Park Programs

Films at Sunset | Select Saturdays

All films begin at sunset with pre-show activities taking place two hours before sunset, including movie trivia, prizes, performances, popcorn (while supplies last), drinks from the bar (for purchase), and more! Presented in partnership with Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Bank of America.

Please bring your own low chair or blanket, and warm layers! Very limited seating is available. Pets are required to be on leash. We encourage attendees to bring a fillable water bottle for the water fountain.

 

Imagination Mondays

10:00am | Mondays

Get your wiggles out with interactive activities led by Happily Ever Laughter’s Faerie Rosella or storytime led by the Best Bookstore in Union Square, on an alternating basis. All ages are welcome, but the program will be geared towards kids aged 2-4. Caretaker supervision is required at all times.

Sketching Lessons

4:00 – 6:00pm | Mondays

Join City Studio‘s roster of artist/educators for sketch classes in Union Square. Artists will use a wide range of materials and cycle through figure drawing, architectural drawings, botanical illustrations and more! Artist/educators are graduates or students from California College of the Arts and the University of San Francisco.

Toddler Tuesdays 

10:00am | Tuesdays 

Bring your little ones for interactive and musical activities, led on an alternating basis by JAMaROO Kids and Music Together of San Francisco. All ages are welcome, but the program will be geared towards kids aged 2-4. Caretaker supervision is required at all times.

Tuesday Blues
4:00 – 6:00pm | Tuesdays 

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

Low Impact Fitness
8am – 9am | Wednesdays 

Achieve greater physical and mental wellness by practicing the art of Tai Chi with 64 Movements or Strength and Balance Fitness with Chinatown YMCA, on an alternating basis.

Cardio Dance
5:30 – 6:30pm | 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.

Lunchbreak Music 
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.

Crafternoons
4:30 – 6:30pm | 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 Rebecca Saylor Studio and SF Etsy, Coffee N Cream Press and SF Etsy, SCRAP, and Spark Studio, on a rotating basis. All ages are welcome, but children should be accompanied by a grown-up helper.

Chess Lessons and Social
11:30am – 1:30pm | 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.

Union Square Dances
5pm – 8pm | Fridays

Rotating styles of free live music and dancing outdoors in the Square include Salsa, Country Western, Swing, Bollywood, and Tango. Each event features a dance lesson and then open dancing. All are welcome and no experience or partner is needed!

Oktoberfest-Themed Performance by Blow Musik

11:30am – 1:30pm | September 5

A subgroup of Deutscher Musikverein of San Francisco (a.k.a. San Francisco German Band), “Blow Musik” is an authentic German “um-pah” band comprised of 9 musicians on wind instruments plus a drummer, all live without electronic or synthesized augmentation. Blow Musik has recently performed at the Altenheim Oakland Manifest, German Day in Golden Gate Park, Monks Kettle, Radhaus Fort Mason, Standard Deviant Brewery, St Philips Oktoberfest, Suppenkueche Hayes Vally Biergarten, Oaktoberfest, Petaluma Elks, Redwood City Oktoberfest, Salesforce Tower, Schröders Restaurant, Two Pitchers Brewery and Zeitgeist.

 

Juggling Lessons
11:30am – 1:30pm | 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. 

 

Second Saturdays ‘Round the World
11:00am – 2:00pm | Second Saturdays 

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. 

• September 12: presented by Kpop Nara SF

Dance and party with your fellow K-POP friends and family at this all-ages free event!

• October 10: Bollywood Garba at Union Square, presented by Rang de Bollywood

Get ready to twirl in the heart of San Francisco! Join us for an unforgettable Bollywood Garba in the heart of San Francisco — a vibrant celebration of rhythm, joy, and community in the festive season of Navratri.

Schedule:

11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Bolly Garba Dance Lessons. No experience needed — we’ll teach you the steps, the flair, and the fun!

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Dance Party! We turn up the music and light up the floor with a 1-hour open dance party. Dance solo, with friends, or in circles of celebration!

Expect a fusion of traditional Garba beats and Bollywood bangers — colorful, energetic, and full of heart. Its non-stop fun entertainment! You won’t want to stop dancing.

Open to all ages, all levels, all backgrounds. Wear your brightest, twirliest outfits or come as you are. Free to attend – just bring your joy, your people, and your dancing feet!

Come casual or dressed. No pressure. Beginner friendly. Walk ins and people who have never done Garba (a circular Indian dance) more than welcome. We will do multiple lessons throughout the day and have performances party after each lesson.

Dress as you want Indian or Non-Indian – no pressure, be comfortable. Let’s fill Union Square with color, culture, and connection. This is more than a dance — it’s a celebration of culture, community, and love.

Deutscher Musikverein of San Francisco (a.k.a. San Francisco German Band)

5pm – 7pm | September 6

Come enjoy live music from the Deutscher Musikverein of San Francisco (a.k.a. San Francisco German Band)! Founded in 1938, Deutscher Musikverein of San Francisco is a 30-piece acoustic wind band which performs regularly throughout the San Francisco Bay Area with a wide variety of musical styles.

Sunday Fun Days
11am – 2pm | Sundays 

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, California Academy of Sciences, Walt Disney Family Museum, Randall Museum, and the De Young Museum. Activities geared towards kids aged 5 – 12. Caretaker supervision is required at all times.

Mahjong & Mixer  

3:00 – 6:00pm | Sundays 

Unwind with a sophisticated afternoon of strategy and community at these free mahjong lessons and social hour sessions led by local enthusiast Andrew Keeler. Come for the tiles, and stay for the smiles!  

• Lessons: New to the game? Our friendly instructors will guide you through the basics and have you winning your first hand in no time. 

• Social Hour: Meet fellow locals and visitors for a relaxed, open-play session. It’s the perfect way to bridge cultures and generations over a friendly match.