Bay Area arts: 9 great shows and concerts to catch this weekend

From Brandi Carlile to John Malkovich and Monty Python, there are a lot of cool concerts and shows to check out.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

This weekend's Bay Area entertainment lineup features a wide range of music, comedy, and theater, including concerts by Brandi Carlile and the Symphony San Jose, a classical performance by actor John Malkovich, and the return of the beloved Monty Python musical "Spamalot." The article also highlights free concerts at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell and the return of ODC/Dance's annual "Dance Downtown" event.

Why it matters

The Bay Area is known for its vibrant arts and entertainment scene, and this weekend's diverse lineup of shows and concerts offers something for everyone. From established stars like Brandi Carlile to beloved comedy classics like Monty Python, these events showcase the region's cultural richness and ability to attract top-tier talent.

The details

Brandi Carlile is performing at Chase Center in San Francisco on March 6, supporting her latest album "Returning to Myself." Actor John Malkovich is joining conductor Aleksey Igudesman for a comedic classical music performance at the San Francisco Symphony on March 10. The Monty Python musical "Spamalot" is running for three weeks at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco. The free concert series at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell is back, featuring a variety of genres from singer-songwriters to reggae. And ODC/Dance is presenting its annual "Dance Downtown" event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, including two world premieres.

  • Brandi Carlile's concert is on March 6.
  • John Malkovich's performance is on March 10.
  • "Spamalot" runs from March 1 to March 22.
  • The Golden Gate Park Bandshell concert series runs through mid-November.
  • ODC/Dance's "Dance Downtown" event runs from March 5 to March 8.

The players

Brandi Carlile

An 11-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter who is performing at Chase Center in San Francisco.

John Malkovich

An award-winning actor who is joining conductor Aleksey Igudesman for a comedic classical music performance at the San Francisco Symphony.

Monty Python

The legendary British comedy troupe whose musical "Spamalot" is running at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco.

Illuminate Live

The San Francisco non-profit organization that is creating and managing the free concert series at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell.

ODC/Dance

The San Francisco-based dance company that is presenting its annual "Dance Downtown" event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

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The takeaway

This weekend's diverse lineup of concerts, shows, and performances highlights the Bay Area's vibrant arts and entertainment scene, offering something for everyone from music lovers to comedy fans to dance enthusiasts. The return of long-running events like the Golden Gate Park Bandshell concerts and ODC/Dance's "Dance Downtown" demonstrate the region's commitment to supporting the arts and providing accessible, high-quality cultural experiences for the community.