Michelangelo is in San Francisco Through September 14
Michelangelo is in San Francisco Through September 14. Open Special Labor Day Hours
“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” — Michelangelo
In San Francisco this summer, you don’t have to fly to Rome to stand beneath the genius of Michelangelo. Instead, you can walk into the soaring space of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption and find yourself face to face with one of history’s greatest artistic triumphs: the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Of course, it’s not the original—nothing could replace the hushed reverence of Vatican City—but in many ways this exhibition makes the impossible possible.
“Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition” brings his frescoes down from the ceiling to meet you at eye level. Every crack of paint, every fold of fabric, every haunted glance in The Last Judgment is here in perfect scale, rendered with such detail that you can study the works as if you were in the artist’s own studio.
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Walking Through History:
The effect is transformative. Instead of craning your neck among the crowds in Rome, you wander slowly, in silence if you choose, or guided by the free audio tour app that whispers stories of faith, ambition, and defiance into your ear. Children tug at their parents’ sleeves asking who Adam is; grandparents pause, remembering their own pilgrimages. Everyone is caught, for a moment, in Michelangelo’s struggle to wrest angels, prophets, and sinners out of raw plaster.
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A Perfect Back-to-School Pilgrimage:
The timing couldn’t be better. September looms with the routines of school and work, but here is an hour or two of awe and wonder, an antidote to the ordinary. Families discover art history together. Students see how Renaissance genius still speaks across five centuries. Couples find themselves pointing out details to one another: “Look at the hand—the way it almost touches.”
And this Labor Day, the exhibit opens its doors on Monday, September 1, a rare chance to make a holiday about leisure into one about learning and beauty.
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Practical Magic:
The exhibition runs through September 14, 2025—just three more weeks to catch it before it disappears. It’s housed at 1111 Gough Street, in a cathedral that itself feels like a modern work of art. Parking is free on-site, a small miracle in San Francisco. Tickets are modest—less than the price of a night at the movies for most families—and for groups of ten or more, there’s even a rebate to make field trips and outings easier.
But the real value isn’t in the discount codes or ticket tiers. It’s in standing before a masterpiece that has shaped our cultural imagination for centuries and realizing that, for once, you don’t have to crane your neck or cross an ocean to experience it.
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Before the Curtain Falls:
Michelangelo himself once said: “A man paints with his brains and not with his hands.”Walking through this exhibit, you feel that truth. These are not just paintings on plaster, but visions—ideas hewn into color and form—that changed the way the world thought about art, faith, and humanity itself.
And you have until September 14 to stand in their presence.
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Stress-free logistics:
• Free onsite parking – easy drop-off and pickup.
• Group-friendly: Perfect for school excursions and organizations. Contact info@chapelsistine.com for group bookings (10+).Tickets & visitor info:
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition
Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption1111 Gough Street (at Geary), San Francisco, CA
• Hours (now through Sept 14):
Tuesday–Sunday:10:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last entry 3:30 p.m.)
Special Labor Day Monday (Sept 1):10:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (last entry 3:30 p.m.) • Ticket pricing (3 tiers):• Adult: $27 (weekday) / $29 (weekend) • Senior: $25 (weekday) / $26 (weekend) • Military/Youth: $19 (every day)
Special offers:• Limited-time 15% promo currently available (act fast). • Groups 10+: 20% rebate off regular pricing – email info@chapelsistine.com.
Duration: 60–90 minutes per visitAccessibility: Fully wheelchair accessible, ADA friendlyParking: Free onsite parking availableAudio Guide App: Free download with multilingual, age-appropriate explanation.Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition has attracted sold-out audiences in cities across the United States, including Chicago, Minneapolis, Charlotte, Charleston, and Atlanta. The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption—known to locals as St. Mary’s Cathedral—is itself an architectural landmark. Built in 1970 after fire destroyed its predecessor, the cathedral incorporates both traditional and modern design and serves as the Mother Church for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Produced by Los Angeles–based SEE Global Entertainment, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition holds the exclusive worldwide rights to the fresco reproductions through Bridgeman Images. For more information, visit chapelsistine.com
Tickets on sale: chapelsistine.com/exhibits/san-francisco/
ABOUT SEE© GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT:The SEE© Family of Companies represents the finest in themed entertainment. Working with major Hollywood studios, record companies, sports franchises, and legendary individuals, SEE has become the one source for truly great, expansive entertainment. SEE is led by President Martin Biallas, a Hollywood veteran of 30 years. Visit www.seeglobalentertainment.com and www.martinbiallas.com.
ABOUT ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL:The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption serves as the Mother Church of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, encompassing San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo counties. Designed by Pietro Belluschi with engineering consultant Pier Luigi Nervi, the cathedral was dedicated in 1971 and is considered a bold expression of post-Vatican II liturgical architecture. Notable works include Richard Lippold’s baldacchino and bronze sculptures by Enrico Manfredi.