Bay Area arts: free opera, festivals, concerts
Key Questions
What free opera event is happening at Stanford?
There's a free family opera at Stanford running through July. It's part of the spring cultural surge in the Bay Area arts scene.
When does the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival take place?
The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival runs from May through November. It features a variety of concerts and performances.
What is the lineup for Stern Grove 2026 free concerts?
Stern Grove 2026 features Public Enemy, Al Green, Patti LaBelle, Japanese Breakfast, Major Lazer, and more. The free concerts run from June 14 to August 16, with lottery tickets available 6 weeks prior.
What are the dates for the SF Cherry Blossom Festival in 2026?
The SF Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled for April 11-12 and 18-19, 2026. Cherry blossom peak is ongoing at Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park.
Where and when is 'Come From Away' playing?
TheatreWorks presents 'Come From Away' in Mountain View through May 10. It originated as a pre-Broadway show and became a Broadway hit.
What events feature the Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus?
The Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus performs Friday and Saturday at Valley Center, celebrating queer joy with vocals and dance. It's part of Oakland's vibrant weekly events.
When is the 48th Annual Nikkei Matsuri Festival?
The 48th Annual Nikkei Matsuri Festival is in San Jose’s Historic Japantown. It brings together community members for a celebration of Japanese American culture.
What is the EDM block party at Midway in Dogpatch?
A future EDM block party is set for July 4 at Midway in Dogpatch, featuring Deadmau5 and Nero. It's positioning the venue as SF's party destination.
Spring cultural surge w/cherry blossom peak (Tea Garden GGP ongoing), free family opera Stanford thru July, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival May-Nov, Open Studios Mission, Chiharu Shiota Asian Art/BofA free museums, Oakland First Fridays Blooms, Preservation Hall Jazz Presidio, Plank Fiesta/Filoli/Mill Valley makers, Caffe Trieste 70th, SFJAZZ matinees/acoustics/KCSM, unique venues Audium/SoundBox/Old First/Grace/SF Rec Parks, Sebastopol Doc/Anthony B/HopMonk, Hiero Day/KPOP/Lacuna Coil/Gary Numan, Civic Center Soundtrack thru Oct, Chinatown food tours, Golden Gate Comedy Night, Nikkei Matsuri Japantown SJ annual, Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus Fri/Sat Valley Center queer joy vocals/dance, Prescott Market Sat wrestling puppets family, Ruckus Thu Continental nightlife, La Piazza Italian Literary Festival SF April 10-14, TheatreWorks Come From Away Mountain View thru May 10, Emanu-El SF Jewish bluegrass Apr11, Mizrahi cabaret Palo Alto Apr12, Lost in Yonkers Walnut Creek thru Apr19; Stern Grove 2026 full lineup confirmed (Public Enemy/Al Green/Patti LaBelle/Japanese Breakfast/Major Lazer etc.) free June14-Aug16 lottery tix 6wks prior/Contra Costa 100+ free summer concerts May-Oct; future EDM Midway Dogpatch July4 Deadmau5/Nero.