February
Chinese New Year Festival and Parade - San Francisco's largest festival and most engaging parade takes place in exciting Chinatown. The Chinese New Year is a massively important event in the Chinese culture, but anyone is allowed and encouraged to join in the fun. There will be exhilarating street performances, elaborate costumes, and explosive fireworks. The highlights of the festivities are the New Year Flower Market, a community street fair, and the parade. It's like the most exuberant Broadway show right on the streets of Chinatown.
San Francisco Arts of Pacific Asia Show - Hundreds of thousands of years ago, civilizations from across Pacific Asia were formed, and through the use of sophisticated tools, they began to thrive. Nine years ago, Bill Caskey and Elizabeth Lees began displaying and selling some of these now ancient tools and artifacts. Their tradition, like the Asian cultures, has continued to thrive.
This year marks the 9th annual Arts of Pacific Asia Show, which is a display of rare, ancient artifacts and antiques from India, Nepal, China, Japan, Indonesia, and Korea. Most items will be for sale. All items will be extraordinary.
Tulipmania Festival - Ever seen a tulip? Do you like tulips? Have you ever seen more than 39,000 tulips in one spot? Even if they aren't your favorite flower, it's an easy bet that you'll be simply amazed by the sight of more than 39,000 gorgeous tulips from across the globe. Experience the world through a single flower.
March
St. Patrick's Day Parade - One of San Francisco's largest annual parades, behind the Chinese New Year parade, is the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Live music, dancing, and of course some green beverages will be the order of the day as one of the longest-running parades in the U.S. guarantees to be a blast for everyone involved, green-blooded or not.
April
Cherry Blossom Festival - The first Cherry Blossom Festival took place in April of 1967, when the country was being torn apart by civil rights and war issues. The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival began as a display of Japanese cultural heritage and pride, but the organizers were stunned when community groups from all over the state joined together to participate in the festival, putting their differences and disagreements aside.
Today, the Cherry Blossom Festival is still going strong. Now two full weekends long, the festival is full of Japanese dancing and singing, arts and crafts, tasty delicacies, and martial arts exhibitions. When many cultures come together to celebrate the beauty of one, diversity and understanding reaches a new high.
May
Carnaval San Francisco - The Fiesta de Tambores is a massive event featuring samba music, dress, and dance. The streets become an enormous wave of people as the citizens of San Francisco flock to their version of Mardi Gras. One of the city's largest annual public events, the Carnaval San Francisco is a non-stop celebration of life and is a complete joy to witness and participate in.
Albersons Bay to Breakers Foot Race - A 7.46 mile race up a steep hill that peeks at 215 feet above sea level before gently careening downhill alongside the Golden Gate Park. Anyone can enter the race, and spectators are encouraged to walk the path with the racers.
June
Haight Street Fair - The largest concert you'll ever hear or see takes place in the streets of San Francisco. How large? Five-blocks long.
The Haight Street Fair has a five-block area serving a variety of foods and beverages and arts and crafts. What makes this fair special, however, are the two huge stages offering a steady stream of music from rock and jazz newcomers to punk and blues legends, and everything in between. Who needs Woodstock?
July
Fourth of July Waterfront Festival - For the Fourth of July, San Francisco gathers at Fisherman's Wharf for a birthday blowout extravagance. This monstrous waterfront party features live entertainment, food, arts and crafts, and the West Coast's largest display of fireworks.
Ghirardelli Square's Fourth of July Celebration - For a smaller scale Independence Day celebration, people can gather at Ghirardelli Square for family activities and live performances.
August
San Francisco Aloha Festival - Aloha (hello), The Aloha Festival, sponsored by Pacific Islanders Cultural Association, is a free event celebrating and showcasing Pacific Island culture and tradition with Polynesian music and dance, island food, and over 90 vendors selling arts and crafts. There are also educational exhibits, workshops, and kid games. Aloha (goodbye).
September
San Francisco Grand Prix Cycling Event - San Francisco Grand Prix Cycling Event is a 109-mile biking event winding through the hilly streets of San Francisco. If you don't think your legs are strong enough to compete, stand on the sidelines and watch these amazing athletes in action.
Cirque du Soleil - The stunning circus troupe performs their unforgettable extravaganza "Varekai" on a regular basis. Tickets are required and it is suggested you order them weeks in advance.
December
Christmas at Sea - Arr, me matie. It be that jolly time er year again. So hop aboard me old sea vessel and prepare yeeself for a Christmas ye won't soon forget. Landlubbers get to participate in caroling, storytelling, hot cider, cookies, and kids crafts aboard a real ship. I hope ye brought yer sea legs. Arrrrrrrrrrrr.
Sources:
http://www.sfvisitor.org
Accessed December 21, 2004
www.san-francisco-travel-services.com
Accessed December 21, 2004
www.lonelyplanet.com
Accessed December 21, 2004