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San Francisco Events
January
Grand National Roadster Show
San Mateo County Exposition Center, 503 236-0632.
The show contains one of the biggest gatherings of roadsters anywhere, complemented by a NASCAR virtual reality ride and vintage hot rods.
Berlin and Beyond Festival
Castro Theater, 263-8760.
This unique German language film festival provides highlights of recent European cinema.
Chinese New Year Festival & Parade
Chinatown, 391-9680.
San Francisco's largest festival, highlighted by the New Year Flower Market on January 20 and 21, a fantastic parade on February 3, at 5:30 p.m. from Market and Second Streets to Columbus Avenue and a community street fair on February 3 and 4.
The Human Rights Watch International Film Festival
Yerba Buena Center For The Arts, 923-0222.
A film festival representing personal points of view on threats against political and
individual freedom.
January-April
Whale-watching can be enjoyed throughout the winter, when hundreds of gray whales migrate along the Pacific coast. Contact the California Office of Tourism 801 K St., Suite 1600, Sacramento 95814, tel. 800-862-2543.
February
San Francisco Tribal, Folk & Textile Arts Show
Fort Mason, 310 455-2886.
Over 80 folk and ethnic art dealers sell North American pottery, basketry, textiles and jewelry.
Pacific Orchid Exposition
Fort Mason Center, 546-9608.
The annual edition of the San Francisco Orchid Society's show dazzles with dozens of breathtaking floral collections.
Tulip Mania
PIER 39, 705-5500, www.pier39.com
More than 39,000 brilliantly colored tulips from all over the world coupled with
free guided tours.
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.
San Francisco Flower and Garden Show
Cow Palace, 800 829-9751, www.gardenshow.com
Cutting-edge landscape design and high-quality exhibits of plants and superior
gardening products.
Opening Day - San Francisco Giants
Pacific Bell Ball Park, 800 5GIANTS 800-544-2687,
April
Street Performers Festival
PIER 39, 705-5500, www.pier39.com.
Comedians, jugglers, unicyclists, slack ropewalkers and many more perform on two stages.
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.
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.
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
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.
San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
Castro Theatre and other venues, 703-8663.
More than 250 films from around the globe are showcased in this 25th annual flick festival, the largest and oldest event of its kind in the world.
San Francisco Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender Pride Celebration Parade
Embarcadero to Civic Center, 864-FREE.
San Francisco's annual celebration of lesbian and gay pride culminates with a
festive parade from the Embarcadero to the Civic Center
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.
July
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wells Fargo Fall Cup Regatta
Pier 39, 705-5500, www.pier39.com.
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.
October
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.
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
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
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.
San Francisco International Automobile Show
Moscone Center, 331-4406.
The latest and greatest automobiles in the world at this annual show.
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 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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