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Your last-minute Labor Day weekend guide

Fill your long weekend with free shows, art, festivals, comedy and more.

Things to Do

Still figuring out Labor Day plans? We&#x27;ve got you.The big picture: From free Shakespeare plays and museum admission to block parties and comedy, there&#x27;s plenty happening in San Francisco this long weekend.

Bay Area leaders roll out $85M a year for home electrification

Residents may be able to stack rebates as new water heater rules approach in the region.

News

San Franciscans are about to have more options for replacing their gas water heater as regional officials roll out about $85 million a year in rebates and incentives across the Bay Area, including $41 million for heat pumps.The big picture: Residents facing the eventual replacement of a gas water heater could have more financial help paying for an electric alternative as the Bay Area moves towards electrifying homes and buildings to reduce its carbon footprint.

The Castro Theatre, SF's queer cathedral, has reopened

After a $41 million renovation, the Castro Theatre reopens with drag, disco and community pride.

Culture

The jewel box at the center of the Castro is open once more.Why it matters: The Castro Theatre closed in February 2024 (102 years after first opening) for an extensive, $41 million renovation and all-around glow-up.

Bad Bunny makes Super Bowl history for San Francisco's Latinos

Watch parties across San Francisco turned the halftime show into a moment of pride and Latino visibility.

&quot;&#x27;Benito Bowl&#x27; took over San Francisco on Sunday as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bad Bunny" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/06/bad-bunny-lookalike-contest-latino-culture-mission-district-san-francisco" data-vars-content-id="78ca54ca-0274-4b2e-902a-d5e4dba0c176" data-vars-headline="Bad Bunny makes Super Bowl history for San Francisco&#x27;s Latinos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/06/bad-bunny-lookalike-contest-latino-culture-mission-district-san-francisco" target="_self">Bad Bunny</a> dominated the Super Bowl LX halftime show at Levi&#x27;s Stadium, turning the biggest stage in sports into a global celebration of music, dance and Latino culture.Why it matters: Bad Bunny&#x27;s performance at the NFL stage has made an entertainment spectacle into a cultural milestone for millions of Latinos watching.

The Mission gets muy Benito ahead of Super Bowl LX

Things just got muy Benito ahead of Super Bowl LX.

Thirty-three of San Francisco&#x27;s most devoted Bad Bunny lookalikes packed Tacolicious in the Mission on Thursday for a chaotic and lively Benito-inspired lookalike showdown ahead of his halftime performance at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Super Bowl." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/super-bowl" data-vars-content-id="7878c972-c653-4ffd-ac80-90129e765cee" data-vars-headline="The Mission gets muy Benito ahead of Super Bowl LX" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/super-bowl" target="_self">the Super Bowl.</a>Why it maters: More than just a contest, the event became part of a broader cultural moment tied to the NFL&#x27;s biggest weekend.

BTS is back — and headed to the Bay Area

It will mark the K-pop boy band's first headline performances after a nearly four-year pause in group activities.

Brace for the ticket queue — K-pop juggernaut BTS is coming to the Bay Area this May as part of their first world tour since completing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mandatory military service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/10/17/bts-south-korea-military-service" data-vars-content-id="0bcfa8f3-d2df-4a3a-959d-5c20885c2528" data-vars-headline="BTS is back — and headed to the Bay Area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/10/17/bts-south-korea-military-service" target="_self">mandatory military service</a>.Why it matters: The tour will follow a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new album release" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/bts-album-tour-comeback-everything-we-know-1235498818/" data-vars-content-id="0bcfa8f3-d2df-4a3a-959d-5c20885c2528" data-vars-headline="BTS is back — and headed to the Bay Area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/bts-album-tour-comeback-everything-we-know-1235498818/" target="_blank">new album release</a> on March 20 and will mark the group&#x27;s first headline performances after a nearly four-year pause in group activities.

Bottom of the Hill closing at the end of 2026 after 35 years

The venue's final show will be held this year on New Year's Eve.

Bottom of the Hill, the legendary Potrero Hill rock club that&#x27;s been a launching pad for emerging artists and a central hub for San Francisco&#x27;s independent music scene, will close at the end of the year after three decades.State of play: Owners Ramona Downey, Kathleen Owen and Lynn Schwarz confirmed the decision in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heartfelt Instagram post" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DTCADJRiUFa/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="b9dfc28d-6bfd-4f22-8aef-bcecc7abea0e" data-vars-headline="Bottom of the Hill closing at the end of 2026 after 35 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DTCADJRiUFa/?hl=en" target="_blank">heartfelt Instagram post</a> Friday evening, sharing that next New Year&#x27;s Eve will be the venue&#x27;s final show. <ul><li>In an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="interview" data-vars-click-url="https://www.coyotemedia.org/san-francisco-club-bottom-of-the-hill-to-close-at-the-end-of-2026/" data-vars-content-id="b9dfc28d-6bfd-4f22-8aef-bcecc7abea0e" data-vars-headline="Bottom of the Hill closing at the end of 2026 after 35 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.coyotemedia.org/san-francisco-club-bottom-of-the-hill-to-close-at-the-end-of-2026/" target="_blank">interview</a> with the new media outlet Coyote, they described the choice as one of the hardest they&#x27;ve ever made, citing a mix of personal reasons, operating challenges and the common refrain reiterated by too many live music venue owners nowadays: People <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aren&#x27;t going out" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kqed.org/arts/13973156/how-the-pandemic-changed-music#:~:text=Stephen%20Parker%20is%20Executive%20Director,Golden%20Age%E2%80%9D%20for%20live%20music." data-vars-content-id="b9dfc28d-6bfd-4f22-8aef-bcecc7abea0e" data-vars-headline="Bottom of the Hill closing at the end of 2026 after 35 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kqed.org/arts/13973156/how-the-pandemic-changed-music#:~:text=Stephen%20Parker%20is%20Executive%20Director,Golden%20Age%E2%80%9D%20for%20live%20music." target="_blank">aren&#x27;t going out</a> as much anymore.</li></ul>The big picture: Its loss not only underscores the mounting pressures facing independent music spaces, but also signals a deeper erosion of the city&#x27;s counterculture rock &#x27;n&#x27; roll scene — a lineage already marked by the erasure of places like the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hemlock Tavern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfgate.com/local-donotuse/article/Hemlock-Tavern-torn-down-Polk-Street-demolition-13855113.php" data-vars-content-id="b9dfc28d-6bfd-4f22-8aef-bcecc7abea0e" data-vars-headline="Bottom of the Hill closing at the end of 2026 after 35 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfgate.com/local-donotuse/article/Hemlock-Tavern-torn-down-Polk-Street-demolition-13855113.php" target="_blank">Hemlock Tavern</a> (RIP).Over its 35-year run, Bottom of the Hill has hosted thousands of musicians and helped launch careers that would go on to redefine rock music. <ul><li>Shows from the &#x27;90s and early 2000s by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Elliott Smith" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gset0rxCBXQ" data-vars-content-id="b9dfc28d-6bfd-4f22-8aef-bcecc7abea0e" data-vars-headline="Bottom of the Hill closing at the end of 2026 after 35 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gset0rxCBXQ" target="_blank">Elliott Smith</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Green Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDl7Lg9tTCY" data-vars-content-id="b9dfc28d-6bfd-4f22-8aef-bcecc7abea0e" data-vars-headline="Bottom of the Hill closing at the end of 2026 after 35 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDl7Lg9tTCY" target="_blank">Green Day</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oasis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JbokcZ3ieo&amp;list=RD1JbokcZ3ieo&amp;start_radio=1" data-vars-content-id="b9dfc28d-6bfd-4f22-8aef-bcecc7abea0e" data-vars-headline="Bottom of the Hill closing at the end of 2026 after 35 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JbokcZ3ieo&amp;list=RD1JbokcZ3ieo&amp;start_radio=1" target="_blank">Oasis</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Neutral Milk Hotel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhLt1ucoAjM&amp;list=RDAhLt1ucoAjM&amp;start_radio=1" data-vars-content-id="b9dfc28d-6bfd-4f22-8aef-bcecc7abea0e" data-vars-headline="Bottom of the Hill closing at the end of 2026 after 35 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhLt1ucoAjM&amp;list=RDAhLt1ucoAjM&amp;start_radio=1" target="_blank">Neutral Milk Hotel</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Strokes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcBM6L6Kel4" data-vars-content-id="b9dfc28d-6bfd-4f22-8aef-bcecc7abea0e" data-vars-headline="Bottom of the Hill closing at the end of 2026 after 35 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcBM6L6Kel4" target="_blank">The Strokes</a> represent just a fraction of the acts that are now part of the venue&#x27;s legacy — preserved on its walls in posters and pictures that double as a living archive — alongside countless local bands who cut their teeth on its low stage, sticky floors and stiff drinks.</li></ul>Nadia&#x27;s thought bubble: It&#x27;s the end of an era, one that I don&#x27;t want to end. There&#x27;s uncertainty about what comes next, but a lingering hope remains that the space could still live on as a music venue.<ul><li>It could be saved as is with the right, trusted people taking over. The owner trio is also considering leasing the space to good intentioned folks seeking to revive it as a new venue. Many options (sans a developer bulldozing the historic building) are currently on the table.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Check out this year&#x27;s upcoming <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lineup of farewell shows" data-vars-click-url="https://bottomofthehill.com/calendar.html" data-vars-content-id="b9dfc28d-6bfd-4f22-8aef-bcecc7abea0e" data-vars-headline="Bottom of the Hill closing at the end of 2026 after 35 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bottomofthehill.com/calendar.html" target="_blank">lineup of farewell shows</a>. If you&#x27;ve never attended a show here, don&#x27;t miss an opportunity to do so before it&#x27;s too late.

6 must-see live shows in the Bay Area this week

From Guerilla Toss to Lucinda Williams, these artists are taking over SF venues this week.

Music

Here are six reasons to see live music this week.

Portola Music Festival: What to know before you go

Hundreds of people are expected to descend upon Pier 80 this weekend for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Portola Music Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://portolamusicfestival.com/" data-vars-content-id="421953e1-3e75-4323-8884-4763cf3e9be4" data-vars-headline="Portola Music Festival: What to know before you go" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://portolamusicfestival.com/" target="_blank">Portola Music Festival</a>.State of play: This year&#x27;s lineup includes headliners like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christina Aguilera" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/search/christina%20aguilera" data-vars-content-id="421953e1-3e75-4323-8884-4763cf3e9be4" data-vars-headline="Portola Music Festival: What to know before you go" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/search/christina%20aguilera" target="_blank">Christina Aguilera</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LCD Soundsystem" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/artist/066X20Nz7iquqkkCW6Jxy6" data-vars-content-id="421953e1-3e75-4323-8884-4763cf3e9be4" data-vars-headline="Portola Music Festival: What to know before you go" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/066X20Nz7iquqkkCW6Jxy6" target="_blank">LCD Soundsystem</a>.

Where to find San Francisco's best vinyl

San Francisco's independent record stores are booming thanks to dedicated customer base of analog lovers.

SF&#x27;s record stores are time capsules, with decades of music, stories and history packed into their shelves — serving as a haven for music enthusiasts and nostalgia lovers alike. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vinyl boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pro/media-deals/2022/03/24/vinyl-sales-2021-streaming-music" data-vars-content-id="f90ba178-6137-4808-8d0b-97be9d352a45" data-vars-headline="Where to find San Francisco&#x27;s best vinyl" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pro/media-deals/2022/03/24/vinyl-sales-2021-streaming-music" target="_self">vinyl boom</a> has reignited interest in independent record stores, fueled by a growing appreciation of analog formats.

Your guide to getting to, from and around Outside Lands

The outdoor music festival is expected to draw 75,000 people to Golden Gate Park per day.

San Francisco&#x27;s most anticipated outdoor music festival officially kicks off Friday and is expected to attract around 75,000 people per day through Sunday.Why it matters: Outside Lands returns to Golden Gate Park with a star-studded lineup that includes Hozier and Doechii. The massive crowds will affect roads and transit throughout Golden Gate Park and surrounding neighborhoods.

Dead & Company to return to San Francisco

The three-day event commemorates the Grateful Dead's 60th anniversary.

San Franciscans will have the chance to re-experience the Grateful Dead&#x27;s most renowned hits at a &quot;once-in-a-generation musical celebration&quot; this summer commemorating the band&#x27;s 60th anniversary.Why it matters: The homegrown, psychedelic rock band, founded in Palo Alto in 1965, was a pioneer in the counterculture movement and remains a Bay Area fan favorite decades later.

Music

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