April 1 – August 31
WILDFLOWERS: SAN FRANCISCO BOTANICAL GARDEN
Starting in April and extending through August, the largest portion of the garden’s collections comes into bloom, drawing a huge host of pollinators to its bounty of remarkable and rare plants. A special population of locally rare, native butterflies now makes its home in the Garden of California Native Plants. The flowering should be especially abundant this year due to the recent heavy rains.
San Francisco Botanical Garden, Golden Gate Park – Open 9 am to 6 pm (spring and summer)
Free docent tours every Saturday, April 1 to August 26, at 2 pm – Free with proof of SF residency (free to all on the second Tuesday of the month: April 11 this month)
APRIL 2 (FIRST SUNDAY)
FREE ADMISSION DAY, ASIAN ART MUSEUM
APRIL 4 (FIRST TUESDAY)
FREE ADMISSION DAY, VARIOUS MUSEUMS
Conservatory of Flowers, Contemporary Jewish Museum, DeYoung Museum, Legion of Honor Museum, Museum of Craft and Design, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (please confirm with the museum calendar, as free days may vary).
APRIL 5
SF ZOO FREE ADMISSION DAY FOR SAN FRANCISCO RESIDENTS
A free day for all San Francisco residents. Proof of San Francisco residency is required and can be established by providing: a valid driver’s license, a valid identification card, or a utility, phone, or other local bills with your name and address, along with a current valid photo I.D. First free admission at 10:00 am. Last free admission at 3:00 pm.
APRIL 5-19
SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The 60th SFIFF is a major cultural event in the Bay Area. The annual lineup features marquee premieres, international competitions, new media work, live performances, and compelling artists’ talks. Last year’s festival featured 243 screenings of 175 films from 46 countries.
Castro Theater, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, SFMOMA, and other locations – 415-561-5000
APRIL 8
SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL BEER FESTIVAL
SF’s oldest and best beer festival with 100+ brewers, complimentary bites, live music, and games. Guzzle beers from 100+ countries as well as a variety of offerings from some of San Francisco’s best restaurants. SFIBF is the sole fundraiser for the Telegraph Hill Cooperative Nursery School. Must be 21 or over to get in the door.
Fort Mason Center, Festival Pavilion, 7-10 pm
APRIL 8-9, APRIL 15-16
50th ANNUAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL (HANAMI)
This annual festival is one of California’s most prominent celebrations of Asian traditions. Two consecutive weekends of cultural performances, crafts, food booths, martial arts, exhibitions, live bands, and the annual Queen Program. The Grand Parade will be held on Sunday, April 16, beginning at 1 pm at City Hall and concluding in Japantown.
Civic Center and Japantown (between Laguna & Fillmore and Geary & Bush) – 415-563-2313
APRIL 10
OPENING DAY – SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
The San Francisco Giants open their season at AT&T Park with a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
AT&T Park – 415-972-2000 (info)
APRIL 16
UNION STREET SPRING CELEBRATION
The 26th Annual Union Street Spring Celebration and Easter Parade celebrates and showcases the diverse community of San Francisco and features some of Union Street’s best restaurants serving attendees in an outdoor bistro setting.
Union Street: Gough to Fillmore, 10 am to 5 pm (parade starts at 2 pm)
APRIL 20-26
Films, visiting filmmakers, and guest speakers from around the globe cover environmental topics such as clean energy and green chemistry, food, housing, trash, water, and art in the environment.
Various venues – 415-767-1977
APRIL 21-30
Bay Area National Dance Week is expecting its biggest festival to date, with an anticipated 600+ free events including classes, performances, open rehearsals, lecture demonstrations, and the return of the popular Kick-Off Event on Friday, April 21, in the City Hall rotunda at noon.
415-920-9181
APRIL 22
EARTH DAY SAN FRANCISCO
The festival will feature multicultural entertainment, panel discussions and speakers at their “Eco Teach-In” event, organic celebrity chef showcase, organic and vegan food courts, wine and beer gardens, clean energy zone, cutting-edge earth friendly products, an electric vehicle showcase, kids’ zone, and more.
Civic Center, 10 am to 7 pm
APRIL 22-23
Hunters Point, one of America’s most art-centric neighborhoods, offers the opportunity for the general public to visit studios and purchase fine art directly from its creators.
Hunters Point Shipyard and Islais Creek Studios: 11 am to 6 pm – 415-822-0922
APRIL 23
This decorated boat parade, hosted by the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association (PICYA), represents over 100 yacht clubs in Northern California and celebrates the official beginning of the 2017 boating season on San Francisco Bay. It coincides with the traditional blessing of the fleet. The theme for this year’s parade is “Cruising the Century,” featuring over 100 historic workboats, fireboats, tow boats, and classic and contemporary craft. Power and sailboats will be competing for best decoration honors.
Off Crissy Field in the Presidio: Starts at noon, led by the San Francisco Fire Boat Phoenix – 415-999-6422
APRIL 27-30
The Bay Area’s only contemporary and modern art fair, Art Market San Francisco welcomes more than 70 established galleries, as well as innovative newcomers from across the country presenting a significant selection of contemporary and modern works of art.
Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason
VIP Preview:
Thursday, April 27, 2017— 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Public Hours:
Friday, April 28, 2017 — 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Saturday, April 29, 2017 — 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Sunday, April 30, 2017 — 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
APRIL 29-MAY 7
The Asian Art Museum teams up with the San Francisco Unified School District to present a celebration of student creativity and arts education, showcasing visual and performing arts by 11,500 students from 250 schools.
Asian Art Museum, San Francisco Civic Center – 415-581-3500
APRIL 29-MAY 29
SAN FRANCISCO DECORATOR SHOWCASE
With 40 years of excellence in design and the decorative arts and 20,000 visitors annually, this event is nationally recognized as one of the premier showcase houses in the country. All the funds raised through the Decorator Showcase go directly to support the San Francisco University High School Financial Aid Program.
Preview Opening Party April 28 – 415-447-5830