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50 Best Annual Events in San Francisco: Fireworks, Beer Festivals, Road Races, and More!
by Jill Loeffler •
Updated: April 29, 2024
You will find dozens of fun events each week in SF. However, there are a few that stand out above the others.
This list features 50 of the best annual events in San Francisco from January to December. It includes everything from wine tasting events to road races and everything in between.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
1. NYE Fireworks Over the Bay
Start the New Year right by heading down to the waterfront, near the Bay Bridge and the Ferry Building, for the New Year's Eve Fireworks display. It starts at 11.59 pm on New Year's Eve.
2. SF Sketchfest
Enjoy two weeks of comedy performances all around SF at this annual comedy festival in January and/or February.
>> Find out more for SF Sketchfest
3. ZAP Wine Festival
Sample new Zinfandel wines at the annual ZAP Wine Festival. It's held at the beginning of the year in either January or February.
4. SF Giants Fan Fest
Celebrate with the SF Giants during Fan Fest at Oracle Park. It's a full day of autographs and family-friendly activities. You can also pick up tickets for any home games or buy gear for the upcoming season. This event is held in February or March each year.
>> More about this events and a schedule of upcoming games
5. Chronicle Wine Tasting Event
Another popular February event is the Chronicle Wine Tasting Event. It's the largest competition of American wines in the world. It's at the Fort Mason Center.
6. Chinese New Year Parade
The Chinese New Year celebration offers a full month of activities. The most popular is the Chinese New Year Parade.
The event follows the lunar cycle, so the date changes each year. It is in January, February, or March.
7. Pacific Orchid Expo
The Pacific Orchid Expo offers you the chance to see more than 150,000 orchids from around the world.
You can buy orchids during the expo, learn more during a workshop, or help raise money at the fund-raising auction. This event is held at the San Francisco County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park each February
8. SF Theater
Every year, you will find dozens of top theater performances in San Francisco. They include award winning productions such as Wicked, The Lion King, and The Book of Mormon.
Almost any day of the week, you will also find small local productions at many of the theaters around SF. Performances run all year long.
>> Find a list of upcoming shows
9. Saint Patrick's Day Parade
Head over to the Civic Center District for this year's Saint Patrick's Day Parade. The parade starts at 11:30am and offers about two hours of floats, bands, and other entertainment.
It's always the Saturday before or after Saint Patrick's Day.
>> Find out more about this year's event
>> Find fun things to do for Saint Patrick's Day
10. Giants Baseball
Opening day for the SF Giants is in April. They play 10 to 12 games at home every month through September.
They take on top teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Diego Padres, and the Chicago Cubs.
All games are at Oracle Park.
>> Find details to attend a game and an upcoming calendar
11. Bay Area Brew Fest
The annual Bay Area Brew Fest is a great option for all beer lovers. Each January, they feature brews from more than 70 breweries.
They also offer eats from local food trucks and music all day long. The event is held at the Presidio Main Lawn from 1 pm to 4 pm (or noon to 4 pm with early bird tickets).
12. Cherry Blossom Festival
Admire the cherry blossoms during this two-weekend long affair. It's held in Japantown and offers traditional cuisine, music, and other entertainment.
This event is in April.
>> Find out more about this year's event
13. Cesar Chavez Parade & Festival
This annual event celebrates the life and work of civil rights leader Cesar Chavez. The event runs for one day in April and offers both a festival and parade.
You will find all activities in the Mission District in San Francisco.
>> Find out more about this year's event
14. San Francisco International Film Festival
One of the largest film festivals is held every April and May in San Francisco. The event features works from independent film makers from around the world.
>> More about this annual film festival
15. Opening Day on the Bay
San Francisco is the City by the Bay, and each April the maritime community celebrates this with a boat parade, a Blessing of the Fleet ceremony, and more than 100 sails and historic vessels that take to the water.
You'll find most of the action off the shores of Fisherman's Wharf, the Marina, and Crissy Field.
16. How Weird Street Faire
Head to the South of Market District (SOMA) for this annual one-of-a-kind event! It features 10 stages with live entertainment, dancers, music, and so much more.
It's held in May each year.
17. Bay to Breakers
If you're visiting in May, you must partake in the San Francisco tradition known as Bay to Breakers.
Whether you are running, walking, or just watching on the sidelines of this 12K footrace, you will appreciate the colorful, quirky (and sometimes lack of) costumes worn by the participants.
>> Details about this year's Bay to Breakers
18. Carnaval Celebration
On Memorial Day Weekend, head over to the Mission District to celebrate Latin and South American cultures at Carnaval. It includes a two-day festival with music, food, and dancing in the streets.
The vibrant parade is on Sunday morning.
>> More about this annual event
19. Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
This yearly summer festival in SOMA is dedicated to providing free artistic community programs.
The variety of activities available reflects the social diversity of the city and region: contemporary to traditional dance, theater, and music that ranges from classical to world and jazz.
20. North Beach Festival
Listen to live music, sample local foods, and admire street art at the annual North Beach Festival. This two-day event is in June.
>> More about this annual event
21. Union Street Festival
Another popular street fair in June is the Union Street Festival. It offers live music, wine tasting, a fashion show, and almost 200 arts and crafts booths.
22. Stern Grove Music Festival
On the western side of the city, you'll find a beautiful grove of eucalyptus and redwood trees with an amphitheater nestled inside.
Every year from mid-June to mid-August, free concerts are held here on Sundays at 2 pm, featuring world renowned artists to local favorites. Space is limited for these popular concerts, so reserve early!
>> More about this year's event
23. Escape from Alcatraz
This triathlon starts with a swim from Alcatraz Island across the frigid bay waters to the shores of San Francisco. It then continues with a bike ride and run around the hilly streets of SF. It's held every June.
>> Visit their site to learn more
24. Juneteenth
The Juneteenth event celebrates the abolition of slavery with a one-day festival. It's held on Fillmore Street every June and features live music, an auto show, and a health and wellness pavilion.
>> More about this annual festival
25. Pride Parade & Festival
Celebrate the LGBT community at this lively festival and parade. This two-day event is in the Civic Center District near City Hall. The well attended parade is on Sunday morning starting at 10:30 am.
>> More details about this year's parade and festival
26. Fourth of July Fireworks on the Bay
Watch fireworks over the bay just after dark on Fourth of July. You will find them along the northern waterfront near Fisherman's Wharf. Stop by earlier in the day to enjoy other family friendly activities and live music.
>> Fourth of July in San Francisco fireworks
27. Fillmore Jazz Festival
One of the biggest jazz festivals in the US is the Fillmore Jazz Festival. It's held the weekend of Fourth of July and offers two-days of free, live jazz music in the Pacific Heights District.
>> Fillmore Jazz Festival details
28. San Francisco Marathon
Run through the streets of San Francisco during this popular annual race. This large event is usually held the last weekend in July.
Depending on what distance you choose, you'll get spectacular views of the waterfront, on the Golden Gate Bridge, in Golden Gate Park, and/or throughout the city. They offer a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and ultra.
29. Outside Lands Music Festival
The largest music festival in San Francisco is Outside Lands. For three days, thousands of music lovers enjoy live music in Golden Gate Park by 100 artists, including top names in rock, pop, hip hop, and more. It's in August.
>> Details about this year's festival
30. 49ers Football
Head south of the city to catch a San Francisco 49ers game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. Pre-season starts in August and the season ends in December.
>> More about this year's season
31. Renegade Craft Fair
This fair actually takes place three times a year, in the spring (April), summer (August), and fall (November).
It features unique and creative goods by local and national artists. In addition to the craft booths here, you'll also find fun installations as well as food and drink at this Fort Mason Center event.
Top Hotels in Fisherman's Wharf
Are you looking for a great place to stay? Make sure to check out these top-rated options in Fisherman's Wharf.
32. Comedy Day in Golden Gate Park
Laugh the day away at this free comedy festival. For one afternoon in September, a lineup of 50 comedians put on a hilarious show to give back to the community for their support throughout the year. It's held at the Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park.
33. Opera in the Park
Every September, the SF Opera offers a free show with the performers from their opening opera of the season. It's in Golden Gate Park and usually the second weekend in September.
34. Haight-Ashbury Street Fair
One of the most anticipated annual fairs in San Francisco takes place in the iconic neighborhood where people to this day celebrate the 60s spirit of free love through art and music.
Enjoy local food, beer tents, and other merchants in all their psychedelic glory.
This event usually takes place in September.
35. San Francisco Greek Food Festival
Savor a weekend full of traditional Greek culture and food, including spanakopita, moussaka, kotopoulo, and gyros. This three-day event is at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in the Mission District every September.
36. Open Studios
Step inside local artists' studios on this four-weekend long event from September to October. Each weekend, a new set of artists in certain districts open their doors to the public.
You can buy unique pieces and talk to the artists about their craft.
37. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival
Each year on the first weekend in October, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival offers three days of free music from both internationally recognized and popular local artists. It's held in Golden Gate Park.
>> More about this year's lineup
38. Castro Street Fair
Have fun the first weekend in October at the Castro Street Fair. This long running festival includes live music, dancing in the streets, and some of the most colorful characters you will ever meet.
>> Details for this year's event
39. Fleet Week
Spend the second week of October along the waterfront for Fleet Week.
The annual event includes a large airshow that ends with the Blue Angels, the chance to hop aboard a military ship to learn more about it, and plenty of live music, food, and fun.
>> More about enjoying Fleet Week
40. Fall Antiques Show
The Fall Antiques show hosts 60 dealers with high-end antiques from the US and Europe. Items include silver, jewelry, ceramics, glass, furniture, and much more. It's held in the Fort Mason Center each year in October.
41. Wine & Spirits Top 100 Tasting
Each year in September, the 100 wineries that have performed best in Wine & Spirits Magazine tastings gather in the Metreon, where guests get to mingle with the winemakers.
The evening offers the chance to taste exceptional wines and pairings with local artisan food.
42. Leap's Sandcastle Classic
Head to Ocean Beach to watch artists create amazing sandcastles. Leap's Sandcastle Classic is a fundraiser as well as a great family-friendly event.
It's usually in mid- to late-October.
43. Litquake
Discover two full weeks of literary events during Litquake. It includes everything from author panels to workshops on how to write.
It's typically in October.
44. SuperNatural at the Cal Academy
Have some Halloween fun with the family at San Francisco's renowned California Academy of Sciences.
In addition to the dinosaur bones and live, creepy-crawly animal demonstrations, this festive event includes costumes, a silent disco, trick-or-treating stations, magic shows, face painting, and so much more.
45. Eat Drink SF: Fall Restaurant Week
Savor delicious cuisines from top local chefs at Eat Drink SF. The participating restaurants offer special meals and deals throughout this event.
Fall Restaurant Week lasts for ten days in October or November. There is also a Spring Restaurant Week in April.
46. Day of the Dead Festival of the Altars
Each November 2, the Mexican and Latin American community comes together to welcome the spirits of their deceased ancestors through colorful altars, prayers, poetry, performances, and dance.
This event is celebrated in Potrero del Sol Park in the Mission District.
47. SF International Auto Show
Check out next year's top models at the SF International Auto Show at Moscone Center every November. It features 38 of the world's top car manufacturers displaying their new cars, SUVs, and trucks.
48. Fan Expo San Francisco
One of the largest comic con events in the region is held each year at the end of November for everyone who's into comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, gaming, or cosplay.
Roughly 35,000 fans flock to the Moscone Center for this three-day event to have the chance to participate in celebrity Q&As, autographs, and photo ops, as well as panels, workshops, fan meetups, and more.
49. SF Ballet's Nutcracker Performance
The SF Ballet was the first US company to perform The Nutcracker in 1944. Each year, they offer several performances throughout the month of December. Stop by the War Memorial Opera House to take part in this holiday tradition.
>> Check out details for this year's performances
50. SantaCon
Throw on your best Santa costume and stroll around San Francisco with thousands of others dressed in red and white.
SantaCon is a non-political, non-violent, non-controversial day that is meant to be fun and entertaining for both the Santas and those they run into on the streets.
>> Find out more about this year's event
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