I can’t think of anything stupider or more typical of this ridiculous country than the re-inauguration of President Shitgibbon on MLK Day. But refusing to give in to cynicism and despair is one of the tremendous lessons that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. bequeathed us, as is finding strength, inspiration, and resilience in our own communities when the whole world seems against us.
So don’t back into your cave of anguish this weekend, endlessly flipping channels and downing stale Covfefe Negronis—join with others and speak out, sing out, march, dance, laugh, create, and face the world with friendly faces at your side.
FRI/17-SUN/19: LIFT EVERY VOICE: A SINGER SHOWCASE The San Francisco International Arts Festival, The Dee Spencer Trio with Clairdee, Michelle Jacques & Community Singers, and more present classic compositions that celebrate and reflect on the legacy of the African American civil rights movement. Lift Every Voice is a project designed to provide opportunities for members of the community to engage with professional singers and musicians in the exploration of Black and African American music. SFJAZZ, more info here.
FRI/17-MON/20: “MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY OF SERVICE” 2025 Join the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and GGNRA ” to make MLK Day a “day on, not a day off”. We’ll be celebrating the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy all weekend with volunteer and engagement programs. From park maintenance to habitat restoration, service work to guided walks—there is something for everyone. Bring yourself, your friends, and your family to kick off the new year and take part in your community on this National Day of Service!” More info here.
SAT/18-MON/20: 2025 BLACK & BROWN COMIX ARTS FESTIVAL Check out this dynamic and inclusive celebration of the rich tapestry of creativity within the comic arts and popular visual culture, kicking off with a ‘Cosplay Soirée,” family activities, a huge party, and of course a fabulous” artist alley” showcasing unique creations from comic artists, illustrators, and writers. In partnership with the SF Cartoon Art Museum at various locations. More info here.
SAT/18: SAN FRANCISCO PEOPLE’S MARCH Part of a nationwide protest movement on the Saturday before inauguration: “If you believe that decisions about your body should remain yours; that books belong in libraries, not on bonfires; that immigrants are human; that healthcare is a right, not a privilege for the wealthy; if you believe in the power of free speech and protest to sustain democracy; or if you want an economy that works for the people who power it—then this march is for you.” March starts at noon at the intersection of 24th Street and Bryant, SF. More info here.
SUN/19: “WE FIGHT BACK” RALLY AND PROTEST The day before Inauguration Day, protesters in San Francisco will host a rally as part of a nationwide mobilization against Trump’s policies and agenda. This event is one of over 100 rallies planned across the country, organized to voice opposition to the billionaire-driven political system and advocate for social, economic, and environmental justice. 1pm, Civic Center Plaza, SF.
SUN/19: MIGHTY REAL Godfather of House Music Frankie Knuckles was born on January 18, and huge soulful house party Mighty Real (led by legendary DJ David Harness) is joining forces with the tremendous Five Finger Disco (led by Best of the Bay winner DJ Charles Hawthorne) to honor both MLK and Frankie with deep grooves galore and a floor full of family on a Sunday afternoon. 3pm-8pm, Audio, SF. More info here.
MON/20: ANNUAL MLK DAY MARCH & PARADE OVER THE BRIDGE The 2025 MLK March is a poignant and symbolic journey that pays homage to the historic Selma to Montgomery marches and the monumental Voting Rights Act of 1965. Spanning 1.5 miles, this commemorative march and parade begins at San Francisco’s Caltrain Station and winds its way through the heart of the city, ultimately culminating in Yerba Buena Gardens for a musical celebration (see below). You can also get ton the festival via free “Freedom Train” rides on BART and Muni. 11am, SF Caltrain Station. More info here.
MON/20: 2025 MLK JR. DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL AT YERBA BUENA GARDENS Part of the Northern California Martin Luther King Jr. Community Foundation’s MLK ’25 festivities, the 15th installment of this musical tribute (don’t forget to visit the MLK memorial waterfall!) features smooth soul from Top Shelf Classics, Darnel Alexander, Dee Dee Simon, Prentice Powell, and Mykah Montgomery, plus the “I Remember That Song!” game. Noon-3pm, Yerba Buena Gardens, SF. More info here.
MON/20: MoAD FREE MUSEUM DAY Art, performance, music, and community come together for a free day at the Museum of the African Diaspora: Prescott Circus Theater will delight people of all ages in front of the museum, and performances by Marcus Shelby and his Youth Orchestra, and CO-LLAB Choir pay tribute to King and the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement. A family art activity and gallery scavenger hunt connects families to our current exhibitions—Liberatory Living: Protective Interiors & Radical Black Joy; What We Carry to Set Ourselves Free by Helina Metaferia; and Cosmic Ceremony by Soleé Darrell. 11am-5pm, MoAD, SF. More info here.
MON/20: MLK DAY “BLACK LAUGHS MATTER” COMEDY NIGHT AT SF’S ONLY BLACK-OWNED COMEDY CLUB This is a tremendous reason to make it out to The Function club on Market Street if you haven’t already, and see what they are doing with the place. “Join us for a special Monday night of uproarious laughter and unapologetic humor as talented black comedians take center stage, serving up a deliciously diverse array of jokes, stories, and observations that will have you rolling in the aisles. From incisive social commentary to side-splitting anecdotes drawn from everyday life, ‘Black LAUGHS Matter’ celebrates the rich tapestry of black comedians in all its glory.” 7pm and 8:45pm, The Function, SF. More info here.
