Many events put on hold during the pandemic return this season

The COVID-19 pandemic is not over, but after more than two years of cancellations, postponements and disruptions in the arts world, a more stable picture of living with the virus is beginning to emerge.

Look no further than the bustling Bay Area cultural calendar for fall 2022, which is packed with theater performances, concerts, festivals, stand-up comedy shows, exhibitions and much more. If it feels like a throwback to the pre-pandemic world, that’s no coincidence.

This season marks the return of many events that were put on hold through the surges and waves of the past few years. The local theater community, for instance, ushers in some high-profile reunions, while art aficionados can indulge in a slate of promising exhibitions this fall looking at local icons. Dance artists from across the country will revisit the Bay Area, while independent groups get bold again with their offerings.

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is also scheduled to host the first in-person Hardly Strictly Bluegrass free festival in three years, while other beloved festivals and pop music headliners also make their way back. And the Bay Area’s classical music schedule is finally back in full swing with operas new and old, exciting orchestral premieres, and chances to revisit favorite familiar scores.

While it’s too early to tell whether this is the new normal or a brief respite from pandemic life, let’s enjoy the abundance while it lasts.