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2023 Sunrise Easter Service on the Top of Mt. Davidson (SF)

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Sunday, April 9, 2023 - 6:30 am to 8:30 am | Cost: FREE
Mount Davidson Summit Cross |

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2023 Sunrise Easter Service on the Top of Mt. Davidson (SF)

San Francisco’s grandest Easter morning tradition gets under way at 6:30 am on Sunday, April 9, 2023 for the annual Sunrise Service at Mount Davidson Cross.

In keeping with tradition, Mt. Davidson Cross will be illuminated on Saturday, April 8, 2023 from sunset to sunrise.

Learn more: mountdavidsoncross.org | mtdavidson.org

With the sun rising over the East Bay hills, Mt. Davidson Park’s beautiful forest setting serves as a spectacular backdrop for this cherished Easter event. Adding to the visual appeal of the panoramic view of San Francisco Bay and the downtown skyline at dawn is the dazzling springtime array of wildflowers currently in bloom.

2023 Event Updates

San Francisco’s grandest Easter morning tradition, begun in 1923, will be held on Sunday, April 9th at 6:30AM. This year’s citywide celebration atop the City’s highest peak will mark the 99th anniversary of the event. Featured at the free Service will be speakers offering an Easter message, prayers and greetings, including Alex Leniv of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in San Francisco. Local clergy presiding at the non-denominational service include Rev. Jeff Mammen of New Life Church, Rev. Mesrob Ash of St. John Armenian Apostolic Church, Ivan Wachter of San Francisco Christian Center and Rev. Toby Kurth of Christ Church San Francisco, who will deliver the Easter message. The program will also feature musicians such as Lynne Miller of The House of Bagpipes.

Sponsored by local churches and broadcast nationally in years past, the Easter Sunrise Service attendance record was set during World War II, with an estimated 50,000 worshippers in attendance.

Saturday Night Lights
Situated at the summit of Mt. Davidson (elevation 938 ft.), the historic 103-foot-tall cross will once again be illuminated by spotlights throughout Saturday evening April 8th, shining as a beacon for Easter morning. (Note: great location shot at the corner of Robinhood Way and Lansdale Avenue on Saturday night).

Special Sunday Morning Bus Service for 2023
Special bus service on Muni’s 36 line will begin at 5:30 a.m. and run every 15 minutes from Forest Hill Station to the park gate located at the intersection of Lansdale Avenue, Myra Drive and Dalewood Way – two blocks south of Portola Drive. Call (415) 673-MUNI for further transit information.

Tips for Attending
Those planning to attend Easter Sunrise 2022 are advised to dress warmly and wear comfortable walking shoes for the walk to the summit. The park entrance across from 39 Dalewood Way affords the easiest route to the top. For more details, call (415) 564-7535.

Community leaders take part in the non-denominational city-wide celebration at the cross.

What was once America’s largest cross at 103 feet tall (it’s since been surpassed in height by other crosses) will be illuminated by spotlights totaling 48,000 watts on Saturday evening, shining as a beacon for Easter morning pilgrims.

Sponsored by local churches and broadcast nationally in years past, the Easter Sunrise Service attendance record was set during World War II, with an estimated 50,000 worshippers in attendance.

Getting There: Typically there is a special bus service on Muni’s 36 line begins at 5:30 a.m. and runs every 15 minutes from Forest Hill Station to the park gate located at the intersection of Lansdale Avenue, Myra Drive and Dalewood Way – two blocks south of Portola Drive. Call (415) 673-MUNI for further transit information. The trail beginning at the park entrance across from 39 Dalewood Way affords the easiest route to the top.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.


Cost: FREE
Categories: **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, Easter, In Person, Live Music, San Francisco