Upcoming events in San Francisco
Upcoming events calendar
Theatre, broadway shows, plays, performing arts, burlesque, drag, sporting events, concerts, activities, local attractions, shows, and immersive educational experiences happening near you
Events calendar
Sporting Events
SF Giants
Dates: 7/1 - 7/3, 7/11 - 7/13, 7/14 - 7/17, and 7/28 - 7/31
Location: Oracle Park
Tickets: Find tickets for all games
You will find fourteen SF Giants home games in July 2022. Watch them take on the Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Chicago Cubs.
Considered one of the best baseball parks in the US, Oracle Park is a fun place to watch the SF Giants. They have a tasty selection of treats, fun activities for kids of all ages, some of our best local beers on tap, and views of the SF Bay from most seats in the park. Don't miss out on these popular San Francisco events in July.
You will find Oracle Park in the South of Market (SoMa) District.
Click the link below to learn more about their full schedule, how to get here, and other tips to see a game at Oracle Park.
Oakland A's Baseball
Dates: 7/4 - 7/6, 7/8 - 7/10, 7/22 - 7/24, and 7/25 - 7/27
Tickets: Find tickets for all games this month in Oakland
You can also head over to Oakland to catch a game with the Oakland A's. If you love the American League, this is your chance to catch a game. They play nine home games this month.
The A's take on the Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Houston Astros.
San Francisco Marathon
Date: 7/23 & 7/24
This year marks the 45th edition of the San Francisco Marathon! Spend your Sunday morning touring SF's streets with your own feet by joining more than 27,000 other runners in either the 5K, half, or full marathon.
You'll run past landmarks like the Embarcadero, Fisherman's Wharf, Crissy Field, the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, Golden Gate Park, the Haight-Ashbury, and the Mission.
Make sure to register today as this is one of the most popular running races and San Francisco events in July.
Theater: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Dates: All Month Long
Location: Curran Theater
Tickets: Find tickets for all performances
The top theater show this July in San Francisco is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It's a perfect match for anyone that loves the Harry Potter series.
It's the story of Potter's son and how he deals with the many challenges in his life. Some are similar to what Potter faced when he was young.
All shows are at the Curran Theater.
Additional Theater and Broadway Performances in July
Hadestown - The Myth. The Musical (6/7 - 7/3): Follow the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. This Tony Award winning musical starts with Orpheus as he heads to Hadestown on a quest to get Hades and his wife to release Eurydice. Hades agrees with one important stipulation. Is it a trick or real? Find out on stage at the Orpheum Theater this July. Find tickets for all performances.
The Prom (6/21 - 7/17): Another Broadway show this month is The Prom. It's partially based on a true story about a group of actors from Broadway that are down on their luck. They decide to revive their careers by heading to a small town in Indiana and product a play. They are drawn here by a story they read about on Twitter. Will they get a chance to find happiness and success? Get the answer at the Golden Gate Theatre this July. Find tickets to all performances.
Museums: Free Days & Exhibits
Museums: Free Days & Exhibits
Free Museum Admission Days: Once a month, several SF museums offer free admission to their permanent collections. Many of these free admission days are offered toward the beginning of the month. Participating museums include the Conservatory of Flowers, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, and the Asian Art Museum. It's one of the most popular San Francisco events in July and it's a fun way to see these museums at no cost to you! Find the full schedule of free admission days for July.
Traveling Museum Exhibits: You will find several traveling exhibits this month at some of our top museums. My top picks include Guo Pei, Couture Fantasy at the Legion of Honor; To Teach and Inspire at the de Young Museum of Fine Art; and Constellations, Photographs at Dialogue at the SF Museum of Modern Art. Find out more about SF's museums and their current exhibits.
Nightlife at the California Academy of Sciences: This 21+ event runs every Thursday night in July. It's a fun, themed, adult party where you can mingle with other science lovers and explore the museum's top exhibits with fewer people around. It's a fun way to learn and see the museum in a different light.
Fourth of July
Date: 7/4
Celebrate Independence Day 2022 in San Francisco! This Fourth of July will bring lots of fun activities to the city, especially along the waterfront in Fisherman's Wharf. You can enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, and the fireworks display over the water at dark.
It's one of the biggest San Francisco events in July each year!
Fourth of July is also full of other fun activities. You can head out on a cruise, head south to Mountain View for the SF Symphony Firework Spectacular, or enjoy a concert. You will also find some great baseball all week long in Oakland.
>> Find a list of all the top activities and info on the fireworks show
Ideas to Help You Plan Your Stay
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour: The best way to get around San Francisco is on the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour. It runs from 9 am to 6 pm and takes you directly from one attraction to the next. You can select from their 24- or 48-hour tour. They also have a cool night tour. The Big Bus Tour Company is the most popular and highly rated option. Visit this site to learn more.
VRBO: Want to experience San Francisco like a local? Use VRBO to book a condo, room, or other local accommodation for your stay. Visit VRBO to find places to stay throughout SF and the SF Bay Area.
CityPass: Save up to 44% on 4 of San Francisco's top attractions with the CityPass. This discount card includes admission to the California Academy of Sciences and a Blue & Gold Fleet Cruise. In addition, you can visit two other attractions of your choice from the following four options: Aquarium of the Bay, SF Zoo, Walt Disney Museum, and the Exploratorium. Visit this site to learn more.
Live Music & Concerts
Head out and enjoy some live music while you're in town, as San Francisco is full of great concert venues from large to small.
Stop into an intimate caf̩ setting for some local jazz or emerging bands, or purchase tickets ahead of time for one of the bigger names visiting classic venues like the Warfield, the Fillmore, or the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.
>> Find more concerts for July here
Comedy Clubs
Dates: Several in July
Laugh the night away at one of SF's premier comedy clubs. Cobb's in North Beach is open. They are known to host the biggest names in stand-up, such as Dana Carvey, Russell Peters, Dave Chapelle, and many more.
You can also catch local comedians, improv troupes, and musical comedies at those and several other locations all around town.
>> Find a full calendar of shows this month in SF
Festivals, Street Fairs & Other Events in July 2022
Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival (7/2): This unique festival celebrates these essential and healthy ingredients of Asian cuisine and brings them to a wider market. It features vendors of soy and tofu products, a tofu eating contest, a dessert competition, and live entertainment from local groups of Taiko drummers and lion dancers. Many well-known Asian American performers will grace the stage for this event. It's one of the top San Francisco events in June in Japantown.
Stern Grove (Sundays at 2pm): It is a San Francisco tradition for people to flock to Stern Grove to enjoy a picnic with friends while listening to incredible live outdoor concerts amidst the tranquility of the trees on summer Sunday afternoons. Many well-known groups perform here, and every week the concert is totally free! All shows start at 2pm. Make sure to book your tickets on advance online as these San Francisco events in July are popular and spots fill up quickly. Without a ticket, you will not be allowed to attend. Find out more about this year's event.
Bastille Day Festival 2022 (7/16): Celebrate Bastille Day with the Official Committee of French-American Organizations of Northern California. This free outdoor festival runs from 10am to 7pm and features the best French food, wine and entertainment. It also includes kids activities and tours of San Francisco's French Quarter. All activities will take place at the Embarcadero Plaza at Market & Embarcadero Streets across from the Ferry Building. Visit their site for more details.
Golden Gate Bandshell Concerts (Several Dates in July): Enjoy free, live music in Golden Gate Park throughout the month of July. Four days a week, you will find all ages concerts in the Golden Gate Bandshell near the California Academy of Sciences. You can listen to Folk/Rock on Wednesdays, Jazz/Soul on Fridays, Cultural/Community Performances on Saturdays, and Reggae on Sundays. Find the full calendar here.
San Francisco Free Folk Festival (7/16): The annual San Francisco Folk Festival is free and offers a variety of dance and music shows, as well as workshops. Guitar, ukulele, waltz, Irish step, and Argentine tango are just a few of the genres you will hear and dance to. In addition, there will be crafts, vendors, and it's one of the San Francisco events in June with fun activities for the whole family.
Up Your Alley Street Fair (7/31): This popular leather and fetish street fair is not for the faint of heart. It's one of the San Francisco event sin July that draws in more than 15,000 people each year and is dedicated to those that love leather, whips, toys and so much more. The event is held in the South of Market District on Dore Alley between Howard and Folsom. See their site for more details.
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival: The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival is an ongoing summer event offering free entertainment every week from now through October. Find a comfy spot on the Yerba Buena Gardens lawn in SoMa and enjoy live outdoor music, dance, and theater performances that feature both well-known and emerging artists. These shows are a great way to get exposed to classical, jazz, and traditional ethnic music and dances. Get the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival details.
Frozen Film Festival (7/13 - 7/17): The largest SF film festival in July is the Frozen Film Festival. It offers independent film makers, youth, and underserved communities with great talent but few screening opportunities, a place to show their work to a wide audience.
LaborFest SF (TBD): LaborFest is an annual month-long event that discusses and educates the public on the struggles of everyday workers from around the world. It features almost two dozen events including documentary films, discussions, and presentations. You can also join in on their walking tours and annual boat tour. Most of the events are free or request a small donation.
Orchids in the Park (7/30 & 7/31): This year's Orchids in the Park is in July at the San Francisco County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park. On display, you will find thousands of gorgeous orchids for sale. The event runs from 10am to 5pm both days. It's one of the more colorful San Francisco events in July. Find out more on their site.
Fillmore Jazz Festival (Moved to October 2022): The largest jazz festival on the west coast takes place on the weekend before Fourth of July in San Francisco. This is one of the fun San Francisco events in July that offers free live jazz music all weekend long. The festival also features dozens of local artists showcasing their work, top gourmet goodies from SF eateries, and other fun activities. Uncover more details for this year's event.
SF Bay Daytime, Sunset & Dinner Cruises in July
One of the best San Francisco events in July is our popular cruises. You can head out on the water during the day for the 60-minute bay cruise, the bridge-to-bridge cruise or the high-speed Rocketboat adventure.
As the sun goes down, you will also find a number of popular happy hour, sunset, and dinner cruises. Almost all of them cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, near Alcatraz, and along the SF Shoreline. You will get some amazing views of the entire SF Bay Area from the boats.
Many of these run daily and it's an experience you will never forget. Here are just a few of the top options. Click the links for more details and ticketing information.
SF Bay Cruise: 60-Minute cruise around the bay with narration
Sunset Sailing Cruise: 1.5 hour cruise that leaves at 7pm in July, includes both indoor and outdoor seating, two drinks and light appetizers with each ticket
Sporting Events
SF Giants
Dates: 8/1 - 8/4, 8/12 - 8/14, 8/15 - 8/18, 8/29 - 8/31
Location: Oracle Park in the SoMa District
Tickets: Find tickets for all games this month
Baseball season is in full swing and SF Giants games are some of the most popular San Francisco events in August. This month, they play thirteen home games. They play host to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and the San Diego Padres.
All home games are at Oracle Park in the SoMa District.
>> Discover the full SF Giants August schedule of home games
Oakland A's
Dates: 8/6 - 8/7, 8/8 - 8/10, 8/19 - 8/21, 8/22 - 8/24, 8/25 - 8/28
Location: Coliseum in Oakland
Tickets: Find tickets for all games this month
You can also head across the bay to catch a game with the Oakland A's. This month, they play 15 home games. Teams visiting this month include the New York Yankees, the San Francisco Giants, and the Seattle Mariners.
The Oakland Coliseum, where the A's play, is an easy BART ride from SF. It takes about 20 minutes by train to the stadium and the station in Oakland is less than a 5 minute walk away from the game.
>> More details about attending an Oakland A's game
49ers Pre-Season Games
Dates: 8/12
Location: Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara
Tickets: Find tickets for both games
NFL fans, this is the month you have been waiting for, when football is back in force in the Bay Area!
They play one pre-season game in August. They host the Green Bay Packers at 5:30 pm.
>> More details about seeing a 49ers game
Giant Race
Date: 7/20 - 7/21
Location: Ends at Oracle Park
Baseball fans and sports fans, there may not be a game this Sunday morning, but you still have a great excuse to visit Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Starting and ending at the ballpark, there will be a half marathon, 10K, 5K, kids race, and family relay. Celebrate fitness at the home of the Giants with this fun, outdoor, family-friendly event.
This is one of the San Francisco events in September that sells out every year, so make sure to register today!
>> More info and registration
Theater Performances in August
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Curran Theater
Dates: August 1 - 31
Tickets: Find tickets for all performances
Head over to the Curran Theatre for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This popular show tells the story of Potter's oldest son and the struggles he faces as he gets older.
If you love Harry Potter stories, this is one you won't want to miss! It's on stage all month long with shows every Tuesday - Sunday. They also offer two shows on the weekends.
>> Additional upcoming theater performances
Ideas to Help You Plan Your Stay
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour: The best way to get around San Francisco is on the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour. It runs from 9 am to 6 pm and takes you directly from one attraction to the next. You can select from their 24- or 48-hour tour. They also have a cool night tour. The Big Bus Tour Company is the most popular and highly rated option. Visit this site to learn more.
VRBO: Want to experience San Francisco like a local? Use VRBO to book a condo, room, or other local accommodation for your stay. Visit VRBO to find places to stay throughout SF and the SF Bay Area.
CityPass: Save up to 44% on 4 of San Francisco's top attractions with the CityPass. This discount card includes admission to the California Academy of Sciences and a Blue & Gold Fleet Cruise. In addition, you can visit two other attractions of your choice from the following four options: Aquarium of the Bay, SF Zoo, Walt Disney Museum, and the Exploratorium. Visit this site to learn more.
Museums: Free Days, Exhibits & Other Events
Free Days: Save money while you explore some of SF's top museums. This month, you can step inside the Asian Art Museum at no cost to check out their permanent collection. You can also head over to the Conservatory of Flowers to admire their colorful plants or head to the de Young for a look at their contemporary art pieces on display. These are just some of the San Francisco events in August you do not want to miss! Find the full calendar of free museum days this month.
Museum Exhibits: This August, you will find a variety of interesting traveling exhibits at our top museums such as the Asian Art Museum, the Legion of Honor and the SF Museum of Modern Arts. Here are just a few of the top options this month.
Nightlife at the California Academy of Sciences (8/4, 8/11, 8/18, & 8/25): Enjoy the California Academy of Sciences with other 21+ nature and science lovers at their weekly Nightlife event. Each week, they feature an evening event with cocktails and fun activities. The event is every Thursday night in August from 6 pm to 10 pm. Each week is also a new theme, so you can learn more about a certain topic that relates to science or the museum. Previous topics include Golden State Nightlife, Smoked Nightlife, Beer Garden Nightlife, and Big Picture Nightlife. It's a great way to learn more about the nocturnal life at the museum. Learn more about the California Academy of Sciences.
Outside Lands Festival and Other Concerts in August
Dates: 8/5 - 8/7
Location: Golden Gate Park
Tickets: Find tickets for this year's festival
One of our largest music festival, Outside Lands, takes place every August. This three day festival is in Golden Gate Park and offers a number of well known international performers.
This festival includes almost a dozen performers on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Headliners this year include Green Day, Post Malone, and SZA.
>> Learn more about it here
More Live Music
You will find concerts every night of the week during August in San Francisco. Larger venues include the Chase Center, the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, and the Fillmore. You will find some of the first shows in over a year at venues such as Bimbo's 365, the Warfield, and The Independent.
Click the link below for a schedule of the best upcoming live music shows in San Francisco and around the SF Bay Area.
>> See the full concert schedule for dates, tickets, and more
Additional Places to Listen to Live Music
Stern Grove Festival (8/7 & 8/14): Enjoy the last few live music performances in beautiful Stern Grove each Sunday this month until August 14. All shows start at 2 pm and are free. You must reserve your spot in advance and then it's first come, first served when you arrive. See the Stern Grove schedule and plan your outing today.
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival: The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival is one of the ongoing San Francisco events in August with weekly performances. They last all summer long from May through October. The live outdoor music, dance, and theater performances bring both well-known and emerging artists to stage, and portray a variety of ethnic and cultural groups. Find out more about this year's Yerba Buena Gardens Festival.
Comedy in SF
San Francisco events in August include a variety of laugh-out-loud performances, including stand up at the comedy clubs, improv shows, and musical comedies.
Click the link below to find out who's performing this month at Cobb's Comedy Club. Make sure to enjoy one of these San Francisco events in August during your stay.
>> Check out the full calendar and links to special shows
Festivals, Street Fairs & Other Events in SF this August
Here are some of this year's top festivals and street fairs this month.
Festa Coloniale Italiana (8/27): Held right in the heart of the North Beach neighborhood (SF's Little Italy), this free street festival is a great family and cultural event. Head over to Stockton Street, just across from the famed Washington Square Park, to enjoy delicious Italian food, a pizza toss, specialty Italian handicrafts, wine tasting, and live performances featuring Moreno Fruzzetti.
Nihonmachi Street Fair (8/6 & 8/7): The Nihonmachi Street Fair is held in SF's Japantown district each year. It's one of the weekend-long San Francisco events in August that celebrates Asian Pacific American cultures. During this event, you can sample traditional food, listen to live entertainment, and enjoy activities with your kids. Uncover details for this year's event
Aloha Poly Fest (8/27): This year's annual Aloha Polyfest takes place along the Marina Green West in SF's Marina District. This free event is a great place to learn more about Polynesian, Melanesian, and Micronesian cultures through music, food, and other activities. You can also visit the Marketplace for unique and rare items for sale. The kids zone offers face painting and several hands on activities. It runs from 11 am to 5 pm.
Pistahan Parade and Festival (TBD): Free admission. Experience the beauty of Filipino art, dance, music, and food at the 26th edition of this two-day festival, known to be the largest celebration of Filipino Americans in the U.S. This event is fun for the whole family, and admission is free. Go to the Pistahan website to find out more.
Jerry Day (8/13): Jerry Garcia was born in San Francisco and lived most of his childhood in the Excelsior District. Started in 2002, Jerry Day is a day to celebrate this talented artist that brought so much music and love to the world. The events for Jerry Day are held in McLaren Park (45 John F. Shelley Drive) near the Excelsior District. The event includes talented artists that will bring you the best of Jerry's music. You will also be able to buy plenty of food and drinks from local vendors. This is one of the free San Francisco events in August. Gates open at 11am and the music starts at 11:30am.
Cruises from Fisherman's Wharf
You will love the variety of cruises offered from Fisherman's Wharf. They include some popular day cruises such as the 60-Minute Bay Cruise Adventure, the Bridge-to-Bridge Cruise, and the Escape from the Rock. Thrill seekers also love the high-speed Rocketboat ride that runs throughout the Summer and Fall months.
We also have a number of fun evening cruises. The include more casual options such as the Red & White California Sunset Cruise or the Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise. There are also some fun Happy Hour Cruises a few nights a week as well as higher end Dinner Cruises.
Food Tours
San Francisco is a food lovers dream. Some of the best San Francisco events in August revolve around our hot food scene.
Almost every day of the week, you will find a variety of food tours. The offer you the chance to sample some of SF's most famous dishes and cuisines from around the world. You can sample Dim Sum in Chinatown, Central and South American dishes in the Mission, or some of our best Italian goodies in North Beach.
The tours usually last about 2 to 3 hours and include small samples of a variety of dishes. As you walk from place to place, you will also learn more about the district, the restaurants you visit, and the foods you sample.
Here are some of our most popular food tours.
North Beach & Little Italy Food Tour: Sample some of the best pizza, pastas, breads and other Italian treats on this 3-hour tour of North Beach, this behind the scenes tour also includes samples of fresh coffee and local olive oils, leaves three times a day in August, find ticketing availability.
Chinatown & North Beach Food Tour: Taste treats from two of our top foodie districts, sample dim sum, egg tarts, and other traditional Chinese dishes in Chinatown and then head next door to North Beach for some Italian treats, 3-hour tour runs most days of the week, find tickets for this tour.
Napa Valley Tours
Some of our most ask about San Francisco events in August are our tours to Napa Valley. This Northern California wine region creates some of the best wines in the world.
They are well known for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. In addition, you will also find a wide variety of other top wines including Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and many others.
The region is just over an hour north of San Francisco. Many companies offer a full day tour that runs for about 8 to 10 hours. During the day, you will often stop at around 3 to 4 tours with tastings at most places. Some tours include the price of the tastings and some don't.
A guided tour is a great way to leave the driving to someone else so you can taste as much of the amazing wines here as you want. All tours leave from and return to SF.
Here are just a few of my favorites.
Napa & Sonoma Full Day Tour: Visit three wineries including a large facility to a smaller boutique winery, visit both Napa & Sonoma on this full day trip that runs for about 8 hours, all three tastings included with your ticket, stop for lunch is not included, learn about wine making from experts in both of these regions, find tickets for August.
Redwoods & Wine Country: This 9 to 10 hour tour includes a stop in the morning at Muir Woods National Park. You'll then head north to wine country to taste at up to 3 wineries. You'll have lunch on your own in the historic Sonoma Plaza, leaves from SF daily.
Additional SF Bay Area Events
Fremont Festival of the Arts (8/6 & 8/7): This annual arts & crafts festival features more than 500 different vendors. In addition to handmade crafts, you will also find plenty of food trucks, beer, wine, and even margaritas. This fair is great for the entire family since there are street performers and face painters. There are also two stages with continuous live music all day long. You will also find a whole section just for the kids with rides, games and shows. The event is from 10 am to 6 pm in downtown Fremont. It is free admission for all.
Napa Town & Country Fair (8/11 - 8/14): This year's Napa Town & Country Fair runs for three days. It's a great place to find the best meat, fruits, vegetables, and wines from local growers and producers. In addition, you will find find plenty of fun activities for the entire family.
San Jose Jazz: Summer Fest (8/12 - 8/14): All you really need to know is that there are several stages of music including Jazz, Blues, Salsa, R&B, and more at the annual San Jose Jazz Summer Fest. Known as one of the best jazz festivals in the USA, this is the place to tap your toes and dance 'til you can't dance anymore.
Silicon Valley Comic Con (8/27 - 8/28): This August in the South Bay, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak presents the premier event in technology and pop culture: The Silicon Valley Comic Con. This convention brings together celebrities, comics, independent artists, cosplay, video games, music, apps, and even more electronics. The event will take place at the San Jose Convention Center.
Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival (8/20 & 8/21): Not only a art, wine and beer festival, this is also a great car show too. The festival has a competition with over 120 different artists bringing their best from around the world. Located at the stunning Skypark, with redwoods all around, this is one of the San Francisco Bay Area events in August that has something for the whole family ranging from food, art, music, drinks and anything else you can imagine. The festival starts at 10 am on both Saturday and Sunday, and ends at 6 pm on Saturday, and 5 pm on Sunday.
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance (8/21): The preeminent car show in the USA is in August again this year. Started in 1950, this show has been home to many of the most exotic, and expensive, cars for over 70 years running. Not only will you see the most beautiful cars, in perfect condition, but you can also watch as bidding starts and buyers do their best to win the car of their dreams. Additional things to do in the Monterey area this month.
Silicon Valley Pride (8/27 & 8/28): One of the most colorful SF Bay Area events in August is Silicon Valley Pride. The party starts at 4 pm, on Saturday night, with the always hilarious "Heroes vs Villains" Party at Cesar Chavez Park. The Saturday night festival starts at 4 pm and ends at 11 pm. The Pride Parade is at 10 am starting at Market Street in San Jose and the festival runs from noon to 6 pm. There is loads of live entertainment, food, drinks, dancing, and everything else you can imagine to show pride in Silicon Valley during these two days.
CrunchyRoll Expo in Santa Clara (8/5 - 8/7, both in person and online): If you are into anime, cosplay, and manga, then the CrunchyRoll Expo cannot be missed. Crunchyroll is the world's largest online home for anime and this 3-day expo will bring together some of the best artists, biggest fans, and best movies from all over. With over 100,000 square feet of space for the convention, you will have more than enough to see and do all weekend long. You are encouraged to cosplay, but you don't need to if you don't want to. Just come and enjoy this incredible event. There are differing levels of tickets available so make sure to check and see which is the best for you.
Oakland Chinatown Streetfest (TBD): Just across the bay from San Francisco is the exciting city of Oakland. The Chinatown festival is a huge draw every year and is always one of the largest SF Bay Area events in August in Oakland. It starts at 10 am, each day, and ends at 5:00 pm. This free festival has over 200 vendors, selling everything from your favorite foods to clothes to toys. The festival has two different stages offering live music and shows all day long. There is a cultural village so you can learn more about the history of the Chinese culture and influence on the USA.
Hayward Zucchini Festival (8/21): With 4 stages of live music, this is way more than a zucchini festival! Bring the entire family and enjoy crafts and art booths, live music, and a special kid's town area with games and activities. The festival runs from 10 am to 8 pm each day and you can try all kinds of special zucchini based foods like zucchini fries, zucchini bread, zucchini pasta, and zucchini cookies and cakes. There are also contests such as longest zucchini, weirdest shaped zucchini, and more. General admission tickets are $10, with seniors (65+), Juniors (5 - 12) and handicapped at $5. Kids under five are free with an adult.
Palo Alto Festival of the Arts (8/27 & 8/28): The gorgeous University Avenue becomes a fine art street fair with over 300 different vendors showing, and selling, their crafts to all. This is one of the best SF Bay Area events in August and always is a great way to spend a few days in the later part of the month. This two day event usually draws around 175,000 people and includes both food and wine booths for you to enjoy. There are also musicians and other entertainers in case you want to take a break and just relax for a while. Don't miss out on one of the largest SF Bay Area events in August. It starts at 10 am and ends at 6 pm each day and is about 40 miles south of San Francisco.
Chocolate & Chalk Art Fair (8/13): Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto is home to this fair which is a treat for your eyes and for your taste buds. Starting at 10 am and ending at 5 pm, you can get your fill of delicious chocolate treats, the chance to enjoy live music, get your face painted and, of course, learn how to do street chalk art. There is even a contest where you can win cash and prizes for the best chalk art. This is a great event for kids of all ages since there are bouncy castles, and balloon twisters for the youngsters. It's also one of the great SF Bay Area events in August for adults as there are several beer and wine booths. Free admission for all.
More Tips to Visit SF in August
More Things to Do: Beyond attending the wonderful events I've outlined above, there are plenty more things to do when you visit San Francisco in August. Read my guide on the best tours, cruises, family activities, restaurants, and nightlife to check out during this time of year. Get more ideas for your August trip to SF.
What to Wear in August: Are you looking for a few ideas on what to pack? If so, then visit my San Francisco weather page for August. I take you through what to expect during the day and night. I also provide you with some tips on what to wear during your stay.