Events Calendar: November 2024

Our festive holiday season delivers beloved traditions. For 80 years, the Nutcracker ballet has charmed audiences since its American debut in San Francisco. Handel’s oratorio Messiah is a stunning, large-scale production featuring a rousing “Hallelujah” chorus. San Francisco Opera performs a vibrant Carmen and San Francisco Symphony brings cinematic favorites to life. Hamilton returns to the Orpheum stage and Grace Cathedral provides a majestic venue—plus so much more. 

CURRENT  

Through Jan. 12, 2025
de Young | Art and War in the Renaissance: The Battle of Pavia Tapestries

Seven huge newly preserved tapestries celebrate the decisive Battle of Pavia in 1525. On loan from Capodimonte Museum in Naples, Italy this is the only West Coast stop on the U.S. tour. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr., Golden Gate Park. famsf.org

Through Jan. 26, 2025
Legion of Honor | Mary Cassatt at Work

The only American to join French Impressionists, Cassatt emerged as a key member of the movement. Alongside scenes of women at the opera, visiting friends, and taking tea, she produced images of “women’s work,” suggesting parallels between art making and caregiving. Lincoln Park, 100 34th Avenue. famsf.org

Through Feb. 9, 2025
de Young | Tamara de Lempicka

Defining Art Deco with paintings capturing the glamorous vitality of postwar Paris and the cosmopolitan sheen of Hollywood, the first major museum retrospective of Lempicka in the U.S. explores her distinctive style and unconventional life through more than 100 artworks. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr., Golden Gate Park. famsf.org

NOVEMBER

Nov. 6
Festival Napa Valley | Boyd Meets Girl

 

photo credit Jiyang Chen 

Olivia Decker Power of Music proudly presents the dynamic duo of Australian guitarist Rupert Boyd and American cellist Laura Metcalf performing an eclectic mix of classical and contemporary music. A thoughtful repertoire embraces Debussy and Bach, Radiohead and Beyoncé. Evening reception with light fare and wine. Sleeping Giant Winery, 2258 Las Amigas Rd., Napa. festivalnapavalley.org/calendar/boyd-meets-girl

Nov. 6 – Jan. 20, 2025 
Safeway Holiday Ice Rink

 

 

Outdoors in Union Square, presented by Kaiser Permanente, this cherished holiday tradition returns for its 17th season. The grand opening is Nov. 6 at 5 p.m. to welcome the city’s much anticipated winter attraction. Open daily 10 a.m. – 11 p.m., early close at 9:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. unionsquareicerink.com.

Nov. 6 – Dec. 1
SF Broadway | Kimberly Akimbo

 

Photo: Joan Marcus

 

A new musical on national tour is the winner of five Tony Awards including best musical. Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. This is a “howlingly funny heartbreaker of a show,” says The New Yorker. broadwaysf.com

Nov. 9 & 10
San Francisco Choral Society | “A Rose Is All My Song: Music of Mary”

Concluding its 35th anniversary season, a program featuring John Rutter’s Magnificat, Giuseppe Verdi’s Laudi alla Vergine Maria, and more holiday classics. Trinity + St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1620 Gough St. sfchoral.org

Nov. 13
Glide Annual Holiday Jam | The Love Agenda: A Tenderloin Legacy

This year’s theme weaves around each performing artist, highlighting the power of love as a movement toward justice. An evening of music, joy, and celebration honors co-founders, the late Reverend Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani. The Masonic, 1111 California St. glide.org/holidayjam

Nov. 13 – Dec. 1
San Francisco Opera | Carmen

Jealousy and obsession lead to fatal consequences in Francesca Zambello’s production of Carmen by Georges Bizet in which matadors bump shoulders with factory workers in the heat of Seville. War Memorial Opera House, 401 Van Ness Ave. sfopera.com

Nov. 17
San Francisco Opera Chorus in Concert

Chorus Director John Keene leads members of the Company’s full-time chorus, and Associate Chorus Master Fabrizio Corona accompanies at the piano in an afternoon of choral music. War Memorial Opera House, 401 Van Ness Ave. sfopera.com

Nov. 18
San Francisco Opera Guild | An Evening on the Stage 

This year’s event salutes The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita of the US House of Representatives, and Mr. Paul Pelosi for their long standing support of opera and music education in our community. Haute Living San Francisco is proud to be a media partner in support of this fundraiser benefiting thousands of students through Northern California. War Memorial Opera House, 401 Van Ness Ave. sfopera.com/opera-guild/social-events

Nov. 21
San Francisco Opera | Carmen Encounter

Photo: Cory Weaver

Welcome to Seville, where the air is hot and the music is hotter. Experience part of Bizet’s Carmen on stage; immerse yourself in the streets of Spain in a transformed setting at the Opera House in this one-night-only event. War Memorial Opera House, 401 Van Ness Ave. sfopera.com/seasons/encounter

Nov. 22
Noise Pop Presents Emily King

Cross-genre artist Emily King is a four-time Grammy-nominated songwriter/singer. Known for her unmistakable silky lush vocal and joyous magnetic stage presence, performing live at Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St. gracecathedral.org

Nov. 23 – 24 and Dec. 13  
West Coast Craft

Shopping therapy, anyone? West Coast Craft features 275+ of the best artist and designer craftspeople. Indoors, free and open to the public. There’s more shopping outdoors in December. Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd. westcoastcraft.com

Nov. 23 – Dec. 22
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair 

For the 40th season, Victorian London comes to life in a world of dramatic street settings, music halls, theatres, pubs, dance parties, charming shops, and colorful costumed characters. Open Saturdays and Sundays, plus Friday after Thanksgiving. Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave., Daly City. dickensfair.com 

Nov. 20 – Dec. 29
Club Fugazi | Dear San Francisco! Home for the Holidays

 

photo: Frank Romano

 

A dazzling new edition of the critically acclaimed intimate circus experience from Bay Area natives and The 7 Fingers. A stunning performance of breathtaking aerial feats, jaw-dropping stunts, and heartwarming storytelling. Two late shows on New Year’s Eve. 678 Green St. clubfugazisf.com/home-for-the-holidays

Nov. 21 – Jan. 18, 2025
San Francisco Playhouse | Waitress

This sweet musical confection is a Broadway favorite, featuring a tasty score by Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Sara Bareille and a freshly baked book by Jessie Nelson. 450 Post St. sfplayhouse.org 

Nov. 26
Chase Center | Cindi Lauper

One night only: “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour” from the Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning songwriter and performing artist with global record sales in excess of 50 million. 11 p.m. show. chasecenter.com  

Nov. 26 – Dec. 24
American Conservatory Theater | A Whynot Christmas Carol

A joyous and puckishly funny family-friendly adaptation of Charles Dickens’s beloved classic. Festive music, magical ghosts, an effervescent cast of kids. Toni Rembe Theatre, 415 Geary St.. act-sf.org

Nov.  27 – Jan. 5, 2025
Broadway SF | Hamilton 

Photo: Joan Marcus

 

A revolutionary story of passion, unstoppable ambition, and the dawn of a new nation. Winner of 11 Tony Awards, Grammy®, and Olivier Awards, plus the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and a special citation from Kennedy Center Honors. Limited six-week engagement. Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St. broadwaysf.com

Nov. 29- 30 and Dec. 19-21
San Francisco Symphony Film With Live Orchestra | Amadeus and Elf™ – In Concert

Embrace the magic of music and the movies. In November, the tale of Mozart’s music, loves, and rivalries won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor. In December, Santa Claus soars across the big screen. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. sfsymphony.org 

 

Related: Events Calendar: December 2024