22 Fun Things to Do This Week (11.21.22)
Run, walk, or waddle your way to the finish line of a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. (Courtesy Oakland Turkey Trot)

22 Fun Things to Do This Week (11.21.22)

By

Move your feet before you eat by joining a turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning.

We rounded up the best ways to spend Thanksgiving week in the Bay Area including volunteer events, World Cup watch parties, seasonal cocktails, The Godfather with the SF Symphony, the Black Women's Roots Festival, and the debut of San Francisco's new Central Subway.


Have a good one!

Spend some time this week giving back to the community with Glide. All week long, Glide has plenty of opportunities to help chop, dice, mix, and slice in preparation for its annual Thanksgiving Day meals that will serve more than 2,500 people; Monday through Thursday. // Glide Foundation, 330 Ellis St. (Tenderloin); sign up at glidefoundation.secure.force.com.


The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank is also seeking volunteers this week for everything from delivering fresh groceries to homebound neighbors, warehouse stocking, pop-up pantries, and more at their SF and Marin warehouse locations. // Sign up at sfmfoodbank.org.


Looking for a way to get the whole family or office involved? Tap into your artistic side to make “Thinking of You” cards that Meals on Wheels will distribute (along with holiday meals) to lift the spirits of homebound and isolated seniors and adults with disabilities. // Details at mowsf.org.


Kick off the week with World Cup viewings across the city. SF Parks & Rec is teaming up with the nonprofit Street Soccer USA to host a World Cup village throughout San Francisco. Cheer on the U.S. Men’s National Team in their first World Cup showing since 2014 at public screenings of all of their matches at Civic Center Plaza, Union Square Plaza, JFK Promenade in Golden Gate Park, and the Crossing at East Cut. This week, you can watch America take on the Welsh at 11am on Monday at the Crossing, while Union Square Plaza will host the U.S.-England match at 11am on Black Friday. // Full schedule at worldcupsf.org.


Follow the lights to the Exploratorium. This season's edition of "Glow" features six artists illuminating Pier 15 with light sculptures both large and small. Plus, step inside the galleries for even more exciting light art; on view now through January 29th. // Exploratorium, Pier 15 (Embarcadero); tickets at exploratorium.edu.

Sprinkle a little magic into your week with the unveiling of San Francisco’s largest sugar castle. Standing at 12 feet tall, the confectionary marvel created by pastry chef Jean-Francois Houdré will resemble a French chateau from his hometown of Bordeaux. The castle weighs more than 1,200 pounds with more than 20 grand circular towers, approximately 30 rooms, and illuminated windows, and is surrounded by a quaint village and running train. Complimentary hot chocolate and treats will be served; Wednesday at 11am. // The Westin St. Francis (Union Square); details at marriott.com.


Coo over some adorable, adoptable cats and dogs from the SFSPCA at Macy’s Union Square. Gaze through the windows at the sweet available pets Thursdays to Sundays, noon to 5pm until January 1st. // Macy’s Union Square, 170 O'Farrell St. (Union Square); you can view the adoptable animals at sfspca.org.


The best way to prepare for the 5,000 calories headed your way on Thanksgiving Day is to hit a morning Turkey Trot. From Oakland to Santa Rosa and everywhere in between, waddle your way to the finish line and find your local Turkey Trot at runguides.com.

Whether you're tasked with hosting Thanksgiving dinner or booking the restaurant reservation, we've got you covered. We rounded up the best spots to buy your turkey and fixings, as well as the restaurants open for dine-in or takeout Thanksgiving dinner in Oakland, Marin, Wine Country, and San Francisco.


Blow off some post-Thanksgiving angst at the Emo Night Tour San Francisco. Sing along to all your favorite throwback tracks from Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, My Chemical Romance, and more; Friday at 9pm. // The Independent, 628 Divisadero St. (Fillmore); tickets at ticketweb.com.


The Golden Girls Live Christmas episodes return this week. Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia hit the stage with a fabulous drag twist—it's an SF holiday tradition; Friday through December 23 at 8pm. // Victoria Theater, 2961 16th St. (Mission); tickets at eventbrite.com.


Sure, you’ve seen The Godfather, but never with a live orchestra. The SF Symphony will breathe new life into the 10-time Academy Award–winning film from Francis Ford Coppola; Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm. // Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave. (Civic Center); tickets at sfsymphony.org.


Help Ghirardelli Square roll out the red carpet for Santa: The jolly one arrives to light up the tree in the main plaza along with a performance by the San Francisco Boys Chorus. Join in for holiday photos, stroll through the square as it glows with Christmas decor, and shop for holiday merch and delicious bites; 4pm to 8:30pm Friday. // Ghirardelli Square, Upper Plaza

900 North Point St (Fisherman’s Wharf), ghirardellisq.com.

Thank you to our partners at Ghirardelli Square.

Get into the spirit with a seasonal cocktail at the Vault Garden’s transformed Winter Wonderland. The fully tented outdoor restaurant and bar in downtown SF is the perfect post-shopping destination, and beginning Friday it will be serving up a new cocktail menu of festive concoctions; Friday, 11:30am to 9pm through New Year’s. // The Vault Garden, 555 California St. (Financial District); reservations at thevault555.com.


Pop into Pop! Lounge, a cute Champagne bar tucked inside the Westin St. Francis, when need a break from all the Black Friday shopping. Sip with views of Union Square’s Christmas tree and ice rink, along with a rotating lineup of DJs; 1pm to 7pm Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 6pm Sundays, through December 18th. // The Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell St. (Union Square); marriott.com.


Head to Downtown San Rafael for Shop Small Saturday, the Annual Parade of Lights, and Winter Wonderland. A makers marketplace, elf hunt, window decorating contest, costumed characters, live music, face painting, and a lighted classic car parade await; Saturday, 1pm to 5:30pm. // 4th Street from Lincoln to Lootens (San Rafael); details at downtownsanrafael.org.


Join the Children's Creativity Museum and the Yerba Buena Gardens Conservancy for this year's Carousel Lighting celebration. The family-friendly event includes free rides on the LeRoy King Carousel, snowflake crafts, light installations by SoMa Pilipinas, a cultural performance by Kariktan Dance Company, and much more; Saturday at 4pm to 6:30pm. // 221 4th St. (SoMa); details at creativity.org.


Shop Black-owned businesses at the Holiday Christmas Kwanzaa Gift Show. At the largest African-American business and consumer show in Northern California, peruse apparel, art, jewelry, beauty, hair care, and more. There will also be an art activity zone for children and adults; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 7pm. // Oakland Convention Center, 550 10th St. (Oakland); tickets at eventbrite.com.

A beloved Bay Area tradition, The Velveteen Rabbit is brought to life on stage by ODC/Dance with choreography by KT Nelson over 10 matinee performances; 11am Thursdays and Fridays and 3pm Saturdays and Sundays, November 26th through December 11th. // Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA, 700 Howard St. (SoMa); tickets at odc.dance.


Whether you’re booking a client dinner or product launch, a cocktail soiree or multi-course food and wine pairing, Afici’s warm and professional team will attend to every detail. This new SoMa restaurant with European and Italian influences offers two private dining rooms or one large space to create the perfect setting for your special event. // 680 Folsom St. (SoMa), aficisf.com

Thank you to our partners at Afici.


It’s always worth a drive down to Paso Robles to visit Bruce Munro’s Light at Sensorio, but it's especially true on Sunday, November 27th when ticket sales will help raise funds for two worthy local nonprofits: Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA) and the Explorer Program; Sunday, 5pm to 9:30pm. // Sensorio, 4380 Highway 46 East (Paso Robles); tickets at visit sensoriopaso.com.


Soothe your soul at the Black Women's Roots Festival. Join the Dynamic Miss Faye Carol & Her All-Star Quartet, Lady Tramaine Hawkins, Lady Bianca, Terrie Odabi, Oakland Poet Laureate Ayodele Nzinga, and Emerging Artist Le Perez for a celebration of the powerful, pioneering Black women of blues, roots, and gospel; Sunday at 4pm. // Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison St. (Berkeley); tickets at thefreight.org.


Catch a ride on San Francisco’s new Central Subway. To familiarize riders with the four new Muni stops linking SoMa, Union Square, and Chinatown, the SFMTA will offer special weekend service in the new Central Subway with free rides through January 1st; trains will run every 12 minutes from 8am to midnight, Saturday and Sunday. // Details at sfmta.com


Celebrate Holidays in the Vineyards, a Livermore Valley tradition. Area wineries will be decorated for the season and pouring special wines along with holiday music and various activities. Admission is free, though tasting fees may apply and vary by winery; noon to 4:30pm, Dec. 3-4. // For a full list of activities, visit lvwine.org.

Thank you to our partners at Livermore Valley AVA.

Related Articles
Now Playing at SF Symphony
View this profile on Instagram

7x7 (@7x7bayarea) • Instagram photos and videos

Neighborhoods
From Our Partners