It’s no secret that the cost of living is pretty steep in the Bay Area. And with the stress of lengthy revitalization efforts and higher operating costs, current ticketed offerings have become pricier and more out of reach. 

While you might be cutting back, your social life doesn’t have to pay the price, thanks to plenty of free local festivals and activities. 

Have a look at The Chronicle’s guide to upcoming events full of local fun, and enjoy as you support local organizations while staying well within your budget.

Golden Gate Bandshell Concerts

The S.F. Rec and Park Department and Illuminate SF will once again host a series of live, outdoor shows in Golden Gate Park. The free, all-ages concerts are set to run through November, featuring singer-songwriters, folk and rock on Wednesdays; jazz and soul shows during Friday happy hour; reggae on Sundays and more. 

May highlights include Pardon the Interruption on Sunday, May 14; Erik Jekabson Jazz on Friday, May 26; Golden Gate Park Bandshell Kids’ Fest with magic, live music from Charity and the Jam Band and more from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 27. 

4:30-7:30 p.m. Sundays; 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays; 4:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays. Check the online schedule before heading to the park, as programming varies from week to week. Through November. Free. Golden Gate Park Bandshell, Music Concourse Way, S.F. 415-831-2700. goldengatebandshell.org

San Rafael West End Block Parties and Downtown Dining Under the Lights 

Dine and dance under festive strings of Tivoli lights with live music, entertainment and al fresco “streateries” creating a festival atmosphere. The larger monthly event offers a kids zone, open studios and vendor marketplace area.   

Second Friday Under the Lights 6-10 p.m. May 12, June 9, July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 8 and Oct. 13. Weekly Block Parties 6-10 p.m. Thursday-Friday, May 26-Sept. 30. Free. Fourth St., downtown San Rafael. downtownsanrafael.org

Smiley’s Presents: Dale Polissar Jazz Trio

Clarinetist Dale Polissar will perform at the beachy Bolinas tavern. He will be joined by pianist Si Perkoff, once a member of the house band at the fabled Fillmore jazz district venue Bop City, and bassist Piro Patton. 

3 p.m. Saturday, May 13. Free, reservations recommended. Smiley’s Saloon, 41 Wharf Road, Bolinas. 415-868-1311.smileyssaloon.com

Pateldanceworks: ‘fault lines’ 

Artistic Director Bhumi B. Patel presents a site-specific, multidisciplinary, collaborative performance and workshop with queer and Asian performances artists Tessa Nebrida, Emma Tome, Hannah Meleokaiao Ayasse and Elizabeth Sugawara, with music from Sholeh Asgary and Rachel Austin and costumes by Iris Yirei Hu.

6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, May 19-20; 2 p.m. Saturday, May 20. Free, reservations required; donations encouraged. Fort Funston, Fort Funston Road, S.F. pateldanceworks.org

Remembrance Rising: In Tribute to the World War II Comfort Women

Asian Improv aRts, API Cultural Center and Lenora Lee Dance present two free performances of an interdisciplinary work featuring poetry, dance, visual art and music featuring composer/saxophonist Francis Wong, dancer/poet Lynn Huang, dancer Flora Hyoin Kim Han, tuba performer William Roper, violinist Sandy Poindexter and percussionist Karen Stackpole.

7-8 p.m. Friday, May 19 at Manilatown Heritage Center, 868 Kearny St., S.F. Free. Program repeats 2-3 p.m. Saturday, May 20 at the Comfort Women Memorial, St. Mary’s Square, 651 California St., S.F. asianimprov.org

Growing Together Day

Celebrate art, nature and community at a Bayview neighborhood festival in the park. The fun-filled day will host local artists and vendors, interactive mural art and crafts activities for kids and adults, guided nature walks, food trucks, live music and entertainment.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 20. Free, reservations recommended. Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, 500 Hunters Point Expwy., S.F. candlestickpointsra.org

Ember Stomp Wildfire Prevention Festival

Fire Safe Marin and the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority present a festival celebrating community education efforts toward reducing risk of wildfire. It will feature exhibits, hands-on activities, a kids zone, live music and food vendors.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 20. Free, reservations recommended. Marin Center Fairgrounds, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 415-570-4376.firesafemarin.org

Contra Costa Shoreline Festival

Celebrate Watershed Awareness Month in Contra Costa County at a low waste festival featuring live music on two stages, hot air balloon rides, vendors, children’s activities food trucks, and wine and beer tasting tents. Get your garden going with bioswale and water garden demonstrations, a native plant sale and consultations with community exhibitors.  Scheduled performers include The Purple Ones, Busta-Groove, the Billy Martini Show and Blame the Whiskey. 

11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, May 20. Free, reservations recommended. Carquinez Regional Environmental Education Center Greenhouse, 1909 Dowrelio Dr, Crockett. 925-690-4156. ccrcd.org

College of Marin Orchestra

Jim Stopher conducts the orchestra in a program of works including Brahms’ “Symphony No. 2” and Sibelius’s “Finlandia.”

3 p.m. Saturday, May 20. Free, reservations recommended. James Dunn Theatre, College of Marin, Sir Francis Drake Blvd. at Laurel Ave., Kentfield. 415-457-8811. pa.marin.edu/music

Berkeley Himalayan Fair

Celebrating its 40th year, this East Bay event highlights the arts and culture of the Himalayan region and its people. The two-day outdoor festival is set to feature food and artisan vendors as well as live world music and dance performances from Dholrhythms Dance Company and others.

10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, May 21; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 22. Free admission, registration encouraged. Live Oak Park, 1301 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. himalayanfair.net

Bay to Breakers 12k 

With a route from downtown San Francisco to the Great Highway and Ocean Beach, the long-running foot race, which first happened in 1912, has a big reputation for fun. Featuring individual runners and tethered teams, many in wild costumes, participants compete for fastest times as well as applause for creativity. Register to be a participant for a fee or check out the course map and find a place to watch the race go by, walk along the route on sidewalks, or sign up for a volunteer slot for free.

8 a.m. Sunday, May 21. Free to watch or sign up to volunteer along the course. Starts at Main and Howard streets, S.F. baytobreakers.com

Dim Sum & Cars

Look at unique cars from the Portola neighborhood and beyond as you nosh on fresh dim sum. There will be safety resource booths and a lion dance performance from Lion Dance Me.

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, May 21. Free admission. Bank of the West parking lot, 2675 San Bruno Ave., S.F. 415-506-7608‬. portolasf.org

Dad Country Presents: Salami Rose Joe Louis

The funny name will make you smile, and the talent on the Sonoma cafe’s upcoming music series, curated by music director Jonny Fritz, will have you on your feet.

With her unique blend of ethereal vocals, keyboards and electronics, Louis’ intricate musical stylings will take over the intimate stage. Influenced by Captain Beefheart, Herbie Hancock and Stereolab, there are vibes of Stevie Wonder, Sylvan Esso and Nora Jones in the artist’s dreamy, jazz-influenced works. The artist will be joined onstage by vocalist Sandra Lawson-Ndu.

7-9 p.m. Thursday, May 25. Free, reservations required. Little Saints, 25 North St., Healdsburg. 707-433-8207. littlesainthealdsburg.com

ffff: A Noise Cappella

Immerse yourself in a  long-form, site-specific installation from interdisciplinary artist Ava Koohbor. The performance explores the voices of Iranian women through sonic interaction with metal sculptures installed in the space. The abbreviated title stands for freedom, frequency, forte and feminism.

6-8 p.m. Friday, May 26. Free reservations recommended. Space 124, 401 Alabama St., S.F. apiculturalcenter.org

Carnaval San Francisco

The 45th annual Carnaval festival will offer live music and entertainment on multiple stages with headliners La Sonora Dinamita and Los Van Van. Expect live dance, costumes, arts and crafts, food vendors and more.

The reliably eye-popping Sunday morning parade is set to feature many performers, including Brazilian-style samba schools dancing through the streets in feathered headdresses; Caribbean contingents performing music and dance of the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Trinidad; Mexican Aztec performers; traditional African drummers; Polynesian dance; Japanese taiko; and giant puppets and folkloric groups representing Guatemala, Honduras and Bolivia.

Carnaval Festival: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 27-28. Free. Harrison St. between 16th and 24th streets, S.F. 

Carnaval Parade: 9:30 a.m. Sunday, May 28. Free, $30 grandstand seating available; reservations required. Kicks off at 24th and Bryant streets, S.F. 415-691-1147. carnavalsanfrancisco.org

Grace Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys 

Gabriel Fanelli conducts the choir in a free performance preceding a concert tour in Austria. 

2-3 p.m. Sunday, May 28. Free, reservations required; donations encouraged. Grace Cathedral, 1100 California St., S.F. 415-749-6300. gracecathedral.org

California Shakespeare’s ‘At the Bruns’ Season Opening Picnic

Paper Moon Presents and Cal Shakes will host a kick off party for the new ‘At the Bruns’ summer performance series. The afternoon event will feature live music from Brightshine, face painting, kids activities, crafts and more. Refreshments will be available onsite. BYO picnic lunches allowed. Participating organizations include The Mosaic Project, We Players, Young People’s Symphony Orchestra and Cal Shakes Conservatory. 

2 p.m. Sunday, May 28. Free, reservations required. Bruns Amphitheatre, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda. 510-548-9666. calshakes.org

Jazz on the Plazz Presents: Sounds of Summer Music Festival

This year organizers of the free Jazz on the Plazz summer concert series are producing an afternoon music festival. Set to take place on June 3, the event will include performances from Gypsy Tribe, Collectivity and the Houserockers.

Later in June, the weekly music series will include performances from Etienne Charles Sextet (June 28), Pamela Rose (July 5), Claudia Villela Quintet (Aug. 2), Tiffany Austin (Aug. 16) and David Benoit (Aug. 23).

Sounds of Summer: 1-9 p.m. Saturday, June 3. Free admission. Civic Center Park, 110 E. Main St., Los Gatos. jazzontheplazz.com/sounds_of_summer

Jazz on the Plazz: 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, June 21- Aug. 23. Los Gatos Town Plaza, East Main Street and Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. jazzontheplazz.com

Union Street Festival

The classic S.F. street fest returns with two days of live music, interactive art, crafts and artisan wares, food vendors, a race in which local waiters compete in an uphill foot race carrying a tray of wobbly glasses and more. Live performances scheduled include Victoria George and the High Lonesome, the Wreckless Strangers, Michelle Lambert, Freestone Peaches and others. 

11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, June 3; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, June 4. Free admission. Union St., between Fillmore and Octavia Streets, S.F. unionstfestival.com

Oakland Caribbean Carnival and Wellness Festival

With Caribbean, African, Brazilian and African-American cultures represented, the family-friendly event will showcase live performances on multiple stages, art exhibitors, artisan wares, food vendors and community organization booths.

Noon-8 p.m. Saturday, June 3. Free, reservations recommended. Mosswood Park, 3612 Webster St., Oakland. sambafunk.com

San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers

Salesforce Park hosts the string ensemble as part of its free, outdoor concert series. Join founder and music director Alasdair Fraser for a lively program of fiddle music, song and dance. 

3 p.m. Saturday, June 3. Free, donations welcome. Salesforce Park Main Plaza, 425 Mission  St., S.F. 415-597-5000. sffiddles.org

Live Music at Pier 23: Charles Unger Experience

Enjoy live, local music at the funky, waterfront restaurant/watering hole on most Thursday through Saturday evenings with no cover. This set is set to feature saxophonist Charles Unger’s jazz ensemble.

5 p.m. June 3. Free admission. Pier 23, the Embarcadero, S.F. 415-362-5125. pier23cafe.com

Ensemble for These Times: ‘Crystal’

The local chamber ensemble is celebrating its 15th anniversary. The group will perform a celebratory program featuring favorite works from its past repertoire along with two world premieres by composers Vivian Fung and Marcus Norris. Free livestream viewing option is available.

7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 3. Free-$30, reservations recommended. Noe Valley Ministry 1021 Sanchez St., S.F. e4tt.org

Downtown Redwood City Car Show

Meet and chat with fellow car enthusiasts at an annual car show. It's set to include classic, muscle and modern sports cars, as well as custom-built creations for up close viewing, family-friendly entertainment and activities, live music, food and drink vendors. 

10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 10. Free. Courthouse Square, downtown Redwood City. 650-455-5144. redwoodcitydowntown.com

Novato Art, Wine & Music Festival

Presented by the Novato Chamber of Commerce and produced by Eckerstrom Productions, the festival includes live music, vendor booths, food, craft beer and wines. Performers scheduled include Pete Floyd, Revolver, Soul Section, Miracle Mule, James M. Harman and others.

11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, June 10; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, May 11. Free, reservations recommended. 1112 Grant Ave., downtown Novato. 415-897-1164. novatochamber.com

Reach Anne Schrager: aschrager@sfchronicle.com