Free Events in San Francisco: 88 of the Best Festivals, Fairs, Parades, & More!

Give your budget a break with these 88 free events in San Francisco. They range from large festivals like Japantown's Cherry Blossom Festival to live music at Stern Grove Park.

Every year, there are hundreds of free events all around SF. My list includes the largest and most popular of the bunch.

Admission is free to all of these events. Many charge for food, drinks, and some other activities, so keep this in mind before you arrive. 

I've listed them in alphabetical order by month to make it easy for you to find what you need. If an event is in more than one month, such as the Stern Grove Festival, then you will find it in the "Ongoing" section at the end of the page.

Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

January

1. Martin Luther King, Jr. Festival and Parade: Every year on the MLK holiday, you will find a large festival and parade that celebrates the life and message of Martin Luther King, Jr. The festival includes everything from films to health and wellness booths. The large parade starts just south of Oracle Park and commemorates the famous Selma-to-Montgomery, Alabama march. Visit my page for more information.

2. Polar Plunge at Ocean Beach: This fun, local tradition takes place each January 1 to start off the new year with a freezing plunge into the Pacific Ocean. You'll find a lively crowd of friends and neighbors of the Sunset district whooping and hollering as they dash into the cold waves where Taraval Street meets the coast. Just make sure to bring some warm clothes! Find out more about Ocean Beach.

3. Sea Lion Anniversary Celebration: The sea lions arrived at Pier 39 in 1989 shortly after the Loma Prieta earthquake. Each year, Pier 39 celebrates the anniversary of their arrival and they invite the public to join in on the fun. Visit the January calendar for details.

February

4. Chinese New Year Festival & Parade: This Chinese New Year Festival and Parade is based on the lunar calendar, so the date changes every year, but most of the time it's celebrated in February. You will find a full month of activities. The highlight each year is the parade which draws a crowd of a couple hundred thousand people. Details for this year's festival and parade.

5. SF Giants Fan Fest: In February, the SF Giants host a large, free event for their loyal fans. At Fan Fest, you get the chance to see their World Championship trophies, get autographs from the players, and pick up single-game tickets for the upcoming year. Visit my SF Giants page for more details.

6. Tulipmania: Enjoy thousands of colorful tulips at the annual Tulipmania event. Every year, Pier 39 decorates the area with tulips of yellow, orange, red, and other colors. They are on display for about two weeks. In addition to the lovely flowers, they also offer free walking tours each morning at 10 am, in which your guide will teach you all about these colorful gems. Visit the Pier 39 page for more info.

7. Valentine's Day Pillow Fight: Every Valentine's Day, you will find a huge pillow fight at Justin Herman Plaza. Everyone is invited. It starts when the clock strikes 6 pm! Visit my Valentine's page for more details.

March

8. Easter Egg Hunt at Fort Mason: Have some fun at the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Fort Mason. It's part of their Sunday Farmer's Market and is always held in the morning on Easter Sunday.

9. Easter Egg Hunt + Hunky Jesus Contest: Join the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (SF's drag nuns) for their annual Easter celebration. It starts with a tame, kid-friendly Easter egg hunt. It then turns into an adult-themed event with fun activities all afternoon long. The event is held in Dolores Park.

10. Easter Sunrise Service at Mt. Davidson: One of the biggest outdoor services is held on Easter morning at the Mt. Davidson cross. This celebration draws thousands of worshipers. The service begins at 6:30 am. Visit my Easter page for more details.

11. St. Patrick's Day Festival and Parade: Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at the annual festival and parade. The event is held in the Civic Center near City Hall. The parade starts around 2nd and Market and ends just north of City Hall. The event features live music and other fun activities. It's free to enter and enjoy the entertainment.

April

12. Bay Area Dance Week: Attend more than 400 performances, workshops, and classes in San Francisco and around the Bay Area. During this two-week event, you will see a variety of performances including Argentine tango, classical Indian, belly dancing, aerial dancing, and more!

13. Cesar Chavez Holiday and Parade: Spend the day commemorating the life and work of this prominent labor and civil rights activist. Cesar Chavez Day is March 31, but the celebration often takes place during the first two weeks of April. All activities and the parade are in the Mission District. 

14. Cherry Blossom Festival: Celebrate spring at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown. This event is held over two weekends in April. You can watch live performances, learn more about the Japanese traditions, and enjoy the parade on the final day. 

15. Glen Park Festival: This local street fair offers free live entertainment and activities for kids of all ages. It's held from 10 am to 4:30 pm on Diamond Street between Bosworth and Chenery in the Glen Park District.

16. Human Rights Film Festival: The University of San Francisco hosts a free film festival each spring. The films discuss issues of human rights all around the world. You will also get the chance to see some of the top student films created during the semester.

17. Opening Day on the Bay Boat Parade: One of my favorite parts of Opening Day on the Bay is the boat parade, which is free and open to the public. You can see it along the northern SF shoreline between Pier 39 and Crissy Field. 

>> Visit the April calendar for additional events this month

May 

18. Bay to Breakers: While it does cost to enter and run in this annual race, watching from the sidelines is free. This isn't your typical road race, but a unique and colorful San Francisco experience. The participants run in costume, some on their own and some in teams. It's crazy and energetic and one of the free events in San Francisco that you cannot miss!

19. Carnaval Festival and Parade: Carnaval is an event the celebrates the arts and traditions of the Latin American and Caribbean cultures. It's a two-day event with live music, dancing, and food & beverages. The large parade is on Sunday morning. It's always on Memorial Day Weekend.

20. Cinco de Mayo Festival: The annual Cinco de Mayo Festival is in the Mission District every May. You can enjoy traditional Latin music, dance, and cuisine. The event is usually the Saturday closest to the holiday.

21. Kodomo No Hi (Children's Day): This fun event in Japantown celebrates the youth. It features several traditional Japanese performances, a youth art contest, kid's activities, a bouncy house, and more.

22. Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Cemetery: The annual ceremony at the National Cemetery honors those who have died fighting for our country. It includes a small parade, speeches from local politicians, and a 21-gun salute. It starts at 10:30 am at the gates to the National Cemetery in the Presidio.

23. Taiwanese American Cultural Festival: This annual event started in 1993 and is the largest Taiwanese American celebration in the Bay Area. For one day, you get the chance to sample traditional Taiwanese foods, watch performances, and check out arts and crafts. It's usually in Union Square each year.

June

24. Folk Festival: This one-day free event offers live performances and workshops in Golden Gate Park for people who love folk music. At the end of the day, you will also find a dance party where you can mingle with hundreds of other folk music lovers. NOTE: Depending on the year, this festival may take place in June or July. 

25. Haight Street Fair: Head over to the Haight-Ashbury District for their annual street fair. It features live music, food, and unique arts and crafts vendors.

26. Juneteenth: The Juneteenth event is held each year on Fillmore Street. It's a celebration of the abolition of slavery. It's one of the longest running street fairs in SF.

27. North Beach Festival: Enjoy a day of live music, entertainment, and other fun activities at the North Beach Festival. This two day-long event is usually held the second weekend in June.

28. Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival: Sample soy and tofu at this annual event in Japantown while learning about the uses and benefits of these products. This free event in SF also features live performances, interactive entertainment, and a dessert competition. 

29. Pride Parade & Festival: The last weekend in June, you will find one of the most colorful and lively events all year long. The annual Pride event celebrates the LGBTQ community. It's a two-day event with the large parade held on Sunday morning.

30. San Francisco Jazz Festival Kick Off Party: Every year, SF hosts a two-week long Jazz Festival. While you do have to pay for these events, they offer free admission to their kick-off party. The event is held outside at the corner of Hayes and Octavia Streets.

31. Union Street Fair: This neighborhood street festival in the Cow Hollow district offers live music, crafts on sale from local artists, and plenty of food and drinks. They also have special pavilions with activities and vendors that focus on technology, fashion, and health & fitness.

32. West Coast Craft Fair: The West Coast Craft Fair rolls into town twice a year for a summer and winter event. This event features artists and creators that showcase works inspired by the west coast lifestyle. It's typically held at the Fort Mason Center.

July

33. Fillmore Jazz Festival: The Fillmore Jazz Festival is one of the largest free jazz festivals on the west coast. Every year, it's the first weekend in July and features live performances for two straight days.

34. Fourth of July Fireworks: One of the largest free events in San Francisco is the fireworks display near Pier 39 on 4th of July. The fireworks usually start around 9:30 pm and last for around 30 minutes.

35. Fourth of July Activities at Pier 39: For the hours leading up to the fireworks, you will find live bands performing at the Pier 39 entrance. It's a fun way to spend your time as you wait for the fireworks to start. More details here.

36. Japan Day: This annual event offers you the chance to see traditional Japanese performances and demonstrations. You can also participate in a workshop hosted by a master Japanese artist. All activities take place in Japantown.

37. Laborfest: All month long, Laborfest offers dozens of events and activities that highlight the ongoing labor struggles in the US and throughout the world. They host film screenings, panel discussions, and more for the entire month of July. The majority of the events are free.

38. Renegade Craft Fair: The Renegade Craft Fair happens two to three times a year in SF. Their summer event is typically in July. All of their fairs feature 200 hand-selected artists that are inspired by the DIY (do it yourself) spirit. It's a great place to find unique items for yourself or others.

August

39. Jerry Day: Each August in honor of the late Jerry Garcia's birthday, people flock to the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater at McLaren Park in the Excelsior district for the annual "Jerry Day" celebration. Whether you are a fan of Grateful Dead or just want a little taste of San Francisco's free loving passion for music, this is one of the top free events in August.

40. Nihonmachi Street Fair: This annual event celebrates the diversity of the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) cultures. It's a full day of food, entertainment, and fun in the Japantown District.

41. Pistahan Parade and Festival: This annual event is a celebration of the Filipino culture and cuisine. During the event, you can sample traditional foods, admire local arts and crafts, and enjoy the colorful parade. 

September

42. A Taste of Greece: Enjoy three full days of traditional Greek foods, entertainment, and beverages. You will find this popular event in the Mission District at the Annunciation Cathedral.

43. Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival: This traditional Chinese celebration takes place in the Chinatown district each year. It's two days of food, entertainment, and arts and crafts. There is also a large parade that opens the event on Saturday morning.

44. Comedy Day: SF has a strong comedy community. Every year, the comedians like to give back to their fans with a free day of comedy in the park. Comedy Day lasts from around noon to 5 pm. You will see more than a dozen performers for free.

45. Excelsior Arts & Music Festival: In September, the Excelsior District hosts their annual Ever Higher street fair. At this one-day event, you will find live entertainment, activities for kids, and plenty of food and beverage vendors. You'll find this at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park.

46. Free Shakespeare in the Park: Every September, the SF Shakespeare Festival hosts several free performances of Shakespeare. Each year, they select a different play and perform it on several days in September. You can catch it on the main grounds in the Presidio or at the amphitheater in McLaren Park.

47. Folsom Street Fair: This is the world's largest leather event in the world. Every September, it takes place on 13 blocks in SF's SOMA District. You will find live entertainment and more than 200 vendors selling leather, toys, and more. This is not a kid-friendly event. While the event is free, they do ask for donations at the door.

48. Opera in the Park: The SF Opera kicks off their fall schedule with a free performance in Golden Gate Park. It's a great way to learn more about SF's upcoming opera season and hear from some of our talented local performers.

49. Origami Palooza: Another annual event in SF's Japantown District is the Origami Palooza. It's a full day dedicated to creating and showing off your amazing origami paper creations.

October

50. Castro Street Fair: The first Sunday in October is always the date for the Castro Street Fair. This one-day event was started by Harvey Milk to celebrate the LGBTQ community and their supporters. The event features two live entertainment stages, two dance alleys, and so much more.

51. Family Halloween Day: Bring the kids to the Randall Museum for their Family Halloween Day. The event includes crafts, science experiments, games, face painting, and more. It's free to enter, but they do request a small donation for those that can afford it. All activities usually cost less than 50 cents per child. 

52. Fiesta on the Hill: This family-friendly event takes place each October in the Bernal Heights District. It's a small, local event with street artists, gourmet food, and live music. It usually takes place before Halloween and they often have pumpkin carving, a petting zoo, and more activities for the kiddies!

53. Fleet Week: Each October, the US Navy rolls into town for the annual Fleet Week celebration. The event includes a large air show over the SF Bay featuring the Blue Angels, the chance for the public to step aboard four or five historic naval ships, and several other fun activities along SF's northern waterfront.

54. Ghirardelli Square Halloween Event: Ghirardelli Square also has an annual "Spooky Square" Halloween event for the kids. It includes entertainment and activities for kids of all ages, as well as a costume contest for the dogs in your family.

55. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival: Every October in Golden Gate Park, you will find a three-day bluegrass festival that is free to the public. It features smaller acts, but also well-known singers such as the Indigo Girls, Los Lobos, and Emmylou Harris.

56. Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens: A fun, free Halloween event for the kids is the Halloween Hoopla at the Yerba Buena Gardens in the SOMA District. It includes music, crafts, and a costume parade. 

57. Halloween Hootenanny: The Haight-Ashbury Street Fair hosts a kids Halloween party every year. The free event in SF includes games, activities, a jumpy house, performances, and more. Each year, they also have a costume contest. 

58. Italian Heritage Parade: This tradition began over 150 years ago as a Columbus Day celebration. It's the city's oldest civic event. The parade continues to celebrate Italian heritage today. It starts in Fisherman's Wharf and winds its way around to the heart of North Beach.

59. Leap's Sandcastle Contest: If you loved to build sandcastles as a kid, you will love this special event. Each October, Leap hosts a themed sandcastle building contest at Ocean Beach. While it does cost to enter the competition, it's free to attend and see all of the amazing creations.

60. Litquake: Litquake is SF's longest running literary festival. Each year, you will find dozens of free workshops, talks, and other events focused on literature. It's a great way to meet up-and-coming authors and get to know other literary lovers.

61. Noe Valley Art Festival: This event in the Noe Valley district is a great way to get ready for fall. It has live music, a farmer's market, and a pumpkin patch for the kids. It's on 24th Street between Sanchez and Vicksburg Streets.

62. Open Studios: Step inside local artists' studios during the Open Studios event. It starts in early to mid-October and continues for four straight weekends. Admission to the studios is free.

63. Potrero Hill Festival: This annual festival offers a day of family-friendly activities from live music to games for the kids. It takes place in Potrero Hill on 20th Street between Missouri and Wisconsin Streets.

64. Japantown Halloween Carnival: Your kids will have a great time at this annual Halloween event in Japantown. For two hours, you will find mall-wide trick-or-treating, a bounce house, crafts, and other fun kid's activities.

November

65. Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos): The Day of the Dead is a traditional Mesoamerican holiday. It honors the cycle of life and those who have died. This event in SF includes a Festival of Alters at Garfield Park from the late afternoon until late in the evening. It also includes a procession that circles around the SF Mission District until around midnight. 

66. Discovery Day at Oracle Park: Discovery Day is a one-day event that is part of the larger Bay Area Science Festival. It includes more than 150 interactive displays and demonstrations. NOTE: This popular hands-on event will return in 2025.

67. Embarcadero Center Winter Carnival and Building Lighting: See all four Embarcadero Center buildings come to life during their annual building lighting celebration. This free event also includes a carnival with kid's activities, Santa, and so much more.

68. Ghirardelli Tree Lighting: Enjoy the free event where Santa Lights the Square each November, when Ghirardelli Square fills with music and other entertainment, including the tree lighting at 5 pm. It's usually the Friday after Thanksgiving.

69. Pier 39 Tree Lighting: The tree lighting ceremony at Pier 39 is typically the Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving. For two days, you can enjoy family friendly activities, live music, and the lighting of the tree at dusk each night.

70. Renegade Craft Fair: The holiday Renegade Craft Fair happens every November. It is usually the weekend of Thanksgiving. At this event, you will find dozens of unique presents for your family and friends.

71. West Coast Craft Fair: The West Coast Craft Fair happens a few times year at SF's Fort Mason, featuring artists with pieces inspired by the West Coast lifestyle. This is the holiday edition of the fair.

72. Westin St. Francis Sugar Castle: Spend some time this holiday season at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in Union Square during their Sugar Castle unveiling event. Every year, the creative chefs here create a sweet edible masterpiece with 1,000 pieces of candy. It's amazing to see. The unveiling event is often the day after Thanksgiving. The tree is open for public viewing every day through the first few days in January.

December 

73. Bill Graham Menorah Lighting: The largest Menorah Lighting celebration is held in Union Square. This event is either late November or early December.

74. Lighted Boat Parade: Sit on SF's northern shoreline as you watch one of the largest boat parades in the Bay Area. You will see more than 60 boats glide by, glowing with colorful holiday lights as they cruise around the SF Bay between Pier 39 and the Marina Green.

75. New Year's Eve Fireworks: At 11:59 pm on December 31, the city of San Francisco celebrates the new year with a large fireworks display. The display is on the eastern side of the city, on the water, between the Bay Bridge and the Ferry Building. The display lasts for about 30 minutes.

76. Parol Lantern Festival & Parade: This festival is a traditional event during the Christmas season for the Filipino community. During the festival and parade, you will get the chance to see dozens of parol lanterns on display. You can also enjoy games, live performances, and more. It takes place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

77. Presidio Tree Lighting: The SF Presidio typically has their free tree lighting ceremony the first Friday in December. It includes caroling and free arts and crafts activities for the kids. This tradition dates back to the 1950s when military families were stationed at this park.

78. Rainbow World Tree of Hope Lighting: This tree lighting event is often held at Grace Cathedral during the first week of December. The tree is decorated with origami ornaments, each with a message with wishes for the future of the world. The event also includes live music and other entertainment. 

79. Ritz Carlton Tree Lighting: Another free tree lighting event this month is at the Ritz Carlton. Enjoy carolers, apple cider, and a visit with Santa. It's often the first Thursday in December.

80. SantaCon: Roam through the streets of SF in your best Santa costume with thousands of others dressed just like you! This annual event started in SF and is a non-political, non-violent, non-controversial day of fun in SF.

Ongoing & Multiple Month Events

These events happen all year long or cover multiple months. 

81. Book Readings at City Lights: City Lights Bookstore is an independent book store that was founded by Lawrence Ferlinghetti of the Beat Generation. They offer free poetry and book readings one to two times a week in Jack Kerouac Alley, between the store and Vesuvio Cafe. You will find them in the North Beach District. 

82. Concerts at Amoeba: Amoeba is the largest independent music store in the world. They offer free concerts, DJ sets, and signing events a few times each month. You will find them in the Haight-Ashbury district in SF.

83. Film Night in the Park: Between June and September, you will find several free films in the park in SF and around the Bay Area. Most of them are in Marin, but you will also find a few each month in SF. They are typically at Union Square, Dolores Park, or Washington Square Park in North Beach.

84. Mime Troupe Performances: The SF Mime Troupe is a group of talented artists that create and perform shows each year in several SF parks. All of their shows are politically or socially relevant. Their goal is to spread their art to as many people as possible by having several free shows each summer. Their season typically lasts from Fourth of July weekend to Labor Day Weekend.

85. Performances at Pier 39: Every day, you will find live performances on the Carousel Stage at Pier 39. These kid-friendly shows include magicians, cyclists, jugglers, and more. Shows start at 12 pm each day and the last performance starts at 8:50 pm. 

86. Stern Grove: From mid-June to mid-August, every Sunday at 2 pm, you will find a free outdoor concert in beautiful Stern Grove. A variety of local favorites as well as internationally recognized bands play here. All of their concerts are free. However, you are now required to reserve free general admission tickets to enter, and seating is on a first-come first-served basis.

87. Sunday Streets: Sunday Streets is a neighborhood event that focuses on health and wellness. There is one event a month between March and October. Each month, it's in a new district. During the event, they close off the streets so you can run, bike, and walk on carless streets. There are also fun activities such as rock climbing walls, yoga sessions, and other free classes and workshops.

88. Yerba Buena Gardens Festival: This is another long-running festival each summer that offers free events several times a week. The performances include local entertainers, kid-specific programs, music, dance, poetry, and more.

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