Here's what's worth your time.

The Headliners

Carnaval San Francisco takes over the Mission this weekend with its annual parade and festival — one of the city's most vibrant cultural traditions and a genuinely good time whether you're there for the dancing, the food, or just the energy. It's free, it's loud, and it's one of the few city-sponsored events that actually delivers on its promise.

SFMOMA's Free Community Day opens the museum doors without charging you the usual $25 admission. If you've been putting off visiting because modern art shouldn't cost more than a decent lunch, this is your moment.

Harvey Milk Day lands on the calendar as well, a reminder of one of the city's most consequential political figures and a day worth marking regardless of where you fall on the spectrum.

For the Foodies and the Fun

AAPI Cocktail Week spotlights Asian American and Pacific Islander bartenders and their craft across the city — a good excuse to explore somewhere new and support small businesses that aren't surviving on government subsidies.

And if you made the trek to Napa for BottleRock, there are aftershows back in the city for those who haven't quite had their fill. As one Bay Area commuter joked about the holiday traffic situation: "If you leave after work on Friday you should arrive just in time to head back mid-day Monday."

The Bottom Line

Memorial Day is, first and foremost, about honoring those who gave everything in service to this country and the freedoms we enjoy — including the freedom to spend a weekend arguing over which neighborhood has the best tacos. Take a moment for that before you hit the festival circuit.

The good news? Most of these events are free or cheap, which means the city is actually giving you a solid weekend without raiding your wallet. We'll take the win.