As the New Year’s celebrations fade into memory, San Francisco continues to offer an unparalleled variety of high-caliber events. In January there are sports, comedy, and other cultural happenings to fill your calendar. And later in the month, the city will kick off a slew of Dr. Martin Luther King celebration events with a march on his birthday. If you’re planning a trip to San Francisco at the start of the year, here are our picks for the best events.
We’ve done the deep research for you on the best things to do in San Francisco. If you’re a foodie, we also have an extensive list of our best restaurants in San Francisco. Staying for a weekend? Check out the best places to stay.
Featured photo by Joshua Sortino, courtesy of Unsplash.
January 2, 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20 and 30
San Francisco
Chase Center, 1 Warriors Way
January is peak basketball season, and the Bay Area’s seven-time NBA champs are a sight to see, with ever-youthful veteran superstar Steph Curry sinking three-pointers from way downtown. This year, January’s schedule pits the Warriors against visiting teams like the Knicks and the Bucks, and presents special themed nights to celebrate Jewish heritage, local teachers and heroes, and more. The state-of-the-art Chase Center is easily accessible from downtown hotels. The T line stops right in front of the arena (Muni fare is comped for ticket holders for any event), and ferries can take attendees to and from the East Bay.
Through January 19
San Francisco
Union Square near the corner of Geary and Powell streets
Didn’t get your full fix of Holiday ice skating? Enjoy skating in Union Square’s ice rink for a few more weeks. Put on your pair (or rental pair) of skates and glide across the fresh ice with your date. After that, you two can warm up with some hot cocoa at Union Square Coffee, then explore the rest of the downtown area.
January 15-February 1
San Francisco
Many small venues throughout the city
A seriously star-studded lineup is hitting this year’s Sketch Fest, a two-week festival of comedy performances in its 23rd year. Sketch comedy, improv, standup, live podcasts, music shows and kids events – all happening at cozy venues throughout the city. This year’s list of visiting performers and special events is nothing short of iconic: there are tributes to “The Women of SNL” and Fresh Off the Boat‘s Randall Park, plus appearances from Kids in the Hall and Janeane Garofalo, just to name a few.
January 19
San Francisco
Yerba Buena Gardens, 750 Howard Street
Honor the civil rights leader with the Northern California Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Foundation. Every year, there is a march from the SF Caltrain station to the Yerba Buena Gardens, where a music festival will follow. Register ahead of time to get free transit to and from the parade; Caltrain, Muni and Golden Gate Ferry are servicing the event. A week of celebration precedes the holiday, including spiritual services, a cosplay soirée and more.
January 21-25
San Francisco
Fort Mason Center Pier 2 and Pier 3
Fog is one of the biggest yearly events for San Francisco’s art and design community. The annual fair draws visitors from all over the Bay Area to the Fort Mason Center, a collection of warehouses perched right on the bay. Emerging and established artists alike jump at the chance to present at Fog. Visitors can browse visual and design work from 45 international galleries, or chat with one of the artists, who are often close at hand to discuss or make sales.
If you can’t get enough of San Francisco’s art scene, consider checking out SF Art Week, a newer series of arts event that unites galleries around the Bay Area from January 17–25. Many galleries on the map are close to downtown, with more in other neighborhoods or across the bay in Oakland and Marin.
January 30-31
San Francisco
Regency Ballroom, 1300 Van Ness Avenue
Dress up in your best corset, or don a top hat for a decadent evening at San Francisco’s Regency Ballroom. Two evenings of cabaret, art, fashion and shopping, the Edwardian Ball honors the work of writer Edward Gorey with an immersive party borrowing some aesthetics of late-nineteenth century England. The weekend also promises pre-show vendor bazaars, plus an afternoon tea event to catch performances over a delightful cup of chamomile.
Event Venues
Looking to see what’s happening right now in SF? Our comprehensive list of venues across the city below will help you find what you need to know what’s going on.
Looking for more things to do in the area?
Visit our What to Do in Northern California page!