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20 Top Summer Events in San Francisco in 2021: The Best Street Fairs, Concerts, & Other Activities
by Jill Loeffler •
Updated: June 21, 2021
Discover the 20 Top Summer Events in San Francisco 2021. Every year, you will find an amazing lineup of events all season long. They range from the large music festival, Outside Lands, in Golden Gate Park to SF Giants baseball at Oracle Park.
Other highlights this year include free live music at Stern Grove Park, free entertainment & fireworks for the Fourth of July, and several award-winning theater productions.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
1. Concerts & Live Music
This summer, you will find a number of concerts and live music events in San Francisco and all around the SF Bay Area.
You will find performances at top venues including the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, the Fillmore, and the Warfield. You can also catch live performances at several festivals this summer.
Dates: Various Dates this Summer
Learn More: Full Summer Live Music Schedule for SF & the Bay Area
2. Fillmore Jazz Festival (Postponed to 2022)
The largest west coast free jazz festival is in San Francisco over the Fourth of July Weekend. The Fillmore Jazz Festival is all day on Saturday and Sunday and covers twelve blocks in the Pacific Heights District. In addition to free, live jazz music, you can enjoy gourmet food, cold beverages, and arts and crafts from vendors from around the US.
Learn More: Summer Fillmore Jazz Festival
More: Additional Summer festivals every year
3. Fourth of July Fireworks & Celebration
The largest of the summer events in San Francisco is on July 4th. The annual waterfront celebration includes live music in Fisherman's Wharf, fun activities all day long, and a colorful fireworks display at dark. Most activities are free, and I recommend getting there early to grab your place for the show.
Date: July 4
Learn More: Fourth of July Fireworks & Celebration
4. Giants Baseball
Head over to Oracle Park to catch the 2014 World Series Champions in action. The San Francisco Giants play at home more than a dozen times in June, July, and August. This summer they will take on teams such as the LA Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and the Arizona Diamondback.
Dates: Various Dates Each Month
Learn More: Full Schedule
5. Haight Street Fair (No Event in 2021)
The annual Haight Street Fair features live music on two stages. You can also spend time enjoying the 200+ booths that feature gourmet food, arts & crafts, and information on community outreach programs. The event is free to attend, and all activities are on in the Haight Ashbury district on Haight Street between Masonic and Stanyan.
Date: June
Learn More: Details for this Year's Haight Street Fair
6. Japan Film Festival (TBD for 2021)
One of the largest film festivals this summer is the Japan Film Festival. This nine-day event features independent films by Japanese and Japanese American filmmakers. They cover important topics in the community both at home and abroad.
Learn More: Details for this Year's Japan Film Festival
7. Summer Cruises
Another one of the top summer events in San Francisco is our special cruises. You will find several of them around the holidays and also throughout the season. They include popular picks such as the high-energy Rocketboat cruise to the special Memorial Day Weekend and Fourth of July cruises.
Dates: Several days in May, June, July & August
8. North Beach Festival (Postponed to 2022)
The North Beach Festival is one of the largest street fairs every summer. This annual event features several stages of live music, activities for the kids, and more than 20 gourmet food events. You can also enjoy Italian Street Painting, a kid's chalk art area, and the blessing of the animals celebration both afternoons in North Beach.
Dates: June
Learn More: North Beach Festival Details
9. Opera
Every summer, the SF Opera performs several shows in June and early July. This summer, you can see performances such as Rigoletto, Don Giovanni, and La Boheme. All shows are at the War Memorial Opera House.
Dates: Various Date in June & July
Learn More: Full Schedule for this Summer
Buy Tickets: SF Summer Opera Tickets
10. Outside Lands Music Festival (Moved to October in 2021)
The biggest music festival in San Francisco is every August at Golden Gate Park. The Outside Lands Music Festival features three days of live music from more than 70 bands. Performers in previous years included Elton John, the Black Keys, and Mumford & Sons. Get your tickets early as this festival sells out every year!
Dates: August
Learn More: Full schedule of performers
Buy Tickets: On sale today
11. Wine Tasting Events
If you love wine, then head to one of our popular wine tasting Summer events in San Francisco. You will find wine "walks" in some of our local districts as well as larger indoor and outdoor festivals all season long.
Many offer wines produced locally in Sonoma, Napa and the Livermore Valley. Others offer tastings of a specific varietal or region. It's a fun way to learn about wine and find something new to bring home to your friends!
Date: All Summer long
Learn More: Discover a calendar of upcoming wine tastings
More Events by Month
Find additional events each month by clicking the links below.
12. Pride Parade & Festival
Note for 2021: This year, you will find just a few small events all around SF to celebrate Pride. The annual parade and festival will not take place this year, but plan for this amazing event to return in 2022.
The annual Pride Parade and Festival is always the last weekend in June. This large event in the Civic Center district celebrates the LGBT community with live music, entertainment, and dozens of vendor booths. Get there early for the large parade on Sunday morning. It starts at Market and 2nd and ends near Market and 8th Streets. Both are free, but they do ask for donations at the entrances to the festival.
Dates: Last Saturday and Sunday in June
Learn More: More details on this year's events
13. San Francisco Marathon
The streets of San Francisco come to life every year during the popular SF Marathon. This road race takes you through the streets of the city. You can choose to run the full marathon, the half marathon, or the 5K road race. This year, they will also once again offer the Ultramarathon. Register early to secure your spot.
Date: Move to September in 2021
Registration: Visit their website for details
14. Free Days at SF Museums
All summer long you can save by visiting SF museums during their free admission days. You can visit the Asian Art Museum, de Young, the Conservatory of Flowers and others at no cost. Find a full schedule of days by clicking the link below.
Dates: Several this summer
More: Find a full schedule here
15. Stern Grove Festival
Every Sunday afternoon at 2pm, you will find a free, live concert in Stern Grove Park. This summer festival offers music by both internationally recognized stars as well as local favorites. This year's concerts start in mid-June and last until mid-August.
Dates: Sundays from mid-June to mid-August
Learn More: Full schedule of performers
16. Sunday Streets
Enjoy dozens of outdoor activities at this summer's Sunday Streets event. Once a month, a district closes off some of its streets to offer a car free area of events. Activities include health screenings, free dance lessons, free bike rentals, and more. The event lasts from March through October.
Summer Dates: Once a month on Sunday afternoon
Learn More: Additional details on Summer Streets
17. Theater Performances
Every summer, you will also find dozens of theater performances all around San Francisco. Top shows include traveling Broadway companies performing award-winning productions such as The Lion King, Hamilton, and Wicked. You can also catch a small performance by local or up-and-coming writers.
Dates: Various Dates this Summer
Learn More: Full Summer theater schedule
18. Union Street Festival (Canceled in 2021)
Head over to the Marina District for this year's Union Street Festival. This annual event offers several stages of live music, food from some of the best Marina restaurants, and more than 250 arts & crafts booths. It's a fun way to spend the day in San Francisco!
Date: June
Learn More: Details for this year's event
19. Union Square Live
Enjoy free, live entertainment all summer long at Union Square Live. This annual festival offers free music and entertainment most Wednesdays and Sundays. You can see kids shows, learn how to dance, and listen to local musicians.
Dates: Most Wednesdays and Sundays
Learn More: This year's event schedule
20. Yerba Buena Festival
Another place to enjoy free, live entertainment this summer is at the Yerba Buena Festival. This event is at the Yerba Buena Gardens in SF's SOMA District. Several times a week, they offer music and entertainment from local bands and performers.
Dates: Several in June, July, & August
Learn More: This year's festival details
