Events & Workshops

We sponsor anywhere from 5-8 costumed events each year. Activities range from picnics and dinners to museum and event visits; costume themes can be historical, science fiction, fantasy, and other genres – the only limit is your imagination!

Upcoming Events are listed on the GBACG Calendar with ticket price guides:

• $ — 0-20 dollars
• $$ — 20-40 dollars
• $$$ — 40-60 dollars
• $$$$ — 60-80 dollars
• $$$$$ — 80-100+ dollars

Ticket Policy: Tickets to GBACG activities ARE NOT REFUNDABLE, but are transferable. Purchasing tickets to a GBACG activity is the same as buying tickets to the Symphony, Ballet, or Theatre. If you have purchased tickets to a GBACG activity and are unable to attend, you may sell your tickets to someone else, but GBACG does not make refunds.

Latecomer Policy: We are not always able to accommodate latecomers. You are welcome to arrive whenever you prefer, but understand that you may miss all or part of the event. This is particularly an issue for seated meals, performances, boat or train rides, etc. The GBACG is not responsible for providing additional meals or tickets for guests arriving too late to partake in the event. Whether latecomers can be accommodated is at the discretion of a GBACG board member and/or the event site, and neither party is obligated to go to extreme lengths to do so. Refunds will not be given to anyone arriving too late to use their tickets.

The GBACG Costume Guidelines provides more information about what to wear to events.

Do you have an idea for an event theme that you would like to help organize? There will also be an event proposal form posted in August/September to get suggestions for event themes, locations, entertainment, etc.

The Board holds its annual Event Calendaring Meeting in October/November. At this meeting, the Board reviews the Event Proposals and decides which events to schedule for the following year.

To help with coming up with ideas, it is great to look at your favorite literature or current and past historical/fantasy tv shows and movies for inspiration. Please remember that GBACG is committed to creating safe and memorable events for all people no matter their identity, race, religion, orientation, ability, etc. When thinking of event themes, please refrain from historical events that are directly related to marginalizing or exploiting communities of people.

For example but not limited to, GBACG will not host events with the following themes:

• Civil War related events
• Gold Rush/Mining themed events because of the mistreatment of Chinese Americans
• Spanish Mission themed events, because of the harm, exploitation, and forces assimilation associated with these locations and period.
• WWII themed events because of the Bay Area’s direct history with the internment of Japanese Americans
• Any theme that mocks or surrounds the mistreatment of a group of people

If you love those eras for their fashions, that’s wonderful. Let’s be inspired to think outside of problematic themes such as above, and focus on how we can create events where EVERYONE will feel welcome. Again, literary and pop culture references are a great way to celebrate a favorite time period in a more inclusive manner, like Little Women, Bridgerton, Soirees with famous people, 1940’s dances, etc. Think creatively about how your event theme can encourage a wide variety of interpretations – historical, fantasy, and/or cosplay costumes should all be possibilities. The more the merrier!

Questions? Email the GBACG Event Coordinator.

The guild offers a number of Workshops that allow students an opportunity to learn costuming techniques from experts and to work in-depth on costuming projects. The GBACG also hosts Costume Academy, one day of workshops where you can sign up to take multiple classes.

Upcoming Workshops are listed on the GBACG Calendar.

Do you have an idea for a workshop that you’d like to see organized, or a teacher you could recommend? Please email the Workshop Coordinator.