It's just about time to costume up, and there's no shortage of Halloween parties to keep residents of all ages busy this weekend. For those who haven't even begun to consider where to celebrate this All Hallows Eve, we've compiled a list of neighborhood festivities that are absolutely free or relatively cheap.
But first, let's brush up on this week's top news:
District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim introduced a resolution that would establish a Filipino Cultural Heritage District from Fourth through 13th streets in SoMa. While Filipino residents have been working to create this designation for the neighborhood over the past eight years, the effort received a new push when residents turned out in force to demand the Planning Commission reject the 5M Project. According to Kim's Facebook page, she also plans to introduce an ordinance that would provide "incentives and protections for Filipino businesses and nonprofits, similar to Calle 24, the Latino Cultural Heritage District in the Mission."
The Examiner reports that another contentious project is now on hold. Alexandria Real Estate Equities withdrew its proposal to raze the San Francisco Tennis Club to build an office complex, fitness center and four outdoor tennis courts. And while the Planning Department expects the developer to submit updated plans by the end of the year, club members seem confident that their requests for the developer to include more tennis courts is being considered in future plans.
As for new development proposals: the fancy art deco parking garage at Third and Townsend could become a six-story hotel — with the original architecture from 1935 built in.
Now onto a project that is confirmed: Another new watering hole is coming to Yerba Buena early next year. Wine Down SF will specialize in affordable wines and beers from small, California-based producers.
We also learned that the neighborhood will be losing another artist collective. SoMa Artist Studios lost its lease on Bryant Street, where the community of artists has been located for the past 25 years. To raise awareness of the continued displacement of artists from San Francisco, the group is hosting a whiteout during their final Open Studios event tomorrow evening.
Finally, this is the final weekend for Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait at the Contemporary Jewish Museum. If the exhibition is still on your to-do list, now's the time to stop by.
Without further ado, here's what's on tap for Halloween thrill-seekers young and old this weekend:
For The Underaged
Photo: Yerba Buena Gardens Festival/Facebook
SFPD Halloween Party
The San Francisco Police Department is hosting its first Halloween party for the public at the new Mission Bay headquarters (1245 3rd St.). Expect free food and games, arts and crafts, and other activities for children ages 14 and under on Saturday from 11:30am-4:30pm.
Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens
From noon-1:30pm Saturday, the the popular clown Unique Derique will host interactive performances and festive activities for kids 10 and under in the Children's Garden. The free event will feature a pumpkin patch, a photo booth, the annual mummy wrap contest and much more before the children parade their costumes around the gardens.
Truck or Treat IV: Haunted Halloween Outdoor Dance Party
Once the sun sets, SoMa StrEat Food Park and Funcheap are hosting an all-ages Halloween dance party. From 7pm-12am they'll turn the food truck park into a spooky scene from a horror flick, with a DJ, food and drink specials, a contest costume and more. Tickets will not be sold at the door and are selling quick, so if you're in, get yours now.
For The Bar-Hopper
Photo: Novela/Facebook
Stephen King's Tales of Terror
Anyone who loves a New York Times best-selling horror story will feel right at home at Novela (662 Mission St.). From 4pm-2am Friday and 7pm-2am Saturday, the bookish bar will be decked out in decor channeling popular horror novels and films. And for zero cover, you'll enjoy spooky punches and cocktails specials, a lineup of DJs each night, and $250 up for grabs for the two best costumes in the house Saturday night.
The Return To Woodbury Halloween 2015
Walking Dead fanatics may want to make their way down to Alchemist (679 3rd St.) and Woodbury (685 3rd St.) from 7pm-2am Saturday. The two are teaming up on a coverless zombie-themed evening with seasonal craft cocktails and complimentary face-painting.
Planning to dress up as Mario and friends or the Cards Against Humanity deck? Then Folsom Street Foundry (1425 Folsom St.) is your spot from 8pm-2am Saturday. There will be video games, dancing and a full bar all night. Plenty of $20 tickets still available.
Looking for something a little more upscale? Press Club (20 Yerba Buena Ln) is having a dance party from 8pm to midnight Saturday with a DJ and a 50 percent discount on red wines over $70.
For The Clubber
Photo: 1015 Folsom/Facebook
Holy Cow (1535 Folsom St.) is transforming into a "haunted circus wonderland" from 10pm-2am Saturday. If "scantily-clad circus characters", "mischievous carnies" and "killer clowns" are your worst nightmare, steer clear. Otherwise, the free guest list is still open.
The neighborhood's newest nightclub, Verso (1525 Mission St.), is hosting its first Halloween party Saturday night. The party, 9pm-2am, features the electronic DJs Swanky Tunes and Steve Smooth, and $20 early-bird tickets are available for a few more hours.
From Dawn 'till Dusk Halloween
Audio (316 11th St.) is celebrating Halloween from 9:30pm-2am three nights straight. On Thursday you've got Hannah Wants, Nora En Pure is up Friday and the final night features the duo Oliver. There's still time to get on the free guest Thursday night. Cover for Friday is now up to $15, and Saturday is at $30.
Eye Heart SF's annual Halloween party is 9pm to close Friday at Mezzanine (444 Jessie St.). The event features DJ Vice, who you'll regularly find at clubs in Las Vegas, New York and Miami. General admission tickets are still available for $30; add another $30 for VIP entry.
Last but not least, 1015 Folsom has a never-ending list of DJs on tap for 10pm to 4am Friday. Headliners include Mr. Carmack, Hayden James and Nina Las Vegas and more. Pre-sale tickets are at $35, but the cost is rising fast.
