Summer is for outdoor events when the *stars* come out—and that means two different kinds of stars. Look all around you and don’t forget to look up, too! P.S. Fun fact: The year 2025 is a “perfect square year.” It’s the product of a number multiplied by itself (45 x 45 = 2025), a mathematical phenomenon that has not occurred since 1936.
Through Oct. 26
Van Gogh’s Flowers | New York Botanical Garden
Revel in the floral beauty that inspired iconic paintings, be immersed in large-scale botanical art, wander through a lawn of monumental sunflowers, see expressive masterpieces bloom. Look up; at sunset, Van Gogh’s famous Starry Nights is a dazzling drone show. nybg.org/event/van-goghs-flowers
NEW: Prague Planetarium | Czech Republic
More stars. The first LED planetarium in Europe — the world’s third — is also the largest and considered the best for quality. Newly open following a two-year renovation, now with a transformed guest experience that’s out of this world. prague.eu/en/objevujte/prague-planetarium-planetarium-praha
AUGUST
Aug. 1 – 3
Dead & Co. | Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Billed as a “once-in-a-generation” event, fans are in luck this summer when Dead & Company stages a three-day live concert series “celebrating 60 years of the Grateful Dead’s music.” Concerts start with 75-min. sets by Billy Strings, Sturgill Simpson, and Trey Anastasio Band. deadandcompany.com
Edinburgh Festival Fringe | Scotland
Aug. 1 – 25
The world’s largest arts festival takes over Edinburgh with an explosion of creative energy. Thousands of live performances spanning theatre, comedy, music, and more. It’s a must-see for fans of creativity and performance art. edfringe.com
Aug. 7 – 17
Transcendence Theatre Company | Sonoma, Calif.
Beautiful—The Carole King Musical tells the true story of the Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning songwriter’s remarkable rise to stardom, becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Broadway Under the Stars at Fazio Field, 151 First St. West, Sonoma. transcendencetheatre.org
Aug. 8 – 10
Outside Lands | Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
The three-day event with seven stages is the nation’s largest independently owned music festival. Ninety performers and headliners Beck With Symphony, Tyler, the Creator, Doja Cat, and Hozier. Also, Taste of the Bay, Cocktail Magic, Wine Lands, and Beer Lands. Golden Gate Park. sfoutsidelands.com
Aug. 8 – 10
35th San Jose Summer Jazz Festival | Plaza de César Chávez Park
Called “one of the world’s great urban jazz festivals” by DownBeat, San Jose Jazz Summer Fest celebrates a milestone. Nine stages feature jazz, R&B, Latin, Salsa, NOLA and more. summerfest.sanjosejazz.org
Aug. 17
Diana Ross | 88th Stern Grove Festival, San Francisco
Supreme entertainer, the legendary Diana Ross, appears live in a free outdoor concert at the nation’s oldest nonprofit music festival. 19th Ave. at Sloat Blvd. sterngrove.org/lineup
Aug. 17 – 19 and 24 – 26
Summer Stage | Filoli, Woodside, Calif.
As the sun sets behind the mountains, live performances are staged against the backdrop of gardens and historic house. Shows by Gangstagrass, Jerry’s Middle Finger, Video Game Orchestra, Tainted Love, The Reverend Shawn Amos, and Halsey & the Hi-Hats. 6 Cañada Road, Woodside. filoli.org/summer-stage
Aug. 18 – Sept. 7
U.S. Open Tennis Championship | Flushing Meadows, NY
Since 1881, one of the longest-running tennis tournaments in the world and the second oldest Grand Slam® tournament after Wimbledon. Star players compete for fame, glory, and cash rewards before crowds of fans. National Tennis Center. usopen.org
Aug. 21 – Sep. 6
Stuttgart Wine Festival | Germany
Cozy wine booths are set outdoors where hosts serve local wines accompanied by Swabian specialities: Käsespätzle (cheesy noodles), Maultaschen (filled pasta), Schupfnudeln (potato noodles) with sauerkraut, and sweet treats. Schiller Square, Stutgart. stuttgarter-weindorf.de/en
Aug. 22
17th Annual GLIDE Summer Gala | San Francisco
Love. Unite. Inspire. Dance. A benefit for GLIDE’s programs featuring music, celebration, and recognition of community champions. Phoenix Hotel, 601 Eddy St. glide.org/summergala
Aug. 27
200th Harvest on the Square | Sonoma, Calif.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the inaugural harvest by the first vintners in California. Sonoma Vintners & Growers Alliance celebrate with a huge community toast on Sonoma’s historic plaza by Sonoma Mission, site of the original grape plantings in 1824. sonomavalleywine.com