Bay Area native and acclaimed director of Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights, Jon M. Chu now brings one of Broadway’s most beloved musicals to the big screen with the conclusion of his highly anticipated two-part adaptation of Wicked. In this exclusive conversation with Mina Kim of KQED’s award-winning program Forum, he reflects on his Bay Area roots, his rise through Hollywood, and the beauty of reimagining stories that feel larger than life.
Our Partners’ Events
The Box SF Holiday Artists and Makers Fair
12/6-12/7 | The Box SF | 1069 Howard St, SF | 11 a.m. | Free
Join us at our historic building in the heart of San Francisco for a weekend of creativity, community, and supporting local artists sales!
SF Phil Presents Bruch’s Violin Concerto & Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8
12/13 | Wilsey Center | 301 Van Ness Ave, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $35
Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor unfolds in the hands of Wyatt Underhill, associate concertmaster of the San Francisco Symphony, who brings to life the work’s lyricism and fiery brilliance. From its impassioned opening to its stunning finale, the concerto is one of the most beloved in the violin repertoire.
The Crossword Show at KQED
12/12 | The Commons at KQED | 2601 Mariposa St, SF | 7 p.m. | $41.52-$87.21
Host Zach Sherwin (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “Epic Rap Battles of History”) presides as his guests Glynn Washington, host of Snap Judgment, and comedian Jackie Keliiaa solve a crossword puzzle live onstage, with everything displayed on a screen so the audience can follow along.
Alameda Rock & Roll Flea Market
12/7 | Faction Brewing | 2501 Monarch St, Alameda | 11 a.m. | Free
Featuring 60+ vendors offering a variety of items including vinyl records, music memorabilia, vintage clothing, tiki/Hawaiiana, and more. Enjoy live music by Deke Dickerson, Lowell Levinger of The Youngbloods/Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul. Food by Satay By The Bay SF, Coba Coffee, and Crazy Block Cheesecakes, along with craft beer brewed on-site by Faction Brewing.
This Week’s Events 11/25-12/1
Tuesday 11/25
The Regular Sketch Show
11/25 | Great American Music Hall | 859 O’Farrell St, SF | 8 p.m. | $25.77
Comedic internet duo Taylor Graysen Owen and James Mitchell Neal are putting down the phone and picking up the mic for their new live show The Regular Sketch Show.
Wednesday 11/26
STUFFED FAM - A Chosen Family Holiday Escape
11/26 | SF Eagle | 398 12th St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $15-$30 Recommended
STUFFED FAM brings together a lineup of bold, hilarious queer comics ready to serve up sharp wit, heartfelt humor, and the reminder that you’re never alone — especially in a room full of chosen family.
Thursday 11/27
Indigenous Peoples' Sunrise Gathering
11/27 | Pier 33 - Alcatraz Landing | Pier 33 Embarcadero, SF | 4:15 a.m. | $15.50+
The Indigenous Peoples' Day Sunrise Gathering is organized by the International Indian Treaty Council commemorating the 1969-71 occupation of Alcatraz by the Indians of All Tribes.
Friday 11/28
FAN EXPO San Francisco
11/28-11/30 | Moscone Center West | 747 Howard St, SF | 10 a.m. | $47+
If you're into comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, gaming, or cosplay, come share our playground. You'll feel out of this world – and right at home.
Misfit Cabaret Ghosted
11/28 | Great American Music Hall | 859 O’Farrell St, SF | 8 p.m. | $58+
Join us as we conjure spirits from the past, haunted by those who’ve done them wrong. Featuring original music by Kat Robichaud and an eclectic gathering of ghosts, this specter of a spectacle is sure to tickle your spine!
Saturday 11/29
San Francisco Squares, a Game Show Fundraiser
11/29 | The Great Star Theater | 636 Jackson St, SF | 7 p.m. | $35+
Get ready for a night of laughter, wit, and local star power as the Great Star Theater presents San Francisco Squares — a Bay Area spin on the legendary TV game show The Hollywood Squares! With our very own Broke-Ass Stuart!
Holiday Noir: Silent Night Speakeasy
11/29-12/30 | W San Francisco | 181 3rd St, SF | 4:30 p.m. | $39.19
W San Francisco invites you to indulge in a velvet underground high above the city skyline—where the cocktails are moody, the music swings sultry, and the vibe is unmistakably W.
Baba's House 4 Year Anniversary Party
11/29 | 13 Orphans Lounge | 410 15th St, Oakland | 6 p.m. | $47.66
It’s been four wild, wonderful years of building community, mahjong, music, and memories — and we’re throwing a party worthy of it all. Join us for an evening of celebration, mahjong and delicious bites.
Sunday 11/30
Season of the Winter Witch Yule Marketplace
11/30 | Gilman Brewing Company | 912 Gilman St, Berkeley | 12 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP
You’ll find everything you need to create your Yule altar, including altar cloths, cauldrons, candles, incense, herbs and spices, decorations, crystals, pendulum boards, healing grids, divination tools, toning bowls, and so much more.
Monday 12/1
Monday Night Jam at Tupelo
12/1 | Tupelo | 1337 Grant Ave, SF | 9 p.m. | Free, 21+
Every Monday night from 9pm to 1am our professional house band serves up hot sets covering an eclectic mix of genres including funk, soul, R&B, rock, and pop.
Next Week’s Events 12/2-12/8
Tuesday 12/2
Save Ferris
12/2 | Great American Music Hall | 859 O’Farrell St, SF | 8 p.m. | $31.96
Formed in 1995, Save Ferris remains one of the seminal and most beloved bands from the third wave of ska. The group’s Orange County home was fertile ground for a thriving music scene, with punk, rock, and ska emerging from the region. Save Ferris blended the best elements of these sounds to help bring the region’s sound to the world.
Figure Drawing & Dance Party
12/2 | Madrone Art Bar | 500 Divisadero St, SF | 6:30 p.m. | $15 cash, 21+
We’ll have a special figure drawing event at Madrone Art Bar, followed by a dance party - with live DJs spinning records all night long.
Wednesday 12/3
Civic Center Plaza Tree Lighting 2025
12/3 | Civic Center Plaza | 335 McAllister St, SF | 4 p.m. | Free
A night of festive entertainment, performances include the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, the San Francisco Boys Choir, Magician Joshua Andrews, Boswick the Clown, the Grinch and more!
Drag-Up Comedy
12/3 | Cobb’s Comedy Club | 915 Columbus Ave, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $25.90+, 18+
This will be a fun night of laughs and glitter with host Kat Walker, featuring the best of Bay Area drag and the stars of RuPaul's Drag Race.
Thursday 12/4
Panel: Women in Tattooing
12/4 | Koret Auditorium Main Library | 100 Larkin St, SF | 6 p.m. | Free
Historically seen as the realm of men, tattooing has evolved in the last 25 years to include more women in the practice. Listen to four Bay Area women tattoo artists share their stories in this conversational discussion.
The Golden Girls Live
12/4-12/21 | Curran Theater | 445 Geary St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $37.44+
Take four drag legends, cast them in two parody holiday episodes of the iconic sitcom The Golden Girls, and you get what the San Francisco Chronicle calls “the true meaning of Christmas.”
Friday 12/5
Let's Glow SF 2025
12/5 | Ferry Building | 1 Ferry Building, SF | 5:30 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP
Breathtaking animated projections will illuminate eight iconic buildings across the city's core nightly, transforming them into colossal, colorful canvases featuring work by 19 artists from around the globe.
North Beach Holiday Night Market
12/5 | North Beach | Grant Ave between Vallejo & Filbert, SF | 5 p.m. | Free
The North Beach Night Market series features the participation of local restaurants, art vendors, gift shops, entertainment, games, and much more.
Saturday 12/6
Denim Market: Buy, Sell and Customize!
12/6 | KQED Headquarters | 2601 Mariposa St, SF | 3 p.m. | $12.96-includes food/beverage voucher
Your favorite local boutiques, thrift stores and streetwear brands converge at KQED for a denim market and community clothing swap! Upgrade your closet or customize a pair of jeans as a holiday gift at the Levi’s customization booth. Bring your old wardrobe pieces to sell at the Buffalo Exchange pop-up activation or trade with other fashionistas!
Krampus Pageant
12/6 | El Rio | 3158 Mission St, SF | 3 p.m. Doors | $10-$20 suggested donation, 21+
This raucous night of drag, live music, and devilish spectacle raises funds for Larkin Street Youth Services, a nonprofit dedicated to ending youth homelessness in San Francisco.
2nd Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
12/6 | Yerba Buena Gardens | 750 Howard St, SF | 6 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP
We're lighting a giant Coastal Redwood again! Come enjoy with cocoa, activities, and prizes.
Sunday 12/7
3rd Annual Inner Sunset Holiday Lights Stroll
12/7 | Inner Sunset | Irving St, SF | 5 p.m. | Free w/ RSVP
Featuring festively decorated and lit storefronts, living windows, live music, and in-shop events scattered throughout the neighborhood, including a scavenger hunt!
Monday 12/8
Ben Folds
12/5 | SFJazz | 201 Franklin St, SF | 7:30 p.m. | $44.50+
Singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ben Folds has built a protean career by moving from strength to strength, classical music to pop to alternative rock. An artist possessed of masterful technique and faultless instincts, he is also one of the most incisive lyricists of his generation.
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