Happy August, San Francisco! End your summer on a high note with free movie nights, county fairs, new museum exhibitions, festivals, and plenty more to make the most of your month. Read on to get inspired for a totally memorable August in the Bay Area.
1. Enjoy captivating music by candlelight at this magical concert series
The extremely popular concert series known simply as Candlelight is turning heads right now in San Francisco! You’ll enjoy works from Vivaldi, Queen, and more played by a talented string quartet, in an intimate environment surrounded by hundreds of luminous candles. The venues include St Ignatius Church and the International Art Museum of America, both providing a stunning setting for the unique concerts.
2. Celebrate Jerry Garcia’s 81st birthday at McLaren Park
August 3
Jerry Day is back this year at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park! The beloved free musical event will kick off at 11:30am (doors open at 11am) on August 3, 2024 in celebration of what would be Jerry Garcia’s 82nd birthday. Performers include Melvin Seals and JGB, Stu Allen and Mars Hotel, and more.
3. Catch ongoing free concerts at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell
- Wednesdays – Singer-Songwriter/Folk/Rock
- Fridays – Jazz, Soul, R&B and Funk Happy Hours
- Saturdays – Cultural and Community performances
- Sundays – Reggae Sundays
- And more
4.Watch adorable dogs compete in the World Dog Surfing Championship
Start the month off with the cutest surfing competition. Each year, Pacifica is filled with pups ready to take the waves. The World Dog Surfing Championship is scheduled for Saturday, August 3, at Linda Mar Beach. The competition even includes a dog fashion show, wellness check-ups, and adoption opportunities.
5. Enjoy a rooftop concert at Salesforce park
Salesforce Park hosts fun events every week, as well as special events throughout the year. During August, Noise Pop is presenting Rooftop Rhythms at the iconic rooftop park. The musical event features Christian Kuria, who is known for his neo-soul music. The concert is scheduled for August 3 from 1 to 6 pm, and tickets are on sale now.
6. Catch Stern Grove Festival‘s final free concerts
Nestled in a secluded eucalyptus grove, this annual free concert series is celebrating its 87th year through August 25. Admission is free but tickets are required. Tickets are released at 2pm 1 month prior to each event, but you might be able to snag tickets in surprise ticket releases leading up to the event.
- August 4: Alex G and Fake Fruit
- August 11: Herbie Handcock and SF Jazz Collective
- August 18: Lucinda Williams and Jobi Riccio
- August 24: Sylvan Esso and Poolside
- August 25: Chaka Khan and Steel Pulse
7. Explore over 150 small businesses at Japantown’s Nihonmachi Street Fair
August 3-4
Celebrate the best of AAPI culture at this historic SF festival dating back to 1974. The popular Nihonmachi Street Fair will take over Japantown with over 150 small businesses and lively performances from local dance groups.
8. 10 wonderful museums and gardens offering free admission days this August
We love San Francisco for its vibrant culture, history, and resources, but it’s no secret that living here costs a pretty penny. Whether you’re a college student on a budget, or a bargain hunter wanting to see the sights, this list will certainly help you get started. Check out the full list of free-admission days here.
9. Party it up at Outside Lands 2024
August 9-11
Outside Lands is the city’s largest music festival and is back for 3 days of music, Aug 9-11 in Golden Gate Park. 2024 headliners include Sabrina Carpenter, The Killer, Sturgill Simpson, Grace Jones, and many more. This annual festival draws music lovers from across the country and is famous for its misty forested setting.
10. See this month’s coolest museum exhibitions around the city
As we enter a new season in San Francisco, many local museums are refreshing and replacing their temporary exhibitions. Now’s a great time to take stock and plan ahead to see some of these wonderful displays before they’re gone.
- Yayoi Kusama: Dreaming of Earth’s Sphericity, I Would Offer My Love at SFMOMA
- Fashioning San Francisco: A Century of Style at the de Young
- Zanele Muholi: Eye Me at SFMOMA
- Art of Noise at SFMOMA
- and more!
11. Catch a baseball game at Oracle Park
Baseball is the classic summer pastime, and luckily, the SF Giants have several home games scheduled for this month. The Giants play at Oracle Park on August 9-11, 12-15, 19-21, and 30-31, so you have plenty of chances to watch them play.
12. Catch the Dahlia Dell in peak bloom on your next trip to Golden Gate Park
The Dahlia Dell, located in Golden Gate Park right near the Conservatory of Flowers, is about to reach peak bloom–and these colorful, unique flowers are not to be missed. According to Golden Gate Park, Dahlias generally start to bloom there in June, reaching peak bloom in August and September. You can still catch them all the way into October, although last year they bloomed until about the beginning of September
13. See what’s going on at the Ferry Building this month
San Francisco’s Ferry Building is one of the city’s most iconic buildings, serving as a hotspot for tourists and locals alike. It’s a center for events, pop-ups, a farmers’ market, and countless excellent merchants who sell their wares daily in the building’s many stalls.
- Thursdays: Live music on the Plaza
- Wednesdays: Wellness Wednesdays
- Sundays: Summer Sundays
14. Dance the night away at Academy of Science’s live music NightLife series
Thursdays
NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences is one of our favorite ongoing events, and we’re thrilled to see more of these awesome themed soirees on the calendar! The popular Thursday night festivities feature live DJs, outdoor bars, ambience lighting, and more alongside the Academy’s nearly 40,000 animal residents. They’ve just started their new NightLife LIVE series which brings live concerts to the Academy.
15. Catch Sundown Cinema’s free screening of Barbie
August 2
Who’s ready for an epic summer?! San Francisco Parks Alliance and Do The Bay have brought back the popular Sundown Cinema series, which presents awesome FREE movies on a giant screen in various parks around the city. On August 2 they’ll host a screening of the iconic Barbie movie at the Ferry Building.
16. Check out the SF Fringe Festival
Every year, EXIT Theater showcases SF Fringe, featuring works of performance art. As the name suggests, the festival showcases “fringe” performances, with the festival proudly deciding not to curate or sensor performers. The unique theater festival begins on August 9 and runs through August 25, and it’s an amazing opportunity to see creative live performances right in SF.
17. West Coast Craft is popping up once again in San Francisco this month
August 24
West Coast Craft is the ultimate celebration of artisans specializing in the west coast lifestyle and aesthetic. The massive and highly-anticipated craft fair has added new dates due to popular demand. The next one is August 24 at Fort Mason Center.
18. Check out a haunted tavern experience
Halloween has come early this year with The Haunted Tavern: A Dark Pop-Up Cocktail Experience this August. If you’re a fan of anything spooky, this is the bar for you. The cocktail bar features themed drinks, a haunted venue, and plenty of ghost stories. Tickets for the immersive bar are on sale now.
19. Check out Downtown First Thursdays
Downtown First Thursdays are a free, monthly block party that is open to the public. The event features live music, DJs, drag, performances, a giant disco ball, and more. The lively event is open to all ages and also has two bars for 21+ patrons. The event is scheduled for August 1, from 5 to 1 pm at 2nd Street and Market Street in Downtown SF.
20. Join fellow dog lovers at Bark at the Park
The Guardsmen will host a pawesome canine wonderland at the Presidio’s Civil War Parade Ground. It’s a day of dog shows and contests where you can cheer on your favorite pup alongside fellow animal lovers and their pets. Then cruise around the pet vendor marketplace for the best animal products and services, chow down on delicious cuisine from a local food truck, or join a lively lawn game.
21. Watch a lively parade and performances at Chinatown’s Hungry Ghost Festival
August 17
The Chinese Culture Center hosts a memorable day of performances and interactive art at an awesome family-friendly event. The Hungry Ghost Festival is a Taoist and Buddhist festival held in East Asian countries to honor ghosts and spirits coming out of the lower realm.
22. August is Trans History Month in San Francisco – keep up with the Transgender District for the latest happenings
August 24 – Riot Party
In 2021 San Francisco declared August Trans History Month, becoming the first U.S. city to do so. August marks the 56th anniversary of the Compton’s Cafeteria riots, in which a large group of transgender women and drag queens resisted arrest in the Tenderloin. They fought back with handbags and high heels to protest violent abuse and harassment they suffered at the hands of the police. The Transgender District is hosting the popular Riot Party to remember this essential day in trans history — check it out on August 24!
23. This new SF artist collective offers classes and workshops to the public
WAVE Collective is a space dedicated to emerging artists, whether featuring work in their gallery or hosting classes, workshops, and events for budding artists and seasoned professionals. Located in the Lower Haight, the space initially started as a popup that became a permanent installation.
24. Check out this new Italian restaurant in the Marina
Beloved Italian restaurant Original Joe’s has opened a new location in the Marina District. Aptly named Little Original Joe’s, the restaurant features the same comfort Italian food in a stylish restaurant. With a full bar featuring delightful cocktails and plenty of fan favorites on the menu, it’s a must-try.
25. Find your inner peace on the labyrinth at Grace Cathedral’s yoga practices
Every week spiritual worlds unite in a darkened cathedral, illuminated with colorful light trickling in from the stained glass windows. Multicolored mats cover the floors of the vast cathedral as a yoga session begins, accompanied by beautiful live instrumentals. It’s fair to say that yoga sessions at Grace Cathedral are simply divine. Classes take place on Tuesdays and Saturdays for $15.
26. Chill out on the lawn at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
Yerba Buena Gardens is hosting a summer festival packed with free music and entertainment. The independent nonprofit organization is dedicated to presenting accessible cultural events during 6 months of the year, including world-class music, theater, dance, and more.
27. See what’s going on at the Exploratorium this August
The Exploratorium isn’t your average museum experience – in fact, they’ve been making their own interactive exhibits since 1969. It’s a popular place for kids and families, but adults have a great time as well, especially at their monthly 21+ After Dark events.
28. Head to Fort Mason Center for art exhibitions, events, and performances
When’s the last time you paid a visit to San Francisco’s amazing Fort Mason Center? The popular art center hosts numerous exhibitions and events throughout the year, and there are some special ones coming up. Here’s what to watch out for this summer.
29. SF’s floating Salesforce Park has a ton of free activities like yoga and garden tours
Did you know that Salesforce Park hosts a huge collection of free events every week? You can join yoga classes, bootcamps, live music, bird walks, garden tours, drum circles, and much more.
30. Filoli is open late on Thursdays for their lovely Summer Nights series
Filoli is currently putting on a special Summer Nights series, happening every Wednesday and Thursday evening from 5-8pm through September 19. The estate typically closes at 5pm so these after-hours events are great for exploring the gardens just before dusk with a cocktail in hand. Sip on a margarita or a refreshing mint limeade while listening to lively Irish session music at the Pool Pavilion. You can also indulge wonderful bites from a food truck. Keep an eye out for summer flowers including dahlias, roses, water lilies, fuchsia, salvia, hydrangeas, lavender, and rhododendrons.
31. Visit one of these bountiful weekend farmers markets
If you live in the Bay Area, you know that we have access to some of the best produce in the country. That’s why farmers markets are a must for countless SF residents who enjoy getting their food from local sources. Be sure to stop by these 10 fantastic farmers markets, located all around the city and bringing new, fresh produce to you every weekend.
32. 10 charming Bay Area campgrounds for the ultimate summer escape
Here in San Francisco we’re lucky to enjoy excellent proximity to some of the best wilderness in NorCal. When it comes to camping in the Bay Area there’s a variety of options to explore, whether it’s reserving a night at nearby Angel Island or road tripping out to Mount Diablo. Read on for some of our favorite local campgrounds near SF, all of which are less than 2 hours by car from the city.