Union Square & San Francisco Events
JANUARY
Sea Lion’s Arrival
Annual event at Pier 39 when herds of barking sea lions return to the Bay. (415) 705-5500
Independent Film Festival
Two-week festival highlighting local directors at the Roxie and Castro Theatre. (415) 227-2603
Chinese New Year
Festivities include a parade, Miss Chinatown Pageant, Flower Fair and more. (415) 982-3000
FEBRUARY
Pacific Orchid Expo
Display of San Francisco Orchid Society collections at the Fort Mason Center. (415) 546-9608
California Antiquarian Book Fair
World’s largest rare book fair, with manuscripts, maps and more. (415) 551-5190
Annual Bon Appetit Wine & Spirits Focus
Crab dishes and regional wines are featured at Fort Mason’s Festival Pavilion. (888) 343-6287
MARCH
Asia American Film Festival
The largest exhibition of Asian and Asian-American films in North America. (415) 255-4299
SF Jazz Spring Season
Concerts at various venues with family matinee performances (through June). (415) 398-5655
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Features live music, dance, beverages and traditional Irish cuisine. (415) 675-9885
Street Performer’s Festival
Jugglers, unicyclists, slack rope walkers and other artists perform at Pier 39. (415) 705-5500
APRIL
Cherry Blossom Festival
Japantown street fair with booths, parades, food, origami and culture. (415) 563-2313
Spring BBQ and Wine Tasting
Delicious food, several wineries, music, dancing and wine barrel races. (800) 842-6162
San Francisco International Film Festival
Oldest annual American film festival — 200 hundred movies, over 50 countries. (415) 931-FILM
MAY
Anatriptic Arts Expo
Convention of healing arts and sciences at Herbst Pavilion. (888) 925-HAND
Asian Heritage Street Celebration
Live entertainment, multicultural booths, food and special performances. (415) 321-5869
PIER 39 May Music Mix
Free concert series with country, rock n’ roll, classic and oldies. (415) 705-5500
JUNE
Assorted Film Festivals
Includes the Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and Black Film Festival. (415) 703-8650/771-9271
Haight Street Fair
The Summer of Love is recreated in the Haight-Ashbury area. (415) 661-8025
Ethnic Dance Festival
Various ethnic dance associations are showcased at the Palace of Fine Arts. (415) 563-6504
JULY
Fourth of July Celebrations
Events along the Bay begin with a music festival and end with fireworks. (415) 227-2603
The Cannery has music all day leading up to fireworks. (415) 771-3112
Ghirardelli Square features live music and free children’s festivities. ( 415) 775-5500
Fillmore Street Jazz Festival
Continuous jazz performances, more than 300 artists and international cuisine. (510) 232-5030
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
A showcase of films from American and international filmmakers. (415) 621-0556
AUGUST
AfroSolo Arts Festival
Bay Area visual and performance artists are showcased. (415) 227-2603
San Francisco Aloha Festival
Celebration of Pacific Isle culture with Polynesian dance, food, music and art. (415) 281-0221
Nihonmachi Street Fair
Japanese festival with dancing, music, arts and crafts, food and kid’s events. (415) 771-9861
SEPTEMBER
Chocolate Festival
Chocolate and a sundae-eating content are featured at Ghirardelli Square. (415) 775-5500
San Francisco Shakespeare Festival
Shakespearean classics presented near the Conservatory of Flowers. (415) 865-4434
Fringe Festival
Theater companies from all over the world perform lesser-known works. (415) 931-1094
OCTOBER
San Francisco Fall Antiques Show
More than 70 dealers from America and Europe at the Fort Mason Center. (415) 546-6661
Octoberfest By The Bay
Features German music, dancing, food and spirits. (888) 746-7522
Castro Street Fair
Arts and crafts, street vendors and performers in a colorful celebration. 415-467-3354
NOVEMBER
Dias de los Muertos
Mexican celebration of ancestral spirits, with food and a parade of costumes. (415) 821-1155
Tree Lighting Ceremony at Ghirardelli Square
Includes caroling, a visit from Santa and the lighting of the 50-foot holiday tree. (415) 775-5500
Jazz Festival
Renowned jazz musicians perform in local restaurants and cafes. (800) 850-7353
DECEMBER
Old First Concerts
This series of choral events explores the musical influence of other cultures. (415) 474-1608
Great Dickens Christmas Fair
Relive Victorian Christmas with theaters, dance parties, pubs, shops, and food. (415) 897-4555
San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker
Tchaikovsky’s traditional holiday ballet performed by a premier ballet company. (415) 865-2000
