Eventful ways to celebrate, give thanks
Check out The Chronicle’s guide to the best places to celebrate gratitude and abundance, with events in the Bay Area ranging from boozy preThanksgiving pub crawls to the family-friendly GobbleCon gaming convention.
San Francisco Interfaith Council Presents: Reimagining Thanksgiving: An interfaith Thanksgiving service with Pastor Lyle Beckman and music director/organist Dr. Timothy Zerlang. Live stream available on the St. Mark’s YouTube channel.
10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22. Free, masks required. St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 1111 O’Farrell St., S.F. 415-474-1321. www.sfinterfaithcouncil.org
Stranger Thanksgiving Eve Bash: Pre-Thanksgiving dance party featuring live sets from DJ Darkerdaze, a beer garden, pool tables, pinball and arcade games, a food truck, and full bar.
6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23. Free-$10, registration encouraged; 21 and older. Retro Junkie, 2112 N. Main St., Walnut Creek. 925-9384140. www.retrojunkiebar.com
Thanksgiving Eve Pub Crawl: Enjoy four of the best bars and clubs in the Nob Hill and Union Square neighborhoods with free VIP entry. There will be no admission fees or entry lines, and pub crawl specific drink specials and deals at each stop. Initial meetup location provided with event registration.
8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23. $20, reservations required. Union Square area, S.F. www.pubcrawlsanfrancisco.com
Strategik’s 15th annual BassGiving: Bring canned goods and get down with Strategik, SpaceCat and DiskoKats DJs for a Thanksgiving eve dance party with sets from Deckard, Jonboy, Pirata, Eva and Anthony James. All donations will benefit the SF Food Bank.
9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23. Free, $10-$30 suggested donation; reservations encouraged. Monarch, 101 Sixth St., S.F. www. monarchsf.com
Baloney Presents: Stuffed — A
trashy thanksgiving Eve Underwear Party:
Join the fellas of Baloney for a night of debauchery. Strip down to your skivvies, play games and enjoy the Viagra Go-Go Boys strutting their stuff.
10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23. $15, reservations encouraged. Oasis, 298 11th St., S.F. 415-795-3180. www.sfoasis.com
Indigenous People sunrise Ceremony:
This event commemorates 528 years of Indigenous resistance and survival in the Americas. It honors the cultural resiliency of Indigenous people in California and around the world, and marks the anniversary of the occupation of Alcatraz by Indians of All Tribes in 1969-70. This is not a standard Alcatraz Island tour, and areas outside of the event will be closed to the public.
Ticket booth opens at 3 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 24. Ferries depart Pier 33 approximately every 15 minutes from 4:15 to 6 a.m. $14, under 5 free; reservations encouraged. Alcatraz Island via ferry from Pier 33, S.F. 415-981-7625. www.alcatraz cruises.com
Hank Maninger and the Jukebox Charlies with Joe Goldmark:
Bassist Mitch Polzak, drummer Ken Owen, guitarist Hank Maninger and pedal steel player Joe Goldmark will present their innovative take on Americana and country music during a cocktail-hour performance in the bar.
6-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24. Free. Amado’s, 998 Valencia St., S.F. 415- 6389201. www.amadossf.com
GobbleCon Game Convention:
GobbleCon hosts three days of board games, role-playing, miniatures and more gaming over Thanksgiving weekend. There will be hundreds of games to choose from in the event’s library.
10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 25; 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27. $35-$70, registration encouraged. Hyatt Regency S.F. Airport, 1333 Old Bayshore Hwy., Burlingame. www.gobblecon.com
Niles Festival of Lights Parade:
Celebrate the season with a lighted parade, tree lighting, food and merchandise vendors. The annual parade typically features creative floats, marching bands, antique vehicles, dance groups and more.
6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25. Free. Start at Niles Boulevard and Sullivan Underpass, Niles District, Fremont. www.niles festivaloflightsparade.org
Kevin Nealon Black Friday Comedy:
The Emmy- and SAG-nominated actor, comedian and author best known for his nine years as a cast member of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” presents an evening of stand-up.
7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25. $30-$45, reservations recommended. Cobb’s Comedy Club, 915 Columbus Ave., S.F. 415-928-4320. www.cobbscomedy.com
Michael Feinstein live in concert:
Kick off winter season as the Great American Songbook ambassador returns home to celebrate the holidays with an evening of timeless favorites.
8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 25-26; 5 p.m. Nov. 27. $145, reservations required. Feinstein’s at The Nikko, 222 Mason St., S.F. www.feinsteinssf.com
s.F. Firefighters Holiday Dance with Wonderbread 5:
Put on your dancing shoes and work that turkey off with the rock quintet Wonderbread 5, while supporting the San Francisco Fire Department Local 798’s toy-drive program and San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation.
8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. $50, 21 and older; registration required. Bimbo’s 365 Club, Columbus Ave., S.F. 415-474-0365. www.bimbos365club.com
thanksgiving thizzle: turn Up for Charity:
A holiday weekend dance party featuring live sets from Aribo, NY Naomi, Cal-A and Delenciaga with the cover charge to benefit GlideSF.
10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26. $10, reservations encouraged; 21 and older. Neck of the Woods, 406 Clement St., S.F. 415- 6227656. www.neckofthe woodssf.com