Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves bring world-class jazz to SFJAZZ Center on Friday evening, while the San Francisco Symphony takes Davies Symphony Hall with Garrick Ohlsson’s Brahms interpretation the same night. Yet the weekend’s real character emerges in the collision between those classical and jazz anchors and everything else unfolding across the city—punk energy at August Hall, electronic producers at Public Works, operatic spectacle at the War Memorial, and comedians working rooms from Cobb’s to the Punch Line.
Tip: code GTIX20 takes 20% off ticket prices on every event below — no minimum and no expiry.
Branford Marsalis & Dianne Reeves
Fri, Sep 18, 7:30 PM · SFJAZZ Center – Miner Auditorium · from $78
The legendary saxophonist and acclaimed vocalist converge at SFJAZZ Center for an evening of sophisticated improvisation and soulful interplay. Marsalis brings decades of jazz credibility—from his Sting collaborations to his classical crossover work—while Reeves’s voice carries the warmth and precision that made her a Grammy favorite. Expect a masterclass in real-time musical conversation.
San Francisco Symphony: Garrick Ohlsson Plays Brahms
Fri, Sep 18, 7:30 PM · Davies Symphony Hall · from $44
Pianist Garrick Ohlsson takes the stage at Davies Symphony Hall for an evening centered on Brahms’s architectural genius. The San Francisco Symphony provides the orchestral depth that makes these concertos sing, and Ohlsson’s interpretive clarity has earned him recognition as one of the finest Brahms interpreters of our time. A Friday night that rewards close listening.
Jack Harlow
Sat, Sep 19, 7:30 PM · The Masonic – San Francisco · from $54
The Louisville rapper brings his charismatic energy and clever wordplay to The Masonic on Saturday night. Known for his collaborations with Lil Baby and his own radio-friendly hits, Harlow commands a room with the kind of presence that translates equally well to arena crowds and intimate venues. Expect high-energy hip-hop with genuine star power.
San Francisco Opera: Simon Boccanegra
Sat, Sep 19, 2:00 PM · War Memorial Opera House · from $54
Verdi’s tale of political intrigue and family secrets unfolds across the War Memorial Opera House stage with full orchestral grandeur. The opera’s soaring melodies and dramatic intensity make it a perennial favorite, and the War Memorial’s acoustics and staging bring the Genoese setting to vivid life. Saturday matinee or evening—both offer the spectacle opera demands.
The Exploited
Fri, Sep 18, 8:00 PM · August Hall · from $39
The Scottish punk legends bring unfiltered raw energy to August Hall on Friday night, channeling the same anarchic spirit that defined their 1980s output. Wattie Buchan’s snarl and the band’s relentless drive make for a visceral live experience that stands in sharp contrast to everything else happening across the city this weekend. Punk authenticity, no apologies.
Arlo Parks
Sat, Sep 19, 8:00 PM · The Regency Ballroom · from $35
The British singer-songwriter brings introspective indie-pop sensibility to The Regency Ballroom on Saturday evening. Parks’s music blends vulnerable lyricism with lush production, and her live shows capture the intimacy of her recordings while building to moments of genuine emotional power. A Saturday night for those seeking something thoughtful and beautifully crafted.
Steve Aoki
Sat, Sep 19, 7:00 PM · Bill Graham Civic Auditorium · from $67
The electronic producer and DJ takes Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Saturday night with the kind of high-energy production that has made him a festival staple and club favorite. Aoki’s sets blend progressive house, electro, and pop sensibility, and his live shows are known for their visual spectacle and crowd engagement. Dance-floor intensity on a major stage.
MGMT (DJ Set)
Sat, Sep 19, 9:00 PM · Public Works · from $102
The Brooklyn electronic-rock duo steps into the DJ booth at Public Works on Saturday night, reimagining their catalog and exploring electronic territory beyond their studio work. MGMT’s live DJ sets are known for their unpredictability and sonic adventurousness, making for a different kind of evening than a traditional rock show. Saturday night for electronic-minded listeners.
Chitresh Das Dance Company: Invoking the River
Sun, Sep 20, 4:00 PM · Presidio Theatre · from $68
The acclaimed Indian classical dance ensemble brings Kathak tradition to the Presidio Theatre on Sunday afternoon, channeling the sacred and the sensual through intricate footwork and expressive storytelling. Chitresh Das’s company honors classical rigor while creating contemporary resonance, and the Presidio’s intimate setting amplifies the performance’s nuance. A Sunday matinee that rewards full attention.
Lido Pimienta
Fri, Sep 18, 8:00 PM · Bimbos 365 Club · from $52
The Colombian-Canadian artist brings genre-defying energy to Bimbos 365 Club on Friday night, blending electronic production, R&B sensibility, and Latin influences into something entirely her own. Pimienta’s live shows are known for their emotional intensity and sonic adventurousness, and Bimbos’s intimate scale lets her artistry breathe. Friday night for listeners seeking something genuinely unexpected.
Check dates and times carefully—several venues host multiple shows across the weekend. Book early for the opera and symphony performances, and arrive with time to spare for comedy and smaller venues.
