Summer may be notoriously chilly in San Francisco, but spring is the time when a fever to get outside hits the city. After a rainy winter season, residents and tourists alike want to venture out and explore. A beloved way to enjoy all the wonderful weirdness that San Francisco has to offer is to partake in one of the many spring festivals. If there’s one thing for certain, this city loves any excuse for a party, which means there’s a 2017 spring festival in San Francisco happening in almost every neighborhood. Below are our top picks, from Danielle Lazier :: SFhotlist Team and COMPASS San Francisco.
Some of the most fun 2017 spring festivals in San Francisco include food, music and cultural events. Sip a micro-brewery beer, listen to a Mexican band, or chow down on some of the best food the city has to offer.
Earth Day Festival
Give a little love to Mother Earth this year at the Earth Day Festival at the Civic Center. This year’s festival will be an important way to voice your concerns over climate change, fossil fuels, and global warming.
You’ll get to listen to top scientists talk about how climate change is affecting the earth in a myriad of ways. There will also be opportunities to shop for earth friendly products. Sample a few of the eco-friendliest beauty products before getting a glimpse of this year’s most fuel-efficient cars.
International Film Festival
San Francisco’s International Film Festival kicks off for a few weeks at the beginning of April. Here, you’ll get to premiere some of the year’s best indie films, shorts, and documentaries. You’ll get up close and personal with over 150 films and meet filmmakers from more than 50 countries.
Find out what films are going to be the biggest hits at the box office before the general public does.
Glen Park Festival
The Glen Park Festival is perfect for those who love festivals but can’t decide on whether they should attend one for food, music, or shopping. Here, you’ll get to taste some of the most amazing food the city has to offer. You’ll also get to shop some of Glen Park’s most coveted boutiques and shops. Some of this year’s lineup includes: Aemilia Atelier, Divine Jelly, and Granny Panty Designs.
There’s also plenty of entertainment for the whole family. Live music and impromptu performances will happen throughout the festival. The best part of this festival is that all the proceeds go directly to the Glen Park community, so you can feel good at the same time that your family has a blast.
Cherry Blossom Festival
Cherry blossoms are some of nature’s most gorgeous gifts. Enjoy the splendor of blossoms that color the city pink in the springtime. The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates Japanese culture and includes a parade, martial arts performers, and live music performances.
The festival takes place just when the cherry blossoms are in peak bloom and is held in Japantown on Post Street between Laguna and Fillmore Streets. This year the Grand Parade begins at the Civic Center on Sunday, April 16 at 1:00pm. Japanese classical (Buyo) and folk dance (Minyo) groups representing the Bay Area will perform throughout the parade route like a myriad of floating butterflies.
Cinco de Mayo
Get to know your neighbors from the south on a Cinco de Mayo party that will go down in history. Shake your hips to some salsa music on May 6th at Valencia Street between 21st and 24th Streets and chow down on some authentic Mexican cuisine.
Check out a few local vendors while you’re at it. There will be plenty of local artisans making the rounds. This will be the perfect spot to check out a new painting or piece of furniture for your home. There will also be plenty of activities for kids, so make sure not to leave the little ones at home.
Taste of Potrero
Some of the most prestigious names in the restaurant business get together every year to help out a local elementary school raise money. This means you can enjoy some four-star cuisine on a pauper’s budget.
Last year, the event featured tasty bites from big-name eateries like: 25 Lusk, Alamo Drafthouse, Almanac, Beretta, Black Bark BBQ, Boxing Room, Brass Tacks and Canela. The festival costs $125 and has pulled in as much as $35,000 for the school in previous years. Get ready to join the ranks this year, and eat your way to helping out a great cause.
Bay to Breakers
One of the oldest and most historic festivals on the list, the Bay to Breakers has been entertaining San Franciscan residents since 1912. The festival includes several activities throughout the day, food, live music, and entertainment.
Yet the main event is the 12K race. Dress up in some of your favorite San Francisco attire before lacing up your running shoes. There’s still time to sign up for this historic event! If running isn’t your thing, watching the event is entertaining all on its own.
Carnaval
You don’t need to travel to South America to enjoy a fabulous Carnaval. Get ready to celebrate in your own backyard this year. You’ll line the streets to watch some of the most intricate floats pass by. The floats are always topped by dancers in even more intricate costumes.
On May 27th and 28th, taste some delicious foods in the Mission District, watch the Grand Parade, and listen to some unbeatable Latin music. You might even get pulled into the crowd by dancers to learn a few moves yourself.
Our neighbors are the best people to celebrate some of the season’s most exciting events. Spring doesn’t last forever in San Francisco, so now is the time to beat the fog. If you are a potential home buyer, attending 2017 spring festivals in San Francisco is also a great way to explore neighborhoods and maybe even find your dream home.
If you have questions about San Francisco neighborhoods or are thinking about buying or selling a home in San Francisco, reach out! Danielle Lazier :: SFhotlist Team and COMPASS San Francisco are here to help.
