Free Summer Activities in San Francisco
Three Must-Do Summer Ideas
Summer in San Francisco, when it’s sunny, means lots of outdoor events you can attend! Take advantage of the free public programming this summer, and check out some of these must-do summer activities in the city:
First Bay to Baysics in the Embarcadero in 2024
Summer Concert Series
Live Theatre, Circus, and Drag
Festivals and Street Fairs
Summer Concert Series
Did you know that San Francisco became the first city in the nation where all residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park? The city definitely takes advantage of this by hosting a plethora of free summer concerts for residents and visitors to enjoy, bringing foot traffic to local nearby businesses! It’s such a fun way of building community and buzz to different parts of the city. Here are some notable ones coming up this summer:
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival (Now–October 2025) – A six-month run of 100+ free performances including music, dance, theater, and more at Yerba Buena Gardens. Great for families, and perfectly located near museums and cafes.
Golden Gate Bandshell Concerts (Now–November 2025) – Weekly free shows in Golden Gate Park with genres spanning reggae, jazz, soul, rock, and more. Don’t miss themed Saturdays, and recurring favorites like Singer/Songwriter Wednesdays, Friday Happy Hours, and Crucial Reggae Sundays.
Back 2 Baysics (Next: 6/14) – A high-energy outdoor concert series in downtown plazas—Embarcadero, Union Square, and Civic Center—presented by Dirtybird and Another Planet Entertainment. Expect huge crowds and top-tier electronic headliners.
Stern Grove Festival (Sundays, 6/15–8/17) – A beloved series of 10 free Sunday concerts in a eucalyptus-lined amphitheater at Stern Grove Park. Top-tier acts in a serene outdoor setting. Note: the free ticket system now requires online registration—check my blog article for tips on claiming yours early!
Drag me Downtown at the Jay Hotel in 2024
Live Theatre, Circus, and Drag
San Francisco is nothing short of creative community events and expression. It’s such a vibrant city with historic theaters, local talent, and family-friendly fun. Below are some standout performances and venues to check out this season. Don’t forget to donate to these organizations, or tip your performers to keep these programs alive and well!
San Francisco Civic Music Association Concerts (Now–July 6, 2025) – Enjoy free classical music performed by the SF Civic Symphony and M2M Orchestra at Herbst Theatre and other venues.
Drag Me Downtown (Fridays 6/6-6/27) – Free pop-up drag shows hosted by the Downtown SF Partnership and Bobby Friday, every Friday in June across Downtown SF. It culminates in the Drag Me to Front St block party co-hosted by Peaches Christ. Expect performances, Pride swag (guaranteed with donation), and themed food and drinks.
Circus in the Parks (Various Dates June–August 2025) – HOOPLA! by Circus Bella brings a joyful, family-friendly pop-up circus to parks across the Bay Area. Catch it this summer at Yerba Buena Gardens, Hayes Valley, and Salesforce Park Amphitheatre in San Francisco.
Shakespeare in the Parks (Various Dates July-September 2025)- Performing between Cupertino, Redwood City, and San Francisco. The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival aims to make Shakespeare accessible to all through inspiring, high-quality performances and education.
Festivals and Street Fairs
Free concert at the Golden Gate Bandshell in 2024
I'm a foodie at heart, so there's nothing I love more than free outdoor concerts where I can enjoy food and drinks from local spots around the city. Here are some weekend and week-long festivals and street fairs to look out for:
Fridays on Front Street (Every Friday, Next: 5/30) – This is San Francisco’s newest block party, starting at the end of this month! A lively downtown block party with live music curated by Noise Pop, food trucks, games, and drinks. Perfect way to unwind on a Friday after work in the Financial District.
Downtown First Thursdays (Every First Thursday of the Month, Next: 6/5) - This is probably the largest monthly street party in the city, hosted in Downtown San Francisco from 5pm to 10pm. They always have new headliners, disco in the streets, DJs, live music, drag, fashion, street performances, etc. Come an hour earlier for Downtown Hoedown from 4-9pm on Front St. for line dancing, live bluegrass and country music, a mechanical bull, great bars, etc.
Valencia LIVE! (Every Second Thursday of the Month, Next: 6/12) - From May until October 2025, this monthly neighborhood celebration will spotlight local businesses on Valencia Street between 16th and 19th St in the American Indian Cultural District.
North Beach Festival (6/14–15) – Now in its 71st year, this classic street fair celebrates San Francisco’s “Little Italy” with art vendors, gourmet food, live music, and the beloved "blessing of the animals." Great for a summer stroll with friends or family.
Sunday Streets (Select Sundays, Next: 6/15) – A rotating series of neighborhood festivals where streets are closed to cars and opened for walking, biking, dancing, art, and community fun. Great for families or exploring a different part of SF. Locations include: Tenderloin (6/15), Mission (7/20), Bayview (8/24), Western Addition (9/21), SoMa (10/5), Excelsior (10/19)
San Francisco Pride (6/28-29)- Celebrating its 55th year, SF Pride is one of the world’s largest LGBTQ+ events, featuring a vibrant parade, live music, and community festivities. Definitely come to the parade, but also keep an eye out for Pride events hosted by local bars and restaurants throughout the weekend!
Fillmore Jazz Festival (7/5–6) – The West Coast’s largest free jazz fest, filling Fillmore Street with soulful performances, artisan booths, and food vendors. It’s a chill, musical way to spend the July 4th weekend.
Bhangra & Beats Night Market (7/25 & 10/24)- This event will span across four city blocks with South Asian Bhangra music, delicious street food cuisines, cocktails, local artisan shops, and more. Fun fact, it’ll be the official destination for the City and County of San Francisco's Diwali Celebration on October 24th.
Nihonmachi Street Fair (8/2–3) – A celebration of Asian-Pacific American culture in the heart of Japantown, featuring taiko drumming, dance, community outreach booths, and great eats. A true neighborhood vibe with cultural pride.
Outside Lands (8/8–10) – A massive 3-day music and arts festival in Golden Gate Park, featuring top-tier headliners (think Tyler, The Creator and Doja Cat), art installations, and an impressive lineup of food, beer, and wine vendors. Tickets are pricey, but the atmosphere is unmatched.
There are so many more free programs that San Francisco has to offer. You gotta check it out!
