1960s. The hippie vibes are still strong in this colorful neighborhood that helped spark the counterculture movement. Lounge or take your pick of weekend drag brunches in the Castro District . FRESH AIR FESTS DAZZLING DRAG TRADITION WITH A TWIST San Francisco’s drag culture dates back to the 1800s, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that this queer art form hit the mainstream. Part activism and part artistry, drag is a celebrated fixture of the city’s nightlife. Oasis , owned by the nation’s first Drag Laureate, D’Arcy Drollinger, hosts everything from cabaret-style shows to all-Black drag revues. For more fun, see the famous Hot Boxxx Girls at Aunt Charlie’s The San Francisco Ballet and the San Francisco Symphony are among the oldest and most venerated performing arts companies in the country. These days, they’re making history by experimenting with tech in intriguing ways — like incorporating AI-generated art into stage design, and enhancing performances with bursts of scent. Whether you prefer the classics or the avant-garde, you can enjoy them both on these storied stages. From June through October, San Francisco’s hills are alive with the sound of music — festivals, that is. Head to Pier 80 to hear the best in electronic music at Portola Festival , one of the city’s newest music events, or jam out to sounds from many genres at Outside Lands . Several top festivals happen to be free, including Stern Grove and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass , where dancing barefoot on the lawn at Golden Gate Park will take you back to the Summer of Love. Alive Coverage Outside Lands San Francisco Culture Trips . 41
San Francisco Visitors Planning Guide 2025 VPG: Page 41
