There’s plenty to do this July 2023 in and around San Francisco! Keep an eye out for new museum exhibitions, CA Craft Beer Week, and dazzling Bay Area fireworks shows this July 4th. Read on to discover dozens of activities that will make for a fantastic July in SF and beyond.
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. The Bay Area’s top musicians perform classical music in lovely settings including St. Ignatius Church and Grace Cathedral. Learn more here.
2. Celebrate the Fourth of July with a dazzling local fireworks show
The Fourth of July is back in full swing for 2023. Bay Area cities and counties are returning to the parades, markets, live music, and fireworks displays that we know and love, from the famous show at Pier 39 to a massive celebration in Redwood City. Here’s what to look for in SF:
- Fisherman’s Wharf fireworks show
- Live music from 5-8pm at Pier 39
- Live music at 6pm at Aquatic Park
- Free concerts at the Bandshell
- Fourth of July pub crawl
- And more
3. Here’s the July lineup of free concerts at Golden Gate Park’s Bandshell
The Illuminate Live series is bringing dozens of free concerts to Golden Gate Park’s beautiful Bandshell. All performances are free and family-friendly, with everything from singer/songwriter nights to the ever-popular Reggae Sundays.
4. A vibrant flamenco show featuring Amador Rojas is coming to the Bay Area
July 5-7
Authentic Flamenco will be going on a world tour and San Francisco is one of the lucky stops on the itinerary. On its San Francisco stop, the stunning show brings passion and talent from notable Flamenco dancer Amador Rojas. Get tickets now and check it out at the Taube Atrium Theater in SF this July.
5. Check out all the fun activities coming to the Ferry Building
San Francisco’s Ferry Building is a center for events, pop-ups, a farmers’ market, and countless excellent merchants who sell their wares daily in the building’s many stalls. This July brings orchestra performances and free ice cream in honor of the Ferry Building’s 125th anniversary, as well as a 30th anniversary birthday party for the Foodwise farmers market.
- July 2 – HEAD WEST Marketplace
- July 9 – Awesome Orchestra Serenades the Marketplace
- July 13 – A Very Ferry Birthday Party
- July 16 – Foodwise Summer Bash
- And more
6. Get tickets to the best upcoming local music festivals
It’s hard to beat the SF arts and culture scene, especially when it comes to Bay Area music festivals. Here are all the festivals on our radar for July 2023:
- July 1-2: Fillmore Jazz Festival
- July 8-23: Festival Napa Valley
- July 22-24: Golden Gate Jazz Festival
- July 28-30: Blue Note Jazz Festival
- And more
7. Enjoy free concerts at Noise Pop’s new Summer of Music series
Saturdays
Get ready for a summer of free music in SF because legendary music promoter, Noise Pop, is partnering with the newly-formed nonprofit organization, Civic Joy Fund, to launch a free concert series, Summer of Music. The live music series will take place from 2-5pm, every Saturday now through mid-September.
8. Dance the night away at the new Bhangra and Beats Night Market
July 14
A brand new Friday night event called Bhangra and Beats Night Market is coming to Downtown SF. The event exciting event will feature a variety of street food vendors, cocktails, and goods from local artisans. Over 30 unique local artisans and retailers will participate in the event. Goods include hard-to-find Indian goods and San Francisco Bay Area-made jewelry, apparel, personal care, and art.
9. Check out another round of NightLife events at the Academy of Sciences
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. Heads up – the popular NightLife LIVE concert series kicks off at the July 13 event.
10. Cheer on our home teams at these July major league sports events
Bay Area sports fans are lucky to enjoy a year-round rotation of top-tier sporting events with 6 local major league teams in the realms of baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and soccer.
We’re already well into baseball season this June, meaning you can catch numerous SF Giants home games at Oracle Park or Oakland A’s home games at the Coliseum. Soccer season is also in full swing for the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park.
Baseball: SF Giants at Oracle Park
- July 3-5 vs Seattle Mariners
- July 7-9 vs Colorado Rockies
- July 25-26 vs Oakland A’s
- July 28-30 vs Boston Red Sox
- July 31-Aug 3 vs Arizona Diamondbacks
Baseball: Oakland A’s at the Coliseum
- June 30-July 2 vs Chicago White Sox
- July 14-16 vs Minnesota Twins
- July 17-19 vs Boston Red Sox
- July 20-23 vs Houston Astros
Soccer: San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park
- July 13 vs Seattle Sounders FC
- July 31 vs Tigres UANL
11. See what’s going on at the Exploratorium this July
The Exploratorium isn’t your average museum experience – in fact, they’ve been making their own interactive exhibits since 1969. Read on for a breakdown of all the most exciting events coming to the Exploratorium this month.
- July 1 – Natural Connection festival
- July 1-2 – Infinitely Yours performances with Miwa Matreyek
- Thursdays – After Dark
- And more
12. Check out all the events and exhibitions happening at Fort Mason Center
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. See the schedule here.
13. Get tickets to July concerts at the coolest Bay Area concert venues
We’re lucky to experience some highly-anticipated Bay Area concerts this month, from the Taylor Swift Eras tour at Levi’s Stadium to Paramore at Chase Center. With a wealth of historic music venues in and around San Francisco you can count on creating some memories no matter who’s playing. Read on for a list of our favorite local venues for Bay Area concerts along with upcoming July 2023 dates.
14. SF’s floating Salesforce Park has a ton of free activities like yoga and bird walks
San Francisco’s Salesforce Park is an amazing modern marvel in the Financial District. The verdant oasis rests 70 feet above the street atop the Salesforce Transit Center, and it’s completely free and open for the public to visit at any time. It also hosts a collection of free events every week, including yoga classes, bootcamps, live music, bird walks, garden tours, drum circles, and much more. See the schedule here.
15. Here are the current and upcoming museum exhibitions to look out for in July
As we enter a new month 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.
Museum exhibitions closing soon in SF
- Afruz Amighi: My House, My Tomb – through June 30, 2023 at the Asian Art Museum
- Beyond Bollywood: 2000 Years of Dance in Art – through July 10, 2023 at the Asian Art Museum
- New Work: Anna Sew Hoy – through July 16, 2023 at SFMOMA
- Janet Cardiff: The Telephone Call – through July 22, 2023 at SFMOMA
- Ansel Adams in Our Time – through July 23, 2023 at the de Young Museum
- Bookworks: Selected Recent Acquisitions, 2012-2022 – through July 29, 2023 at the Legion of Honor
- Cara Levine: To Survive I Need You to Survive – through July 30, 2023 at the Contemporary Jewish Museum
Museum exhibitions opening soon in SF
- Hung Liu: Witness – opening June 30, 2023 at SFMOMA
- What Matters: A Proposition in Eight Rooms – opening July 22, 2023 at SFMOMA
- Bouke de Vries – Memories in Porcelain – opening July 22, 2023 at the Legion of Honor
- Crafting Radicality: Bay Area Artists from the Svane Gift – opening July 22, 2023 at the de Young
16. Check out some local film festivals taking place this month
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. Here are the film festivals happening in July:
- SF Silent Film Festival – July 12-16, 2023 – San Francisco – A silent film festival dating back 25+ years with musical accompaniment from international musicians.
- SF Jewish Film Festival – July 20-Aug. 6, 2023 – San Francisco, Albany – The world’s largest and longest-running Jewish film festival spotlighting Jewish stories and perspectives.
17. A free outdoor pop-up circus is making the rounds in SF and Oakland
When’s the last time you went to the circus? Let Circus Bella come to you with a lineup of exciting free pop-up performances at Bay Area parks. The one-ring show will come to outdoor locations in San Francisco and Oakland this month. It’s a captivating performance that’s great for kids and will surely add some excitement to any afternoon in the Bay Area.
- Thurs, July 13 – Lincoln Square Park, Oakland – 6pm
- Fri, July 14 – Elmhurst Park, Oakland – 6pm
- Sat, July 15 – PROXY Hayes Valley (432 Octavia St), San Francisco – 1pm and 3pm
- Sun, July 16 – Salesforce Park Amphitheater, San Francisco – 12pm and 2pm
18. Visit West Coast Craft, back in SF this July by popular demand
July 15, 29
West Coast Craft is the ultimate celebration of artisans specializing in the west coast lifestyle and aesthetic. The massive and highly-anticipated craft fair just added new markets on July 15 and 29 with 100+ vendors at Fort Mason Center. The event is free and open to the public, and there will be food and drink vendors on site to keep you going!
19. Check out Oracle Park’s first-ever pickleball tournament
July 20-23
Everyone knows that pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and many a San Franciscan has taken up the paddle in recent years. If you’re seeking some well-deserved pickleball glory, Oracle Park is going to host its first-ever pickleball tournament this July — and yes, anyone can play on the courts!
20. Snag free tickets to one of Stern Grove’s amazing outdoor concerts
Sundays
Who’s ready to see some live music?! Stern Grove Festival, a FREE outdoor concert series featuring a wide variety of genres, is in the middle of an epic summer. Guests must register online beforehand to reserve a spot, and tickets are released at 2pm exactly 12 days prior to each event, offering first-come, first-served free passes.
21. Watch Moana at Sundown Cinema’s free outdoor film series
July 21
SF 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. This month they’ll screen Moana at Crane Cove park on July 21.
22. Party it up with concerts, trivia and more at CA Craft Beer Week
July 21-30
Heads up, beer fans! California Craft Beer Week (CCBW) is set to take over hundreds of tap rooms and breweries from July 21-30, 2023. The Bay Area is coming out in full force with plenty of fun and interesting activities, specials, and events. This is your chance to support local breweries and enjoy the best beers California has to offer.
23. Get tickets to X Games California 2023
July 21-23
If you’re up for a road trip this month, now’s the time to snag tickets to see the best athletes in Skateboarding, Moto X, and BMX at X Games California 2023 in Ventura. This 3-day event promises exciting appearances by athletes like Sky Brown, who became Britain’s youngest ever Olympic medalist when she won bronze at the Tokyo Games in 2020. Get tickets now!
24. Cheer on runners at the SF Marathon
July 21-22
The 46th annual SF Marathon is coming up! See thousands of racers and spectators take to the streets for an epic route through the city. You can either take up a post along the route (Golden Gate Park is a nice place to watch) or welcome runners to the finish line on the Embarcadero at Folsom.
25. Free Due South concert series kicks off at McLaren Park this month
The popular Due South concert series returns to the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park this summer! For their third season, Due South has expanded to a four-concert slate with a fantastic and eclectic lineup. The free public concert series hosted by SF Parks Alliance and Noise Pop will feature live music and local food in SF’s second-largest park.
26. Don’t miss out on free performances and community programs at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival is now hosting fantastic free programming multiple days a week, and their upcoming schedule is worth putting on your calendar. 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. Look for giant water lilies in bloom this summer at the Conservatory of Flowers
These enormous water lilies are a prominent fixture in the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers‘ Aquatic Plants Gallery. These impressive plants produce massive white and pink flowers that typically stick around for just 2 days. The gigantic leaves float on top of the water, growing to be between 4 and 6 feet across!
28. 11 wonderful SF museums and gardens offering free admission days
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.
- July 2 – Asian Art Museum
- July 4, 8-9, 29-30 – de Young Museum (Also free every Saturday for Bay Area residents)
- July 6 – SFMOMA (For Bay Area residents only, 3-7:30pm)
- Full schedule here
29. This seductive new SF show combines wine tasting and cabaret
From June 3 to September 3, SAVOR After Hours is bringing a unique show that combines wine tasting with cabaret to Napa Valley’s JaM Cellars Ballroom. The show features dances, close-up magic, illusions, and much more. Sip your way through delicious wine flights while enjoying performances from Maks and Val Chmerkovskiy of Dancing with the Stars.
30. Explore fascinating tide pools around the Bay Area
If you’re a California native lucky enough to live on the coast, then you know that tide pooling is an awesome way to enjoy the beach. We’ve put together a list of great tide pools to visit around the Bay Area, so put on your best waterproof shoes and get ready to explore. Tidepooling is a fun activity for kids and adults alike, but remember: you’re a guest in these critters’ habitat, so try not to disturb whatever you find and always watch your step. Be sure to visit at low tide, and watch out for sneaker waves.
- Duxbury Reef in Bolinas
- Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park in Pescadero
- Davenport Beach in Davenport
- And more!
31. Hang with your friends at a lively SF beer garden
The Bay Area is home to some of the best craft beer in the country, meaning that it’s cultivated an entire generation of beer lovers and aficionados. When it comes to breweries, we’re hard to beat, but SF’s beer gardens are also excellent places to kick back and try out a flight or sip on your favorite pils and watch the game.
32. Plan a scenic road trip around California
San Francisco is well-located for some of best road trips in California. We’re lucky to live near countless beautiful small towns and natural wonders, whether you’re just going for a short day trip or an extended vacation. Read on for some of our favorite road trip destinations from San Francisco.