The San Francisco International Arts Festival is returning to the city, bringing an array of artist programs and performances. San Franciscans can expect dance and cirque performances, art installations, theater productions, and more throughout the two-week festival.
The art and culture festival officially kicks off on April 29 and will run through May 10, 2026. The calendar is packed with multiple events every day at venues across the Mission, including the Dance Mission Theater, Community Music Center, local coffee shops, and more.
The festival includes both local artists and visiting performers, showcasing their talent in intimate venues. Some highlights on this year’s calendar include performances from Cirque Kikasse, a women in jazz concert, and Flamenco cabaret. You can also attend workshops, like inkBoat’s two-day performance workshop, or a panel on the state of the modern circus. You can also attend artist talks, called Casual Conversations, discussing experimentation and collaboration. Plus, a video-portrait installation will be on view for free at Ruth’s Table starting on May 1st.
You can also join a walking tour, either exploring the many murals in the Mission District or the Industrial area of the neighborhood. Plus, you can check out a Saturday morning tour led by Carmela Gaspar on May 2 or May 9.
SFIAF was started in 2002, and in the past two decades, it has presented over 700 arts ensembles from San Francisco and dozens of countries. You can buy tickets to individual events online, and you can find the full calendar of performances and workshops on the SFIAF website.
