Annual Events Calendar

JANUARY

Ballet Season opens at The San Francisco War Memorial. Call 415-621-6600.

During Dine about Town, up to 150 restaurants offer deeply discounted menus.

FEBRUARY

The festive Chinese New Year Parade features elaborate floats and costumes.

The Golden Gate Kennel Club Dog Show is the largest dog show in the West.

The Crab Festival offers cooking demonstrations and tastings featuring succulent Dungeness Crab. Visit Only in San Francisco for more information.

MARCH

The St Patrick's Day Parade marches down Market Street. Local bars are packed with party-goers.

The San Francisco Flower and Garden Show takes place just south of the city at the San Mateo Events Center.

The Cherry Blossom Festival gets under way at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park.

APRIL

The San Francisco International Film Festival presents work by up and coming filmmakers in various venues throughout the city. Call 925-866-9559.

Easter Services are presented at sunrise on Mount Davidson, the highest point in San Francisco. The spectacular 103-foot concrete cross is illuminated on this day.

MAY

The Cinco de Mayo Parade and Celebration takes place in the Mission District.

JUNE

The Gay Pride Parade is the largest of its kind in the U.S.

JULY

Fireworks light up the skyline from the Ferry Building to Fisherman’s Wharf. Visit Forth of July in San Francisco

The San Francisco Symphony Pops perform summer concerts at the Civic Auditorium. For more information call 415-864-6000.

Summer in the City brings popular music concerts to Davies Hall. Visit The San Francisco Symphony or call 415-864-6000.

More than 20,000 runners compete in five events during the San Francisco Marathon.

AUGUST

The Nihonmachi Street Fair celebrates Asian and American comunities with a variety of performances and activities.

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus is presented at Cow Palace.

SEPTEMBER

Opera Season begins with a formal ball at The War Memorial Opera House. Call 415-621-6600 for more information.

The San Francisco Blues Festival draws a spirited crowd at the Great Meadow at Fort Mason. For more information call 979-5588.

OCTOBER

Fleet Week comes to town with a parade of vessels under the Golden Gate Bridge.

Litquake features readings, stories and literary happenings all over town.

The San Francisco Jazz Festival takes place in venues throughout the city. For schedules and tickets call 415-398-5655. During Artspan’s Open Studios artists open their workplaces to the public every weekend throughout the month.

NOVEMBER

The Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) procession is held in the Mission.

17,000 lights outline the buildings of the Embarcadero Center during the holiday light celebration; performances and special events augment the occasion.

The nk.html Embarcadero Center Holiday Ice Rink opens at Justin Herman Plaza 956-2688

DECEMBER

Huntington Park Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place atop Nob Hill; Festivities begin at Grace Cathedral.

The Dickens Christmas Fair presents a Victorian holiday with a range of entertainment at Cow Palace.

The San Francisco Bowl takes place on New Year's Eve ay AT&T Park.