre in San Francisco.
NOTE: Dates have not yet been announced for Fringe Festival 2021.
10) Tourist Attraction Discount Pass
Tourist passes save you money by combining multiple San Francisco attractions and tours into one discounted price. Sometimes the price can be reduced by up to 55%.
They also can save you time by giving you skip-the-ticket-line privileges on select attractions.
Some attractions included with tourist passes:
- Bay Cruises
- Historic Cable Car Transportation
- Alcatraz
- Muir Woods Tour
- Tour of Sausalito
Be sure to read our comparison post to see which pass is right for you.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Sundown Cinema: Film Night in the Park
Grab a lawn blanket and take an evening to enjoy a free movie screening in parks around San Francisco. There are 7 films shown from July to October, with two film nights in September!
You can find more budget-friendly things to do in our full post here. Find more family-friendly activities here, and more evening entertainment in this post.
NOTE: This event has yet to be announced for 2021.
Sausalito Art Festival
Known as one of the most prestigious fine art festivals in the country, the Sausalito Art Festival will offer art, live music, food & wine over Labor Day Weekend. Purchase tickets and learn more on the website!
NOTE: This event has been canceled for 2021.
RELATED POSTS:
- Weather in San Francisco in September
- Tourist Attraction Discount Passes
- Luggage Storage in San Francisco
- Top Things to Do in San Francisco
