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This weekend, the Pokémon World Championships are taking over San Francisco. The annual event will take place at Moscone Center and Chase Center, where players compete for the top title in Pokémon video games, card games, and more. The competition also comes with a debut fan experience, PokémonXP. Along with the championships, you can expect several fun Pokémon-themed events around San Francisco, including a free movie night in Union Square.
Cinema on the Square August 2026
On Saturday, August 29, Union Square’s free outdoor movie series is returning, this time featuring Pokémon: Detective Pikachu. Pre-show activities start at 5 pm in the square, and the movie will start at 8 pm. We recommend wearing some layers to stay warm during the movie, along with a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Before the movie, you can expect activities like trivia and live performances. Plus, you can purchase drinks and popcorn at the square. We recommend getting there early to pick out an ideal spot for the screening. Plus, you can pick up some Pokémon merch or games at the Nintendo store located in the square.
The movie series kicked off earlier this summer and has since held several screenings of popular movies. After the August 29th screening, the next movie night will feature The Conversation on September 26.
Free programs in Union Square
Union Square in San Francisco. Photo by Lucky-photographer on Shutterstock
The free movie nights are just one of many free community events and programs in Union Square. Other free events include dance classes, fitness classes, chess socials, family-friendly events, and more. The square also has amenities like badminton, ping pong, foosball, and corn hole, as well as an area with chess sets and books.