Shoppers of song and lovers of live theatre are marking calendars: the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus unveils Season 49: RISING, a jubilant 2026–27 programme of holiday sparkle, one-hit wonder nostalgia, diva anthems, sing‑alongs and community celebrations that promise joy, resilience and big, communal moments. Tickets go on sale 1 September.
Essential Takeaways
- Season theme: RISING anchors SFGMC’s 49th season as a celebration of community, courage and communal music-making.
- Holiday sparkle: Four Holiday Spectacular performances return, including a Home for the Holidays show at the Castro Theatre on Christmas Eve , lots of familiar sing‑along tunes and theatrical flair.
- Mainstage highlights: One-Hit Wonders in March and a Pride-timed DIVAS! concert in June bring fun, nostalgia and powerhouse vocals.
- Community programming: The Chan at SFGMC hosts cabarets, a Queer Lunar New Year, Britpop and Divas sing-alongs, and family-friendly sing-along events.
- Leadership note: New CEO Lane Sugata and Artistic Director Jake Stensberg frame the season as both celebration and cultural resistance.
Why RISING feels like a timely, noisy, hopeful answer
If you want music that feels both celebratory and necessary, RISING is that mix , bright, loud and unapologetic. The season launches with the organisation’s familiar mix of spectacle and warmth: a Holiday Spectacular across four venues, bringing a large chorus, dancers and a live band together for traditional carols and pop-leaning surprises. According to the chorus’s season announcement, the aim is to lift spirits and "raise voices" as civic attacks on queer communities persist, so these concerts read as ritual, party and gentle protest all at once. For anyone who loves the communal goosebump moment of a great choral swell, this season will deliver.
Holiday shows that double as tradition and theatre
Holiday Spectaculars are SFGMC’s seasonal calling card, and this year’s sees the chorus back at the Castro Theatre on 24 December for a proper Home for the Holidays. Expect a mash-up of the cosy and the campy: singable standards, diva medleys and contemporary pop covers that make carols feel fresh. If you go, wrap up warm and get there early , these shows are as much about seeing friends and family as they are about the music. Practical tip: book Golden Gate Theatre or Cal Performances dates if you prefer an evening outside the busy civic centre or want easier parking.
One-Hit Wonders: nostalgia with stories attached
One-Hit Wonders promises to be the kind of concert that makes you grin, stomp and remember your late‑night anthems. The conceit is simple and effective: pair iconic one-off chart toppers with personal stories from chorus members. That mix gives the programme emotional texture, so it’s not just karaoke nostalgia , it’s a communal memory lane. If you’re planning a group night out, this is a great choice: it’s accessible, upbeat and full of audience-friendly moments.
DIVAS! , Pride season turned up to eleven
DIVAS! slots into early June, just in time for Pride energy. This programme salutes the legendary female voices who’ve soundtracked queer life, from survival to celebration. It’s billed as exuberant and theatrical, likely heavy on powerful ballads and crowd-pleasing showstoppers. Expect big arrangements, confident choreography and that delicious sense of collective release only a chorus of hundreds can provide. If you want the full diva experience, bring friends, dress boldly and plan to sing along.
The Chan’s calendar: community events that feel like a neighbourhood party
The Chan at SFGMC fills out the season with intimate, culturally specific and participatory events: a Broadway cabaret called Make Them Hear You, a festive Holiday Sing-Along, a Queer Lunar New Year celebration in partnership with GAPA, and themed sing-alongs (Britpop, Divas). These are the moments where the chorus crosses from performance into community-building , families, elders, younger queer Asians and long-time fans all have programming aimed at them. Tip: the sing-alongs are perfect if you’ve got mixed-ability singers in your group , they’re welcoming and relaxed.
Leadership, outlook and why this matters beyond concerts
New CEO Lane Sugata frames RISING as both celebration and activism, and Artistic Director Jake Stensberg positions the season as a response to the times: music as uplift, joy as resistance. According to the organisation’s materials, Season 49 is also a forward-looking setup for their 50th anniversary, so expect this year’s programming to set a tone of vibrancy and renewal. For locals and visitors alike, these concerts are a reminder that live arts still knit communities together , and that a packed theatre can be a small, defiant public square.
It's a small change that can make every song feel like a gathering , pick a date, bring your voice, and rise with the chorus.
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