20 Top Summer Events in San Francisco in 2018

The Best Street Fairs, Concerts, & Other Activities

Discover the 20 Top Summer Events in San Francisco 2018. Every year, you will find an amazing line up of events all season long. They range from the large music festival, Outside Lands, in Golden Gate Park to SF Giants baseball at AT&T Park.

Summer Events in SF 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.

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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

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 AT&T 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

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

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 film makers. They cover important topics in the community both at home and abroad.

Learn More: Details for this Year's Japan Film Festival

Discounts for Summer Events in San Francisco

Check out some of these discounts on fun Summer events in San Francisco.

60-Minute Bay Cruise: Cruises around the bay, leaves from Fisherman's Wharf, several cruises a day, Full price $32, Goldstar price $16*

2-Hour Sunset Cruise: Leaves daily from Fisherman's Wharf, great views and a light appetizer buffet, Full price $68-$70, Goldstar $40-$44

Alive After 5 Happy Hour Cruise: 2-hour cruise with drinks, views, and DJ music, leaves every Thursday at 6pm, Full price $35, Goldstar $18*

The Dinner Detective Interactive Mystery Dinner Show: Uncover the mystery during this fun evening, interactive show, certain Saturday nights at 6pm, Full price $115.94, Goldstar $81.16*

Emperor Norton's Fantastic SF Time Machine Walking Tour: Learn all about SF's unofficial mascot and the history of Union Square on this fun, walking tour of the district, offered several days each month, Full price $30, Goldstar $15*

*Small service fee at checkout.

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. The 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

Tickets: On Sale at Up to 50% Off on Goldstar

8. North Beach Festival

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 kids 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

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

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: July

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

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