San Francisco in June is packed with things to do. In this one month, there’s SF Pride, Juneteenth and many festivals revolving around art, music and the city’s rich culture. It’s also the beginnings of summer, but don’t be fooled. Though there are sunny days, summer in San Francisco can be deceptively chilly, especially when the fog rolls in at night. Want to know the number one bestselling tourist item in SF? Sweatshirts.
Suffice to say, we’ve done the research for you on the best things to do in San Francisco this month. These festivals, parades, cultural events, food choices and more will ensure that you have plenty of ways to spend your time.
Hungry? 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. Take a peek below and join in on all the fun!
Feature photo by Danny Graham, courtesy of San Francisco Pride.
May 29–June 8
Go to the Roxie Cinema, the oldest art house theater west of the Mississippi, to see some of the best local and international documentaries at SF DocFest. Since 2001, this event has brought the weirdest and most wonderful aspects of real life to the big screen. One highlight for 2024 includes a film about Donn Beach, the “Father of Tiki Culture” (with, of course, an after-party at the Smuggler’s Cove tiki bar). But besides topics that touch on little umbrellas in your drinks, the lineup promises insightful and compelling works about art, memory, history and so much more.
June 13–15
Big bands, combos, choirs and anything else that your mind conjures when you think of the word “jazz.” Over just three days, 35 concerts will pack the schedule of the revamped SF Jazz Festival. Attendees can choose between performances at the performances spaces in the SFJazz Center, or a new outdoor venue just down the street, featuring food, wine, art and vinyl merchants.
Juneteenth Festival
June 14
The newest national holiday to hit the calendar, Juneteenth has long been celebrated within the African American community as a day to commemorate emancipation, progress and Black culture. Within San Francisco, there are lots of ways to honor the holiday, including this free eight-block festival in the Fillmore District, once known as the “Harlem of the West.” A carnival will spring up, complete with a Kids Zone, games and rides, along with plenty of activities for adults. Busy that Saturday? Show up to the Bayview neighborhood’s Gilman Park for a Juneteenth/Father’s Day double-whammy event, packed with music.
More info: juneteenth-sf.org
North Beach Festival
June 14 & 15
There’s always a party in North Beach, but when is there ever a party for North Beach? Well, turns out it’s June 15 & 16, when the Italian neighborhood fills up with vendors, food, libations, music and — fingers crossed — lots of cannoli. This festival is packed with history, which can be seen at the Art, Culture and Heritage Zone, where attendees can walk through a historical photo exhibit that goes back to the original 1954 fair. But it’s not just a nostalgia trip. With over 150 artists and vendors, plus three music stages and four beer gardens, this event is a celebration of the culture that’s alive and well in the city’s Little Italy.
More info: northbeachfestival.org
Stern Grove Festival
June 23–August 25
The Stern Grove Festival is a San Francisco institution, 87 years running. Every Sunday afternoon throughout summer, visitors to the Sigmund Stern Recreation Grove are treated to a free concert from top-line musicians. The June 2024 schedule includes concerts by the Grammy-nominated twin sister duo Tegan and Sara, and another by the psychedelic LA group Chicano Batman. Pro-tip: set a reminder to reserve your ticket one month in advance of the concerts. RSVPs are free, but they can fill up within minutes of opening!
More info: sterngrove.org
San Francisco Pride
June 28 & 29
From a protest march to a parade with an estimated one million yearly attendees, the San Francisco Pride Parade has evolved remarkably since its origins in June, 1970. In a city with an LGBTQ+ history and community as vibrant as San Francisco’s, Pride Month celebrates a key part of the city’s culture. Accordingly, there are events all month long, but the showstopper is the yearly parade from Market and Beale Street to the Civic Center. The procession begins with the lesbian motorcycle squad “Dykes on Bikes” flying by in a blaze of leather and rainbow, followed by many rainbow-bedecked cars, floats and community groups.
More info: sfpride.org
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!
