7x7 editors reveal the hottest events going on this week and give you a head's up on tickets to grab in advance (before they sell out)!

Pride Nightlife at Cal Academy 

Get your PRIDE festivities started the right way with Cal Academy's annual PRIDE party. Drag queen extraordinaire Heklina and friends will put on an out of this word show, inspired by the farthest and fiercest reaches of space. In the Coral Reef, groove to the fabled funk and soul stylings of Hard French DJs Carnita and Brown Amy, and inside the Piazza, unleash your inner dance floor diva with high energy sets by DJ Rapid Fire and Trannyshack’s Juanita More. For the nerdy bits, learn about how humans think, feel, communicate, and create during a special screening of The Science of Character, followed by a director Q&A, then explore the ways that pleasure has evolved over the years with Good Vibrations, who are bringing their pop-up antique vibrator museum. Then, learn to vogue with instructor Jocquese Whitfield and let your freak flag fly with Scrap SF as you make your own “leather and lace” handcuffs and wristbands. At the Project Lab, see beautifully colored nudibranchs from the Academy’s collection—and learn why their flamboyance makes them some of the most remarkable (and showy) creatures in the sea. Damn, that's one packed night. 

Thursday, June 26: 6 p.m., $12, California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr. Golden Gate Park, Get tickets here. 

DIY Succulent Class 

Gather's first workshop is here! Learn how to make a beautiful hanging succulent in a can (it's way prettier than it sounds), plus learn all about SF's favorite greenery, including how to grow and tend to them. Gather supplies the painted cans, soil, and succulents, so all you needto bring is your green thumb. Wine and refreshments will be served. 

Thursday, June 26: 6 - 8 p.m., $15, Gather, 541 Octavia Street. Get tickets here. 

USA vs. Germany: World Cup Food Truck Party

The World Cup has brougt a whole new meaning to day drinking. Start the weekend early (really early) with the 9 a.m. World Cup match between the US and Germany. SoMa StrEat Food Park is offering 10 HDTVs, beer bucket specials, awesome food trucks, and a festive and vocal soccer-loving crowd to ease you out of your bed on a Saturday morning. And don't forget – If the US wins, we win Group G (aka the Group of Death), but if we tie or lose, then Germany clenches their first place spot!

Thursday, June 26: 8 a.m., $5, SoMa StrEat Food Park, 428 11th St.

SF's Big Gay Birthday 

Celebrate SF's 238th birthday on the eve of SF Pride for the best of both words. (Also, SF's b-day WOULD be on Pride Weekend). You're in for a DJ set by JD Samson as well as performance by Double Duchess, Honey Mahogany, and Peaches Christ. And it wouldn't be a birthday party without cocktails and birthday cake. of course. Best of all – there'll be a lip sync contest where thegrand prize winner gets a trip for two to Auckland, New Zealand! So ready your inner Emma Stone and hold nothing back. 

Friday, June 27: 9 p.m., General Admission $20, VIP Tickets $50, Mezzanine, 444 Jessie Street, Get tickets here. 

Dyke March After Party 

2000 hot queers from around the world are headed to House of Babes this weekend for SFs biggest Dyke March After-Party! Start your evening off right with a happy hour that includes a huge outdoor area, food trucks, cheap drinks, SF Party Nails salon, and a SnapPea photobooth. Stay late to party on two dance floors, drink up at four bars, and enjoy live performances including NYC hip-hop divas Cakes da Killa and JunglePussy. A portion of the proceeds benefits Maitri, offering residential care to those living with HIV/AIDS. 

Saturday, June 28: 7 p.m. $15, Public Works,161 Erie. Get tickets here.