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 classical 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 Beethoven, Vivaldi and more played by a talented string quartet, in an intimate environment surrounded by hundreds of luminous candles. They’ve also recently added new shows in surrounding cities such as Oakland, Sonoma, Sacramento, Modesto, and Santa Cruz.
2. This wine tasting cabaret show in Napa Valley is the ultimate summer experience.
Starring Maks and Val Chmerkovskiy from Dancing with the Stars, the gorgeous performers of SAVOR After Hours will walk you through a show where each sultry dance number is paired to a wine label. Experience wine in a whole new way at this delectable evening of sexy sips! Click here to learn more about SAVOR After Hours.
3. Celebrate Jerry Garcia’s 81st birthday at McLaren Park
August 5
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 5, 2023 in celebration of what would be Jerry Garcia’s 81st birthday. Performers include Melvin Seals and JGB, Stu Allen and Mars Hotel, and more special guests.
4. 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
5. Catch Stern Grove Festival‘s final free concerts
Nestled in a secluded eucalyptus grove, this annual free concert series is celebrating its 86th year through August 20. 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 6: Buddy Guy Damn Right Farewell Tour, Eric Gales
- August 13: Patti Smith, Bob Mould
- August 20: The Big Picnic Featuring The Flaming Lips, Alan Palomo (Neon Indian DJ Set)
6. Explore over 150 small businesses at Japantown’s Nihonmachi Street Fair
August 5-6
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. Performers include the West Coast Lion Dance Troupe, Genryu Arts, Parangal Dance Company, and more.
7. 11 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.
- Aug 1 – Conservatory of Flowers
- Also free daily for SF City & County Residents
- Aug 1, 19-20 – de Young Museum
- Also free every Saturday for Bay Area residents
- Aug 1 – Legion of Honor
- Also free every Saturday for Bay Area residents
- Aug 2 – GLBT Historical Society Museum
- Aug 3- SFMOMA
- For Bay Area residents only, 6-8pm
- Aug 4 – Contemporary Jewish Museum
- Aug 6 – Asian Art Museum
- Aug 8 – SF Botanical Garden
- Also free daily for SF City & County Residents
- Also free daily between 7:30-9am for the general public
- Aug 12 – Museum of the African Diaspora
- Wednesdays – Museum of Craft and Design
- “Pay what you can” Wednesdays
- MWF before 10am – Japanese Tea Garden
- Also free daily for SF City & County Residents
8. Party it up at Outside Lands 2023
August 11-13
Outside Lands is the city’s largest music festival and is back for 3 days of music, Aug 11-13 in Golden Gate Park. 2023 headliners include Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, and ODESZA with performances by Lana Del Rey, The 1975, Megan Thee Stallion and many more. This annual festival draws music lovers from across the country and is famous for its misty forested setting.
9. Catch Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo at Bay Area venues
Cirque du Soleil’s touring show Corteo will fly, tumble, and flip through the Bay Area this month. The show tells the story of a clown named Mauro envisioning his own burial in a simultaneously intimate, tragic, silly, and beautiful performance.
- Aug 9-13: San Jose SAP Center
- Aug 17-20: Oakland Arena
- Aug 23-27: Chase Center
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.
- Ansel Adams in Our Time at the de Young Museum (closes Aug. 6)
- Black Venus at the Museum of the African Diaspora (closes Aug. 20)
- Sitting on Chrome at SFMOMA (opens Aug. 5)
- And more
11. Enjoy a wholesome afternoon at a local county fair
Have some good old-fashioned fun at these county fairs in and around the Bay Area! If you’re craving a funnel cake, hoping to blow off steam on a carnival ride, or seeking some quality animal time at a petting zoo, be sure to mark your calendar for these upcoming Bay Area fairs and festivals.
- July 26-Aug 6: Santa Clara County Fair
- Aug 3-13: Sonoma County Fair & Exposition
- Aug 10-13: Napa Town & Country Fair
- Aug 31-Sept 4: Monterey County Fair
- And more
12. Watch the Women’s World Cup at these free San Francisco screenings
Street Soccer USA is partnering with the San Francisco city government to host free screenings of the Women’s World Cup throughout July and August. The program aims to create a vibrant, fun, and inclusive atmosphere by installing massive pop-up screens throughout San Francisco. Organizers promise an event that will bring together SF locals of all ages to celebrate soccer.
- Aug 5 – Round of 16 – 14th Ave, East Meadow, Golden Gate Park at 7:00 pm
- Aug 10 – Quarterfinals – The Crossing at East Cut at 6:00 pm
13. 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
14. 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.
- Aug 6 – Head West Marketplace
- Aug 13 – Gardeneur Plant Market
- Aug 17 – Ferry Summer Fest
- And more
15. 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.
16. Stop by the Valencia Street block party happening every week
Saturdays
The Valencia Corridor Merchants Association will once again pedestrianize Valencia Street for some epic weekly block parties in the Mission. Enjoy car-free Valencia between 18th and 21st Streets from 2pm-9pm on Saturdays, now through November 18, 2023. Noise Pop’s Summer of Music presents live musical performances from 2-5pm during these Saturday street closures, making for a pleasant backdrop to the activations lining the street.
17. Catch Sundown Cinema’s free sing-along screening of Mamma Mia
August 18
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 18 they’ll host a sing-along screening of Mamma Mia at Dolores Park.
18. West Coast Craft is popping up once again in San Francisco this month
August 19
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 19 at Fort Mason Center.
19. Join fellow dog lovers at Bark at the Park
August 19
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.
20. General registration opens this month for fall activities with SF Rec & Parks
August 19
Do you want to pick up a new hobby or sport? One of SF’s most underrated public programs comes to us courtesy of the SF Recreation & Parks department, which brings an impressive lineup of all-ages art and fitness classes every single season. From photography to basketball, you’ll always find an interesting activity to join for a few months of the year or to keep up all year long. Be sure to check out the course catalog because registration will open up before you know it.
21. Catch Due South‘s next free concert at McLaren Park
August 26
The Due South concert series is returning to the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park. This free public concert series hosted by SF Parks Alliance and Noise Pop will feature live music, local food, and a great show. On August 26 catch Cherry Glazerr, Momma (Duo), and King Isis.
22. Watch a lively parade and performances at Chinatown’s Hungry Ghost Festival
August 26
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. Don’t miss the “Ghost King Parade” at 4pm and then head to the stage at Portsmouth Square for captivating performances from 5-9pm.
23. August is Trans History Month in San Francisco – keep up with the Transgender District for the latest happenings
August 27 – 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 27!
24. Support the Bay Area film community at these upcoming film festivals
San Francisco is home to the second-largest film market in the country, meaning that local cinephiles have an exciting lineup of film festivals to enjoy all year round. This August brings some popular festivals to SF and surrounding cities:
- July 26-Aug 6: SF Jewish Film Festival in San Francisco and Albany
- Aug 16-29: Cinequest in San Jose
- Aug 25-27: Brainwash Film Festival in Oakland
- And more
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. 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. Read on for a breakdown of all the most exciting events coming to the Exploratorium this month.
29. 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.
30. 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.
31. Filoli is open late on Thursdays for their lovely Summer Nights series
Filoli is currently putting on a special Summer Nights series, happening every Thursday evening from 5-8pm through September 22. 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 in flavorful tacos, burritos, and fried plantains from the Cochinita food truck. Keep an eye out for summer flowers including dahlias, roses, water lilies, fuchsia, salvia, hydrangeas, lavender, and rhododendrons.
32. 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.
33. 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.