Kick off summer at San Francisco’s neighborhood street fairs
May 18, 2007
San Francisco loves a street party any time of the year, but June is especially rich with free, weekend festivals where visitors can revel in the distinct cultural and culinary traditions of the city’s diverse neighborhoods. From the Haight-Ashbury Street Fair to the Fillmore Jazz Festival, North Beach to Union Street, be there when San Franciscans come out to celebrate the city’s most beloved ‘hoods.
Union Street Festival
Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3, 10 am - 6 pm
Union Street between Gough and Steiner
Free
The 31st annual Union Street Festival is one of San Francisco’s largest free art festivals. More than 100,000 attendees come from all over the U.S. to enjoy the event. The festival features 200 artists, 20 gourmet food booths, live entertainment on two stages, bistro-style cafes, spacious wine and beer gardens, and a large family adventure area with children’s activities and hands-on art projects.
The festival is held on Union Street in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow district. The district was one of the first neighborhoods in San Francisco to convert its historic Victorians into popular boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. From an architectural perspective, the distinct turn-of-the-century atmosphere makes a walk along Union Street a delightful journey back in time. At the same time, the atmosphere along modern day Union Street is fashionable, upscale, and anything but old-fashioned.
Haight-Ashbury Street Fair
Sunday, June 10, 11am - 5pm
Haight Street between Stanyan and Masonic
Free
The Haight-Ashbury Street Fair celebrates the cultural history and diversity of one of San Francisco’s most internationally celebrated neighborhoods. Now in its 30th year, this annual fair features arts and crafts, food booths, two musical stages, and more. In past years, featured bands have included the Jefferson Starship/Airplane, The Tubes, Metallica, and Noel Redding (Jimi Hendrix Experience), among many others, including emerging artists and community musical groups.
North Beach Festival
Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and 17, 10am - 5pm
Washington Square Park, the 1200-1500 blocks of Grant Avenue, and adjacent streets in North Beach
Free
Celebrate Father’s Day, Italian-style at the 53rd annual North Beach Festival in San Francisco. The North Beach Festival is the oldest urban street fair in the country, attracting more than 150,000 visitors annually. Each year the event promotes the Italian and Beat history of San Francisco’s North Beach area as well as highlighting entertainers and craftspeople from throughout the nation.
Enjoy live music in the heart of Washington Square Park, stroll through booths of juried arts and crafts, or taste fine cuisine from some of San Francisco’s best restaurants–the festival has something for every taste, from the artistic to the eclectic and everything in between. Other highlights include pizza–tossing demonstrations by champion Tony Gemignani, animal blessings at the National Shrine of St. Francis, Arte di Gesso (Italian street chalk art), poetry readings, and two beer gardens.
Fillmore Jazz Festival
Saturday and Sunday, June 30 and July 1, 10am - 6pm
Fillmore Street, between Jackson and Eddy
Free
Blending art and soul in one of the country’s most unique neighborhoods, the Fillmore Jazz Festival is the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, drawing over 90,000 visitors over the Independence Day weekend.
From sunup to sundown, visitors can groove to the sounds of live music from multiple stages, browse the offerings of over eight blocks of fine art and crafts, and enjoy gourmet food and beverages. Asian to Cajun, paintings to pottery, old favorites and new directions, the Fillmore Jazz Festival is not to be missed.