Mission & Castro

1. 2:00 PM 52nd Castro Street Fair, 'Where We Belong,' Castro and Market — Sunday Oct 4 only, 11 AM–6 PM. Free; $10–20 suggested donation. Streets close around Castro and Market, so take Muni Metro to Castro Station, not a car. Arriving at 2 gives you three and a half hours. The Castro Art Mart is listed for 2–8 PM on Noe St between Market and Beaver, a block east: walk over if it's there, but don't plan around it.
2. 5:30 PM Octo Octa, the Castro Street Fair after-party, Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St — Sunday Oct 4: doors 5:30, show 6, all ages. Tickets from about $35 on the theatre's own page; buy there, and before Sunday. The theatre is a block from Castro and Market, so leave the fair half an hour before it closes at 6 and walk in at doors.

Why it lands: The street fair is hours of easy company with plenty to look at, and no plan to settle on. The after-party is the ending you agreed to in advance: at 5:30 you walk one block and go inside. About $90 for two with the donation in the jar.

Weather backup: Can't do Sunday? The Castro Art Walk, Friday Oct 2, 5 to 8 PM, is free and covers the same few blocks (see the radar). If Octo Octa sells out, stay at the fair until it closes at 6 and eat on Castro St; Hardly Strictly also runs until 7 that day across town.