Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [22]
San Francisco–Area Calendar of Events
For more information on San Francisco events, visit www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com for an annual calendar of local events, as well as http://events.frommers.com, where you’ll find a searchable, up-to-the-minute roster of what’s happening in cities all over the world.
FEBRUARY
Chinese New Year, Chinatown. In 2012, public celebrations will again spill onto every street in Chinatown. Festivities begin with the “Miss Chinatown USA” pageant parade, and climax a week later with a celebratory parade of marching bands, rolling floats, barrages of fireworks, and a block-long dragon writhing in and out of the crowds. The revelry runs for several weeks and wraps up with a memorable parade through Chinatown that starts at Market and Second streets and ends at Kearny Street. Arrive early for a good viewing spot on Kearny Street. You can purchase bleacher seats online starting in December. Make your hotel reservations early. For dates and information, call 415/982-3000 or visit www.chineseparade.com.
MARCH
St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Union Square and Civic Center. Everyone’s an honorary Irish person at this festive affair, which starts at 11:30am at Market and Second streets and continues to City Hall. But the party doesn’t stop there. Head down to the Civic Center for the post-party, or venture to the Embarcadero’s Harrington’s Bar & Grill (245 Front St.) and celebrate with hundreds of the Irish-for-a-day yuppies as they gallivant around the closed-off streets and numerous pubs. For information, call 415/675-9885 or visit www.sfstpatricksdayparade.com. Sunday before March 17.
APRIL
Cherry Blossom Festival, Japantown. Meander through the arts-and-crafts and food booths lining the blocked-off streets around Japan Center and watch traditional drumming, flower arranging, origami making, and a parade celebrating the cherry blossoms and Japanese culture. Call 415/563-2313 for information. Mid- to late April.
San Francisco International Film Festival, around San Francisco with screenings at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas (Fillmore and Post sts.), and at many other locations. Begun in 1957, this is America’s oldest film festival. It features close to 200 films and videos from more than 50 countries. Tickets are relatively inexpensive, and screenings are accessible to the public. Entries include new films by beginning and established directors, and star-studded tributes. For a schedule or information, call 415/561-5000 or visit www.sffs.org. Mid-April to early May.
MAY
Cinco de Mayo Festival, Mission District. This is when the Latino community celebrates the victory of the Mexicans over the French at Puebla in 1862; mariachi bands, dancers, food, and revelers fill the streets of the Mission. The celebration is usually in Dolores Park (Dolores St. btw. 18th and 20th sts.). Contact the Mission Neighborhood Center for more information at 415/206-0577 or www.sfcincodemayo.com.
Zazzle Bay to Breakers Foot Race, the Embarcadero through Golden Gate Park to Ocean Beach. Even if you don’t participate, you can’t avoid this giant, moving costume party (which celebrated its 100th year in 2011) that goes from downtown to Ocean Beach. More than 75,000 entrants gather—many dressed in wacky, innovative, and sometimes X-rated costumes—for the approximately 7.5-mile run. If you don’t want to run, join the throng of spectators who line the route. Sidewalk parties, bands, and cheerleaders of all ages provide a good dose of true San Francisco fun. For recorded information, call 415/359-2800, or check their website, www.ingbaytobreakers.com. Third Sunday of May.
Carnaval Festival, Harrison Street between 16th and 23rd streets. The Mission District’s largest annual event, held from 9:30am to 6pm, is a day of festivities that includes food, music, dance, arts and crafts, and a parade that’s as sultry and energetic as the Latin American and Caribbean people behind it. For one of San Franciscans’ favorite events, more than half a million spectators line the parade route, and samba musicians