Park Programs

Come play with bubbles, giant blocks, children’s books, and fun weekly programs!

Tabletop games and craft supplies for all ages to borrow while you’re in the park.

Stimulate your mind with chess sets and classic books available to borrow in this quiet corner.

Challenge your friends to a game of Pop-a-Shot, ping pong, corn hole, or giant Jenga!

10am – 11:30am | Tuesdays

Music, movement, and fairies, oh my! Bring your little ones for interactive and musical activities, led on a rotating basis by Happily Ever Laughter, JAMaROO Kids, Music Together of SF, and the SF Public Library. All ages are welcome, but the program will be geared towards kids aged 2-4. Caretaker supervision is required at all times. 

• Feb 11: JAMaROO and Happily Ever Laughter
• Feb 18: Music and Movement with Music Together of San Francisco
• Feb 25: Meet a Mermaid & her Storytelling Friend! with Happily Ever Laughter
• Mar 4: Set Sail for Adventure with a Pirate & Parrot Pal! with Happily Ever Laughter
• Mar 11: Storytime + Crown-Making Activity with SFPL (10am – 10:45am), then music with JAMaROO (10:45 – 11:30am)
• Mar 18: Sensory Dance Party with the Tooth Fairy by Happily Ever Laughter
• Mar 25: Music and Movement with Music Together of San Francisco
• Apr 1: Bay Area Wildlife Storytime & Adventure with Happily Ever Laughter
• Apr 8: Storytime + Cardboard Kazoos with SFPL (10am – 10:45am), then music with JAMaROO (10:45 – 11:30am)
• Apr 15: Trolley Tales: A Musical Journey through SF with Happily Ever Laughter
• Apr 22: Music and Movement with Music Together of San Francisco
• Apr 29: An SF-themed adventure with Happily Ever Laughter

11:30am – 1:30pm | Tuesdays

Turn a simple lunch hour into a celebration of music and joy as the vibrant sounds of blues and jazz music fill the Square! Curated by Biscuits and Blues and Jazz in the Neighborhood on a rotating basis. 

• Feb 5: Paul Steward (curated by Biscuits and Blues)
• Feb 11: Violinjazz featuring Jeremy Cohen (curated by Jazz in the Neighborhood)
• Feb 18: Stephanie Woodford (curated by Jazz in the Neighborhood)
• Feb 25: Andre Mateo Schoch (curated by Jazz in the Neighborhood)
• Mar 4: Mitch Woods and his Rocket 88s (curated by Biscuits and Blues)
• Mar 11: Gaea Schell (curated by Jazz in the Neighborhood)
• Mar 18: TBA, Jazz
• Mar 25: TBA, Jazz
• Apr 1: TBA, Blues
• Apr 8: Keith Saunders Trio (curated by Jazz in the Neighborhood)
• Apr 15: TBA, Jazz
• Apr 22: TBA, Jazz
• Apr 29: TBA, Jazz

5pm – 6pm | Wednesdays

Get ready to move, groove, and feel amazing at this free outdoor fitness class led by Rae Studios! Break a sweat and meet a new community at this rotating class. All participants should RSVP at www.raestudios-sf.com/union-square or be prepared to sign a waiver onsite each week.

• Feb 5: DRENCHED! With Jessica Rae and Diamond Jarrell
• Feb 12: BollyX with Anushya Mani
• Feb 19: Shuffle (Beginner) with Kylie Ireland and Christian Moran
• Feb 26: Salsa Styling (Beginner) with Ava Apple
• Mar 5: DRENCHED! With Jessica Rae and Diamond Jarrell
• Mar 12: BollyX with Anushya Mani
• Mar 19: Shuffle (Beginner) with Kylie Ireland and Christian Moran
• Mar 26: Salsa Styling (Beginner) with Ava Apple
• Apr 2: DRENCHED! With Jessica Rae and Diamond Jarrell
• Apr 9: BollyX with Anushya Mani
• Apr 16: Shuffle (Beginner) with Kylie Ireland and Christian Moran
• Apr 23: Salsa Styling (Beginner) with Ava Apple
• Apr 30: DRENCHED! With Jessica Rae and Diamond Jarrell

11:30am – 1:30pm | Thursdays

Bring your lunch for an alfresco escape and tap your toes to local indie and singer-songwriters. Curated by Trixie Rasputin Presents. 

• Jan 30: Sushi Duo
• Feb 6: LOLAH
• Feb 20: Peter Lindman Duo with Roger Rocha
• Feb 27: Tucker Owen
• Mar 6: Kim Capria
• Mar 13: Amy Obenski
• Mar 20: Nathan X Moody
• Mar 27: Joyce Lee
• Apr 3: TBA
• Apr 10: TBA
• Apr 17: TBA
• Apr 24: TBA

4pm – 6pm | Thursdays

Learn to make and take home a wide-ranging variety of arts and crafts, from knitting to upcycled sculptures to natural printmaking. Drop in anytime during the program and stay as long as you’d like. Led by fantastic local institutions like Britex Fabrics, SCRAP, and more TBA. All ages are welcome, but children should be accompanied by a grown-up helper.

• Jan 30: Paint an Egg Shaker with Even Howard of SF Etsy
• Feb 6: Beginner Sketching with City Studio
• Feb 20: Upcycled Sculptures with SCRAP
• Feb 27: Painting from Nature with Spark Studio
• Mar 6: Abstract Dot Collage with Rebecca Saylor of SF Etsy
• Mar 13: Felt + Ribbon Flowers with Britex Fabrics
• Mar 20: Gelli Printmaking with SCRAP
• Mar 27: Create Your Own Stamp and Print On a Cloth Bag with Spark Studio
• Apr 3: TBA with Coffee n Cream Press and SF Etsy
• Apr 10: TBA with Britex Fabrics
• Apr 17: Clay Imprint Tiles with SCRAP
• Apr 24: Make a Small Ceramic Bowl with Spark Studio

10am – 1pm | Fridays

Come learn to play chess, hone your strategy, or meet new opponents during weekly programs led by the Mechanics’ Institute. Located at the Reading and Chess Pavilion in the southeast corner of the park. 

12pm – 2pm | Saturdays

Test your dexterity and meet the talented jugglers of Circus Bella! Join in for a quick lesson, stay the whole time, or just enjoy watching others put their skills to the test. All skill levels are welcome and beginner equipment (scarves and balls) will be provided. 

11am – 2pm | Feb 8, Mar 8, Apr 12

Tomorrow, February 8, 2025

Experience the many cultural traditions represented in San Francisco through a day of themed music, dance performance, and crafts! Check back for more info on upcoming months’ themes. 

• Feb 8: Lunar New Year Celebration — Snake and dragon dances will be performed by LionDanceME at 11:30am and 1:00pm. In between shows, enjoy free crafts led by artists from Edge on the Square, a contemporary art hub in the heart of Chinatown. Learn to make paper animals, create a Year of the Snake Intentions mini-booklet/zine, or color a festive scene.

• March 8: Irish Heritage Month — Enjoy three 30-minute sets of Irish dance throughout the event, performed by local company Murphy Irish Dancers. In between performances, stop by the craft tent to make rainbow paper chains and “Lucky Bags of Gold,” a fun and creative way to bring a little extra luck into your life. Using fabric pouches, gold paint, shimmering embellishments, and stick-on embroidered shamrocks, you’ll design your own lucky bag to hold your treasures. Whether you keep it as a good luck charm or gift it to a friend, this project is all about creativity and celebration. Crafts led by Rebecca Saylor of SF Etsy.

• April 12: TBA

11am – 2pm

Calling all kids and their families! Join us for fun and free drop-in S.T.E.A.M. activities led by Maker Studio Kidz. Activities geared towards kids aged 5 – 12. Caretaker supervision is required at all times. 

• Feb 9: Easy Beading with Even Howard of SF Etsy
• Feb 16: Chinese New Year Paper Lanterns
• Feb 23: 3D Picasso-Inspired Portraits
• Mar 3: Spy-Themed Morse Code Bracelets
• Mar 9: SF-Themed Collaborative Mural Banner
• Mar 16: DIY Mini Victorian Houses
• Mar 23: “Karl the Fog” Hanging Mobile Craft
• Mar 30: SF-Themed Make Your Own Comic Book/Zine
• Apr 6: Tulip-themed Mixed Media Craft
• Apr 13: Cherry Blossom-themed Mixed Media Craft
• Apr 20: Pom Pom Easter Animal Craft
• Apr 27: Bumble Bee Puppet Making