Spring is in the air and San Francisco sure knows how to celebrate! With the passing of the winter rain comes lush parks perfect for hosting San Francisco’s many spring festivals. And, since it’s San Francisco, people take the festivities beyond the parks and into the streets and venues, as well.
We at Danielle Lazier :: SFhotlist Team and Keller Williams San Francisco have chosen ten of our favorite spring festivals. Come celebrate spring in San Francisco at one of these entertaining events:
On Sunday, March 27th, Union Street between Gough and Fillmore will be bustling with an Easter celebration. In past years, more than 30,000 people have turned out for this Easter parade. Festivities also include a petting zoo, children’s activities, food vendors, and if you’re lucky, a sighting of the Easter Bunny himself. Rain or shine, hop to it and spend Easter Sunday enjoying the parade along with the stunning views from Union Street of the glorious bay. The event lasts from 10am to 5pm and the parade begins at 2pm.
The refreshing combination of sunshine and rain has the city awash in pink from the dusty-rose colored blossoms of the cherry trees. A much celebrated event in Asia, cherry blossom viewing -- hanami in Japanese -- holds this year’s annual celebration in San Francisco April 9-10 and April 16-17. Festivities at the Civic Center and Japantown over the course of the two weekends will include games, arts and crafts, martial arts and exhibitions, live performances, food vendors, markets, and of course, viewings of San Francisco’s numerous cherry trees. The festivities culminate in a cherry blossom parade on Sunday, April 17.
Celebrate and raise awareness about the environment through films, guest speakers, and visiting filmmakers. This international event is hosted at various venues throughout San Francisco from April 14-20 and focuses on environmental topics such as clean energy, sustainable housing, green chemistry, agriculture, and more. For further details visit www.sfgreenfilmfest.org/
Just as one film festival ends, another begins. If you didn’t get your fill of cinema at the San Francisco Green Festivals, you’ll have a chance to view more at the 59th San Francisco International Film Festival. This showcase of creative and innovative cinematography is hosted at Castro Theater and Sundance Cinemas Kabuki Theaters from April 21-May 5. Learn more at www.sffs.org
From April 22 to May 1 the entire Bay Area will be getting its groove on with over 600 free dance classes and events during Bay Area National Dance Week. This celebrated festival of dance and fun kicks off in Union Square with a flash mob at noon. Other festivities include performances by some of the Bay Area’s premier dance companies, classes in every dance genre you can think of, open rehearsals, lectures, and more. The best part (aside from a fantastic excuse to get in shape)? The festivities are entirely free. For a full list of classes and events visit www.bayareandw.org
Celebrate Earth Day this year on 24th Street between Mission and Bryant Streets and enjoy keynote speakers, eco-friendly exhibitors and vendors, educational workshops, lectures, children’s activities, and all things environmentally-conscience. April 23 is also a good day to simply go for an urban hike and enjoy the city’s many green spaces. More info at www.earthdaystreetfest.org
This “unique to San Francisco” festival is a one-day street festival that revels in all things weird and strange and consequently delightful. The festivities take place at Howard and Second Streets, with food vendors, party goers, costumes, educational booths, and nine stages of music. Get out and see what the strangest of San Francisco has to offer. You’re guaranteed to have one of those “only in San Francisco” moments. http://www.howweird.org
What better place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than in the Mission Dolores and Inner Mission neighborhoods? The celebrations culminate on May 7 in Dolores Park with traditional music, food, and dancing. Join the other party goers and enjoy live music, kids activities, arts and crafts, and delicious Mexican and Latino cuisine all day long. www.sfcincodemayo.com
San Francisco is renowned for its artistic community, so it’s no wonder that people flock from all over the world to attend the San Francisco International Arts Festival at Fort Mason from May 19 to June 5. Highlights include performances by over 70 dance, theatre, and music groups from the Bay Area and beyond. Also featured are arts exhibitions, activities, and educational workshops. Learn more at www.sfiaf.org
Carnaval is San Francisco’s version of Mardi Gras. The 38th annual festival takes place from May 28-29 in the Inner Mission district. Festival staples include flamboyant costumes of feathers, glitter, and flowers and parade floats that dazzle and awe. You won’t want to miss the exotic Carnaval dancers and their performances of samba, salsa, and other latin dance styles, all fused with a touch of the Caribbean. The parade makes its way through the Mission on Sunday, May 29. More information at www.carnavalsanfrancisco.org
Getting out and enjoying one of San Francisco’s spring festivals is a great way to get to know the city’s neighborhoods, including the Inner Mission, Mission Dolores, Alamo Square, Japantown, and Pacific Heights.
If you’re thinking of buying and relocating to a different neighborhood in San Francisco, reach out! We’d love to help you discover what the city has to offer.
-- Danielle Lazier :: SFhotlist Team and Keller Williams San Francisco
