Festivals in San Francisco
Festivals in San Francisco take place year-round, providing a great neighborhood experience and good times.
Tourists can really get a feel for the city by attending events such as the numerous San Francisco music festivals and summer festivals. Here are some of the top festivals held every year in San Francisco.
San Francisco Music Festivals
Fillmore Street Jazz Festival – One of the most accessible San Francisco music festivals, this free jazz festival features live music on three stages in addition to 200 arts and crafts booths.
North Beach Jazz Festival – Every year, organizers pick some of the hottest and most innovative bands in the country to play at the North Beach Jazz Festival. This five-day celebration of the Soul of San Francisco features 40 bars and clubs along Grant Street hosting local and national jazz talent.
San Francisco Blues Festival – Join local blues artists and blues legends in a weekend of outdoor performances at one of our favorite San Francisco music festivals.
San Francisco Jazz Festival – Arguably one of the world's best jazz festivals, the San Francisco jazz festival celebrates traditional and groundbreaking figures in the jazz movement, bringing local and national musicians to venues throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area. This three-week event also showcases the work of visual and performing artists in photography and dance.
San Francisco Summer Festivals
San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Parade - The world's largest gay pride event is an annual two-day festival that travels along Market Street and features live entertainment, guest speakers and 300 booths selling merchandise. 500,000 people attend this late June event, one of the most exuberant and widely publicized of the San Francisco summer festivals.
San Francisco Waterfront 4th of July – Our annual San Francisco waterfront Independence Day party unfailingly delivers brilliant fireworks over the Bay, live entertainment, food, arts and crafts.
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival – American and international filmmakers screen their work at the first and oldest Jewish film festival in the world, one of the festivals in San Francisco that is unlike any other.
Other San Francisco Festivals
Bay to Breakers – For almost a century, thousands have flocked to San Francisco for this annual event, which is part fundraiser for a variety of charities and part celebration of the San Francisco's diversity. On their way from Bay to Ocean Beach's breaks, runners begin near the Bay Bridge (in downtown San Francisco) and proceed down Howard, Hayes and Fell streets cheered by onlookers. There is also a costume contest at Golden Gate Park. The 12k race ends with "Footstock," a festival with music and activities at Ocean Beach.
Folsom Street Fair – In one of San Francisco's most beloved examples of exhibitionism, see the latest in bondage techniques, products and fashion. This is one of the festivals in San Francisco that you can’t see anywhere else!
Castro Street Fair – The Castro comes to life in this street fair featuring arts and crafts, music, dancing and food.
Oktoberfest by The Bay – San Francisco morphs into a mini Munich at this annual San Francisco festival, complete with singing, dancing, food and, most importantly, pints and pints of beer.
Holiday Festival of Lights Fisherman’s Square – Bright lights outline the building, and decorations line the inner and outer lagoons. Get an early start on your shopping with four major outlets: The Anchorage Shopping Center, The Cannery, Ghirardelli Square and Pier 39.
Macy's Union Square Tree Lighting Ceremony – Macy's Union Square hosts its annual holiday season kick-off with all-day festivities. There is free entertainment throughout the day to entice shoppers and tourists to take a break from their Macy's shopping marathon. The day culminates with a spectacular tree lighting ceremony in the evening, one of the most beloved festivals in San Francisco.
