Seasonal & Holidays
8 Things To Do In Northern CA If You Don't Care About The Super Bowl
A Patch guide for those who could care less that the Super Bowl is coming to the Bay Area
The Super Bowl is Sunday, Feb. 8, and will be hosted in Santa Clara. But it’s not the only event competing for attention in Northern CA.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the day, including kid-friendly watch parties to events for people who don’t care about the NFL championship game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.
We’ve rounded up eight events in the Bay Area to appeal to a variety of tastes, including plenty of non-football related events such as comedy shows or plays to attend. Plus we threw in a couple of tailgates and watch parties for those interested in the game.
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Here are our picks:
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San Francisco Playhouse presents “M. Butterfly”
When: Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Where: San Francisco Playhouse, 450 Post St, SF, CA, 94102
Details: The San Francisco Playhouse will present the Tony Award-winning drama, "M. Butterfly," by David Henry Hwang, known for works like "Chinglish" and "Yellow Face." Inspired by the real-life trial of Bernard Boursicot, the play captivatingly reinterprets Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” through the story of a French diplomat's two-decade affair with a Chinese opera singer, exploring complex themes of cross-cultural relations, gender identity, illusion, desire, and radical politics. The production is directed by Bridgette Loriaux, who was the movement director for the Playhouse’s "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," and stars Dean Linnard as the diplomat, Gallimard, opposite Edric Young as the opera singer, Song Liling.
Comedian Brian Copeland's “The Great American Sh*tshow"
When: Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Where: Las Positas College Mertes Center for the Arts, 3000 Campus Hill Dr, Livermore, CA,
94551Details: Comedian and San Francisco host Brian Copeland is bringing his updated show, “The Great American Sh*tshow: Monologues on Life in the Age of Trump,” to the Mertes Center for the Performing Arts at Las Positas College in Livermore on Sunday, February 8, at 2 pm. Dubbed "a therapy session for progressives," the show sees the best-selling author and Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame inductee address political exhaustion, MAGA friendships, and the emotional toll of the non-stop chaos of Trump's America. Tickets are available online for $35 (plus fees) at bit.ly/Copeland2026 or $45 at the door, with a portion of the proceeds going to support three progressive non-profits: Eden Area Indivisible, Indivisible Tri-Valley, and Livermore Indivisible.
When: Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Where: The Box Shop, 951 Hudson Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124
Details: Discover The Box Shop, San Francisco's largest industrial art space, at our monthly Second Sunday Open House on Sunday, February 8th, from 12-4 pm (free admission, all ages welcome) at 951 Hudson Ave. Spend the afternoon immersed in art, community, and local craftsmanship, strolling through the massive outdoor sculpture yard and viewing over 140 murals that comprise one of the Bay Area's largest open-air exhibitions. Visitors can also get a glimpse inside the working studios of our 130+ diverse artists, including sculptors, metalworkers, and painters, and see where large-scale installations, such as Entwined Meadow and many pieces destined for Burning Man, are created, while a hands-on activity table, hosted by Alejandra Rassvetaieff, will be available for all ages.
Dear San Francisco - Matinee Performance
When: Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Where: Club Fugazi Experiences, 678 Green St, SF, CA, 94133
Details: Dear San Francisco is an intimate, immersive, and critically-acclaimed circus created by Bay Area natives Shana Carroll and Gypsy Snider (The 7 Fingers co-founders). Since its September 2021 debut, it has thrilled over 100,000 people. The show is a heart-stopping journey through San Francisco's history and myth—from the 1906 earthquake and Summer of Love to beat poetry and the mysterious fog. An international cast performs breathtaking acts, including hoop diving, Chinese pole, Korean plank, juggling, and the unique "hand-to-trap" form, originally created by Carroll. Tickets are available via the link above.
When: Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Details: Experience the vibrant sound world of the 18th century as Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale pairs Rameau's lighthearted and lyrical opera, La Guirlande (The Garland), with Handel's thrilling choral masterpiece, Dixit Dominus (The Lord Said). This program, spanning playful charm and powerful choral brilliance, is led by Music Director Emeritus Nicholas McGegan and features rising vocal stars Nola Richardson (soprano) and Aaron Sheehan (tenor), all performed on period instruments and with historically informed style.
The Marsh Berkeley presents Marga Gomez’s “Spanish Stew”
When: Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Where: The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA, 94704
Details: Marga Gomez's 15th solo work, Spanish Stew, is a witty and warm production playing at The Marsh Berkeley that transports the audience back to 1976 and the beginning of the acclaimed writer/performer's history. The story kicks off in Manhattan when young Marga's flamboyant mother outs her, leading Marga to flee her parents and follow her college girlfriend to San Francisco, only for their relationship to end over "dietary differences." Alone in the city, Marga navigates new relationships, various cults, odd roommates, and a survival job at a bohemian cafe, all while attempting to recreate a treasured family recipe to secure her new life; the play ultimately offers heartfelt revelations about both families of origin and the Bay Area Queer, punk, and radical families that we choose.
Valentine's Cupcake Decorating with Babaloo Bakes
When: Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Where: Marin Art and Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake, Ross, CA 94957
Details: Join the Marin Art and Garden Center for a fun-filled cupcake decorating workshop where all ages can get creative and make their own sweet treats. Each participant will receive a decorating kit, including three freshly baked cupcakes, two bags of buttercream frosting, heart-shaped sprinkles, and customizable fondant toppers, and the session will feature a hands-on demonstration of three frosting techniques. This perfect Sunday activity costs $35.
When: Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Where: Finley Community Center Person Senior Wing – Room 25 2060 West College Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Details: This free class, taught by Katsuzen King—an ordained Zen monk, mindfulness instructor, and Aikido teacher—will equip attendees with simple techniques to cultivate a more grounded life, significantly reduce daily stress and anxiety, and improve both concentration and relaxation.
And for those interested in watching the game there are always these events:
BAHC Live! Oakland Fan Zone & Super Bowl Watch Party
When: Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Where: Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts 10 10th St, Oakland, CA 94607
Details: The Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC) invites the community to its free, public BAHC Live! Oakland Fan Zone and official Super Bowl Watch Party at the historic Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts. This event will feature a live Super Bowl broadcast on a large screen, live music, local food and beverage vendors, family-friendly activities, and a celebration of Oakland's culture. Attendees can RSVP for free tickets to the outdoor Fan Zone or a combined ticket for the Fan Zone and limited-capacity indoor Watch Party, with a maximum of six tickets per order. The event is easily accessible via BART and AC Transit.
Flavortown Tailgate at Cow Palace in Daly City
When: Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Details: Guy Fieri, the "Mayor of Flavortown," is bringing his World's Greatest Tailgate to the Bay Area ahead of Super Bowl 60 at Levi's Stadium, hosting a music and food festival at Cow Palace in Daly City on Sunday, February 8th. The event will feature live performances from artists like Tucker Wetmore and Loud Luxury, along with games and numerous culinary experiences. Ticket packages, including general admission, VIP, and all-inclusive options, are currently on sale, and organizers are also offering 10,000 free tickets to select registered fans, with notifications going out before February 4th. The all-ages tailgate allows children under 13 to enter without a ticket.
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