March:
San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival
AMC Kabuki Theaters, 863-0814.
The biggest event in North America dedicated to the exhibition of Asian American and Asian cinema.
St. Patrick's Day Parade
Second and Market to the Civic Center, 731-0924.
One of San Francisco's largest annual parades and one of the longest-running parades in the U.S. Begins at 12:45 p.m. at Second and Market Streets and concludes at City Hall.
Bouquets to Art
California Palace of the Legion of Honor, Lincoln Park, 750-3504 More Info
Works by 100 floral designers, lectures by horticulture experts, luncheons and tea service.
San Francisco Flower and Garden Show
Cow Palace, 800 829-9751
Cutting-edge landscape design and high-quality exhibits of plants and superior gardening products.
Whole Life Expo
Concourse Exhibition Center, 800 551-EXPO.
The nation's premier event for nutrition, personal growth, alternative healing methods and environmental issues.
Houlihan's to Houlihan's 12K Race
Sausalito to Fisherman's Wharf, 759-2690.
The largest run ever to cross the Golden Gate Bridge ends with a world-class post-race party at Fisherman's Wharf 9:00 a.m. - noon.
Opening Day - San Francisco Giants
Pacific Bell Ball Park, 800 5GIANTS 800-544-2687 More Info
April:
Street Performers Festival
PIER 39, 705-5500
Comedians, jugglers, unicyclists, slack ropewalkers and many more perform on two stages.
Golden Gate Park Band
Music Concourse, Golden Gate Park, 831-2783. Free.
Since 1882, the Golden Gate Park Band has performed regularly in the park. Pack a picnic and enjoy this perennial pleasure. Sundays 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Cherry Blossom Festival
Contact the Japan Center 1520 Webster St., 94115, tel. 415-922-6776.
an elaborate presentation of Japanese culture and customs, winds up with a colorful parade through San Francisco's Japantown.
San Francisco International Film Festival
AMC Kabuki, Castro Theater and other venues, 931-FILM.
More than 100 films and videos from 30 countries will be showcased during this annual festival.
Opening Day on the Bay
Pier 39, 705-5500
Kick off the sailing season on the San Francisco Bay with a festive boat parade and the blessing of the fleet.
San Francisco Decorator Showcase
Pacific Heights neighborhood, 447-3117.
Top Bay Area decorators gather at a luxurious San Francisco home to display the latest home design innovations.
A Fair to Remember
Golden Gate Park, 750-8340.
A fair featuring crafts, food and entertainment, culminating with an auction held to raise funds for the AIDS National Grove endowment.
Wells Fargo Spring Cup Annual Regatta
PIER 39, 705-5500
The Spring Cup Regatta is part of the longest running professional 11-meter sailboat races in the Bay Area. Features America Cup participants, Olympic veterans, and former World Champions in two days of exciting fleet-style racing.
Cinco de Mayo
Parade on Mission Street, Festival in Civic Center Plaza, 826-1401
A parade and festival featuring Mexican and Central American art and entertainment. Also included is a classic low rider and bomb car show with over 80 cars on display. There will also be a children's area. 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
San Francisco Youth Arts Festival
Golden Gate Park, 759-2916.
An annual exhibition and celebration showcasing the visual and performing arts by San Francisco students in grades K-12.
San Francisco Examiner Bay to Breakers Footrace
The Embarcadero to The Great Highway, 808-5000, ext. 2222.
The world's largest footrace unfolds as more than 70,000 costume-clad runners push off.
Carnaval
Harrison Street, between 16th and 22nd, 826-1401
San Francisco's version of mardi gras, and one of its largest annual public events, featuring exotic carnaval dancers with a mixture of latino, jazz, samba Caribbean, and more.
June:
Fiesta Filipina
Largest Bay Area Filipino Festival featuring Filipino cuisine, entertainment, arts and crafts and carnival rides.
Ms. Juneteenth "Inner Beauty" Scholarship Pageant
346-0199.
Contestants compete for scholarships based on their talent, poise and communication skills during this annual pageant.
Union Street Spring Festival Arts & Crafts, Waiters Fair
Union Street, 441-7055.
Arts and crafts, wine, food, a waiters' race, tea dancing, a fashion show, street performers and a swing dance contest comprise the fun.
Ethnic Dance Festival
Palace of Fine Arts Theater, 474-3914.
Three weekends of performances showcasing the best in world dance and music, representing cultures from around the globe. Tickets at City Box Office, 392-4400.
Haight Street Fair
Haight Street, 661-8025.
One of San Francisco's most famous neighborhoods celebrates its creative roots with arts, crafts and entertainment.
San Francisco Black Film Festival
346-0199
Showcases films that celebrate black independent film and filmmakers.
Juneteenth Celebration
Kimball Park, located at Geary and Steiner Streets, 229-1220
A celebration of African American culture.
North Beach Festival
Grant Avenue and Green Street, 989-6426.
San Francisco's oldest street fair delights with arts and crafts, live entertainment and other surprises.
Stern Grove Midsummer Music Festival
Stern Grove, 252-6253
Admission-free performances by the world's finest artists in a wide variety of genres.
Make A Circus
Outdoors in parks throughout the Bay Area, 242-1414
Summer Festival Days feature a three-part event, including a professional musical circus theater show, a circus skills workshop, and a performance by workshop participants. Shows start at 12:00 p.m. and last approximately three hours. Opening Day in Golden Gate Park.
Jewish Film Festival
Castro Theater and other venues around the Bay Area, 621-0556
Films from American and international filmmakers showcase the diversity and vitality of the Jewish culture.
The North Beach Festival
Every Father's Day weekend, the North Beach Festival transforms Washington Square Park and Grant Avenue into an Italian marketplace, with food, music, and entertainment.
July:
Fourth of July celebration, at Crissy Field in the Presidio, features family festivities beginning in mid-afternoon and a fireworks display at 9 PM.
Fourth of July Waterfront Festival
Fisherman's Wharf, 705-5500
A day long event featuring the West Coast's largest display of fireworks, live entertainment, food, arts and crafts at this annual waterfront party. Fireworks begin around 9:00 p.m.
Cable Car Bell-Ringing Competition
Union Square, 923-6217.
Muni cable car operators clang out melodies on a cable car bell during this annual competition for top bell-ringer.
Books by the Bay
Pier 32, The Embarcadero, 927-3937.
Dozens of bookstore booths, author readings and signings, live music and a children's activity area.
August:
Afro Solo Arts Festival 2001
Yerba Center of the Arts & other locations, 771-AFRO.
The Afro Solo Arts Festival features celebrity and emerging African American artists in various performances such as theater, dance, music, spoken word and visual arts. Most shows begin at 8:00 p.m.
Golden Gateway to Gems
San Francisco County Fair Building, 564-4230.
This annual show sparkles with minerals, crystals and jewelry from all over the world. Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Nihonmachi Street Fair
Japantown and Japan Center, 771-9861
This Japanese festival features lion dancers, taiko drummers, Japanese arts and crafts, musical entertainment, food and children's events.
ACC Craft Fair
Fort Mason Center,800 836-3470.
This is the largest juried craft fair on the West Coast featuring necklaces, stoneware bowls and silk goods.
Comedy Celebration Day
Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park, 386-5035.
Laugh for four hours with Northern California's top comedians at this free funny bone frenzy featuring food, drink and souvenirs. Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Cow Palace, for tickets, call 478-BASS
Renaissance Pleasure Faire
Nut Tree, Vacaville, 800 523-2473.
Journey back to 16th century England with 1,500 brilliantly costumed performers, jousting knights, rare handmade crafts, theater, dance, food and drink. 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Weekends only.
September:
San Francisco Shakespeare Festival
Golden Gate Park, 422-2222.
Relax in a tranquil environment and enjoy Shakespeare's classics, beginning on Labor Day and running every Saturday and Sunday through September 30. Shows begin at 1:30 p.m. but locals arrive by noon for a seat. Free.
Absolut A La Carte, A La Park
Golden Gate Park, 458-1988. To purchase tickets, call 478-BASS
Featuring over 40 of San Francisco's most highly regarded restaurants and chefs, a delightful selection of wines and more than 20 craftbrews, Absolut A La Carte, A La Park has become one of the Bay Area's most popular Labor Day weekend events.
Sausalito Art Festival
Sausalito, 332-3555
Top-rated fine arts festival on the West Coast featuring more than 20,000 original artworks, music and food.
San Francisco Fringe Festival
Exit Theater and other downtown venues, for information call 931-1094, for tickets call 673-3847
A non-juried, non-censored marathon of 260 performances by 50 local, national and international theater companies in several locations in downtown San Francisco, with a broad spectrum of classic theater, performance art and outrageous comedy.
Festival of the Sea
Hyde Street Pier, 561-6662.
Re-live San Francisco's seafaring past with a tugboat rodeo, free boat rides, hands-on activities, a boat-building contest, hands-on crafts demonstrations and much more.
Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival
Ghirardelli Square, 775-5500
A chocolate lover's dream. Attendees sample various chocolate treats including chocolate covered strawberries, brownies, chocolate cheesecake and more. Proceeds benefit Project Open Hand.
Latino Summer Fiesta
Mission District, 826-1401.
A Latin American food and arts festival celebrating Latin American independence days.
Vivas Las Americas!
Pier 39, 705-5500
Hispanic Heritage is the focus of this event, featuring music and dance performances commemorating the artistry of Mexico and Central and South America.
San Francisco International Art Exposition
Fort Mason Center, Herbst and Festival Pavilion, 312 587-3300.
100 fine art galleries will exhibit, representing the work of 1500 artists, ranging from painting to drawing to sculpture to prints and video art. $10 general admission; $7 student & seniors.
Autumn Moon Festival
Grant Avenue between California and Pacific Streets, 982-6306 More Info
This event features multicultural entertainment, traditional lion and dragon dances, Chinese costumes and children's activities from 11: 00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
San Francisco Blues Festival
Great Meadow at Fort Mason, 979-5588
The oldest blues festival in America presents some of the best blues musicians in the world.
Festival of the Culinary Arts
Polk and Turk Streets, 249-4640.
Celebrating the food and wine of the world, this event features chef demonstrations from Bay Area chefs, wine tasting, cookbook authors, mini-seminars on food and wine and much more.
Wells Fargo Fall Cup Regatta
Pier 39, 705-5500
Watch America's Cup participants, Olympic veterans and former World Champions in two days of fleet-style racing on the San Francisco Bay. The public is invited to watch from noon to 5:00 p.m.
Folsom Street Fair
Folsom Street, 861-3247
San Francisco's funky, kinky leather event is held along Folsom Street between 7th and 12th Streets in the South of Market neighborhood. This event is intended for adults only.
Fleet Week
Embarcadero and Fisherman's Wharf, 705-5500
Pay tribute to the men and women of our nation's marine services. View dynamic aerial performances by the Blue Angels.
October:
Artspan Open Studios
Various locations, 861-9838.
The public will have free access to over 700 artist's studios every weekend. Visitors can browse paintings, sculpture, mixed media, ceramics, printmaking, furniture, glass, jewelry and photography.
Castro Street Fair
Castro Street, 467-3354
This festival will feature food, arts and crafts and a variety of retail items from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Italian Heritage Parade and Festival
tentative Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach, 989-2220.
The City celebrates its Italian heritage with a lively parade through North Beach, beginning at 1:30 p.m.
San Francisco Jazz Festival
Various locations, 788-7353
One of San Francisco's biggest and best musical festivals features local, national and international jazz artist performances at locations throughout San Francisco. The line-up includes many renowned musicians such as Abbey Lincoln, Jimmy Scott, John McLaughlin, and Zakir Jussain in Remember Shakti.
International Vintage Poster Fair
Fort Mason Center, 546-9608.
The oldest and largest vintage poster fair in the world features American and European posters from the 1890s to the 1980s.
Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off
location TBA, 249-4640.
Taking place during the Festival of the Culinary Arts, pumpkin growers from around the Bay Area will bring their largest pumpkins to compete for prizes.
October/November:
Grand National Rodeo, Horse and Stock Show
Cow Palace, 469-6057, for tickets, 469-6065
Enjoy concerts, art, food, livestock and rodeo competitions at the annual Grand National.
October:
Halloween San Francisco
Civic Center, 826-1401
Largest Halloween party in San Francisco featuring a laser show, a variety of music, dancing and food.
October/November:
San Francisco Fall Antiques Show
Fort Mason Center, 546-6661.
Over 65 distinguished antique dealers from America and Europe sell a broad range of antique merchandise.
November:
Cafe Arts Month
Various locations, fax: 282-2471.
Various art displays in cafes and coffee houses throughout The City.
Film Arts Festival of Independent Cinema
Castro and Roxie Theaters, 552-8760.
More than 300 films by local artists showcase the richness and diversity of San Francisco and Northern California as a major hub in the independent film world.
American Indian Film Festival
Palace of Fine Arts Theater, 554-0525.
Presenting documentaries and dramas by new and emerging Native American artists.
Harvest Festival and Christmas Crafts Market
Concourse Exhibition Center, 707 778-6300.
An arts and crafts fair offering wonderful gifts and other ideas for the holiday season. Weekends only.
Embarcadero Center Lighting Ceremony and Celebration
Embarcadero Center, 772-0753.
Ring in the holiday season at theannual holiday lights celebration with entertainment, food and various activities, including ice skating performances. Thousands of lights will illuminate the Embarcadero Center's office buildings.
San Francisco International Automobile Show
Moscone Center, 331-4406.
The latest and greatest automobiles in the world at this annual show.
Pier 39
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Pier 39, 705-5500,
Start the holiday season with a day of entertainment for the family. Festivities culminate in the lighting of the 65-foot tree with 2,500 shimmering lights.
Ghirardelli Square Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Ghirardelli Square, 775-5500.
Ghirardelli Square lights up the waterfront with a 35-foot Christmas tree. Includes holiday entertainment, caroling performances, along with a celebrity guest emcee, dancing, and a visit from Santa Claus.
Run to the Far Side
Golden Gate Park, 759-2690.
10K and 5K footraces through scenic Golden Gate Park begin and end at the California Academy of Sciences.
December:
Christmas at Sea
Hyde Street Pier, 561-6662.
Climb aboard a historic ship and enjoy caroling, storytelling, hot cider, cookies, kids' crafts and a visit from St. Nick.
San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker
War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Avenue, 865-2000.
America's oldest ballet company, regarded as one of its finest, presents Tchaikovsky's beloved family classic every December.
The Annual Sing-It-Yourself Messiah
Tel. 415-864-6000 takes place at Davies Symphony Hall on two nights during the first week of the month.
The New Pickle Circus
Tel. 415-544-9344, a particularly joyous group that started as a band of street performers during the early 1970s, performs annually during the holiday season at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater in the Marina District or at nearby Fort Mason. |
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