Upcoming San Francisco Events for Year-Round Excitement

Book a room at Holiday Inn San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Hotel - and let the City by the Bay cast its spell on you. Enjoy wine festivals, art shows, street fairs, and much more; this convenient Fisherman's Wharf hotel provides unrivaled access to an endless array of fun San Francisco events.

San Francisco Calendar of Events | Tickets & Links

AMERICA'S CUP FINALS COME TO SAN FRANCISCO BAY IN 2013

San Francisco Calendar of Events

January, 2013

Zinfandel Festival
January 31 - February 2 | Fort Mason Center | website
The world's most comprehensive wine show dedicated exclusively to Zinfandel wines. Highlights include expert wine pairings, cuisine from over 50 local restaurants and a chance to meet the winemakers.

February, 2013

Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Half Marathon
February 3 | Golden Gate Park | website
The 30th annual half marathon and 5k will include a special half marathon medal commemorating the thirty years of the event.

San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival
February 8-10 | Mare Island | website
The San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival is a celebration of the migration of more than 1 million shorebirds, ducks, geese, hawks and other wildlife through San Francisco Bay.

San Francisco Bluegrass & Old Time Festival
February 8-17 | Throughout San Francisco | website
This nine-day festival brings some of the biggest names in bluegrass music to venues all over the Bay area.

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
February 16 | Fort Mason Center's Festival Pavilion | website
Bay Area visitors and residents will gather to the pavilion by the bay to enjoy wine, food, and companionship.

Pacific Orchid Expo
February 21-24 | Fort Mason Center's Festival Pavilion | website
Celebrates the merging of eastern and western cultures. The placement of lanterns represent the Eastern world's cultural traditions collated to the Western celebration of orchids. Lectures that will extend through the show's three days covering topics of interest to growers of all experience levels.

San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival & Parade
February 23 | Chinatown | website
One of the largest Chinese New Year celebrations in the United States. The festivities include an excited illuminated night parade and a festival with traditional Chinese New Year activities.

March, 2013

Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
March 3 | Starts at Alcatraz Island | website
In the years Alcatraz operated as a prison, no one escaped the shores of the island alive. Thousands gather to participate and see which triathletes can make the 1.5 mile swim, 18 mile bicycle race and 8 mile run.

San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival
March 7-10 | Theatre 39 | website
North America's premier venue for films the explore the importance and concerning issues of today's ocean habitats.

Emerald Across the Bay 12K
March 17 | Starts at East Fort Baker | website
This highlight of this annual 12K is the stunning stretch across Golden Gate Bridge. The beautiful course goes from East Fort Baker, over the bridge, and to Aquatic Park.

Game Developer's Conference
March 25-29 | Moscone Convention Center | website
The Game Developer's Conference is the world's largest and longest-running professionals-only game industry event.

April, 2013

Exploratorium
Opening April 2013 | Pier 15 | website
The Exploratorium is a museum opened by physicist and educator Frank Oppenheimer in 1969 at the Palace of Fine Arts. Over the course of its 43-year history, the museum has garnered over one-thousand participatory exhibits that combine science and art.

Whiskies of the World Expo & Artisanal Spirits Fest
April 6 | Pier 3 Embarcadero @ Washington | website
Visitors will get the chance to taste a variety of whiskies ranging from notable brand names to independent bottlers to some of the rarest bottles in the world.

Transamerica Rock 'n' Roll San Francisco Half Marathon
April 7 | San Francisco Waterfront | website
Marathoners will enjoy the Finish Line Festival, musing along the course, a finisher's medal and two-day Health and Fitness Expo at the Moscone Convention Center.

Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
April 13-14 & April 20-21 | Japantown, SF | website
Over 200,000 attend this joyous celebration of Japanese culture every year. Activities include authentic cuisine, cultural performances, martial arts, live music and two massive parades.

RoboGames 2013
April 19-21 | San Mateo Fairgrounds | website
Anyone can compete in the Olympics of Robots featuring over 50 different events.

San Francisco Int'l Film Festival
April 25 - May 9 | Various Venues | website
Held each spring for 15 days, the International features screenings of almost 200 films and is a gathering of filmmakers, actors, screenwriters and more.

San Francisco New Living Expo
April 26-28 | Concourse Exhibition Center | website
This empowering expo is a major Bay area event. Honored speakers share presentations on sustainable living, spiritual fulfillment and building healthy relationships.

Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show
April 27-28 | Half Moon Bay Airport | website
The show features amazing cars, historic warbirds, a demolition derby and other quirky contraptions.

May, 2013

Uncorked! Wine Festival
2013 Dates TBD | Ghirardelli Square | website
This free-to-attend wine festival features live music, fascinating wine seminars and chef demonstrations. For the full experience, purchase a wine tasting pass for $50. Event proceeds go to charity.

Girl Scouts of America Golden Gate Bridging
May 11 | Golden Gate Park | website
Enjoy a full day of bridging across the Golden Gate Bridge, a picnic lunch, and participating in over 60 booths offering a variety of activities, crafts, and games.

Zazzle Bay to Breakers 12K Foot Race
May 19 | Starts at the Embarcadero | website
This historic 12K will run its 102nd race in 2013. The course is a scenic route from San Francisco Bay at the Embarcadero to the breakers at the Great Highway.

Carnaval San Francisco Festival
May 26-27 | Mission District | website
Started to raise awareness for global cultural traditions, the festival has been ongoing for the last 33 years.

June, 2013

Fillmore Jazz Festival
June 6-7 | Fillmore Street | website
Listen to hot toe-tapping jazz ringing out on Fillmore Street. The Fillmore Jazz Festival is the largest free jazz festival on the west coast.

North Beach Festival
June 15-16 | North Beach | website
San Francisco's famous Little Italy in historic North Beach plays host to this fun family festival. Favorites include arts and crafts booths, gourmet food stands, live entertainment and traditional Italian street painting.

San Francisco Marathon
June 16 | Starts at the Embarcadero | website
San Francisco's biggest running event. The full marathon is an official qualifying event for the Boston Marathon. The highlight of the course is the journey down the roadbed of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Susan G. Komen 3-Day in San Francisco
June 21-23 | San Francisco Bay Area | website
The mild summer temperatures of San Francisco Bay are a perfect fit to this vigorous 3-day, 60-mile walk in support of the Susan G. Komen foundation. It is recommended that potential participants attend a Get Started meeting before making a commitment to the 3-Day Challenge.

San Francisco Pride Celebration & Parade
June 29-30 | Civic Center Plaza | website
San Francisco's LGBT community holds one of the largest pride celebrations in the country. Both the parade and the celebration offer free admission.

July, 2013

San Francisco Theater Festival
2013 Dates TBD | Fort Mason Center | website
San Francisco's whole theater scene will take the spotlight at this annual festival. Over the course of just one day, over 100 shows will be performed. What's even more amazing: admission is free!

SEMICON West
July 9-11 | Moscone Convention Center | website
Thousands gather to revel at new technologies, new device architecture, new materials and new markets at the premier microelectronics event.

August, 2013

Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival
August 9-11 | Golden Gate Park | website
Enjoy music, food, wine, beer and art against a back drop of the Golden Gate Bridge. Some of the biggest names in music gather for three days to play to a crowd of thousands.

Family Winemakers of California – San Francisco Tasting
August 17-18 | Fort Mason Center | website
Sample some of the finest California wines at this chic tasting events. Open to public only on Saturday, August 17.

September, 2013

Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival
2013 Dates TBD| Ghirardelli Square | website
One of the biggest names in chocolate hosts one of San Francisco's most indulgent festivals. Purchase a tasting pass to sample chocolate delicacies, sip fine dessert wines and enjoy fun activities. Proceeds will benefits local charity.

America's Cup Finals
September 7-21 | San Francisco Bay | website
This historic race pits yachts against one another for the title of America's best.

Oracle OpenWorld 2013
September 22-26 | Moscone Convention Center | website
"Where Engineering and Innovation Meet." Attendees of the Oracle OpenWorld 2013 will find affordable rates and effortless convenience at Holiday Inn Fisherman's Hotel, located less than two miles from Moscone Convention Center in the heart of San Francisco's fabulous Fisherman's Wharf entertainment district.

San Francisco Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival
September 22-23 | Chinatown | website
Historic Grant Avenue in Chinatown will be filled with vibrant arts and crafts booths, cultural exhibits, children's activities, food, corporate sponsors and non-stop entertainment. The festivities open with a grand parade.

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - San Francisco
September 28-29 | Begins at Fort Mason | website
An invigorating walk for a great cause. Enjoy a scenic tour of the best of San Francisco - Fisherman's Wharf, Lombard Street and The Golden Gate Bridge - all while raising money and awareness for this important issue.

Folsom Street Fair
September 29 | Folsom and Dore Streets
As a celebration of the culmination of Leather Pride Week, many bars, clubs and organizations throw parties to honor the week.

October, 2013

Nike Women's Marathon
2013 Dates TBD | Course TBA
Train to compete or come out in support of your friends and loved ones participating in the 2013 Nike Women's Marathon.

San Francisco LoveFest
2013 Dates TBD | ATT Park | website
An all day dance and music festival that is kicked off by a parade down the Embarcadero, the festival features the to names in dance and electronic music.

Fleet Week San Francisco
October 11-14 | Marina Green | website
In 2013, U.S. Naval Aviation celebrated its 100th year of service, and Fleet Week San Francisco is the place to show your continued support. Activities include an incredible air show starring the Navy Blue Angels, a parade of Navy ships and live concerts starring the Marine Corps band.

Litquake - Literary Festival
October 11-19 | the Epicenter | website
In 2013, U.S. Naval Aviation celebrated its 100th year of service, and Fleet Week San Francisco is the place to show your continued support. Activities include an incredible air show starring the Navy Blue Angels, a parade of Navy ships and live concerts starring the Marine Corps band.

November, 2013

San Francisco Hip Hop Festival
2013 Dates TBD | Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
This is the first globally recognized festival honoring hip hop dance. 2013 marks the 14th year of the festival.

American Indian Film Festival
2013 Dates TBD | Landmark Embarcadero Center Cinema | website
This prominent festival provides a forum for the films of American Indian and Canada First Nation filmmakers, actors and writers.

Great Dickens Christmas Fair
2013 Dates TBD | Cow Palace | website
Step into the past – Victorian London to be specific – and experience a Christmas celebration like no other. This Bay area tradition is hosted over four weekends in November and December.

Find more exciting San Francisco attractions and things to do year-round.