WORLD VEG FESTIVAL
Saturday–Sunday, October 1–2, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., San Francisco County Fair Building This award-winning festival celebrates its 12th year with informative lectures; vegan cooking demonstrations and samples; a children’s corner; veggie speed dating; entertainment; exhibits on health, humane and environmental topics; and more. Ninth Avenue and Lincoln Way, 415-273-5481, www.sfvs.org/wvd

LEFT COAST CHAMBER ENSEMBLE: ‘Two Sets Of Keys’
Monday, October 3, 8 p.m., Veterans War Memorial Building A program of French chamber music featuring contrasting compositions for harpsichord and piano with works by Henri Dutilleux, François Couperin and Claude Debussy. 401 Van Ness Avenue (at McAllister), 415-642-8054, www.leftcoastensemble.org

AFTER DARK: Again & Again
Thursday, October 6, 6–10 p.m., the Exploratorium Dress in your best from another era for a night of music, films, demonstrations, and more exploring the fascinating world of memory, déjà-vu and repetition. Hear a talk about the mechanics of human memory, make a Mobius strip – and bring your skates. Yep that’s right, there’s a temporary skating rink at the Exploratorium. 3601 Lyon Street (at Marina), 415-561-0363, www.exploratorium.edu

SAN FRANCISCO ARTS MARKET
Thursday, October 6 & 13, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., U.N. Plaza In addition to the usual weekly outdoor market featuring local artists and artisans displaying (and selling) their fabulous handmade wares, there will be Off the Grid food trucks, live music, and other surprises. Market Street (between Leavenworth & Hyde) http://artsmarketsf.org

EATER'S CHOICE AWARDS CELEBRATION
Saturday, October 15, 12–4 p.m., Fort Mason Center Vote for your favorite food truck until Oct. 5 then come taste the top 10 in this culinary celebration where S.F.’s No. 1 favorite mobile eatery will be revealed. Marina Boulevard & Buchanan Street, www.eaterscoicesf.com

8TH ANNUAL BENEFIT ART AUCTION FOR THE SF CHILDREN'S ART CENTER
Thursday, October 20, 6–9:30 p.m., 111 Minna Gallery This event includes a silent art auction showcasing unique works from Bay Area artists in a variety of media, a grand prize drawing and more. Proceeds benefit the San Francisco Children’s Art Center, a private, nonprofit community arts organization that seeks to empower children and foster their sense of self through exploration of the artistic process. 111 Minna (between Second & New Montgomery) 415-771-0292, www.childrensartcenter.org/auction.html  

To compel you to cross town:
YERBA BUENA FAMILY DAY
Sunday, October 16, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Yerba Buena Arts District The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Contemporary Jewish Museum, Museum of the African Diaspora, Children’s Creativity Museum, and Yerba Buena Gardens Festival welcome all ages with a full day of free admission, hands-on art-making activities for kids, and special family-friendly performances from hula dancers to Japanese drummers. Multiple locations, 415-614-3216, www.visityerbabuena.org

To compel you to cross a bridge:
HARVEST CELEBRATION
Saturday, October 15, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Slide Ranch, Muir Beach Enjoy live music, local foods, fall crafts, and farm activities for the whole family. Build a scarecrow, learn to spin wool, bake bread, make cheese, milk the goats, create fall crafts, explore the tide pools, and more – whew! 2025 Shoreline Highway, 415-381-6155, www.slideranch.org

And to compel you to get out of town:
TITO'S BELLY DANCE SHOW
Saturday, October 15, 7:30 p.m., Veterans Memorial Senior Center, Redwood City With his traditional garb and depictions of authentic Egyptian dance, Tito performs his signature cane dance as well as Arabic drum dancing to interpret the music through dynamic moves, creating an unparalleled experience that always delights, entertains and mesmerizes. 1455 Madison Avenue (between St. Francis & Nevada) 408-246-1129, www.HalaDance.com

4 LADS FROM LIVERPOOL – A Tribute to The Beatles
Friday–Monday, October 28–31, 8 p.m., Marines’ Memorial Theatre Join this magical mystery tour paired with multimedia footage to see, hear and feel how The Beatles changed the world with their music. Dress as your favorite Beatle or other ’60s icon for the Halloween performance for a chance to win dinner and a one-night stay at the Marines’ Memorial Theatre. 609 Sutter Street, 415-771-6900, marinesmemorialtheatre.com.