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San Francisco Events in August 2024: Discover Top Activities this Year
by Jill Loeffler •
San Francisco events in August 2024 include festivals, concerts, and theater. You will also find some great sporting events, free museum admission days, and comedy.
My other top picks this month include the SF Giants at Oracle Park, the Outside Lands Music Festival, and Wicked (one of my favorites!) at the Orpheum Theatre.
Table of Contents
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
Sporting Events
This is me enjoying a corn dog at a San Francisco Giants game in August. I recommend bringing a jacket because it is cool at night!SF Giants
Dates: 8/9 - 8/11, 8/12 - 8/15, 8/19 - 8/21, 8/30 - 8/31
Location: Oracle Park in the SoMa District
Tickets: Ticketmaster | TicketNetwork
Baseball season is in full swing and SF Giants games are some of the most popular San Francisco events in August.
This month, they play twelve home games.
They play host to the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, and the Miami Marlins.
All home games are at Oracle Park in the SoMa District.
>> Discover the full SF Giants August schedule of home games
49ers Pre-Season Games
Dates: 8/15
Location: Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara
Tickets: Ticketmaster
NFL fans, this is the month you have been waiting for, when football is back in force in the Bay Area!
They play one pre-season game in August at home. They take on the New Orleans Saints at Levi's Stadium on August 15 at 5pm.
>> More details about seeing a 49ers game
Giants Race
Date: 8/17 & 8/18
Location: Ends at Oracle Park
Baseball fans and sports fans, there may not be a game this Sunday morning, but you still have a great excuse to visit Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Starting and ending at the ballpark, there will be a half marathon, 10K, 5K, kids race, and family relay. Celebrate fitness at the home of the Giants with this fun, outdoor, family-friendly event.
This is one of the San Francisco events in August that sells out every year, so make sure to register today!
Theater Performances in August
Wicked
Dates: 8/28 - 10/13
Tickets: Ticketmaster | TicketNetwork
Head over to the Orpheum Theatre for Wicked. This popular show tells the story of offers a different look at what happened in Oz before the arrival of Dorothy.
It's one of my absolute favorites and so excited to see it back on stage starting in August.
Other Theater Performances this Month
6/27 - 9/7: Evita at the SF Playhouse, find tickets
7/30 - 8/18: Girl from the North Country at the Golden Gate Theatre, find tickets
>> Additional upcoming theater performances
Museums: Free Days, Exhibits & Other Events
Free Days
Save money while you explore some of SF's top museums. This month, you can step inside the Asian Art Museum at no cost to check out their permanent collection.
You can also head over to the Conservatory of Flowers to admire their colorful plants or head to the de Young for a look at their contemporary art pieces on display.
These are just some of the San Francisco events in August you do not want to miss!
Find the full calendar of free San Francisco museum days this month.
Museum Exhibits
This August, you will find a variety of interesting traveling exhibits at our top museums such as the Asian Art Museum, the Legion of Honor and the SF Museum of Modern Arts.
- Into View: New Voices, New Stories at the SF Asian Art Museum
- Nampeyo and the Sikyatki Revival at the de Young Museum of Fine Art
- Unruly Navigations at the Museum of African Diaspora
>> Here are additional options this month
Nightlife at the California Academy of Sciences
Dates: 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 8/22, & 8/29
Enjoy the California Academy of Sciences with other 21+ nature and science lovers at their weekly Nightlife event.
Each week, they feature an evening event with cocktails and fun activities.
The event is every Thursday night in August from 6 pm to 10 pm.
Each week is also a new theme, so you can learn more about a certain topic that relates to science or the museum.
Previous topics include Golden State Nightlife, Smoked Nightlife, Beer Garden Nightlife, and Big Picture Nightlife.
It's a great way to learn more about the nocturnal life at the museum.
Learn more about the California Academy of Sciences.
Outside Lands Festival and Other Concerts in August
Dates: 8/9 - 8/11
Location: Golden Gate Park
Tickets: Find tickets
One of our largest music festival, Outside Lands, takes place every August.
This three day festival is in Golden Gate Park and offers a number of well known international performers.
This festival includes almost a dozen performers on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This is a popular one with both us locals and visitors. It draws in thousands over the course of the weekend.
Headliners this year include The Killers, Sabrina Carpenter, and Post Malone. Other performers this year include Grace Jones, Sturgill Simpson, and The Postal Service.
Each day features up to a dozen performers!
>> Find out who is playing at Outside Lands this year by day
More Live Music
You will find concerts every night of the week during August in San Francisco. Larger venues include the Chase Center, the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, and the Fillmore.
You will find some of the first shows in over a year at venues such as Bimbo's 365, the Warfield, and The Independent.
- 8/2: Olivia Rodrigo & PinkPantheress at the Chase Center
- 8/3: Norah Jones at The Masonic at 8 pm
- 8/18 & 8/19: Bikini Kill at the Warfield at 8 pm both nights
- 8/28: Def Leppard, Journey & Steve Miller Band at Oracle Park at 6 pm
>> See the full concert schedule for dates, tickets, and more
Additional Places to Listen to Live Music
Stern Grove Festival (8/4, 8/11 and 8/18): Enjoy the last few live music performances in beautiful Stern Grove each Sunday this month until August 18. you can catch Alex G on August 4, Herbie Hancock on August 11, and Lucinda Williams on August 18. All shows start at 2 pm and are free. You must reserve your spot in advance and then it's first come, first served when you arrive. See the Stern Grove schedule and plan your outing today.
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival: The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival is one of the ongoing San Francisco events in August with weekly performances. They last all summer long from May through October. The live outdoor music, dance, and theater performances bring both well-known and emerging artists to stage, and portray a variety of ethnic and cultural groups. Find out more about this year's Yerba Buena Gardens Festival.
Comedy in SF
San Francisco events in August include a variety of laugh-out-loud performances, including stand up at the comedy clubs, improv shows, and musical comedies.
Click the link below to find out who's performing this month at Cobb's Comedy Club. Make sure to enjoy one of these San Francisco events in August during your stay.
>> Check out the full calendar and links to special shows
Festivals, Street Fairs & Other Events in SF this August
Taiko Dojo performing at the Nihonmachi Street Fair in San Francisco's Japantown. It's one of the largest events every year in August.Here are some of this year's top festivals and street fairs this month.
Nihonmachi Street Fair
Dates: 8/3 & 8/4
The Nihonmachi Street Fair is held in SF's Japantown district each year. It's one of the weekend-long San Francisco events in August that celebrates Asian Pacific American cultures.
During this event, you can sample traditional food, listen to live entertainment, and enjoy activities with your kids.
>> Uncover details for this year's event
SF Fringe Festival
Date: 8/8 - 8/24
If you love theater, this month you are really in luck because September offers a 14-day grassroots theater festival, featuring over a hundred unique performances by dozens of indie companies.
All performances will take place at the EXIT Theatre in downtown SF at very accessible prices.
>> Find more details on the EXIT Theatre website
Pistahan Parade and Festival
Dates: 8/10 - 8/11
Free admission.
Experience the beauty of Filipino art, dance, music, and food at the 26th edition of this two-day festival, known to be the largest celebration of Filipino Americans in the U.S.
This event is fun for the whole family, and admission is free.
>> Go to the Pistahan website to find out more
Jerry Day
Date: 8/3
Jerry Garcia was born in San Francisco and lived most of his childhood in the Excelsior District.
Started in 2002, Jerry Day is a day to celebrate this talented artist that brought so much music and love to the world.
The events for Jerry Day are held in McLaren Park (45 John F. Shelley Drive) near the Excelsior District.
The event includes talented artists that will bring you the best of Jerry's music.
You will also be able to buy plenty of food and drinks from local vendors.
This is one of the free San Francisco events in August. Gates open at 11 am and the music starts at 11:30 am.
>> Find additional details on their website
Hungry Ghost Festival
Dates: 8/17
This is the largest event hosted by the Chinese Culture Center in SF Chinatown each year. It's a one-day festival that includes a parade, art, performances, food, and other offerings.
The purpose is to calm and distract the restless spirits and "hungry ghosts" that come to the realm of the living on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month.
>> Learn more about the ritual and this year's program
Cruises from Fisherman's Wharf
You will love the variety of cruises offered from Fisherman's Wharf.
They include some popular day cruises such as the 60-Minute Bay Cruise Adventure, the Bridge-to-Bridge Cruise, and the Escape from the Rock.
Thrill seekers also love the high-speed Rocketboat ride that runs throughout the Summer and Fall months.
We also have a number of fun evening cruises.
They include more casual options such as the Red & White California Sunset Cruise or the Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise.
There are also some fun Happy Hour Cruises a few nights a week as well as higher end Dinner Cruises.
More than a dozen cruises leave from the shores of Fisherman's Wharf each day. Here are just a few of the most popular picks.
Food Tours
San Francisco is a food lovers dream. Some of the best San Francisco events in August revolve around our hot food scene.
Almost every day of the week, you will find a variety of food tours. The offer you the chance to sample some of SF's most famous dishes and cuisines from around the world.
You can sample Dim Sum in Chinatown, Central and South American dishes in the Mission, or some of our best Italian goodies in North Beach.
The tours usually last about 2 to 3 hours and include small samples of a variety of dishes. As you walk from place to place, you will also learn more about the district, the restaurants you visit, and the foods you sample.
Here are some of our most popular food tours.
North Beach & Little Italy Food Tour: Sample some of the best pizza, pastas, breads and other Italian treats on this 3-hour tour of North Beach, this behind the scenes tour also includes samples of fresh coffee and local olive oils, leaves three times a day in August, find ticketing availability.
Chinatown & North Beach Food Tour: Taste treats from two of our top foodie districts, sample dim sum, egg tarts, and other traditional Chinese dishes in Chinatown and then head next door to North Beach for some Italian treats, 3-hour tour runs most days of the week, find tickets for this tour.
>> Find additional food tours around SF
Napa Valley Tours
Some of our most ask about San Francisco events in August are our tours to Napa Valley. This Northern California wine region creates some of the best wines in the world.
They are well known for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. In addition, you will also find a wide variety of other top wines including Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and many others.
The region is just over an hour north of San Francisco. Many companies offer a full day tour that runs for about 8 to 10 hours.
During the day, you will often stop at around 3 to 4 tours with tastings at most places. Some tours include the price of the tastings and some don't.
A guided tour is a great way to leave the driving to someone else so you can taste as much of the amazing wines here as you want. All tours leave from and return to SF.
Here are just a few of my favorites.
Napa & Sonoma Full Day Tour: Visit three wineries including a large facility to a smaller boutique winery, visit both Napa & Sonoma on this full day trip that runs for about 8 hours, all three tastings included with your ticket, stop for lunch is not included, learn about wine making from experts in both of these regions, find tickets for August.
Redwoods & Wine Country: This 9 to 10 hour tour includes a stop in the morning at Muir Woods National Park. You'll then head north to wine country to taste at up to 3 wineries. You'll have lunch on your own in the historic Sonoma Plaza, leaves from SF daily. Learn more about this fantastic guided tour here.
>> Learn more about visiting wine country
Additional SF Bay Area Events
Fremont Festival of the Arts
Date: 8/3 & 8/4
This annual arts & crafts festival features more than 500 different vendors. In addition to handmade crafts, you will also find plenty of food trucks, beer, wine, and even margaritas.
This fair is great for the entire family since there are street performers and face painters. There are also two stages with continuous live music all day long.
You will also find a whole section just for the kids with rides, games and shows.
The event is from 10 am to 6 pm in downtown Fremont. It is free admission for all.
>> Visit their site for more details
Napa Town & Country Fair
Date: 8/8 - 8/10
This year's Napa Town & Country Fair runs for three days. It's a great place to find the best meat, fruits, vegetables, and wines from local growers and producers.
In addition, you will find find plenty of fun activities for the entire family.
>> Find out more on their website
>> More fun things to do in Napa in August
San Jose Jazz: Summer Fest
Date: 8/9 - 8/11
All you really need to know is that there are several stages of music including Jazz, Blues, Salsa, R&B, and more at the annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest.
Known as one of the best jazz festivals in the USA, this is the place to tap your toes and dance 'til you can't dance anymore.
>> Find out more on their site
Bay Area Aloha Festival
Date: 8/10 & 8/11
This annual festival gives guests a taste of Hawaiian and Pacific Islander culture through food and live music and dance performances.
In addition, you can enjoy activities for the whole family, including Lei-making workshops, ukelele classes, traditional net making, and more.
Partake in the free community event (although they do ask for a $5 donation per person) from 10 am to 5 pm at the San Mateo County Event Center. Parking is $20 per vehicle, so make sure to carpool.
Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival
Date: 8/17 & 8/18
Not only a art, wine and beer festival, this is also a great car show too. The festival has a competition with over 120 different artists bringing their best from around the world.
Located at the stunning Skypark, with redwoods all around, this is one of the San Francisco Bay Area events in
August that has something for the whole family ranging from food, art, music, drinks and anything else you can imagine.
The festival starts at 10 am on both Saturday and Sunday, and ends at 6 pm on Saturday, and 5 pm on Sunday.
>> Visit their site to learn more
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Date: 8/18
The preeminent car show in the USA is in August again this year. Started in 1950, this show has been home to many of the most exotic, and expensive, cars for over 70 years running.
Not only will you see the most beautiful cars, in perfect condition, but you can also watch as bidding starts and buyers do their best to win the car of their dreams.
>> Visit their site for more information
>> Additional things to do in the Monterey area this month
Silicon Valley Pride
Dates: 8/24 & 8/25
One of the most colorful SF Bay Area events in August is Silicon Valley Pride. The party starts at 4 pm, on Saturday night, with the always hilarious "Heroes vs Villains" Party at Cesar Chavez Park.
The Saturday night festival starts at 4 pm and ends at 11 pm. The Pride Parade is at 10:30 am starting at Market Street in San Jose.
The festival runs from 12 pm to 6 pm on Sunday.
There is loads of live entertainment, food, drinks, dancing, and everything else you can imagine to show pride in Silicon Valley during these two days.
>> Visit their site for more details
Palo Alto Festival of the Arts
Dates: 8/24 & 8/25
The town's gorgeous University Avenue, about 40 miles south of San Francisco, becomes a fine arts street fair with over 250 different vendors showcasing their crafts.
This is one of the best SF Bay Area events in August, drawing around 175,000 people and including both food and wine booths.
There are also musicians and other entertainers in case you want to take a break and just relax for a while. Some of the novelties you'll find here are Italian street painting and sidewalk piano virtuosos.
The festival starts at 10 am and ends at 6 pm each day.
>> Visit their site for details
More Tips to Visit SF in August
More Things to Do: Beyond attending the wonderful events I've outlined above, there are plenty more things to do when you visit San Francisco in August. Read my guide on the best tours, cruises, family activities, restaurants, and nightlife to check out during this time of year. Get more ideas for your August trip to SF.
What to Wear in August: Are you looking for a few ideas on what to pack? If so, then visit my San Francisco weather page for August. I take you through what to expect during the day and night. I also provide you with some tips on what to wear during your stay. More details on what to wear in SF in August.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
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It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!
