Batter up! Major League Baseball is back just in time for Easter. Hop over to Oracle Park for the home opener of the SF Giants on April 8. Across the bay, the A’s home opener is April 18. The classic regional rivalry of the Bay Bridge Series is April 26 and 27. If you prefer Quidditch to baseball, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” continues at the Curran Theater. Read on… there’s lots more fun to be had and things to do.
Featured Photo: SFMOMA Art Bash
San Francisco
San Francisco Ballet
Various dates
Three world premieres are presented this April: Artistic Director & Principal Choreographer Helgi Tomasson’s Harmony, Christopher Wheeldon’s Finale Finale, and Dwight Rhoden’s The Promised Land.
More info: sfballet.org
Spring SF Restaurant Week
April 1 - 10
Celebrate the flavors of San Francisco’s unique and diverse neighborhoods through special prix-fixe menus. Participating restaurants will offer special menus — price points to be announced soon. Stay tuned for updates, including a list of participating restaurants and menu details, by following their Instagram.
More info: sfrestaurantweek.com
SFMOMA Art Bash
April 8
It’s the year’s hottest art party. Get closer to the art in support of SFMOMA. Food, drink, dancing to a DJ like it’s 2019 all over again. Until 1am.
More info: sfmoma.org/event/series/artbash
San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival
April 9 - 17
Taiko drummer performances, a festival queen, plus music, dance, and food continues for two weekends while gorgeous pink blossoms explode to welcome spring. Free.
More info: sfcherryblossom.org
Guo Pei: Couture Fantasy, Legion of Honor
April 16 - Sept. 5
Exquisite craftsmanship, lavish embroidery, and extraordinary design from couturier Guo Pei in the first major museum exhibition to show the Chinese designer’s work.
More info: legionofhonor.famsf.org/guo-pei
Art Market
April 21 - April 24
Art Market San Francisco is the Bay Area’s premier art fair. Now going into its tenth edition, Art Market San Francisco will feature eighty-five modern and contemporary art galleries from around the world. The 2022 edition of Art Market San Francisco is pleased to present a significant selection of contemporary and modern artworks from returning Art Market exhibitors and exciting newcomers.
More info: artmarketsf.com
California Academy of Sciences’ Big Bang Gala
April 28
Big Bang | Next Wave will spotlight the Academy’s Hope for Reefs initiative, diving deep into cutting-edge research, global partnerships, and powerful public engagement programs that will help save coral reefs for future generations. Guests will be welcomed to a seated dinner in the museum’s Piazza, featuring a menu of locally sourced, sustainable fare by McCalls and have the opportunity to explore the museum while sipping on creative cocktails, sampling gourmet desserts from stations located throughout the museum, and enjoying festive music from DJ TOY.
More info: calacademy.org
RAIN: A Tribute to The Beatles, Golden Gate Theatre
April 30
It’s easy to imagine this is The Beatles in real life. RAIN has mastered every song, gesture, and nuance of the legendary foursome. Get back to where you once belonged for one night only.
More info: broadwaysf.com
East Bay
Berkeley Restaurant Week
March 24 – April 4
Berkeley Restaurant Week (#BRW22) tips off with a basketball-inspired theme, “March Munch Madness,” and offers from the city’s all-star restaurants. More than 50 local restaurants are set to “hoop it up” with special value menus and tiered pricing options: “Lay Ups” from $10-$20; “Jump Shots” from $20-$30; “Three Pointers” from $30-$40; and “Full Court Press” offers starting at $40.
Alameda Point Antiques Faire
April 3
On the first Sunday of every month, this outdoor space is home to the largest antiques show in Northern California. Free parking; admission for children under 16 with an adult. Tickets at the entrance. Opens 6 a.m., no admission after 3 p.m.
More info: alamedapointantiquesfaire.com
San Francisco Bay Area Flower & Garden Show
April 7 – 10
Stroll through gorgeous designer gardens where artfully arranged plants, trees, and flowers are in full bloom. Demos by top floral designers at Alameda County Fairgrounds.
More info: alamedacountyfair.com
Easter Celebration, Jack London Square
April 9
Smile! Families are invited to take selfies with the Easter Bunny in the plaza by Plank from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. There’s storytime with Mother Goose, contents, kids’ arts and crafts. Free.
More info: jacklondonsquare.com
Earth Day at the Oakland Zoo
April 22
A day full of live music, animal encounters, entertainment performances, and booths of over 50 hands-on Earth Stations and local environmental organizations. Every visitor gets a special eco-friendly gift.
More info: oaklandzoo.org
Sheep Shearing Day, San Ramon Historic Foundation
April 23
It’s time for the sheep to get their haircuts. Don’t miss the Paw Patrol sheep dog demonstrations, meet the lambs and the resident “sheep whisperer,” visit the tractor museum, enjoy music, food, and crafts plus some old-fashioned farm-style games for the children.
More info: srhf.org
North Bay
Purple, Purple: Mark Cherry at Poet and/the Bench
March 30 - May 30
Brooklyn-born Miami-based artist Mark Cherry, considered one of the few authentic naive painters of Miami, to Poet and/the Bench. His signature style of artworks, at once graphic and spontaneous, express an idealized world view of varied possibilities. An unconventional imprint of bold strokes, vibrant color palettes, found materials, repetitive imagery and painted over words, Mark is compared frequently to DuBuffet and Art Brut.
More info: poetandthebench.com
Free National Parks Day — Muir Woods National Monument
April 16
Enter the magnificent Redwood Forest. National Parks are fee-free throughout California, including Muir Woods, Alcatraz, and Hyde Street Pier at SF’s Maritime National Historical Park. Note: Reservations for Muir Woods shuttle bus and Alcatraz Cruise are required, even on free days.
More info: nps.gov
Macy Gray at the Blue Note Napa
April 15 – 16
With more than 25 million albums sold, the GRAMMY® Award-winning artist performs songs from her tenth full-length album, RUBY. Macy Gray performs four shows over two days.
More info: bluenotenapa.com
Butter & Egg Days Parade & Festival
April 23
Back after a two-year hiatus, Petaluma’s 39th Annual Butter & Egg Days Parade celebrates all things Petaluma, including the 36th annual Cutest Little Chick in Town Contest. Floats, food, and fun for this year’s theme, “Community – The Heart of Petaluma!” 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More info: petalumadowntown.com
Passport to Dry Creek Valley
April 23 – 24
Thirty-plus wineries are ready to greet you for a weekend filled with awesome food and wine pairings, live music and entertainers, plus plenty of pours. Northwest of Healdsburg on a tributary of the Russian River, the AVA is 16 miles long and 2 miles wide.
More info: drycreekvalley.org
Chelsea Handler at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
April 27 – 28
Funny girl Chelsea Handler brings her stand-up Vaccinated & Horny Tour to Sonoma County for two nights only.
More info: lutherburbankcenter.org
Spring Floral Party, Filoli
April 6 – 8
Guided by Filoli’s Horticulture Team, learn the basics of building a floral arrangement, artfully combining a mix of fresh flowers and greenery. Tour the gardens and the house in Woodside; be inspired by the luscious bouquets painted by the Dutch masters.
More info: filoli.org
West Side Story, Opera San Jose
April 16 – May 1
It doesn’t get any better than Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s classic American tale of two star-crossed lovers. This production features some of the most memorable tunes ever written for the musical stage. Six performances at the California Theatre.
More info: sanjose.org
Hillsborough Antiques Art Design Show
April 22 – 24
Over 100 exceptional exhibitors offering fine antiques including furniture, silver, porcelain, pottery, estate jewelry, Asian, majolica, oriental rugs, toys, fine art, posters, and more at San Mateo County Event Center.
More info: hillsboroughantiquesartdesign.com
Tribute to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
April 23
The tribute band “Petty Theft” brings the talent of Tom Petty and your favorite hits to Club Fox in Redwood City for a general admission open dance floor.
More info: bit.ly/3I7M9kq
San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks
April 26
At the SAP Center at San Jose, professional ice hockey action on the ice begins at 7:30 p.m.
More info: nhl.com/sharks
Looking for more things to do in the area?
Visit our What to Do in Northern California page!
