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As the year winds down, events are ramping up. We've got 26 reasons to leave your house this week.

Foodies will be satisfied with a whimsical nine-course menu inspired by a classic folktale, an elevated Festival of Lights prix-fixe feast, a Q&A with chef Reem Assil, and a pizza techno party. Arts and culture more your thing?

Free First Thursdays return to SFMOMA, Alonzo King's Lines Ballet Company performs for two nights only, and Renegade Craft Fairs brings DIY spirit and holiday gift ideas to the Marina.

See you out there.

Enjoy a whimsical nine-course menu inspired by the classic European folktale, "Stone Soup." You'll gather around the hearth at Merchant Roots to hear the story of two travelers who use their magic stone to produce a miraculously restorative soup. As the story unfolds, play a part in reproducing the miracle and take an active role in the meal's evolution; Wednesday through Sunday. through February 22nd. // Merchant Roots, 1365 Fillmore St. (NoPa); reservations on exploretock.com

Celebrate the return of Union Square's holiday ice rink. Look out for favorite events including Drag Queens on Ice, Flashback Fridays, and Polar Bear Skate; opening celebration Wednesday at 9:30am. // Union Square; unionsquareicerink.com

Get your groove on with Kenneth Whalum, saxophonist to stars including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Maxwell. Whalum plays Jazz@TheEdge Festival, Wednesday through Sunday. // Black Cat Jazz Supper Club, 400 Eddy St. (Tenderloin); tickets ($25-$45) are available at blackcatsf.com.

Thank you to our partners at Black Cat.

Honor Diwali with a one-night-only, prix-fixe feast a Besharam. For the occasion, chef Heena Patel has created a four-course, family-style experience showcasing regional Gujarati dishes inspired by holiday festivities from her childhood in India; indoor and outdoor seatings from 5pm to 9pm Thursday. // Besharam, 1275 Minnesota St. (Dogpatch); reservations at exploretock.com

Edit your space (and self) with the help of Shira Gill, author of Minimalista: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Better Home, Wardrobe, and Life. Sip some bubbly, grab a signed copy of the book, and shop around with 10 percent off; Thursday at 5pm. // The Vintage Rug Shop, 5036 Telegraph Ave. (Oakland); RSVP on eventbrite.com

Get your culture fix for free at SFMOMA's First Thursdays. One day each month, all residents of the nine Bay Area counties are invited into the museum at no cost. As an added bonus, engage in live programming as an enhancement to current exhibitions, such as the Joan Mitchell retrospective with more than 80 colorful works; Thursday from 4pm to 8pm. // SFMOMA, 151 Third St. (SoMa), sfmoma.org.

Have a sweet time at Willy Wonky, anaugmented and interactive screening screening experience featuring pop-up fast facts on screen, tossed candy, disco lights, lasers, bubbles, and more; Thursday at 7:30pm. // Balboa Theater, 3630 Balboa St. (Outer Richmond); tickets on wonkyscreenings.com

Have a taste for controversy? LOL, or not, at Dave Chappelle'sChase Center appearance. The show will include a screening of his Untitled documentary followed by standup from Chappelle and guests; Thursday at 7pm. // Chase Center, 1 Warriors Way (Mission Bay); tickets at ticketmaster.com

Dave Chapelle not for you? Embrace fall in SF with slightly less controversial poolside comedy. Cozy up at Chamber's Eat & Drink for dinner, cocktails, and laughs; Thursday at 8pm. // Phoenix Hotel, 601 Eddy St. (Tenderloin); tickets on eventbrite.com

SFFILM's 7th Annual Doc Stories is back with a hybrid in-person and streaming event. The documentary showcase presents 17 films, filmmaker Q&As, and four live-streamed talks; Thursday through Sunday. // Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St. (Castro), and Vogue Theatre, 3290 Sacramento St. (Presidio Heights); Tickets at sffilm.org

Head to KQED's HQ for an interactive tasting and discussion with chef Reem Assil. She'll be teaching us about some of her favorite dishes and serving up small bites for the audience with a side of conversation about restaurant reform and community-rooted food culture; Friday at 7pm. // KQED Headquarters, 2601 Mariposa St. (Mission); tickets at kqed.org

Explore Bay Area and Truckee running trails at REI's Dirt, Sweat & Beers, a 5K/10K run and DIY cleanup series that makes you feel good while doing good. Run the open course 5K/10K races now through November 29. // Register at reidirtsweatandbeers.splashthat.com/7x7.

Thank you to our partners at REI.

Experience the best of Oakland at First Fridays. In case you missed it, the community festival returned last month with all the music, vendors, food specials, and spectacles we've grown to love. Pop into a gallery and support local artists, stuff your face with Korean barbecue, and don't forget to tip your bartender; Friday from 5pm to 9pm. // Telegraph Ave. between West Grand & 27th St. (Oakland), oaklandfirstfridays.org

Don't miss out: Alonzo King Lines Ballet presents Coming Back Home for two nights only. The company returns to its home stage in SF before departing on an extended tour of France this winter. Saturday's performance will include a post-show conversation with King; 7:30pm Saturday and Sunday. // Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard St. (SoMa); tickets at linesballet.org

An all-levels cardio mat pilates class with Golden Gate Bridge views? Sign us up. This 45-minute outdoor class will be followed by a stretching cool down and tasty treats from Jane the Bakery; 10am to noon Saturday. // Presidio Main Parade Lawn, Montgomery St. (Presidio); tickets on eventbrite.com

Feed your soul with a techno pizza party. That's right, one of SF's best dance parties is back. Burn some cals dancing to the best rising techno and house music, then refuel with piping hot pizza delivered on the hour, every hour; Saturday from 1pm to 7pm. // Audio Nightclub, 316 11th St. (SoMa); tickets on evenbrite.com

Everyone's favorite sober morning rave is back for IRL shenanigans.After a nearly two year Covid-related hiatus, Daybrkr is back for a yoga and dance party; Saturday at 10am. // District Six, 428 11th St. (SoMa); tickets on eventbrite.com

San Francisco Symphony celebrates Day of the Dead. Conducted by Enluis Montes Olivar, this annual Symphony event features traditional Latin American music and culture, guest artists, vibrant festivities, and fun-filled events for the entire family; Saturday at 2pm. // Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets at sfsymphony.org

Sade vs. Badu? Why not both! Get down to the sounds of the soul queens and other inspired classics; Saturday, 9pm to late. // The New Parish, 1743 San Pablo Ave. (Oakland); tickets on eventbrite.com

Treat yourself to a waterfront wine and chocolate tasting. Head to the East Bay's Riggers Loft Wine Company for epic views, a flight of wine, and sweets from local artisan chocolatiers; Saturday, 10am to 1pm. // Riggers Loft Wine Company, 1325 Canal Boulevard (Richmond); tickets at eventbrite.com

Celebrate all things Asian culture and cuisine at the oldest and largest Asian American-run tasting benefit in the nation. Plate by Plate is an annual tasting, this year benefitting Florence Fang Community Farm—the largest community farm and second most productive urban farm in San Francisco. Your ticket gets you access to bites from some of the Bay Area's top chefs and restaurants; Saturday at 7pm. // San Francisco Design Center, 101 Henry Adams St. (SoMa); tickets at platebyplate.org

Shop from more than 200 local and national artists under one roof at Renegade Craft. Plus, enjoy solstice-inspired installations by Kim Nemeth and Blade & Knoll, have your oracle read by Portals, treat yourself to Plant Therapy greens, eat from local food trucks, sip on seasonal drinks, and more; 11am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday. // Fort Mason Festival Pavilion, 2 Marina Blvd. (Marina); details on renegadecraft.com

Ready or not, the Fugees are coming to Oakland for their 25th Anniversary Tour. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel are celebrating the anniversary of their 1996 blockbuster album, The Score; Sunday at 8pm. // Oakland Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way (Oakland); tickets at ticketmaster.com

Gear up for winter at Sports Basement's Snowfest. Throughout November, Bay Area locations will host this annual event featuring discounts on snow gear, giveaways, 2-for-1 lift ticket vouchers, and more; dates vary by location. // Sports Basement Bay Area locations, shop.sportsbasement.com

Take in a new exhibition, Lands End, housed inside the iconic former Cliff House. Curated by For-Site Foundation, this timely exhibition brings together work by 27 contemporary artists and collectives from around the globe to reflect on the fragility of the planet's health and its manifold intersections with critical issues, from human rights to racial equity, sustainability, and forced migration; opens Sunday and runs through March 2022. // 1090 Point Lobos Ave. (Sea Cliff); details on for-site.org

Stock up on carefully curated goods such as coffee, vinegar, beans, cheeses, spices, and more—all from producers dedicated to sustainable practices—at Bernal Cutlery's new, mission-driven pantry. One dollar from every transaction will be donated to Zero Foodprint, the SF-based nonprofit aimed at funding renewable farming practices to fight climate change. Sunday's opening party will include live music and small bites; open daily, noon to 6pm. // Bernal Cutlery, 766 Valencia St. (Mission), bernalcutlery.com

Mexico in a Bottle brings new meaning to staycation. Sip and savor your way through mezcals, tequilas, and more great spirits from a variety of producers—plus food, art, and music; Sunday at 4pm. // The Midway, 900 Marin St. (Bayview); Tickets on eventbrite.com.

Keep your eyes peeled for unexpected treasures at the Alameda Point Antiques Faire. More than 800 booths overstuffed with furniture, decor, clothing, jewelry, records, and more mean you can shop till you drop but with bay views; 6am to 3pm, every first Sunday. Take 7x7's Alameda brewery tour to celebrate your finds. // Alameda Point, 3900 Main St. (Alameda); tickets on alamedapointantiquesfaire.com