Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
John Prine, Lucinda Williams, Ryan Adams, Cibo Matto, Yo La Tengo, Conor Oberst, etc., etc., … and that’s just Friday. The three-day, seven-stage music fest in Golden Gate Park is back with a lineup as good as ever, and as free as ever. Don’t miss it. And bring a hat and sunscreen, it’s gonna be hot. Friday-Sunday, 10/3-5, 11am-7pm.

Giants v. Nationals watch party
Work schmerk. There are far more important things to do than earning rent money, like watching our San Francisco baseball Giants take on the Nats in game one of the NLDS. SoMa StrEat Food Park is hosting a watch party, with nine food trucks and a beer garden serving $3 Anchor pints. Friday, 10/3, 12:07pm-final out. Saturday game time is 2:30pm.

Black Cowboy Parade and Festival
Now in its 40th year, the Oakland Black Cowboy Parade celebrates the contributions black Americans made in the settling of the West. It’s the only event of its kind in the U.S., and also features food booths and horse and pony rides. Saturday, 10/4, 10am-, DeFremery Park, Oakland.

Oaktoberfest
Beer, lederhosen, women dressed like St. Pauli girls, more beer, Bavarian music and dancers, probably pretzels, oh and beer. That’s really all you need to know. There’s more of course, but if you can’t make it to Munich, the ticket to Oakland is a lot cheaper. Saturday, 10/3, 11am-6pm, MacArthur Blvd @ Fruitvale Ave., Oakland.

Mill Valley Film Festival
This is the premier film festival in the Bay Area, attracting an A-list set of movie peeps and an excellent lineup of films. Appearing at this year’s 37th annual fest is Hillary Swank, Jason Reitman, Wayne Wang, Darren Aronofsky, Frank Whaley and Laura Dern. Over 50 films and events this weekend alone. 10/2-12, various Mill Valley locations.