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

All the 2023 dates for 40+ of SF’s most fun festivals and street fairs including Fleet Week, Opera in the Park, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Autumn Moon Festival and more
By - posted 9/1/2023 No Comment

45th Union Street Festival

Saturday & Sunday, June 3-4, 2023 – Union Street (Fillmore to Octavia) – 11a-7p Satruday, 10a-6p Sunday – Two day festival in Cow Hollow w/ brand new collaborate paint temple, DJ Dance Park and the iconic “Waters Race”

Fillmore Summer Fest Kick-Off

Saturday, June 3, 2023 – Noon to 6p – Geary & Steiner – Annual “Grillin’ in the ‘Mo” free blues concert and family BBQ w/ $2 food tickets, line dancing, kids zone, free ice cream for kids and giant bubbles

San Francisco Kung Fu Day

Saturday, June 3, 2023 – 11a-3p – Grant from Broadway to Jackson – Chinatown festival w/ 17 different Kung Fu Groups with free kung fu lessions,

11th Annual Soy and Tofu Festival

Saturday, June 3, 2023 – 11a-5p – Japantown Peace Plaza – Tons of soy and tofu vendors (including ice cream, mochi, cheescake popsicles, miso and more) with free samples, plus lion dancing, ukulele concerts and kids activities

Festa Coloniale Italian Street Fair

Saturday & Sunday, June 3-4, 2023 – 11a-6p – Stockton between Union and Filbert – The first ever two-day version of this under the radar Italian festival in the heart of North Beach w/ pizza toss demonstrations, Italian marionette shows, live Italian music and a “Symphony” of accordions

“Be Free” Festival & Philippine Independence Crawl

Saturday, June 10, 2023 – 10a-5p – Five blocks and eight venues to eat, dance shop and learn about Filipino culture in Soma Pilipinas in the areas near Mission and 5th

OminoDay in the Park World Music Festival

Saturday, June 10, 2023 – 11a-5p – Jerry Garcia Amphitheatre in Mclaren Park – 16th annual full day music, DJ, dance and poetry festival in loving memory of community activist Andrew “DJ Domino” Ele

SF’s Ultimate Water Balloon Toss

Saturday, June 10, 2023 – Noon to 3p – The Crossing at East Cut (200 Folsom). Part of “The East Cut Summer Block Party” w/ yoga, pickleball, soccer shootout and 2pm water balloon toss contest for 200 adults and 100 kids with a $100 gift card up for grabs.

15th Annual Golden Gate Park Band Festival

Saturday & Sunday, June 10-11, 2023 – 11a-5p – Golden Gate Park – The highlight of the 141st season of the Golden Gate Park Band’s free summer symphony concert season. For two days at the historic bandshell in between the de Young and Academy of Sciences, big bands from all over the state perform back-to-back concerts.

Juneteenth Freedom Celebration & Block Party

Saturday, June 17, 2023 – 11a-6p – FIllmore between Geary & Fulton. Eight blocks of the Fillmore get turned into a big community celebration with free unlimited carnival rides, six sprawling “districts” plus a classic car show, R&B Block Party, free wine tastings and more.

Angel Island Family Day

Saturday, June 17, 2023 – 11a-3p – Annual celebration to bring families and communities together on Angel Island. $10 tickets include round trip ferry ride from SF or Tiburon, ground shuttle service on the island, admission to the Detention Barracks Museum and a free lunch

67th Annual North Beach Festival

Saturday & Sunday, June 17-18, 2023 – 10a-6p – Grant and Columbus – Spanning nine blocks around on Grant and near Washington Square Park with 100+ vendors and arts & craft booths, plus DJs, live music, beer gardens, Italian street art and the annual “Blessing of the Animals”

25th Annual Native Contemporary Arts Festival

Sunday, June 18, 2023 – Noon to 3p – Yerba Buena Gardens – Annual Father’s Day tradition celebrating the creativity of North America’s indigenous peoples, w/ diverse program of Native music, dance, spoken word, visual artists, vendors and crafts.

Stern Grove Festival

Sundays, June 18 – August 20, 2023 – 2pm – Sigmund Stern Grove at the Corner of 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard – Free but RSVPs required. Summer concerts in the park with Snarky Puppy (June 18), Indigo Girls (June 25), Santigold (July 2), SF Symphony (July 25) The Flaming Lips (Aug 20) and many others. RSVPs open 1 month in advance of each concerts.

20th Annual Trans March and Festival

Friday, June 23, 2023 – Full details for 2023 still to be announced, but typically there’s a resource fair and festival at Dolores Park followed by a march through the streets of the Mission from 6-7:30pm ending up in the TL for a rally.’

31st Annual Dyke March

Saturday, June 24, 2023 – 5p – 18th and Dolores – Annual march of upwards of 50,000 members of the dyke community march the streets of the Castro and Mission so that all trans and cis self-identified dykes can proclaim space, rights, visibility and respect.

San Francisco Pride Parade & Festival

Saturday & Sunday, June 24-25, 2023 – Civic Center –  Noon to 6p on Saturday, 11a-6p on Sunday. Huge 53rd annual LGBT celebration returns to Civic Center with two-day festival and the annual parade on Sunday starting at Beale St, running down Market and ending at the festival.

2nd Annual Castro Family Pride Block Party

Saturday, June 24, 2023 – 11a-5p – Noe and Market – A mini festival covering a block of Noe Street with free photos with the fabulous Castro unicorn, petting zoo, drag performances, drag story time  and a Castro “Drag Performer of the Year” contest with a  $1,000 prize for the winner

Fillmore Jazz Festival

Saturday & Sunday, July 1-2, 2023 – 10a-6p – Fillmore btwn Geary and Washington. The largest free jazz festival on the west coast, the Fillmore Jazz Festival returns to SF for the first time in four years for Independence Day weekend with an 8 block street fair, and back-to-back concerts on multiple stages in the middle of Fillmore Street.

“Get Free” Hip Hop Dance Festival

July 1-8, 2023 – Get Free is a free weeklong hip hop dance festival in San Francisco and Oakland rooted in the artistry of freestyling, experimental battling, healing through community practices, and love for Black social dance and our Bay Area street community. This festival offers an opening showcase, 20 dance classes, 2 panels, and two experimental battle events.

4th of July Fireworks Show

Tuesday, July 4, 2023 – 9:30pm – Pier 39 / Fisherman’s Wharf / Fort Mason – Annual fireworks show set off from two barges on the city’s northern waterfront. Just pray for the fog to stay away, otherwise you’ll just see puffy colorful clouds.

San Francisco Mime Troupe

July 4 – September 4, 2023 – Various times: 2p, 3p & 7p in SF, Berkeley, Oakland, Palo Alto, and more – SFMT performs free political theater & music in parks all over the Bay Area. For 2023, they’ll be performing their new musical “Breakdown”.

People in Plazas

July 5 – September 28, 2023 – Most concerts are from noon to 1 pm – This free annual outdoor music festival puts on over 130+ free lunchtime concerts featuring an array of different styles from July to September in over 15 different public plazas near Market Street.

Dolores Park Hillbomb

Saturday, July 8, 2023 (It’s hard to know the exact date but often it’s around the second Saturday in July) – Skateboarders speed down Dolores hill in San Francisco for the annual “hill bomb”. Typically on a random early evening in early July, skateboarders take to the Dolores hill next to Dolores Park and fly down at breakneck speed (almost literally).

47th Annual San Francisco Free Folk Festival

Saturday, July 8, 2023 – Noon to 6p – Golden Gate Park Bandshell – Taking over the historic bandshell and gardens in between the de Young and the Cal Academy of Sciences, the annual free folk festival features 5 stages of music and performances include folk, Irish singing, old-time fiddle, old California dances, bagpipes and more.

“Fiestas Fridas” Frida Kahlo Festival

July 8-23, 2023 – Various locations in SF – Frida Kahlo loved San Francisco, and Fiestas Fridas show how much we have come to love her in return, in our own unique style, of course. In the 10th year celebrating the inimitable painter (1907-1954), Fiestas Fridas features music, activities and numerous opportunities to demonstrate devotion.

Japan Day

Sunday July 9, 2023 – 12p – 5p – three stages at the Peace Plaza stage, Japan Center East Mall (2nd floor), and Studio Gen (East Mall, Suite 505) – This free festival is a celebration of Japanese cultural arts at the heart of SF’s Japantown. Hear the exhilarating sound of taiko drums and see colorful Japanese dancers with live musicians. Watch karate, Okinawan music, and dance plus demos of Origami paper folding, Washi Ningyo paper dolls, Shodo calligraphy.

112th Annual Hayes Valley Carnival

Saturday, July 15, 2023 – Noon to 4p – PROXY in Hayes Valley – Open air contemporary circus with live music, food, carnival games and two performances by Circus Bella and the Circus Bella All-Star Bands at 1pm and 3pm

27th Annual “Frisco Fresh” Urban Youth Arts

Saturday July 15, 2023 – 1p – 5p – Precita Park – Precita Eyes celebrates its 27th year of providing a safe, fun, and free space for youth to express themselves through collaborative spray art with their largest production yet – three large 8’x20′, four 8’x16′ and 6 mini walls to create art on.

Women’s World Cup Watch Parties

July 21 – August 10, 2023 – Mostly starts at 6pm – The City of San Francisco and non-profit Street Soccer US is hosting free, live FIFA Women’s World Cup viewing parties this July and August (4 public screening) in iconic downtown locations throughout the city.

Bon Odori Street Dance Festival

Sunday July 23, 2023 – 1p – 3p – Octavia and Austin St (Japantown) – This free street dance festival attracts over a thousand visitors to the Buddhist Church of San Francisco (BCSF) and San Francisco’s historic Japantown.

San Francisco Marathon

Sunday July 23, 2023 – Race starts at 5:15am at Embarcadero at Mission. See how incredible it feels to run marathons in San Francisco. For 2023, there were will full marathon, 1st & 2nd half marathon, 10K and 5K (July 22-23) races.

Aloha by the Bay

Saturday, July 29, 2023 – Noon to 5pm – Japantown Peace Plaza – A “pop-up” festival with Hawaiian music.

Due South Music Festival

Saturday July 29, 2023 – 2p – 5:30p – Jerry Garcia Amphitheatre (McLaren Park) – From July through October 2023, a lineup of contemporary talent as diverse as the Bay Area itself will take the stage at Jerry Garcia Amphitheater. The entire concert series is free and open to the public.

Up Your Alley

Sunday, July 30, 2023 – 11a-6p – Dore Alley and Folsom/9th – If rubber, sportswear, biker gear, punks, or any variety of built, hairy men turns you on, then they’ve got it. You probably won’t find a filthier event in the states. This fetish festival makes Folsom Street Fair look tame.

150th Anniversary Cable Car Celebration

Wednesday, August 2, 2023 – 10:30a – 11:30a – Powell and Market Street – This event is part of a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the cable cars and the very first cable car trip. On the actual 150th anniversary of that date, history reenactors will evoke that event on the flagship of today’s cable car fleet, Powell Street Cable Car 1, at the turntable at Powell and Market Streets, adjacent to Hallidie Plaza, starting at 10:30 a.m.

Jerry Day

Saturday, August 5, 2023 – 11:30a – all day – Jerry Garcia Amphitheatre, McLaren Park – Enjoy more than six hours of jams and tributes at the amphitheater in McLaren Park that now bears the local legend’s name. And just like the Dead’s concerts never seemed to end, from 7-10 p.m. the festival leaves the park, spilling into the neighborhood for after parties, concerts and art installations gracing store-front windows and parklets.

49th Annual Nihonmachi Street Fair

Saturday & Sunday, August 5-6, 2023 – 11a to 6p – Japantown Peace Plaza and Post Street – Annual festival and street fair with car show, “doggie world”, and outdoor live music and performance stage.

2nd Annual Chinatown Lion Dance Festival

Saturday, August 12, 2023 – 11a to 5p – Back by popular demand, the Chinatown Lion Dance Festival hosted by SF Unified Lions Club is back for 2023! A dedicated day of entertainment by local Lion’s Dance troupes, Martial Arts and performers showcasing their talent.

Pistahan 30th Anniversary Filipino Festival & Parade

Saturday & Sunday, August 12-13, 2023 – 11a-5p Sat, 11a-4p Sun – Yerba Buena Gardens – Two-day event kicks off Saturday with the annual Pistahan Parade, the largest Filipino parade on the West Coast along with tons of live music, dance performance, vendors and a Saturday ube ice cream eating contest (1p) and Sunday balut eating contest (3:30p).

“Summer Ferry Fest” Ferry Building’s 125th Anniversary

Thursday, August 17, 2023 – 5pm-7:30pm – Party like it’s 1898! Celebrate the San Francisco Ferry Building turning 125 at the first ever Summer Ferry Fest. Enjoy wine, beer, bites, and music while enjoying the magic of the Ferry Building marketplace at night. While there is no entrance fee, attendees must purchase $30 ‘tasting tickets’ to exchange for bites and sips at the event.

“King of the Streets” 500+ Lowrider Show & Car Hopping Contest

Saturday, August 19, 2023 – 9a-4p – Other than the date, the location/time/cost and other specifics for 2023 have not been announced yet. But this is typically $20 and takes place at Pier 30/32 and is the biggest lowrider festival of the year with an epic car hopping contest followed by a huge cruise of the Mission usually starting around 5pm

Yerba Buena Gardens Dance Day

Saturday, August 19, 2023 – 10a-3p – Yerba Buena Gardens transforms into an outdoor dance center where participants can sample dance in a variety of forms and flavors w/ some of the Bay Area’s most talented teachers.

Annual Dahlia Competition in Golden Gate Park

Saturday & Sunday, August 19 – 20, 2023 – Typically starts at 10am – The Dahlia Society of California draws thousands of visitors to its annual show in the enormous Hall of Flowers. Growers from all over the state bring their best blooms. Blooms in all categories are judged and awarded ribbons, including the elusive “Best in Show.”

“Festival of Chariots” in Golden Gate Park

Sunday, August 20, 2023 – parade starts at 10:15am at 740 John F Kennedy Dr and makes its way down to Robin Williams Meadows by Noon. – The epic Festival of Chariots is an ancient spiritual festival of India that made its way to the West in 1967’s Haight Ashbury – now celebrated every year in Golden Gate Park.

Civic Center Carnival

Thursday-Sunday, August 24-27, 2023 – Thu & Fri starts at 2:30, Sat starts at 12:30 & Sun starts at Noon – At Fulton St. (btwn Larkin and Hyde) – A Multi-day carnival with Ferris wheel and 100-foot super slide.

Hungry Ghost Festival

Saturday, August 26, 2023 – 5p-9p – SF’s Chinatown – The Hungry Ghost Festival, akin to the Day of the Dead, celebrates Chinese traditions and cultural heritage. This free family-friendly event features interactive art, performances, Chinatown businesses, and a one-of-a-kind “Ghost King Parade” that’s not to be missed.

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.