Wondering about the best things to do in San Francisco this July? This month, street fairs reign supreme, with music festivals, carnivals and dance parties popping up all over the city. And, with the Fourth of July coming round once again, you can enjoy the breathtaking sights of fireworks (if you can see them through the fog).
Don’t forget to pack a jacket! Summer days in SF can be warm, but the temperature can drop quickly, especially when the wind is blowing.
Looking for more cool activities to do during summer in SF? We’ve got you covered. We’ve got even more coverage of the best things to do in San Francisco, including museums, cultural events, food tours and more. Speaking of food — we also have an extensive list of our best restaurants in San Francisco, and if you’re planning a weekend, the best places to stay.
Featured photo: Fillmore Jazz Fest by Lynn Friedman, courtesy of Fillmore Merchants Association.
July 4
What would Independence Day be without the famous foggy Fourth of July fireworks display over the bay? Thousands flock to the waterfront in hopes of clear skies after spending the day enjoying Pier 39 and surrounding neighborhoods. The first boom begins at about 9:30pm. Pro tip: Don’t drive, as parking can get pretty intense.
July 5 & 6
Blending art and soul in one of the country’s most unique neighborhoods, the San Francisco Fillmore Jazz Festival is the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, drawing over 100,000 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 12 blocks of fine art and crafts and enjoy gourmet food and beverages.
July 19 & 20
Circus Bella organizes free performances all around the Bay Area, with two shows happening in San Francisco this July. July 14’s performance promises a show in Salesforce Park atop downtown’s grand transit center. And on July 20, you can see the circus roll up to Hayes Valley for the neighborhood’s new annual carnival. The Hayes Valley Carnival is actually a revival of a tradition that began 113 years ago as a celebration of George Washington’s birthday. After a century-long hiatus, the neighborhood is flipping and spinning once again.
Dates TBD
A block in the Mission shuts down one Saturday per month for a vibrant salsa dance party. The festivities go from 5–8 p.m., and a Cuban dance instructor will lead a dance lesson to kick things off. Look out for Tacolicious slinging tacos al pastor, cerveza, margaritas and more, plus DJ JuanLove bringing the music.
July 26 & 27
Golden Gate Park — an environment already lush with beautiful flowers — is blooming with even more spectacular flora. The San Francisco Orchid Society’s annual orchid sale fills the SF County Fair Building with plant vendors and educational demonstrations. Stack your wagon with new plant friends or simply waltz through a beautiful display of orchids from around the world.
July 25–27
Like most big cities, San Francisco has an annual marathon that draws runners from far and wide. This USATF-certified road race has been running continuously since 1977, sans a few years in between. 2020 is a notable example. Races include 5K, 10K, a 1K perfect for families, two half marathons, one full marathon and even an ultramarathon (two marathons over two days). Some races even cross the Golden Gate Bridge.
All month
Every summer, the San Francisco Symphony amps up their programming with orchestra-accompanied film screenings, concerts with special guests and tribute shows for prolific musicians. This year, you can look forward to performances like The Little Mermaid in concert, two nights with songwriter extraordinaire John Legend, a symphonic tribute to the Beatles and more. You can even catch a free concert by the orchestra at Stern Grove Festival on July 7.
Settle in with a bag of peanuts and pint of beer at a ballpark with spectacular bay views. Oracle Park may be the most scenic baseball stadium in the country — at least according to Giants fans, it is. The Giants play four series at home this month, going head-to-head against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Minnesota Twins, the Colorado Rockies and the Oakland A’s. The A’s series should be a historic matchup, as it’s one of the last series that the teams will be playing as cross-bay rivals (before the A’s move to Sacramento, and then Las Vegas).
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!
