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San Francisco’s Fall Festivals & Street Fairs (2023)

All the 2023 dates for 40+ of SF’s most fun fall festivals and street fairs including Renegade Craft Fair, SF Tea Fest, Diwali Festival and more!
By - posted 10/19/2023 No Comment

Flower Piano: 12 Hidden Pianos in GG Park

September 8-12, 2023 – San Francisco Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Park – For five days each year, SF’s gorgeous 55-acre botanical garden is filled with 12 pianos with live concerts every day (and some pianos open for anyone to tinkle with) transforming Golden Gate Park into the city’s own alfresco concert hall. Free for San Francisco residents.

Opera in the Park

Sunday, September 10, 2023 – 1:30pm – Robin Williams Meadow, Golden Gate Park – Upwards of 15,000 bring their picnic blankets and wine to the park for this annual free outdoor concert by the San Francisco Opera for a delightful afternoon of arias, duets and more performed by the stars of the fall season.

San Francisco Greek Festival

Friday-Sunday, September 15-17, 2023 – Annunciation Cathedral | 245 Valencia Street. “A Taste of Greece” returns for its 71st year with aromas of fresh made Spanakopita, Moussaka, Gyros, plus live Greek music and dancing.

44th Annual Haight Ashbury Street Fair

Sunday, September 17, 2023 – 11a-5:30pm – Haight Street between Stanyan and Masonic six block long street fair typically with 200+ vendors and live music on two stages.

42nd Annual Comedy Day (Golden Gate Park)

Sunday, September 17, 2023 (Tentative Date) – Noon to 5pm – Robin Williams Meadow, Golden Gate Park – The biggest outdoor comedy festival in San Francisco each year, typically 50+ comics perform back-to-back in the park for 5 hours.

“Ever Higher” Excelsior Arts & Music Festival

Saturday, September 23, 2023 – Noon to 6pm – Jerry Garcia Amphitheater (McLaren Park) – This year (2023) is the first “Ever Higher” Excelsior Arts & Music Festival. Enjoy a free festival in the park with live performances, local artists, craft beer & food!

Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival

Saturday & Sunday, September 23-24, 2023 – 11a-5p – Grant Avenue btwn California and Broadway – Bustling two-day Chinatown street fair and festival filled with vendors, live music, mooncakes, lion dancing and a fire dragon parade

SF’s “Muni Heritage Day”

Saturday & Sunday, September 23-24, 2023 – 10a-4p – San Francisco Railway Museum – The annual Muni Heritage event is an opportunity to ride special vintage transit vehicles that are rarely seen on the streets of San Francisco. The festivities are located at the San Francisco Railway Museum at 77 Steuart Street, near the Ferry Building and Embarcadero Plaza.

Folsom Street Fair

Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 11a-6p – Folsom btwn 8th and 13th – A true “Only in San Francisco” original covers 13 city blocks w/ 250,000+ people in their most outrageous leather, rubber, and fetish attire enjoying the world’s largest leather fair.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

Friday to Sunday, September 29 – October 1, 2023 – One of the largest, free-est and beloved music festivals in the country. Be one of over 750,000 attendees over the three-day musical extravaganza in beautiful Golden Gate Park. Save the date as Hardly Strictly Bluegrass makes its return for 2023.

“Chuseok” Korean Harvest Festival

Saturday, September 30, 2023 – 11am-5pm at The Presidio – The Annual Chuseok Festival is the Bay Area’s largest public event celebrating, showcasing, and promoting Korean culture, cuisine, music, arts, and community. The festival will have delicious Korean food (both traditional and fusion), exciting live performances from local Korean cultural performance groups, traditional Korean games and activities, and more.

49th Annual Castro Street Fair

Sunday, October 1, 2023 – 11a-6p – Castro and Market – Community street celebration that was founded by Harvey Milk in 1974 w/ hundreds of local artists, vendors, craftspeople and multiple stages with live entertainment and dancing throughout the neighborhood.

Fleet Week

October 4-9, 2023 – San Francisco’s northern waterfront – Annual Fleet Week airshow and festival is back with nearly a full week of events including ship tours, K9 showcases, ship tours and the three-day airshow running October 6-8, 2023 highlighted by the Blue Angels buzzing the city around 3pm.

27th Annual Middle Eastern Food Festival

October 7-8, 2023 – 12pm-7pm – St. Nicholas Church – Get ready to indulge in a variety of delectable dishes that will transport your taste buds to the vibrant culture of the Middle East in this two-day festival.

115th Italian Heritage Festival & Parade

Sunday, October 8, 2023 – 12:30pm – San Francisco’s Italian-American community celebrates the return of the annual Italian Heritage Festival and Parade from Fisherman’s Wharf to Washington Square Park on the weekend of Fleet Week. The inaugural parade took place in 1868.

Indigenous Peoples Day

Monday, October 9, 2023 – 12pm – 3:30pm – Yerba Buena Gardens – Join the celebration of San Francisco’s Indigenous Peoples Day at Yerba Buena Gardens with Native American art, music and vendors. The program highlights the vastly diverse and talented community of Indigenous artists in the Bay Area, California and beyond.

Bearrison Street Fair

Saturday, October 14, 2023 – Noon – 6pm – SOMA – With this year’s “Under the Big Tops” theme, attendees will discover music, dance, food, competitions, and more. Experience a circus-like day of hirsute (and hirsute-optional!) merriment for all bodies, all shapes, all sizes, and importantly — all identities.

Sunday Streets “Phoenix Day” Block Party Day

Sunday, October 15, 2023 – 11a to 4p – All over San Francisco – From neighbor-hosted block parties to an epic Family Fun Hub at Sunday Streets Excelsior to dozens of community-lead projects and happenings this is SF’s biggest block party.

Potrero Hill Festival

Saturday, October 21, 2023 – 11a-4p – 20th Street btwn Wisconsin and Missouri – Four block neighborhood street fair typically with pony rides, live music food family and fun.

“Halloween Hoopla” Kids Festival in the Park

Saturday, October 28, 2023 – Yerba Buena Gardens Festival – The 23rd annual Halloween Hoopla returns featuring fun performances and activities for kids under 10 and their adults! The Hoopla grand finale is the popular Halloween Costume Parade with live music – all kids are welcome to join in their best Halloween looks.

41st Annual Sandcastle Classic

Saturday, October 28, 2023 – 11am – Ocean Beach to host the largest sandcastle contest in Northern California; featuring team competition, food trucks, and live music all day.

Día de los Muertos in the Sunset

Wednesday, November 1, 2023 – 6p-9p – Sunset Mercantile (Outer Sunset) – Come and enjoy a night full of food, music, dance, and compassion as we mourn our loved ones through the joys of life. Watch Folklorico dancers weave a story through performance, and create and set up an ofrenda, or alter offering, for your loved ones.

SF’s Holiday Ice Skating Rink: Opening Day

Wednesday, November 1, 2023 – 5p-7p – Union Square – The rink is open through Jan. 15, 2024 – One of San Francisco’s favorite holiday traditions returns for the 2023-24 holiday season. Since 2008, The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square has delighted children and adults with its holiday-themed ice park located in Union Square. Enjoy ice skating in San Francisco’s iconic plaza surrounded by festive lights and the sights and sounds of the season.

SF’s 2023 Dia de los Muertos

Thursday, November 2, 2023 – Every November 2nd, Marigold Project produces the Dia de Los Muertos, Festival of Altars (Altar building at 8a, Ceremony at 12p & 5p), and the Ritual Poetry Circle (5p-6p) in Potrero Del Sol Park, located at 25th Street and San Bruno Avenue. Then you can join the Day of the Dead Ritual Procession that typically begins at 22nd and Bryant Streets.

Renegade Craft Fair

November 4-5, 2023 – 11a-5p – Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion – $5 Suggested Entry – Shop from over 250 artists at Renegade San Francisco ~ featuring the best artist-made gifts, creative small bizz goods, and handmade treasures, all in time for the holidays!

San Francisco Tea Festival

November 4-5, 2023 – 10a-5p – San Francisco Ferry Building – If you love tea, there’s probably no better event all year to attend. Explore and taste hundreds of teas from 30+ different tea makers. Vendors include established brands and local artisans. Free tickets are sold out! GA Tickets start at $25 and include free tastings and a souvenir porcelain tasting cup.

KOHO Japantown Film Festival

Saturday, November 4, 2023 – 12p-5p – Japantown Peace Plaza – The festival will feature three film shorts with a discussion panel with the filmmakers. Three films, all produced by stakeholders in our community, will focus on the Japanese American experience today: the influences of historical trauma, the resilience and strength of generations, and the search for cultural identity in purpose, place and community.

Fern Alley Music Series

November 4-18, 2023 – 12p-4p – Fern Alley – Enjoy live music, craft vendors, and local artists at the Fern Alley Music Series. Savor local eats from neighboring businesses, while listening to live music and engaging with local vendors.

Sounds of the Street Music Series

November 4-18, 2023 – 12p-4p – India Basin Shoreline Park – The series will bring music to the park on select Saturdays of November, featuring musicians and artists representing a variety of genres, including from the Bayview-Hunter’s Point community. Come out for Saturdays on the shoreline this fall for music, fun, and community!

Diwali Festival

Saturday, November 4, 2023 – 12p-3p – Unity Plaza – Join this vibrant Festival of Lights in Ocean Ave neighborhood featuring live entertainment, arts & crafts, vibes & culture + DJ!

SF’s Lowrider Cruise of the Mission

Friday, November 10, 2023 – 6p-9p – The Mission District – Check out the Bay’s most polished and decked-out lowriders cruising Down Mission Street every 2nd Friday of the month.

“Laternenfest” German Autumn Lantern Festival

Friday, November 10, 2023 – 4p-7:30p – GISSV San Francisco – Celebrate “Laternenfest” and enjoy German food, student performances, lanterns for sale, and a delightful evening stroll through Eureka Valley’s charming streets.

SF Chinatown’s New Night Market

November 10-11, 2023 – 5p-9p – A brand new night market is coming to San Francisco Chinatown, ahead of the APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which expects thousands of visitors to the City. Local merchants will be set up along a two-block stretch of Grant Avenue between Pine and Sacramento streets.

“2 Blocks of Art” Mid Market Art Walk

November 11-12, 2023 – 11a-6p – Central Market – Happening on Market Street between 5th and 8th streets, this free event showcases the incredible talent of local artists, bringing together a diverse range of art forms in unique showcase spaces.

The San Francisco Fall Cider Fest

Saturday, November 11, 2023 – 12p-4p – SPARK Social SF – NOT FREE – $45 – Early Harvest Unlimited Pours 12pm-4pm – Raise your glass and sip your way through unlimited pours of 30+ ciders with flavors such as sweet honey-sage, spicy ginger, sour blood orange, and tropical hibiscus. Plus, savor all your fall favorites from the food trucks! Keep toasty at a firepit with some s’mores, challenge your friends to lawn games, dance to live music, or let your competitive side shine in an eating contest.

“SF Tweed Ride” Dress Up Bicycle Party

Saturday, November 11, 2023 – Starts at Noon – Alamo Square Park – The Tweed Ride is a dress up bicycle party through the streets of San Francisco! What is tweed? Tweed is a traditional English outdoor sporting fabric commonly seen with a thick wool herringbone (chevrons or V’s) weave and often in earth tones.

“Disco YES!” Chinatown Art Block Party

Friday, November 17, 2023 – 3p-6p – Chinatown’s iconic Grant Avenue (between Clay and Washington) will be transformed into “Disco YES!” – an art block party filled with music, dance, and contemporary art installations.

Golden Gate Park’s Bike Ride & Sunset Viewing Party

Friday, November 17, 2023 – Join the Great Sunset Joy Ride & Happy Hour! Starts at 3pm for Bike ride from Golden Gate Park’s Conservatory of Flowers to the Ocean at Great Highway and Judah, followed by 4p Happy Hour with live music and small bites from local restaurants at Great Highway and Judah then ends with 5p Sunset viewing.

Indigenous Peoples’ Thanksgiving Sunrise Gathering

Thursday, November 23, 2023 – The ticket booth opens at 3:15 AM and boats will depart Pier 33 at approximately 4:15 AM, 4:30AM, 4:45 AM, 5:00AM, 5:15 AM, 5:30 AM, 5:45 AM, and 6:00 AM – Event is FREE, but boat tickets are $12 for adults. Free for children under 5 – The Indigenous Peoples Sunrise Ceremonies are annual events held on Alcatraz Island to honor the Indigenous Peoples of America and to promote their rights.

Ghirardelli Square’s Holiday Lighting Ceremony

Friday, November 24, 2023 – Starts at 4:30p – Sing along to a collection of Holiday Tunes with the SF Boys Chorus, just before Santa comes to officially illuminate Ghirardelli Square with Christmas Lights. Afterwards, visit Santa in the carillon to take a photo and receive a free Ghirardelli Chocolate chocolate square.

Scottish Highland Winter Festival

Sunday, November 26, 2023 – Starts at Noon – Golden Gate Park Bandshell – The golden hues of autumn pave the way for a spectacular celebration of Scottish music and culture. From the rousing tunes of the Prince Charles Pipe Band to the soulful melodies of Peter Daldry, this musical extravaganza promises to transport you to the heart of Scotland.

Nob Hill Tree Lighting Ceremony

Monday, November 27, 2023 – 4:30p – 7:30p – The Nob Hill Association will host its annual Nob Hill Tree Lighting Ceremony with live seasonal music from the popular French American Jazz Quartet, cookies and hot beverages, awarding ceremony, special presentation and more.

Thrive City “Winter Wonderland” Lighting Ceremony

Wednesday, November 29, 2023 – 5p-7p – Thrive City – The holidays are here! Winter Wonderland is tipping off the festive season with the annual Lighting Ceremony featuring the Bay Area’s largest tree standing at 90 feet tall! This 2-hour showcase features live music from original member and founder of RUN DMC, Darryl McDaniels!

The Ritz-Carlton SF’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Thursday, November 30, 2023 – 5:30p-7:30p – Join The Ritz-Carlton SF at their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, hosted by Betty Yu and Liam Mayclem of KPIX-TV CBS and a Make-A-Wish® Greater Bay Area child.  The complimentary-to-the-public event will feature live entertainment with Dickens-era carolers and trumpeters, the legendary tree lighting at the hotel’s front drive, and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.