2026 “Golden Fire Hydrant” Painting Ceremony in Dolores Park (SF)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

One lonely working fire hydrant in the Mission District helped saved the city’s churches after the 1906 Earthquake. Every year on the anniversary of the quake, the hydrant receives a fresh coat of gold paint in tribute.

This annual celebration takes place on Saturday, April 18, 2026 around 5:50 am (approximately) at the corner of Church and 20th, just above Dolores Park.

Here’s the press release for 2026:

The San Francisco Fire Department will commemorate the 120th anniversary of the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire on Saturday, April 18, 2026, with two longstanding remembrance events: the annual gathering at Lotta’s Fountain and the ceremonial repainting of the Golden Fire Hydrant.

The morning begins at 4:30 a.m. at Lotta’s Fountain in downtown San Francisco, where members of the fire department, community members, public safety leaders, and city officials will gather to honor those who lost their lives and to recognize the resilience that helped San Francisco recover.

This year’s commemoration at Lotta’s Fountain will also feature the return of Searchlight 2, the 1928 Kleiber truck built for the San Francisco Fire Department as Light Wagon 2, returning to San Francisco as part of Guardians of the City’s historic fire apparatus collection. Believed to be the last known Kleiber truck in existence, it is a remarkable piece of city and fire service history, built in San Francisco by the Kleiber Motor Company.

Following the ceremony, at approximately 5:00 a.m., participants will proceed to the Golden Fire Hydrant at 20th and Church Streets for the annual repainting ceremony. The hydrant holds historic significance as the only reliable water source used by volunteers and firefighters to save much of the Mission District in the aftermath of the disaster.

These commemorative events serve as both a tribute to San Francisco’s past and a reminder of the importance of readiness in the face of future emergencies.

Event Details, Location 1:
Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2026
Time: 4:30 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.
Location: (Lotta’s Fountain) Market and Kearny, San Francisco

Event Details, Location 2:
Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2026
Time: 5:45 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.
Location: (Golden Hydrant) 20th and Church Street, San Francisco

Read the story behind the Golden Fire Hydrant.

Fresh coat of gold paint for our Golden Hydrant on 115th Anniversary of 1906 Earthquake & Fire. pic.twitter.com/Vun15uCygP

— Steven Bracco (@Braccs) April 18, 2021

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.