In a word: weather! Here’s a sunny preview of autumn highlights from San Francisco and the Bay Area’s wonderful cultural offerings including film, art, opera, symphony, and more. This season brings arts and entertainment into the spotlight. Once again, Haute Living San Francisco is a proud media sponsor of this month’s Mill Valley Film Festival and the 43rd San Francisco Fall Show.
OCTOBER
Oct. 2 – 12
Mill Valley Film Festival
In its 48th year, the 11-day internationally acclaimed cinema event presents a broad variety of new films. Seven venues, 200 filmmakers representing 50 countries in an engaged community-wide setting. Haute Living San Francisco is a proud media sponsor. mvff.com
Oct. 3 – 5
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Eighty acts on six stages in Golden Gate Park, the free music festival has been an annual San Francisco hallmark, drawing large crowds for 25 years. hardlystrictlybluegrass.com
Oct. 5 – 13
Fleet Week
U.S. Navy Blue Angels (Photo- Senior Airman Alexander Cook)
Land, sea, and air. U.S. Navy Blue Angels headline the dramatic airshow over San Francisco Bay during a week filled with concerts and tours of visiting ships, plus a parade of ships along the waterfront. fleetweeksf.org
Oct. 11 – March 1, 2026
Legion of Honor | Manet and Morisot
The first major exhibition dedicated to artistic exchanges between these two French Impressionists. Édouard Manet was the era’s great pioneer of modern painting; Berthe Morisot was the only woman among the original group of artists to exhibit under her own name. Lincoln Park, 100 34th Ave. famsf.com
Oct. 12
157th Italian Heritage Festival & Parade
Since 1869, North Beach has drawn thousands to the popular event, a fun-filled day celebrating the wonderful Italian-American community. Featuring sidewalk art, live music, performances, parade floats, pizza, and lots more. sfitalianheritage.org
Oct. 15
43rd San Francisco Fall Show | Opening Night Gala
Haute Living San Francisco is pleased to be a media partner (show dates Oct. 16-19), a celebration of the timeless appeal of decorative arts, fashion, photography, and fine art. This year’s theme is ‘Paradise Found,’ at the West Coast’s longest running art show. Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason, 2 Marina Blvd. sffallshow.org
Oct. 18 – 19
53rd Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
On historic Main Street between Mill and Spruce streets in the “World Pumpkin Capital” at 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., free. Kicks off Oct. 13 with the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. pumpkinfest.miramarevents.com
Oct. 21 – 26
Broadway San Jose | Some Like It Hot
Set in Chicago when Prohibition had everyone thirsty for a little excitement, this show won more awards than any in its season: Best Musical by the Drama Desk, The Drama League, and the Outer Critics Circle. San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 S Almaden Blvd., San Jose. broadwaysanjose.com
Oct. 23 – 26
SFJAZZ | Branford Marsalis Quartet
Jazz Master Branford Marsalis represents “the highest echelon of jazz tenor saxophonists” says Los Angeles Times. Presenting the music of Keith Jarrett in the Belonging Tour. 201 Franklin St. sfjazz.org
Oct 22 – Nov. 9
BroadwaySF | Suffs
Direct from Broadway, comes the acclaimed Tony Award®-winning musical about the brilliant, passionate, and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St. broadwaysf.com
Oct. 25 – Nov. 13
San Francisco Opera | Parsifal
For the first time in 25 years, Wagner’s final opera returns in a brand new San Francisco Opera production directed by Matthew Ozawa. Music Director Eun Sun Kim continues her exploration of Wagner’s works through this sublime score, brought to life with a cast of Wagnerian superstars joined by the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, chorus and dancers. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave. sfopera.com
Oct. 28 – Nov. 23
BroadwaySF | Stereophonic
It’s 1976 again. The most Tony-nominated play of all time gives audiences a look into the hyper-realistic studio side of a Fleetwood Mac-style band making an album. Curran Theatre, 445 Geary St. broadwaysf.org
Oct. 29 – 30
San Francisco Symphony | Coco and Vertigo
Film with Live Orchestra presents Disney/Pixar’s Coco featuring music by Michael Giacchino on the 29th. Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo with music by Bernard Herrmann, is presented the following evening. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. sfsymphony.org
Oct. 30 – 31
Grace Cathedral | Halloween Silent Films
The sacred space of Grace Cathedral transforms into a grand movie palace for two special, spooky screenings of silent film classics: Phantom of the Opera (1925); Nosferatu (1922) accompanied by the 7,500 pipe organ played by renowned organist and composer Dorothy Papadakos. 8 p.m. 1100 California St. sfjazz.org
Oct. 31 – Dec. 7
Berkeley Rep | The Hills of California
A compelling, tender, and funny tale of the Webb sisters’ return to their childhood home in an English seaside town. West Coast debut following acclaimed West End and Broadway productions. Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St., Berkeley. berkeleyrep.org