San Francisco

Festivals and Events in May

Fridays on Front Street

Check out San Francisco's newest free block party, Fridays on Front Street! On select Fridays, attendees can enjoy outdoor live music featuring local artists curated by Noise Pop. The event will also include street-side beer, various food pop-ups, sports, and games.

Bay to Breakers

Since 1912, tens of thousands of people have gathered in San Francisco to see the world's largest footrace, Bay to Breakers, unfold as more than 70,000 costume-clad runners and walkers make their way from San Francisco Bay, a few blocks from the Embarcadero, to the Great Highway where the breakers crash onto the Pacific Coast’s Ocean Beach. Get ready to get weird on May 18, 2025.

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival

The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival encompasses nearly 100 artistic, cultural and community events from May through October in Yerba Buena Gardens. Events include popular and operatic music series, cultural festivals, dance performances, international music concerts, visual art exhibits, theater and spoken word performances.

Union Square in Bloom

See the Union Square neighborhood literally bloom in front of your eyes! Larger-than-life floral arrangements explode with color and cheer, a perfect photo opportunity for the 'gram. Continue to walk around the neighborhood and visit shops, restaurants, and hotels, all bringing spring to life with their magnificent blooms.

CAAMFest

CAAMFest is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films; annually presenting approximately 130 works in San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland. Since 1982, the festival has been an important launching point for Asian American independent filmmakers as well as a vital source for new Asian cinema.

Chinatown Pride 2025

Chinatown

The Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (CCC) and Edge on the Square are thrilled to host the inaugural Chinatown Pride on Saturday, May 24. This free evening event features a Pride procession led by artists from the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance; with dance stops along the way, performances by premiere AAPI drag troupe The Rice Rockettes; a silent disco on the bridge over Kearny Street; hands-on art activities and activations; and more. The evening party begins at Edge on the Square (800 Grant Avenue) at 6 p.m. 

Best of PlayGround

PlayGround, San Francisco’s incubator for a new generation of playwrights, caps off its season with the Bay Area’s largest celebration of new works for the stage and screen – the annual PlayGround Festival of New Works.

San Francisco International Arts Festival

Performances by more than 60 theater, dance and music ensembles from the Bay Area and 11 countries unfold in the space of three action-packed weeks. The San Francisco International Arts Festival features a major arts exhibition as well as multiple educational, residency and outreach activities.

Carnaval San Francisco

This is San Francisco's version of Mardi Gras and one of the largest annual public events in the city. From May 24 to 25, the event features exotic Carnaval dancers with a mixture of Latino, jazz, samba, and Caribbean influences. A festive parade on Sunday morning draws upon broad cultural pageantry. 

San Francisco Documentary Film Festival

SF DocFest documentaries, while exploring fun and lighthearted subject matter, often uncover serious truths. Produced by the SF IndieFest, the event will run from May 29 to April 8. 

Festa Coloniale Italiana

Stockton St.

From Saturday, May 31, to June 1, enjoy a fabulous Italian street fair hosted on Stockton Street between Union and Filbert Street. There will be live musical performances, food and drink, and local vendors selling Italian goods and products.

Chow Fun SF

Various locations

From May 7 to 18, take a culinary adventure through San Francisco. Explore local cafes, bakeries, bars, and restaurants serving up bold flavors from Hawaii, China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and more. It's all part of the fun of Chow Fun SF.

Randy Houser In Concert

City Cruises

City Cruises is excited to launch a new series of live entertainment aboard their boats. Climb aboard on May 25 for a concert in the Bay with country singer Randy Houser.

Mill Valley Music Festival

Mill Valley

Take a ride up to Marin for this exciting music festival, featuring the likes of Gary Clark, Jr., Nile Rodgers & Chic, and more. The festival runs May 10 and 11.

AAPI Cocktail Week

Various locations

San Francisco AAPI Cocktail Week returns May 25-29 for its third year, celebrating the city's Asian American and Pacific Islander mixology talent. This week-long celebration honors the vibrant AAPI community behind the bar with a dynamic mix of culture, conversation, and craft. Whether you're a cocktail enthusiast or just looking for a fun night out, San Francisco AAPI Cocktail Week 2025 promises to be a memorable experience. Find tickets to various AAPI Cocktail Week events.

Free Programs in Union Square Plaza

Every week, you can enjoy a variety of free activities in the middle of Union Square. From chess lessons and live music to crafting activities and juggling demonstrations, these programs are perfect for visitors of all ages. Be sure to stop by every second Saturday for special cultural activities, showcasing the diversity of San Francisco.