🎪Cabarets, Circus, Art Walks, & More!

The Worst of Broke-Ass Stuart: 20 Years of Love, Death & Dive Bars is exactly what it sounds like. Part memoir, part cultural archive, the book brings together twenty years of stories about scraping by, speaking up, and falling in and out of love with the most beautifully heartwarming and heartbreaking place in America. These 350 pages chronicle my many escapades, like running for Mayor of San Francisco, getting paid to travel the world, and hosting my own TV show, as well as my mediations on things like love, death, and of course, dive bars.

We’re gifting a lucky soul a pair of tickets to MIRAGE, an intentional, alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration. You can buy your tickets here or enter below for a chance to dance your way into the new year with us.

Ho Ho Ho for the Holidays: A Naughty & Nice Cabaret
12/20 & 12/21 | Martuni’s | 4 Valencia St, SF | 7 p.m. | $28.52, 21+

Join Scrumbly Koldewyn, Bonni Suval, and Ellie Stokes for Ho Ho Ho for the Holidays, a Naughty & Nice Cabaret, at Martuni’s. It will be a night of music, drink, song, and puppets that may make Grandma blush. Oh what fun you will have with Scrumbly, Bonni, and Ellie leading the way through sing-along standards guaranteed to get you in the holiday mood with Rudolph, Frosty, Emmet Otter, Joni Mitchell, Elvis Presley, Santa, The Pogues, Jose Feliciano, and more all there is spirit.

10% off San Francisco’s Circus Bella: STARLIGHT
12/19-1/4 | The Crossing at East Cut | 250 Main St, SF | 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. (Check site for daily times) | $57.65+

San Francisco’s Circus Bella Presents STARLIGHT, An All-New Winter Circus Spectacular! STARLIGHT runs until Jan 4, 2026 in a custom, heated Big Top Circus Tent right in the heart of San Francisco. This show combines all the nostalgia and beauty of an old-timey circus with the eyebrow-raising savvy & modern look of 2025. Use code “STUART10” for 10% off or use the button below for automatic discount.

Tuesday 12/16

Moulin Rouge
12/16-12/28 | Orpheum Theatre | 1192 Market St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $72.54+

Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza.

Wednesday 12/17

Unsilent Night
12/17 | Golden Gate Valley Library Branch | 1801 Green St, SF | 6 p.m. | Free

Gather in front of the Golden Gate Valley library for this special holiday event. Each participant simultaneously plays one of four pre-recorded tracks from a mobile device that amplifies music as we walk together on a pre-determined 45-minute route.

Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas
12/17 | The Freight | 2020 Addison St, Berkeley | 7:30 p.m. | $30-$65

Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas recreates the joy and innocence of a night before Christmas in a remote farmhouse in his native parish of Teampall an Ghleanntáin in the west of Ireland in the 1950s… when the neighboring families gather around the fire to grace the wintry night with traditional Irish Christmas carols.

Thursday 12/18

Castro Wine Walk Holiday Edition
12/18 | The Academy SF | 2166 Market St | 6 p.m. | $40-$70

Enjoy seasonal pours while soaking in holiday vibes and neighborhood spirit.

The Knife's Edge presents Quiet Alchemy
12/18 | Mirus Gallery | 540 Howard St, SF | 6 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP

Join us for a special night at Mirus Gallery as we explore the softer side of The Knife's Edge exhibition with an intimate Art Workshop with two of our featured artists, Candlelit Cocktail hour and Meditation, Performance and Music.

Friday 12/19

Rooftop Holiday Faire
12/19 & 12/20 | Fairmont San Francisco | 950 Mason St, SF | 12 p.m. | Free

This unique open-air market will bring the charm of a European holiday village to Nob Hill… complete with lights, festive music, and panoramic city views.

Crazy Shades of Winter: An LGBTQ+ and Allies Holiday Art Show
12/19 | 2727 California Street Gallery | 2727 California St, Berkeley | 2 p.m. | $5

Last-minute holiday shoppers! Discover art by LGBTQ+ creators & allies—fun, bold, and even a little adults-only. Find the perfect gift!

Winter Solstice Inner Sunset Art Walk
12/19 | Hunt & Gather | 3143 Noriega St, SF | 5 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP

Stroll through the charming, festive streets of the Inner Sunset, immerse yourself in the community atmosphere, and discover a diverse range of local art, music, and business.

Saturday 12/20

The Richie Cunning & DJBADDJ Holiday Special
12/20 | Neck of the Woods | 406 Clement St, SF | 8 p.m. | $24.66, 21+

Cozy up and tune in for the first ever Holiday Special from your two favorite stocking stuffers, Richie Cunning & DJBADDJ. The fire is hot, the nog is cold, and we're expecting some very special guests throughout the night. Oh, and we just might have gotten you a little something...

The Nutcracker - Celebrating 60 Years of Oakland Ballet
12/20 & 12/21 | Paramount Theatre | 2025 Broadway, Oakland | 1 p.m. | $97.90

The spirit of the holidays is brought to life with beautiful dancing, magnificent scenery and imaginative costumes.

A Darling Misfit Christmas with Kat Robichaud and Friends
12/20 | The Lost Church San Francisco | 988 Columbus Ave, SF | 7:30 p.m. Doors | $56.37

This special engagement is a more direct, music-focused evening, offering a perfect blend of classic carols and Kat's signature new holiday classics, like the hilarious "The Gremlins Song" and "The Star Wars Holiday Special."

Manilatown Arts presents Club Mandalay
12/20 | International Hotel Manilatown Center | 868 Kearny St, SF | 2 p.m. | Free or Donation

This event will bring together jazz music lovers and community enthusiasts from all around the Bay Area. With a vibrant atmosphere and a lineup of talented musicians, Club Mandalay promises to keep you grooving all afternoon.

Sunday 12/21

Solstice Soiree w/ Deborah Crooks and Zoe FitzGerald Carter
12/21 | Thee Stork Club | 2330 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley | 6 p.m. | $19.59

Celebrate the solstice and new music from two deep-feeling, Americana songwriters and their bands!

Monday 12/22

Winter Walk 2025
Now-12/24 | Union Square | Stockton St between Post & O’Farrell | 11 a.m. | Free

San Francisco’s signature holiday will once again feature a holiday marketplace, food trucks, family-friendly stage programming, holiday decor, and seasonal drinks.  

Tuesday 12/23

The Fabulous Bud E. Luv Christmas Extravaganza
12/23 | The Chapel | 777 Valencia St, SF | 8 p.m. | $37.11

Mr. Luv delivers to you the hottest hits from Vegas: Frank Sinatra, Wayne Newton, Sammy Davis Jr., Tom Jones, and the list goes on. He's got a sense of humor that won't quit, and a set of pipes that'll knock your socks off.

Wednesday 12/24

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir
12/24 | Great American Music Hall | 859 O’Farrell St, SF | 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. | $28.25

Under the leadership of Emmy-winning director Terrance Kelly, this “treasured Bay Area institution” brings together over 300 singers of diverse faiths, races, and cultures who share one uplifting message: inclusion and belonging through song.

Thursday 12/25

33rd Annual Kung Pao Kosher Comedy
12/24-12/26 | Imperial Palace Restaurant | 818 Washington St, SF | 5 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. | $30-$95

Kung Pao Kosher Comedy™, which set out to answer the age-old question, “What are Jews supposed to do on Christmas?” is now celebrating its 33rd year and is one of San Francisco’s longest running comedy shows!

Friday 12/26

Al Madrigal
12/26-12/28 | Cobb’s Comedy Club | 915 Columbus Ave, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $38.20+, 18+

SF comedian Al Madrigal (best known for his work on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart). Also featuring Nicole Becannon.

Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes
12/26 & 12/27 | The Chapel | 777 Valencia St, SF | 8 p.m. | $37.11

Chuck Prophet’s Cumbia music intoxicatingly rhythmic, all but demanding you move your body while you listen. There are flashes of rock and roll, punk, surf, and soul, wrapped up in the rich legacy of a genre that traces its roots back hundreds of years and thousands of miles.

Saturday 12/27

RuPaul DJ Set
12/27 | The Midway | 900 Marin St, SF | 8:30 p.m. | $92.70

Sashay to see RuPaul DJ!

7th Annual Yuletide Oddities Market
12/27 | Winchester Mystery House | 525 S. Winchester Blvd, SJ | 10 a.m. | $7.18

Yuletide METAPHYSICAL FAIRE Tarot, Reiki, Belly Dancer Scarlet Conte, Scara Darling (W) Paint & Sip.

House of RED Fashion show
12/27 | First Presbyterian Church of Oakland | 2619 Broadway, Oakland | 6 p.m. | $35+

House of Red is an independent, high-intensity fashion-theater experience created by 15 artists across fashion, music, movement, and visual design. This isn’t a runway. It’s a full narrative performance staged inside a historic church, designed to hit you with atmosphere, story, and spectacle from the moment you walk in.

Sunday 12/28

Sound Bath Experience
12/28 | Conservatory of Flowers | 100 John F Kennedy Dr, SF | 5:30 p.m. | $45

Immerse yourself in the rejuvenating sounds of Crystal Singing Bowls, Paiste Gongs, Hand Pan, Monochord, Native and Ocean Drums, Chimes, vocals and more.

Monday 12/29

Monday Night Hubba Presents: Star Wars Holiday Party
12/29 | DNA Lounge | 375 11th St, SF | 9 p.m. | $10-$20, 18+

Monday Night Hubba is the perfect way to start your week sexy: with cocktails, tease, & comedy. A fun-filled, shimmering showcase of local, national and international burlesque and variety talent!

Swedish House Mafia
12/29 | Pier 80 Warehouse | 401 Cesar Chavez St, SF | 6 p.m. | $110.40+, 21+

Swedish House Mafia is a renowned Swedish electronic music supergroup consisting of members Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso, known for their significant impact on the EDM scene.

You already know independent journalism makes very little money. We don’t get paid more if we expose corruption, we don’t get a bonus for giving free exposure to small businesses, we don’t get lucrative contracts for interviewing local artists or defending the Bay Area’s progressive ideals. We’re only able keep doing this because of readers like you.

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