Memorial Park Amphitheater
Since 1993, Cupertino’s Memorial Park Amphitheater has hosted SF Shakes’ Free Shakespeare in the Park. Featuring terraced and hillside amphitheater seating along with ample adjacent park space, facilities, and parking, the amphitheater is conveniently located on the main thoroughfare of Steven’s Creek Boulevard with plenty of nearby amenities and food options.
Below is the schedule for the three weekends of Free Shakespeare in the Park 2024 performances of The Tempest in Cupertino. All shows begin at 6pm and run for approximately 100 minutes with no intermission.
Help spread the word and invite your friends and neighbors! Share this flyer and these event listings on Eventbrite, Facebook, and LinkedIn
* Preview show (preview shows allow the cast and crew to to make adjustments before opening in each venue; all are welcome to attend these complete performances.)
+ Opening show
*Sat July 20 – 6pm
*Sun July 21 – 6pm
*Sat July 27 – 6pm
*Sun July 28 – 6pm
+Sat Aug 3 – 6pm
Sun Aug 4 – 6pm
Unlike in many theaters, at Free Shakes in the Park you’re welcome to bring in all the food and beverages you like! The Rotary Club of Cupertino will be selling light refreshments before the show. Cupertino also offers many culinary options in the vicinity, and here are a few of our favorites from the immediate surrounding area:
Red Morton Park
Since 2012, Redwood City has hosted SF Shakes’ Free Shakespeare in the Park. Initially staged on the grounds of Sequoia High School, performances have moved to Red Morton Park, centrally located and featuring ample lawn space and an elaborate adjacent playground area, athletic fields, and skate park.
Below is the schedule for the three weekends of Free Shakespeare in the Park 2024 performances of The Tempest in Redwood City. All shows begin at 6pm and run for approximately 100 minutes with no intermission.
Help spread the word and invite your friends and neighbors! Share this flyer and these event listings on Eventbrite, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
* Preview show (preview shows allow the cast and crew to to make adjustments before opening in each venue; all are welcome to attend these complete performances.)
+ Opening show
*Sat Aug 10 – 6pm
+Sun Aug 11 – 6pm
Sat Aug 17 – 6pm
Sun Aug 18 – 6pm
Sat Aug 24 – 6pm
Sun Aug 25 – 6pm
Unlike in many theaters, at Free Shakes in the Park you’re welcome to bring in all the food and beverages you like! We no longer offer concessions for sale onsite, so be sure to patronize a local business and stock your picnic on the way in. Redwood City offers many culinary options in the vicinity, and here are a few of our nearby favorites:
McLaren Park – Jerry Garcia Amphitheater
The very first of SF Shakes’ Free Shakespeare in the Park performances were held over 40 years ago in Golden Gate Park. In the ensuing years our performance space moved to the Presidio in 2000, and in 2013 we added McLaren Park, where we still proudly celebrate our hallmark Labor Day weekend performances. Featuring a stunning wooded setting with bleacher and hillside amphitheater seating along with ample adjacent park space, amenities, and parking, Jerry Garcia Amphitheater is the hidden jewel of San Francisco’s second largest park.
Below is the schedule for the two weekends of Free Shakespeare in the Park 2024 performances of The Tempest in San Francisco’s McLaren Park. All shows begin at 2pm and run for approximately 100 minutes with no intermission.
Help spread the word and invite your friends and neighbors! Share this flyer and these event listings on Eventbrite, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
* Preview show (preview shows allow the cast and crew to to make adjustments before opening in each venue; all are welcome to attend these complete performances.)
+ Opening show
*Sat Aug 31 – 2pm
*Sun Sept 1 – 2pm
+Mon Sept 2 – 2pm
Sat Sept 7 – 2pm
Sun Sept 8 – 2pm
LOCATION
Jerry Garcia Amphitheater is located in San Francisco’s McLaren Park, off John F. Shelley Dr. between Cambridge St. and Mansell St. The amphitheater itself is set back in the woods and not visible from the street, so look for signs denoting the amphitheater parking lots.
PARKING
Free public parking is available in the area, options include:
TRANSIT
The nearest BART stations are Glen Park and Balboa Park, each around 2 miles away. The closest bus is the 29 which connects with the Balboa Park station. The west bound stop is at the corner of Mansell St and University St. The east bound stop is at Mansell St and Visitacion Ave (see map).
Unlike in many theaters, at Free Shakes in the Park you’re welcome to bring in all the food and beverages you like! We no longer offer concessions for sale onsite, so be sure to patronize a local business and stock your picnic on the way in. Food options immediately surround the park are sparse, so we recommend traveling a bit further to Geneva Ave or Mission St. Here are a few of our favorites from those areas:
Sue Bierman Park
SF Shakes is excited to partner with SF Recreation & Parks to bring Free Shakespeare in the Park to a new venue in 2024, at San Francisco’s Sue Bierman Park. Situated at Washington and Drumm Street just north of Embarcadero Plaza, across from the Ferry Building, this location is surrounded by sweeping views of the Bay Bridge and downtown skyline, with ample food and transit options nearby. Our 2024 season concludes with 2 weekends here.
Our production of The Tempest is the latest in a diverse array of weekend and evening events bringing new energy and excitement to the Embarcadero under Mayor Breed’s Roadmap to San Francisco’s Future. Recent activations include the Bricks at Embarcadero Plaza, and the Dirtybird: Back to Baysics concert on July 21 that drew more than 5,000 people to Embarcadero Plaza.
“You can’t beat the San Francisco Bay for a backdrop! I want to thank the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival and Recreation & Parks Department for providing the public with this magical summertime experience. The Embarcadero is the gateway to our Downtown and our investments in events and activations are transforming this neighborhood into a culturally rich and vibrant, 24/7 destination. We have more work to do, but the momentum is building.”
–Mayor London N. Breed.
Below is the schedule for the two weekends of Free Shakespeare in the Park 2024 performances of The Tempest in San Francisco’s Sue Bierman Park. All shows begin at 2pm and run for approximately 100 minutes with no intermission.
Help spread the word and invite your friends and neighbors! Share this flyer and these event listings: Eventbrite, Facebook, Linkedin.
* Preview show (preview shows allow the cast and crew to to make adjustments before opening in each venue; all are welcome to attend these complete performances.)
+ Opening show
*Sat Sept 14 – 2pm
+Sun Sept 15 – 2pm
Sat Sept 21 – 2pm
Sun Sept 22 – 2pm
LOCATION
Sue Bierman Park is located at Washington and Drumm Street; just north of Embarcadero Plaza, across from the Ferry Building.
TRANSIT
The Embarcadero BART station is located 4 blocks away on Market St.
MUNI’s F-Line serves the Embarcadero & Ferry Building stop, one block south of the park.
PARKING
Parking is available in the area, options are listed below. Please remember to never leave any valuables in your car.
Unlike in many theaters, at Free Shakes in the Park you’re welcome to bring in all the food and beverages you like! We no longer offer concessions for sale onsite, so be sure to patronize a local business and stock your picnic on the way in. Plenty of food options surround Sue Bierman Park in Embarcadero Center, The Ferry Building, and surrounding neighborhood. In Embarcadero Center be sure to check out the culinary popups brought to you by the collaborative Vacant To Vibrant, including Rosalind Bakery, Whack Donuts, and Teranga.
For a complete listing of all vendors in Embarcadero Center see their directory at embarcaderocenter.com/shops
For a complete listing of all vendors in the Ferry Building, see their directory at ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/shops
PHOTO / VIDEO
SEATING
CHAIRS
WHAT TO BRING
WHAT NOT TO BRING
FACILITIES
SAFETY
CANCELLATIONS
Downtown San Francisco is alive and kicking in 2024!
In addition to Free Shakespeare in the Park, the surrounding area is host to a number of other exciting events:
THE BRICKS AT EMBARCADERO PLAZA
The Bricks ( embarcaderobricks.com ) is a project to renew downtown San Francisco, by creating a vibrant town square at Embarcadero Plaza, celebrating the Bay Area’s unique arts, food and culture. It will be open to the public daily from April to October 2024 with food and music, rotating art and weekly cultural events. Project funding comes from the City of San Francisco and private donors.
Summer/Fall Schedule, Aug 7 – Oct 26:
DOWNTOWN FIRST THURSDAYS
Downtown First Thursdays ( dftsf.com ) is a free, all-ages monthly street party hosted in Downtown San Francisco taking place on every first Thursday of the month from 5pm to 10pm. Get ready for disco in the streets, DJs, live music, drag, fashion, street performances, and many other surprises still to be announced!
The fun takes place on 2nd Street (between Market and Howard) and along neighboring alleyways ready for you to explore. The event will also feature two 21+ outdoor bars on Minna and Natoma.
Fall Schedule:
BHANGRA & BEATS NIGHT MARKET
Move to the beats of the Bay, taste delicious street food cuisines, sip cocktails, shop from unique local artisans, and celebrate San Francisco’s cultural renaissance – all while gazing at the moon rising above the stunning Downtown San Francisco skyline at Bhangra & Beats Night Market ( bhangraandbeats.com ).
Located at Battery St. and Clay St. and taking place over four Fridays in 2024 from 5pm-10pm, this FREE event will transform three City blocks into a vibrant marketplace for the delight of locals and visitors alike.
Mixing South Asian Bhangra music and other popular Bay Area music genres, Bhangra and Beats Night Market’s eclectic sound featuring local and international talent will get everyone moving in the streets.
Presented by Into The Streets and Non Stop Bhangra, Bhangra and Beats Night Market is presented in partnership with the San Francisco Office of Economic & Workforce Development and the Mayor’s Office of London N. Breed.
Fall Schedule:
PARK PADEL
Check out Park Padel ( parkpadel.com ) and their two new courts in Embarcadero Plaza just south of the Sue Bierman Park. Padel is the best of all racket sports- it’s easy to pick up like pickleball, dynamic like squash, and athletic like tennis. Hit the ball off the glass, lob it high into the sky, or smash it over the wall. It is almost always played in doubles on an enclosed court that is about a third of the size of a tennis court. Padel is known for its social and inclusive nature, as it is relatively easy to learn and doesn’t require the same level of physical fitness as some other racket sports.
Book a court at book.parkpadel.com/ , (415) 418-2569, or email hello@parkpadel.com
OKTOBERFEST ON FRONT
Break out your lederhosen and dirndl for this free block party! Celebrate Oktoberfest with the oldest Bavarian Beer Hall in SF at Oktoberfest on Front ( https://downtownsf.org/things-to-do/oktoberfest-on-front ). Mouthwatering bratwurst, ice-cold beer, live music, and traditional Oktoberfest games await at 240 Front Street in downtown San Francisco.
Join Schroeder’s, Harrington’s Bar & Grill, and Royal Exchange for Oktoberfest on Front! Schroeder’s will be a full Hofbrau, serving liter beers. There will be plenty of food and drinks, beer hall games, live music & DJs, axe throwing, and “pretzel” toss! Beer hall games, which include Stein Holding and Beer Chugging (NA beer), will be held indoors and outdoors.
AlpineSound will be playing traditional German Polka. Ladyhosen will be playing first from 3-7 PM. Pop Rocks will close the evening from 7-10 PM.
Reservations are not required, so make your plans today, and don’t miss out on this annual block party!
LET’S GLOW SF
Let’s Glow SF ( downtownsf.org/things-to-do/lets-glow-sf ), the country’s largest holiday projection event, will return to downtown San Francisco for the 2024 holiday season. From December 6th through 15th, this FREE outdoor holiday event will use high-tech projectors and lasers to showcase large-scale pieces of animated art across the facade of four iconic SF buildings from 5:30-10 PM nightly, including at the nearby Ferry Building.
FERRY BUILDING MARKETPLACE
Located just across the street from Sue Bierman Park, the historic Ferry Building is home to not only a variety of shops and restaurants, but also events, exhibitions, and social events. See the complete listing and schedule at ferrybuildingmarketplace.com
EMBARCADERO CENTER
Spanning four blocks adjacent to Sue Bierman Park, Embarcadero Center ( embarcaderocenter.com ) is one of the largest mixed-use complexes in the Western United States. Featuring a unique history and award-winning architectural design, Embarcadero Center offers four buildings with luxury office space, hundreds of shops, restaurants, services, and a state-of-the-art multiplex cinema. Be sure to check out the many food offerings across all four properties, especially the culinary popups brought to you by the collaborative Vacant To Vibrant, including Rosalind Bakery, Whack Donuts, and Teranga.
The Bruns Amphitheater
CalShakes & SFShakes are pleased to jointly announce that the Bruns Memorial Amphitheater will host Free Shakespeare in the Park this summer, with two weekends of Cymbeline performances. “Free Shakespeare in the Park will be a wonderful addition to our “At The Bruns” arts series this summer” says CalShakes Executive Director Clive Worsley. “This is a great opportunity for audiences to continue to enjoy Shakespeare onstage at the Bruns, in anticipation of our own Shakespeare production in 2024 for our 50th Anniversary. We are deeply appreciative of the several donors who have chosen to support this collaboration.” “I’m delighted that our two companies could partner to bring Free Shakespeare in the Park to the Bruns this summer, says SF Shakes Executive Director Toby Leavitt.
Below is the schedule for the two weekends of Free Shakespeare in the Park 2023 performances of Cymbeline in Orinda. All shows begin at 4:00pm (the theater opens at 2:30pm). The show runs for 90 minutes with no intermission.
Join us for a lively and informative Grove Talk at 3:00pm!
– The Sept 16 and Sept 17 Grove Talks will be presented by Philippa Kelly, Cal Shakes Resident Dramaturg.
– The Sept 23 Grove Talk will be presented by Karina Gutiérrez, Latinx Director and Scholar,
– The Sept 24 Grove Talk will be presented by Carla Pantoja, SF Shakes Artistic Director.
* Preview show (preview shows allow the cast and crew to to make adjustments before opening in each venue; all are welcome to attend these complete performances.)
+ Opening show
*Sat Sept 16 – 4pm (3pm Grove Talk)
+Sun Sept 17 – 4pm (3pm Grove Talk)
sat sept 23 – 4pm (3pm Grove Talk)
Sun Sept 24 – 4pm (3pm Grove Talk)
LOCATION
The Bruns Amphitheatre is located at 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda CA 94563, which is about 7 miles from Berkeley and Oakland, just off Highway 24.
PARKING
Limited parking is available; carpooling is encouraged. A shuttle service for those with access needs is available to take you up the hill.
TRANSIT
You can BART to the Orinda station and then take the Cal Shakes shuttle. The free shuttle (with a wheelchair ramp) runs from the Orinda BART station to the Bruns, beginning two hours before every performance and again immediately after the show. The shuttle runs a loop every 20 minutes.
Uber or Lyft are alternates to taking the shuttle to the amphitheater,
The Café at the Sharon Simpson Center is available onsite, offering sandwiches, salads, desserts, hot and cold beverages, wine, and beer.
Outside alcohol is NOT permitted.
Outside food is welcomed with the purchase of a picnicking fee. The Bruns Memorial Amphitheater grounds and theater is a ‘nut-free zone.’
PHOTO / VIDEO
SEATING
CHAIRS
WHAT TO BRING
WHAT NOT TO BRING
FACILITIES
SAFETY
CANCELLATIONS
SAN FRANCISCO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
PO Box 46093
San Francisco, CA 94146-0937
Stay Informed:
© 2024 San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, a 501c3 non-profit organization.