Featured Events in San Francisco in April 2025 (May Updated)

Ragnar Kjartansson’s beloved video installation The Visitors (2012) is back at SFMOMA. In this mesmerizing hour-long work projected across nine screens, viewers are transported once again to the serene setting of Rokeby in upstate New York as the Icelandic artist and his musician friends perform together in various rooms of this historic mansion.

Table Manners brings together tableware, flatware, and drinkware from the SFMOMA Architecture + Design collection spanning nearly 100 years. The exhibition celebrates the ways design has shaped our relationship to food, our bodies, and communities, and how dining can be a profound communal and cultural experience. From self-filling wine glasses and teapots made of tea, to crisp modernist spoons and flatware made from discarded CDs, Table Manners explores the performance of dining. The exhibition includes works by Virgil Abloh, Joe Colombo, Zaha Hadid, Roberto Lugo, and many more, accompanied by illustrations and textiles by Lucy Stark.

Every two years, SFMOMA celebrates Bay Area artists and our creative community with the SECA Art Award. Established in 1967, the award has honored nearly one hundred local recipients with an exhibition and platform for expanding their practices and sharing their work with new audiences. The 2024 SECA Art Award exhibition celebrates Rose D’Amato, Angela Hennessy, and Rupy C. Tut. Each artist has conceived a gallery with new works that bring distinct perspectives, processes, and materials into the museum.

Widely recognized for his singular approach towards sound and new technologies, Samson Young (born 1979, Hong Kong; based in Hong Kong) utilizes performance, video, and installation to rigorously examine the cultural, political, and historical contexts of sound. Samson Young’s first West Coast solo exhibition debuts Intentness and songs, a multimedia installation that poetically traces the idiosyncratic rhythms of love, memory, and experiences of time. In this interconnected audiovisual landscape, Young draws on the duration and rhythm of human and generative AI memory recall processes as the basis for polychromatic sculptures, videos, and a mesmerizing soundscape. Visitors are invited to wander through pathways of wooden boards with markings created through a mix of techniques and 3D-printed boards etched and embedded with objects and memories excerpted from the lives of the artist and his husband.

Looking to get away from it all? This selection of idyllic landscapes by famed Chinese ink painters, past and present, offers a perfect opportunity to escape the hectic pace of city life in the digital age. The selection on view offers a rare opportunity to enjoy a masterpiece by Ni Zan (1301-1374), a cultural icon in Chinese history, whose dry, spare brushwork evokes lyrical tranquility and a world cleansed of turmoil during the chaotic period of dynastic transition. Following the ancient Chinese tradition of mountain worship, many of these landscapes use the contours of sacred mountains and the movements of waters and clouds to embody Daoist philosophy, beckoning the viewer to engage in a personal, cultural, and spiritual communion. As mountains are personified as venerable deities, rivers become their veins; mists are their breath; foliage is their hair; and rocks are their bones.

Hawks, pheasants, ducks, quail, egrets, and other birds appear frequently in Japanese paintings. With roots in the Chinese “bird and flower” genre, some are traditionally associated with a particular season or sentiment; others were chosen by artists and patrons simply for their beauty. The paintings currently on view in the Tateuchi Japanese Galleries use birds as both decorations and symbols, representing the seasons, strength, longevity, fidelity, or good fortune. They include decorative rimpa-style paintings; large, Kano-style screen paintings; and intimate hanging scrolls decorated in ink and faint colors.

The personal becomes universal in recent work by pioneering Taiwanese artist Yuan Goang-Ming (b. Taipei, 1965), whose starkly poetic videos and installations examine the fragmented and surreal nature of contemporary life.Yuan’s work trains an unblinking, glacially cool digital gaze on poignant scenes of global and domestic unease. From the eerie stillness of empty streets during Taiwan’s annual air raid drills to the chaotic aftermath of an explosion detonated in his own living room, the artist captures moments that resonate with current living conditions worldwide.

Nearly 12 years after her death, SFMOMA is presenting the first major national and international retrospective of Ruth Asawa’s work, a groundbreaking artist whose work is fully explored in her work. Born in California in 1926, Asawa was forcibly sent to an internment camp during World War II because of her Japanese descent. After her release, she attended Black Mountain College in North Carolina and began a prolific career that spanned six decades, spanning a variety of media from painting to sculpture, often drawing on organic forms and reflecting her deep affection for nature. The exhibition will feature 300 of Asawa’s works in chronological order, with her signature hanging, looping wire sculptures—known for their “form within a form” constructions—taking a prominent place. The exhibition will also highlight her contributions to art education and public sculpture. In particular, a specially curated gallery will recreate Asawa’s home and studio in San Francisco’s Noe Valley, offering a glimpse into her family life and creative inspirations. The exhibition will feature her sketchbooks and experiments with materials such as copper, ceramic, electroplating and bronze, as well as the original hand-carved mahogany door of her former home and works by artists she admired, such as Josef Albers, Ray Johnson, Peggy Tolk-Watkins and Marguerite Wildenhain.

Conversations at a party in Oakland in 1932 changed the history of photography. At that gathering, several now-iconic Bay Area figures — including Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, and Edward Weston — banded together to form Group f.64, a collective dedicated to “true” photography and the rejection of the prevailing style of Pictorialism, which mimicked painting. The group’s name was technical, referring to the camera lens setting that permits the greatest depth of field, but their mission was creative: to make photographs of startling clarity and beauty that rivaled art made in other mediums. Although Group f.64 lasted for less than a year, its legacy endured, marking the Bay Area as an epicenter for modernist photography.

Join us on Sunday, April 27, for the La Vendimia celebration! Enjoy live music in the patio featuring a talented Latin artisan as we honor Peru's rich wine and pisco-making traditions. A special bar will be available with a pisco-focused menu to enhance the festivities! Tickets for adults are priced at $99, which includes unlimited food and drinks. We can't wait to see you there! Advance online tickets are $99 per person, not including handling fees. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $99 each, plus tax. You must be 21 or older to purchase tickets, but all ages are welcome. Please note that all sales are final. Information Source: La Mar Cocina Peruana | eventbrite

Experience the magic of Kylie Minogue's Tension Tour at Chase Center in San Francisco on April 22, 2025. The iconic pop star will mesmerize the audience with her electrifying performance, promising an unforgettable night filled with hit songs and dazzling choreography. Don't miss this opportunity to witness Kylie Minogue's talent live on stage at 300 16th Street, CA, 94158.

Experience the comedic genius of Mo Amer on his "El Oso Palestino Tour" as he takes the stage at The Masonic in San Francisco on April 10, 2025. Known for his sharp wit and unique perspective, Mo Amer is sure to entertain audiences with his hilarious observations on life, culture, and politics. Don't miss this chance to see one of the most exciting comedians of our time live in action. Get your tickets now for a night full of laughter and unforgettable moments at this must-see event.

The San Francisco International Film Festival, presented by SFFILM, is the premier event for emerging storytellers and established filmmakers. The 2025 Festival will take place April 17-27 at venues throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area. The San Francisco International Film Festival is the oldest film festival in the Americas, bringing films from around the world to the Bay Area's passionate and discerning audiences since 1957. SFFILM is rooted in the culture of film appreciation by exploring film as an evolving art form and as a transformative force for social change.

Please join SARA California in celebrating this year's recipients of the 2025 SARA CA Design Awards to be held on April 26th in San Francisco, California at the Minnesota Street project. Reserve your seat today. Event Agenda : 5:00 pm - Cocktails / 6:00 pm - Dinner and Awards Tickets: $250 / SARA Members $300 / Non-SARA Members * $200/ Students * Join SARA today Sponsorship: Opportunities are available. Promote your firm, brand, or celebrate a winning project! To learn more please contact: awards@saranational.org Venue: Minnesota Street Project Come celebrate and enjoy all that San Francisco has to offer. Thank you to our generous sponors! Information Source: SARA | eventbrite

Hyphy Theology is an experiential and empowering expression of faith and culture, inspired by the Bay Area’s hyphy movement and the deep exploration of Creator through theology. It celebrates the beauty of divine creation as seen through the unique lens of Bay Area geography, music, art, poetry, and illustration. Rooted in inspiration and authenticity, Hyphy Theology is inspired by the sacred in the creative, the spiritual in the everyday, and the presence of Creator in the pulse of the people. Information Source: Lyrical Opposition | eventbrite

Choose your Stepper is an event you don't want to miss. We welcome all D9 organizations, families, friends and members of the community to witness Bay Area greatness. With an additional special guest performance. Information Source: San Francisco State University NPHC | eventbrite

Experience the magic of Phish with a 2-day ticket to their upcoming event in San Francisco at the iconic Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Immerse yourself in the legendary music of Phish on April 22, 2025, at 99 Grove Street, CA, 94102. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to witness one of the most renowned bands in the music industry live in concert.

Date & Time: Friday, April 25, 2025 | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM Location: Press Club 20 Yerba Buena Ln, San Francisco, CA The Wine List returns for a spring edition—bringing together music, wine, and an elevated experience inside one of San Francisco’s most stunning wine lounges. This isn’t your typical club night. It’s a grown and soulful evening curated for those who appreciate R&B, Neo-Soul, good wine, and good company. What to Expect: • Live R&B & Neo-Soul covers from a live band • DJs spinning smooth R&B throughout the night • Wine tastings led by sommeliers • Non-alcoholic options available • Light bites available for purchase • Beautiful setting, elevated crowd, and good energy Whether you’re coming for a date night, a night out with friends, or just to treat yourself—The Wine List is your new favorite Friday night tradition. Dress Code: Grown & Classy – Dress like it’s date night. Stylish, tasteful, elevated. Tickets: This is a limited entry event. Presale tickets only – no tickets will be available at the door. Hosted by: RNB Social Club & Anthony Presents www.RNBSocialClub.com Information Source: AP GROUP | eventbrite

Skateboarding has always been about more than tricks and competitions. It is a culture rooted in rebellion, creativity, style, and the pursuit of freedom. This exhibition, curated by Jeffrey Cheung and Gabriel Ramirez, founders of the skate collective Unity, celebrates the dreams and realities of queer, trans, BIPOC, and women skaters as well as the diverse communities that have shaped the sport, despite histories of hypermasculinity and exclusionary attitudes. Meet the pioneers who broke barriers, from the first women and queer skaters to go pro, to the underground movements that encouraged inclusivity and change in skateboarding. Through skateboards that represent queer and women skaters and artists, skate publications and zines, artworks, photographs, videos, and more, the works featured here explore how communities have fostered unity through a shared ethos of passion and determination. Just as skaters who, despite injuries and setbacks, persistently attempt a trick until they land it, Unity through Skateboarding encourages us to keep pushing for a more inclusive world, both on and off the board.

Inspired by the aura of global fame and popularity in Hallyu! The Korean Wave, the Koret Korean Galleries currently highlight artworks that speak to the idea of celebrity in a variety of creative ways. A brief survey of celebrity artists — renowned figures in the Korean art scene — includes works in watercolor, photography, and sculpture by Kim Whanki, Lee Gapchul, and Paik Nam June, as well as an arresting abstract painting by Korean American artist SoHyun Bae.

Reaching new heights with both its influential style and its staggering auction prices, the work of Qi Baishi (Chinese, 1864–1957) remains an inspiration to audiences worldwide. Blending expertly minimal brushwork with passages of abstraction, Qi changed the course of traditional Chinese painting. His ink paintings capture everyday scenes and familiar moments, evoking the essential beauty of nature and the joy of life’s simple pleasures.In 1960, the de Young Museum presented a solo exhibition of Qi Baishi’s art in San Francisco, a recognition no other Chinese artist had previously achieved in the U.S. More recently, his paintings have set multimillion-dollar records as the most expensive Chinese artworks ever sold at auction. But throughout his lifetime, Qi maintained a down-to-earth sensibility rooted in his humble origins as a peasant carpenter — even as he rose to international prominence.

Reaching new heights with both its influential style and its staggering auction prices, the work of Qi Baishi (Chinese, 1864–1957) remains an inspiration to audiences worldwide. Blending expertly minimal brushwork with passages of abstraction, Qi changed the course of traditional Chinese painting. His ink paintings capture everyday scenes and familiar moments, evoking the essential beauty of nature and the joy of life’s simple pleasures.In 1960, the de Young Museum presented a solo exhibition of Qi Baishi’s art in San Francisco, a recognition no other Chinese artist had previously achieved in the U.S. More recently, his paintings have set multimillion-dollar records as the most expensive Chinese artworks ever sold at auction. But throughout his lifetime, Qi maintained a down-to-earth sensibility rooted in his humble origins as a peasant carpenter — even as he rose to international prominence.

Experience the ultimate movie podcast live at "How Did This Get Made?" in San Francisco at The Masonic on April 1, 2025. Join film buffs and hosts Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas as they dissect and discuss the most hilariously bad movies ever made. Dive into the depths of cinematic absurdity with this interactive and entertaining event. Don't miss your chance to be a part of the laughter and fun at 1111 California St, CA, 94108.

Experience the thrilling world of "Chainsaw Man" at the Manga Book Club event featuring volume 1 in San Francisco. Join fellow manga enthusiasts at Sour Cherry Comics on April 1, 2025, located at 3187 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. Dive into the first volume of this captivating series for free and immerse yourself in a unique literary journey. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with like-minded fans and discover the excitement of "Chainsaw Man" in a vibrant community setting.

All Star Art Club Mon, March 35 :00pm - 10:00pmJoin us for a communal art work party. Bring a creative project you've been meaning to work on. Writing: essay, poem, short story, blogZineDrawing, watercolorDocumentary, short videoPodcastThe idea you can't get out of your headWe’ll have treats from All Star Donuts, desk space, wifi, outlets and artists to work alongside with. Free event. A suggested $10 donation helps support our creative gathering space. Things to bring Food and snacks to share. Drinks will be available for sale.Projects that can be quietly worked onArt supplies / equipment: laptop, charger, headphones, drawing paper/supplies etc.Please note: Friends & Neighbors is a phone-free space. We kindly ask that you refrain from taking photos and videos during the event. In the case that you need to use your phone, please do so in the hallway.Donations help a lot! Donations go towards our overhead costs, such as rent and printing and putting up flyers. We love analog marketing to bring in new friends and neighbors.Half of life is showing up. Due to our limited capacity, please RSVP only if you can attend. In the case your plans change, please cancel your ticket so we can accommodate more guests. Thank you!H osted by Friends & Neighbors, a creative gathering space in the Inner Richmond Instagram @friendsandneighborssf Information Source: Friends & Neighbors | eventbrite

Conner O'Malley will be performing at Cobb's Comedy Club in San Francisco on April 3, 2025. The venue is located at 915 Columbus Avenue, CA, 94133. Don't miss this opportunity to witness Conner O'Malley's hilarious comedy live on stage. Get ready to laugh and enjoy a night of top-notch entertainment at this must-see event.

Throwin' Bo's Presents: Sunbeam Sound Machine w/ Cones & Pateka Friday, April 4 at The Knockout Doors 8pm, Show 9pm $18 - $20 // 21+ Sunbeam Sound Machine https://open.spotify.com/artist/5rGnc6zmQSjWGJ8KEAvGFq?si=d6a305e4f28b4858 Sunbeam Sound Machine is the project of producer and multi-instrumentalist Nick Sowersby. Emerging from Melbourne, Australia in 2013 with the lo-fi double-EP One/Sunbeam Sound Machine , the project quickly found a devoted audience worldwide. 2014’s debut album Wonderer led to international touring and has established itself as a cult classic of the modern psychedelic pop era. Follow-up Goodness Gracious was nominated for the 2019 Australian Music Prize and led to further international touring, while the synth-heavy pop of 2022’s Possum saw the project reach new creative heights. The release of the Soft Signal EP in 2024 traded in the intricately layered sound of previous releases for ‘a stripped-back yet profoundly beautiful sonic experience’ (Happy Mag). Sowersby’s trademark lush production, tip-toeing the line between euphoria and heartbreak, has garnered more than 70 million streams and established a dedicated global fanbase that continues to grow with each release. Cones https://open.spotify.com/artist/7Eo5yqhHiEtDPdToS6YFnE?si=ef4adbb1410c4d77 Cones are Jonathan and Michael Rosen, two brothers from San Francisco who make far-out, addictive pop music. Jonathan, the band's singer and principal songwriter, is also a middle school art teacher and a visual artist whose trippy hand-drawn animations and drawings have been styled for artists such as Erykah Badu, Toro y Moi, Pond and Eleanor Friedberger, and is a contributing cartoonist for The New Yorker magazine. Michael is a classically trained pianist, composer and producer who carefully crafts their recordings, and additionally works as an engineer in the world of immersive audio. Together, Jonathan's intuitive, abstract approach and Michael's technical prowess combine to create what Tiny Mix Tapes describe as "crisp, tuneful, spontaneous bursts of sound and color." Stereogum applaud Cones as a "wonderfully groovy synth-pop delight," and KCRW approve of their "easy breezy SoCal feel we love so much." Jonathan and Michael themselves liken their music to "candy in a conch shell." Their music is the product of two restlessly creative minds drawing from all corners of their imagination. Pateka A four-piece experimental rock group from the San Francisco Bay Area, Pateka ’s genre-bending songwriting style draws on the close-knit bond of childhood friends Elihu Knowles (keyboards/vocals), Dylan Ransley (guitar), Quinn Girard (bass) and Ryan Higley (drums). The band, which is based in Richmond, creates a unique blend of synthesized sounds, samples, off-kilter grooves, and expansive, jazz-influenced harmonies. Pateka’s sound has been compared to a variety of artists, including Palm, Badbadnotgood, Sweet Trip, Mid Air Thief, Jon Bap, Sun Ra, Pulgas, Os Mutantes and Standing on the Corner. Over three years in the making, Pateka is preparing to release their first studio album later this year. Information Source: Throwin' Bo’s | eventbrite

A secret worth telling Grab a cocktail and head downstairs, where a secret speakeasy has been transformed into an intimate comedy club. There, Bay Area's funniest stand-up comedians will be waiting to make you laugh all night long. Stick around after the show - we got a live DJ to keep the party going. We showcase comedians that have been on Netflix, Comedy Central, Amazon, HBO... so come through and you may see the next big thing! About The Spotlight Comedy: The Spotlight Comedy transforms your favorite restaurants and bars into intimate, full-service comedy clubs. We showcase local and nationally touring stand-up comedians, many of whom are regulars at The Punch Line San Francisco, Cobbs Comedy Clubs, San Jose Improv and more. Information Source: The Spotlight Comedy | eventbrite

Experience the ultimate music event at Tobiahs in San Francisco. Taking place at the renowned venue Monarch, located at 101 6th St, CA, 94103, on April 4, 2025. Join fellow music enthusiasts for an unforgettable night filled with top-tier performances and a vibrant atmosphere. Don't miss out on this opportunity to immerse yourself in the sounds of Tobiahs and create lasting memories.