Yes—San Francisco Opera has resumed performances. As of October 4, 2026, you can rebuild a Civic Center evening around the season, but book a currently listed performance rather than relying on an old September ticket. A review of the reopened Simon Boccanegra confirms the orchestra returned to the War Memorial Opera House after the strike.
What returned—and what stayed canceled
The Opera and its orchestra announced a tentative four-year agreement on September 17, with the season scheduled to open with Simon Boccanegra on September 22 and Mary, Queen of Scots on September 24. The agreement was still subject to ratification when that joint announcement was issued; the subsequent review reports that it was ratified before the reopening.
That return did not restore these canceled events:
- September 12: Simon Boccanegra, the original season opener.
- September 13: the free Opera in the Park concert.
- September 16 and 19: Simon Boccanegra.
- September 20: the original opening of Mary, Queen of Scots.
The official cancellation notice offered affected performance-ticket holders account credit toward the 2026–27 season, donation of the ticket value, or a full refund. If you still hold one of those tickets, call 415-864-3330 to arrange your preferred option; do not assume it admits you to a later performance. The notice said no immediate action was required.
What to book now
The listed October 4 Mary, Queen of Scots performance is a 2 p.m. matinee, not an evening outing. Its overview still displays the original September 20–October 4 date range, so use the individual performance listing rather than that broad range.
For a future evening, Manon opens October 15 at 7:30 p.m. and runs through November 1. The Opera advertises tickets starting at $30 and a runtime of 3 hours 25 minutes, including two intermissions. That puts a 7:30 p.m. performance’s expected finish around 10:55 p.m. Check the seat price and availability for your selected date before making dinner reservations—and plan your return transport for a late finish.
Leave room for arrival, not another distant stop
The venue is 301 Van Ness Avenue. SF Opera lists Civic Center BART/Muni and Van Ness Muni as nearby walking approaches in its directions and parking guidance. Its visitor guidance recommends extra travel time, transit because parking is limited, and approaching through Hayes Valley to avoid heavier traffic around Market Street.
A workable evening plan:
- Eat in Hayes Valley, then head to the Opera House without adding another neighborhood detour.
- Aim to arrive 30–45 minutes before curtain—a planning buffer, not a venue requirement. For the pre-opera talk, which starts 55 minutes before curtain, aim for about 65 minutes early.
- In rain or strong wind, skip the optional Hayes Valley walk and keep the meal-to-theater connection short.
The buffer matters: assigned-seat admission stops once the performance begins; latecomers can take their seats at intermission. There is no dress code, and English supertitles accompany every opera. These policies and the talk timing appear in the first-time visitor guide.
Travel light: auditorium bags must fit under your seat or on your lap, approximately 14 × 14 × 6 inches; larger items go to coat check under the visitor bag policy. If stairs are a concern, confirm seating before buying: entrances are step-free, but the fifth-floor Balcony requires stairs, according to the accessibility guide.