Theater and the Arts
The Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Herbst Theater, Van Ness Avenue and McAllister Street.
For more information and to purchase tickets, call 392-4400
San
Francisco Ballet
455 Franklin Street, 861-5600
The
San Francisco Opera
War Memorial Opera House
301 Van Ness Avenue.
For more information and to purchase tickets, call 864-3330
The
San Francisco Symphony
Davies
Symphony Hall, Grove Street between Van Ness Avenue
and Franklin Street.
features a varied program of performances, ranging from
Beethoven to the San Francisco premiere of El Nino,
A Nativity Oratorio. For information, and to purchase
tickets, call the SFS Box Office at 415 864-6000 or
visit
The
Smuin Ballet
710 Mission Street.
978-2787
Yerba
Buena Center for the Arts
For tickets, call 978-ARTS
710 Mission Street. For information, call 978-2700
Annual
Events
January
Grand
National Roadster Show
San Mateo County Exposition Center, 503 236-0632.
The show contains one of the biggest gatherings of roadsters
anywhere, complemented by a NASCAR virtual reality ride
and vintage hot rods.
Berlin
and Beyond Festival
Castro Theater, 263-8760.
This unique German language film festival provides highlights
of recent European cinema.
Chinese
New Year Festival & Parade
Chinatown, 391-9680.
San Francisco's largest festival, highlighted by the
New Year Flower Market on January 20 and 21, a fantastic
parade on February 3, at 5:30 p.m. from Market and Second
Streets to Columbus Avenue and a community street fair
on February 3 and 4.
The
Human Rights Watch International Film Festival
Yerba Buena Center For The Arts, 923-0222.
A film festival representing personal points of view
on threats against political and individual
freedom.
January-April
Whale-watching
can be enjoyed throughout the winter, when hundreds
of gray whales migrate along the Pacific coast. Contact
the California Office of Tourism 801 K St., Suite 1600,
Sacramento 95814, tel. 800-862-2543.
February
San
Francisco Tribal, Folk & Textile Arts Show
Fort Mason, 310 455-2886.
Over 80 folk and ethnic art dealers sell North American
pottery, basketry, textiles and jewelry.
Pacific
Orchid Exposition
Fort Mason Center, 546-9608.
The annual edition of the San Francisco Orchid Society's
show dazzles with dozens of breathtaking floral collections.
Tulip
Mania
PIER 39, 705-5500, www.pier39.com
More than 39,000 brilliantly colored tulips from all
over the world coupled with free
guided tours.
March
San
Francisco International Asian American Film Festival
AMC Kabuki Theaters, 863-0814.
The biggest event in North America dedicated to the
exhibition of Asian American and Asian cinema.
St.
Patrick's Day Parade
Second and Market to the Civic Center, 731-0924.
One of San Francisco's largest annual parades and one
of the longest-running parades in the U.S. Begins at
12:45 p.m. at Second and Market Streets and concludes
at City Hall.
San
Francisco Flower and Garden Show
Cow Palace, 800 829-9751, www.gardenshow.com
Cutting-edge landscape design and high-quality exhibits
of plants and superior gardening
products.
Opening
Day - San Francisco Giants
Pacific Bell Ball Park, 800 5GIANTS 800-544-2687,
April
Street
Performers Festival
PIER 39, 705-5500, www.pier39.com.
Comedians, jugglers, unicyclists, slack ropewalkers
and many more perform on two stages.
Cherry
Blossom Festival
Contact the Japan Center 1520 Webster St., 94115, tel.
415-922-6776.
an
elaborate presentation of Japanese culture and customs,
winds up with a colorful parade through San Francisco's
Japantown.
San
Francisco International Film Festival
AMC Kabuki, Castro Theater and other venues, 931-FILM.
More than 100 films and videos from 30 countries will
be showcased during this annual festival.
Cinco
de Mayo
Parade on Mission Street, Festival in Civic Center Plaza,
826-1401,
A parade and festival featuring Mexican and Central
American art and entertainment. Also included is a classic
low rider and bomb car show with over 80 cars on display.
There will also be a children's area. 11:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m.
San
Francisco Youth Arts Festival
Golden Gate Park, 759-2916.
An annual exhibition and celebration showcasing the
visual and performing arts by San Francisco students
in grades K-12.
Carnaval
Harrison Street, between 16th and 22nd, 826-1401.
San Francisco's version of Mardi Gras, and one of its
largest annual public events, featuring exotic carnaval
dancers with a mixture of Latino, jazz, samba Caribbean,
and
more.
June
Haight
Street Fair
Haight Street, 661-8025.
One of San Francisco's most famous neighborhoods celebrates
its creative roots with arts,
crafts and entertainment.
San
Francisco Black Film Festival
346-0199,
Showcases films that celebrate black independent film
and filmmakers.
Juneteenth
Celebration
Kimball Park, located at Geary and Steiner Streets,
229-1220.
A celebration of African American culture.
San
Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
Castro Theatre and other venues, 703-8663.
More than 250 films from around the globe are showcased
in this 25th annual flick festival, the largest and
oldest event of its kind in the world.
San
Francisco Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender Pride Celebration
Parade
Embarcadero to Civic Center, 864-FREE.
San Francisco's annual celebration of lesbian and gay
pride culminates with a festive
parade from the Embarcadero to the Civic Center
Jewish
Film Festival
Castro Theater and other venues around the Bay Area,
621-0556.
Films from American and international filmmakers showcase
the diversity and vitality of the Jewish culture.
July
Fourth
of July Waterfront Festival
Fisherman's
Wharf, 705-5500.
A day long event featuring the West Coast's largest
display of fireworks, live entertainment, food, arts
and crafts at this annual waterfront party. Fireworks
begin around 9:00 p.m.
Cable
Car Bell-Ringing Competition
Union Square, 923-6217.
Muni cable car operators clang out melodies on a cable
car bell during this annual competition
for top bell-ringer.
August
Afro
Solo Arts Festival 2001
Yerba Center of the Arts & other locations, 771-AFRO.
The Afro Solo Arts Festival features celebrity and emerging
African American artists in various performances such
as theater, dance, music, spoken word and visual arts.
Most shows begin at 8:00 p.m.
Nihonmachi
Street Fair
Japantown and Japan Center, 771-9861.
This Japanese festival features lion dancers, taiko
drummers, Japanese arts and crafts, musical entertainment,
food and children's events.
ACC
Craft Fair
Fort Mason Center,800 836-3470.
This is the largest juried craft fair on the West Coast
featuring necklaces, stoneware bowls and silk goods.
Renaissance
Pleasure Faire
Nut Tree, Vacaville, 800 523-2473.
Journey back to 16th century England with 1,500 brilliantly
costumed performers, jousting knights, rare handmade
crafts, theater, dance, food and drink. 10:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. Weekends only.
September
San
Francisco Shakespeare Festival
Golden Gate Park, 422-2222.
Relax in a tranquil environment and enjoy Shakespeare's
classics, beginning on Labor Day and running every Saturday
and Sunday through September 30. Shows begin at 1:30
p.m. but locals arrive by noon for a seat. Free.
San
Francisco Fringe Festival
Exit Theater and other downtown venues, for information
call 931-1094, for tickets: 673-3847.
A non-juried, non-censored marathon of 260 performances
by 50 local, national and international theater companies
in several locations in downtown San Francisco, with
a broad spectrum of classic theater, performance art
and outrageous comedy.
Festival
of the Sea
Hyde Street Pier, 561-6662.
Re-live San Francisco's seafaring past with a tugboat
rodeo, free boat rides, hands-on activities, a boat-building
contest, hands-on crafts demonstrations and much more.
Ghirardelli
Square Chocolate Festival
Ghirardelli Square, 775-5500.
A chocolate lover's dream. Attendees sample various
chocolate treats including chocolate covered strawberries,
brownies, chocolate cheesecake and more. Proceeds benefit
Project Open Hand.
Vivas
Las Americas!
Pier
39, 705-5500.
Hispanic Heritage is the focus of this event, featuring
music and dance performances commemorating the artistry
of Mexico and Central and South America.
San
Francisco International Art Exposition
Fort Mason Center, Herbst and Festival Pavilion, 312
587-3300.
100 fine art galleries will exhibit, representing the
work of 1500 artists, ranging from painting to drawing
to sculpture to prints and video art.
San
Francisco Blues Festival
Great Meadow at Fort Mason, 979-5588.
The oldest blues festival in America presents some of
the best blues musicians in the world.
Wells
Fargo Fall Cup Regatta
Pier 39, 705-5500, www.pier39.com.
Watch America's Cup participants, Olympic veterans and
former World Champions in two days of fleet-style racing
on the San Francisco Bay. The public is invited to watch
from noon to 5:00 p.m.
October
Italian
Heritage Parade and Festival
tentative Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach, 989-2220.
The City celebrates its Italian heritage with a lively
parade through North Beach, beginning at 1:30 p.m.
San
Francisco Jazz Festival
Various locations, 788-7353.
One of San Francisco's biggest and best musical festivals
features local, national and international jazz artist
performances at locations throughout San Francisco.
The line-up includes many renowned musicians such as
Abbey Lincoln, Jimmy Scott, John McLaughlin, and Zakir
Jussain in Remember Shakti.
October/November
Grand
National Rodeo, Horse and Stock Show
Cow Palace, 469-6057, for tickets, 469-6065.
Enjoy
concerts, art, food, livestock and rodeo competitions
at the annual Grand National.
October
San
Francisco Fall Antiques Show
Fort Mason Center, 546-6661.
Over 65 distinguished antique dealers from America and
Europe sell a broad range of antique merchandise.
November
Film
Arts Festival of Independent Cinema
Castro and Roxie Theaters, 552-8760.
More than 300 films by local artists showcase the richness
and diversity of San
Francisco
and Northern California as a major hub in the independent
film world.
American
Indian Film Festival
Palace of Fine Arts Theater, 554-0525.
Presenting
documentaries and dramas by new and emerging Native
American artists.
San
Francisco International Automobile Show
Moscone Center, 331-4406.
The latest and greatest automobiles in the world at
this annual show.
December
Christmas
at Sea
Hyde
Street Pier, 561-6662.
Climb aboard a historic ship and enjoy caroling, storytelling,
hot cider, cookies, kids'
crafts and a visit from St. Nick.
San
Francisco Ballet Nutcracker
War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Avenue, 865-2000.
America's oldest ballet company, regarded as one of
its finest, presents Tchaikovsky's beloved family classic
every December.
