Events · Hub guide

San Francisco events

Festivals, parades, holiday traditions and weekly markets, with an interactive calendar and a season-by-season guide to what is on in San Francisco.

Updated October 20265 min readLocal guide

Lanterns strung over Grant Avenue in Chinatown

San Francisco events at a glance

Biggest parades Chinese New Year in February, Pride in June
Big festivals Outside Lands in August, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in October
Free and weekly Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
Holiday season Union Square tree, the Dickens Fair, The Nutcracker
Plan ahead for Pride weekend, Outside Lands, Fleet Week
Weather note Bring layers to every outdoor event

In this guide

San Francisco events calendar
Winter: November to February
Spring: March to May
Summer: June to August
Fall: September and October
Weekly markets and free days
Major venues
Event planning tips
Frequently asked questions
More guides

Something is on in San Francisco nearly every weekend, from neighborhood street fairs to parades that close Market Street. This guide covers the recurring events that shape the year, with the dates that have been announced for the months ahead.

Event dates, times and ticket prices change from year to year. We list confirmed dates where organizers have published them and describe the usual timing for the rest. Check the organizer’s website before you buy tickets or book travel. You can also browse every post in our events category.

San Francisco events calendar

Pick a date to see what is on. Numbers mark dated events, and dots mark weekly markets and free museum days.

3 dated events weekly markets / free days only

Dates and times can change. Always check the official event site before you go. Last updated October 27, 2026.

Winter: November to February

The holiday season starts in November. The tree goes up in Union Square, and the Dickens Christmas Fair turns the Cow Palace in Daly City into Victorian London on five weekends from November 21 to December 20, 2026, plus the Friday after Thanksgiving. San Francisco Ballet’s The Nutcracker runs at the War Memorial Opera House from December 4 to 27, 2026.

Día de los Muertos comes first. The evening procession in the Mission is on Monday, November 2, 2026, gathering at 22nd and Bryant streets around 7pm. It is free and open to everyone.

Union Square plaza with its holiday tree and ice rink — Union Square with its holiday tree and ice rink

The Chinese New Year Parade is one of the largest of its kind outside Asia. In 2027 it is on Saturday, February 20, with floats, lion dancers and a long golden dragon moving through downtown and Chinatown at night.

Spring: March to May

The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival fills Japantown over two weekends, April 10 to 11 and 17 to 18, 2027, with the Grand Parade on Sunday, April 18.

Bay to Breakers is on Sunday, May 16, 2027. The 12K race runs from near the Embarcadero to Ocean Beach, and many runners do it in costume. Carnaval San Francisco follows on May 29 and 30, 2027, with a festival and a parade through the Mission.

Summer: June to August

San Francisco Pride is on June 26 and 27, 2027. The parade runs down Market Street on Sunday, and the celebration fills Civic Center over the weekend. Book hotels early for Pride.

Fourth of July fireworks usually go off over the bay near Fisherman’s Wharf. Fog often hides them, so bring a jacket and keep your expectations modest.

Outside Lands, the big music festival in Golden Gate Park, is on August 6 to 8, 2027. The Nihonmachi Street Fair in Japantown is the same weekend, August 7 and 8.

Murals on garage doors along Balmy Alley in the Mission — Murals along Balmy Alley in the Mission, near the Carnaval route

Fall: September and October

Fall has the best weather, and the calendar fills up. Fleet Week brings the Blue Angels and ships to the bay in early to mid October, and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, a free music festival in Golden Gate Park, usually falls on an early October weekend. Exact 2027 dates were not announced at the time of writing.

Weekly markets and free days

The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market runs year-round at the Ferry Building. Hours are 8am to 2pm on Saturdays and 10am to 2pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Saturday is the biggest market.

Several museums have free days. The de Young and Legion of Honor are free on Saturdays for Bay Area residents, and the Asian Art Museum’s collection galleries are free on the first Sunday of the month. Our free museum days guide has the details and the current exceptions.

Major venues

Venue	What is on	Area
Chase Center	Warriors games, big concerts	Mission Bay
Oracle Park	Giants baseball, concerts	South Beach
War Memorial Opera House	Opera and ballet	Civic Center
Davies Symphony Hall	San Francisco Symphony	Civic Center
The Fillmore	Rock and indie concerts	Western Addition
Golden Gate Park	Outside Lands, Hardly Strictly, free concerts	Richmond and Sunset

For bars and live music on any night, see the San Francisco nightlife guide and our list of things to do at night.

Event planning tips

Take transit to big events. Parking near Golden Gate Park, Civic Center and the waterfront fills fast.
Layers matter. Summer evenings in Golden Gate Park can be cold and foggy.
Book hotels early for Pride weekend, Outside Lands and Fleet Week.
Check the official site the week of the event. Parade routes and start times can change.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Chinese New Year Parade in 2027?

Saturday, February 20, 2027, in the evening through downtown and Chinatown.

When is Pride in San Francisco in 2027?

June 26 and 27, 2027, with the parade on Sunday.

When is Outside Lands 2027?

August 6 to 8, 2027, in Golden Gate Park.

Are there free events in San Francisco?

Yes. Most parades, the Día de los Muertos procession, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and the farmers markets are free.

More guides

Photo credits

Featured image: Tobias Kleinlercher / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; Winter: November to February: Dllu / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Summer: June to August: DestinationFearFan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.