It's time for the great escape before school starts and families settle into what is known as "the routine." San Francisco is the ideal spot to do a little back-to-school shopping combined with a weekend of fun. Click below for special events and activities announced for the Labor Day weekend.

Shanghai explores the tumultuous history that has resulted in one of the world's most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities. It features more than 130 oil paintings, furniture and rugs, revolutionary posters, works of fashion, movie clips, and contemporary installations - all visual documents of the city's rich and ever-changing culture.

Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells how these two become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

The incomparable soprano Jessye Norman joins MTT and the San Francisco Symphony to open the season in spectacular fashion. Revered around the world for her sumptuous sound, her joy of singing, and spontaneous passion, she joins the Orchestra in quintessential American repertoire, promising an unforgettable beginning to a memorable season.

Il Giro di San Francisco began life as the "San Francisco Gran Prix" in 1975. The race moved to Lake Merced for 1976-77 before being renamed "Il Giro." It moved to the northeast part of the City in 1978, with a course that included many of the same streets used by the current SF Grand Prix. Il Giro moved to its present area in 1981.

The Fantasticks is re-imagined in a world devastated by global warming to bring new resonance to its theme of hope and of facing the truth, before one can grow. Beautiful melodies sparkle throughout the comedy and evoke the agony and rapture of being young, full of dreams and giddy with love.

Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, Dreamgirls tells the story of an up-and-coming, 1960s singing girl group, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. Hopeful talents Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson and Effie White are performing as The Dreamettes when ambitious agent Curtis Taylor, Jr. discovers them.

Olive Kitteridge is filled with the ridiculous, heartbreaking human quirks life brings. Centered on the relentless and ruthlessly honest Olive, the town's legendary, scary junior high math teacher, these stories navigate life's challenges - its conflicts, its tragedies and joys, and the endurance it requires. Olive is a force to be reckoned with.