Easter in San Francisco: Big Wheels, Hunky Jesus, and more

Posted by Sarah on Apr 1, 2010

In San Francisco for Easter weekend?

Spend Saturday night dancing in the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts galleries, then sleep in Sunday before checking out the Hunky Jesus contest in Dolores Park and prepping your plastic tricycle for a race down Potrero Hill.

Families can get in on the fun too, with a few kid-friendly egg hunts and festivals around town.

Bring Your Own Big Wheel tricycle race
Vermont and 20th streets
Sunday, April 4, 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
The prizes are handmade and there are no bathrooms or garbage cans, but the 10th annual Big Wheel race on Potrero Hill promises hilarity for all. Dozens of contestants (many in costume) will race big-wheeled plastic children’s tricycles down the curviest street in San Francisco during the free outdoor event.

There’s no registration cost, but donations and help cleaning up afterward are certainly accepted. Check Craigslist or Goodwill if you need a set of wheels, but remember rubber tires aren’t allowed, and witnessing the event firsthand is almost as good as racing in it.

Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Easter Celebration & Hunky Jesus Contest
Dolores Park
Sunday, April 4, Children’s event 11 a.m. - noon, Adult event 12 - 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a cross-dressing order of queer "nuns," host their 31st annual Easter celebration, which starts at 11 a.m. with a children’s event, and continues at noon with the adult fun.

This year’s party has an Alice in Wonderland theme, and features the annual Hunky Jesus contest, an Alice in Wonderland burlesque show, and other music performances.

Big Idea Night Party
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Saturday, April 3, 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Cost: Free
It’s a dance party, and there’s no cover charge. Need we say more?

Hosted by San Francisco’s Yerba Beuna Center for the Arts in conjunction with thePeople collective of Oakland, the party spotlights our neighbors-across-the-bay as "a nexus of the hottest underground dance music, art, fashion, food, and dance."

Feel the bass with West London’s Daz-I-Due, lift your soul with the deep funk of DJs Cecil, Cali, and Be Brown, experience power-painting, be part of the PEACE Photo Project, and take a break from all that dancing in the art galleries, which are open until 1 a.m.

There’s a cash bar as well as food vendors. RSVP online to skip the line on Saturday.

Spring Eggstravaganza
Stern Grove
Saturday, April 3, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Cost: $5
Celebrate a more kid-friendly Easter at this annual festival in Stern Grove.

Put on by the city of San Francisco, the Eggstravaganza will feature egg hunts, carnival rides, giant inflatables, arts & crafts, entertainment, food stalls, and more.

Union Street Spring Celebration
Union Street, between Gough and Fillmore
Sunday, April 4, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
For the past 19 years, the Union Street Spring Celebration and Easter Parade has been known as the "Biggest Little Parade in San Francisco," and has grown over the years to reflect the unique community of the Bay Area.

Not your average street fair or formal parade, this celebration offers everything from roller-blading cows and self-propelled mini-floats to garden areas, sophisticated fashions, and beautiful classic and art cars, all set in one of San Francisco’s premier shopping districts.

The event also features a variety of children’s and family activities — including a petting zoo, pony rides, games, and rides — live music, and food served in an outdoor bistro setting by some of Union Street’s best restaurants.