When you live in a city like San Francisco, you can't help but want to party. It seems like the San Francisco Festivals dominate our schedules in the summer. Every week there's another event that begs for your attention and calls you to get out and have some fun. With all of the great events and all out craziness that goes on every year, we thought it would be good to make a quick reference guide to some great events that don't always show up on venue calendars and mainstream websites. These events should not be missed and most of these SF Festivals draw in crowds in the multiple 10's of thousands. Here they are in the order that they happen throughout the year.

Spring

Noise Pop
Date: Early March
Description: When it's March, the festivals need to stay indoors. Noise Pop began 15 years ago as a small gathering of 5 bands, put together by Kevin Arnold (later joined by Jordan Kurland). Today, it's grown into 100 bands, playing all over SF for a week. The bands are predominately Bay Area bands, coming up in the indie rock scene, and representing established groups as well. Lyrics Born, the Dandy Warhols, Cake, HoneyCut were just a few of last year's acts. Of course, the smaller bands are where the real gems are found, but a good vibe is pervasive throughout the week. Make it your week to go see some live music.
Links:
Honeycut Video from Noise Pop week.

Green Apple Festival
Date: Mid April
Description: Last year's festival brought over 20,000 people to SpeedWay Meadows in Golden Gate Park. While this is a new comer to the SF Festivals list, it's sure to be a strong contender. Peter Shapiro started this event in New York a few years back and last year it was held in Chicago, New York and San Francisco. This is the premier Green Festival in San Francisco, with a composting program, carbon off-sets on energy, and a huge Green vendor area. It doesn't hurt that Bob Wier, The Greyboy Allstars and Martin Sextons played free shows either. Even Sammy Hagar made a guest appearance. We anticipate this years event to be even bigger.
Links:
Green Apple Festival review from last years event

Bay to Breakers
Date: Mid-late May
Description: There are some people who actually run this "race" but that's a difficult prospect when you're pushing a couch down Market street and drinking by 8AM. Bay to Breakers is a moving frat party for most people, but add in naked old men, tortilla tossing, live bands, and a really long walk through the city (from Bay to Breakers, get it?). Important tips are; bring plenty of party accoutrement, dress up with a group of people, and accommodate comfortable shoes into your costume. Of all the San Francisco Festivals, this is the friendliest and most diverse one of the year, with everybody getting in on photo ops and partying along the way. There's a shared kinship with the thousands who've made the journey. Hit the party at the Polo fields afterwards for some much needed grub and chillin' out.

How Weird Street Fair
Date: Early May
Description: Although this last year was the last time How Weird Street Fair will be held in it's traditional 11th and Howard location, How Weird is a street fair that represents the creative culture of San Francisco. It's an awesome freaky, DJ centric event, with sounds blasting from seven stages and people dancing in the streets all day. This party brings it and this year, there is a How Weird benefit party at 1015 Folsom on March 23rd. There's sure to be some of the best local DJ talent and a friendly crowd.

Carnaval
Date: Late May
Description: This Mission party draws hundreds of thousands of people for two days of dancing Salsa, Samba, Reggae, Tango, Hip- Hop, Merengue, Calypso, Cha Cha Cha, Cumbia, and Mambo music. The parade has a disproportionately high number of beautiful women and it winds through the Mission, ending on Harrison. Just like Carnaval in Rio, the 'escolas' are big groups of dancing people, dressed up in skimpy outfits and feather headdresses for the parade. It's like a marching band in bikini's with less instruments. The best part though is the 7 stages of music going all weekend long. This is one of the San Francisco street fairs that a lot of people miss, don't be one of them next year.

Summer

Gay Pride Festival
Date: Mid-late June
Description: The Gay Pride Parade (and the parties surrounding it) is not just the biggest event in SF, it's also a political statement. Gay or straight, it's about living life the way you want and appreciating other lifestyles and choices as well. It's part of what defines the city, part of what makes people proud to live in it and part of what makes some people stay away. After the parade, there is a big convergence around city hall and people by the hundreds of thousands.

July 4th Celebration
Description: While this is hardly a throw down and barely a festival, going to see the fireworks on the bay is the best thing to do if you're in town on the 4th of July. The fireworks are set off in barges over the water. This would be the perfect opportunity to start buttering up your friend with the apartment that has a view of the water. Keep your ear to the ground for all the different collectives of fireworks places around town, there are usually some bands at Pier 39 too.
Links:
4th of July Fireworks Guide, San Francisco to find locations all over town.

North Beach Jazz Fest
Date: Late July
Description: Of all the San Francisco Festivals on the list, this is the only one that runs for 5 days. Even though there's never any place to park and it's packed with tourists, North Beach is a cool part of town, especially during Jazz Fest. Bouncing from bar to bar, hearing great music, it reminds me a lot of the late night scene at the New Orleans Jazz Fest. Even though the drinking laws and vibe at the festival have changed over the years, Sunset Promotions still puts together a great party and its worth checking out.

Fashion Week
Date: Late August
Description: Fashion Week is one of those San Francisco Festivals that can pass you by if you don't look out for it. Still, last year's party at Mezzanine with FisherSpooner and this years awesome runway shows and events make it something you should keep on your radar. This isn't New York, and it never will be, but San Francisco's event is growing and the vibe is unquely upscale in a dress-down town.
Links:
Fashion Week Preview article

Fall

Power to the Peaceful
Date: Early September
Description: Power to the Peaceful is one of the cool free San Francisco Festivals held each year in Golden Gate Park at Speed Way Meadows. It brings together music, art, political consciousness and social justice. Last year there were over 50,000 people in attendance. The event is the brainchild of Michael Franti and has featured big name acts in hip hop, jam bands and the DJ scene. There's yoga, political booths, multiple stages, food, the whole nine yards. Even if you don't live the life of the activist, don't know who Mumia is or why we should free him, or don't care much about the planet, you should still make the trip down to Speedway Meadows for the event. There's lots of good music, good causes, and ample patchouli oil.
Links:
Power to the Peaceful 2007 preview for the upcoming event

Treasure Island Music Festival
Date: September 15-16
Description: The good folks at Noise Pop and Another Planet Entertainment have come together to offer up a two day line up that could turn out to be one of the best San Francisco Festivals of the year. Thievery Corporation, Modest Mouse, DJ Shadow and more. Don't forget that there is no parking on Treasure Island though. There will be free shuttle service from AT&T Park though, so don't worry. Tickets are about $60 per day but the line-up is so good, you can't miss it. After-parties will be in full effect too, with Kid Koala and more already scheduled at the Independent.
Links:
Treasure Island Music Festival giveaway on our site (for 2007 readers)

San Francisco Love Fest
Date: End of September
Description: This party is blowing up and it didn't take long. A few years after its inception, San Francisco Love Fest (formerly known as the San Francisco Love Parade) has become the biggest DJ week in the country next to WMC in Miami. True to the style of San Francisco Festivals, there are no velvet ropes, no dress codes, just partying. First you follow the parade, then all the floats circle the civic center square and create a sound mash up explosion for 6 hours. Go grab a bite and head back out. One tip, save your energy for the weekend parties, where you have the difficult decision of who to go see. This festival is made for San Francisco. If you like beats, you are going to love it here.
Links:
LoveFest Video #1 and LoveFest Video #2
Love Fest VIP Afterparty drawing for a pair of $125 each passes to the event.

Comedy Day In the Park
Date: End of September
Description: Here's a sleeper event you should catch, Comedy Day in the Park. Between The Purple Onion, Punchline, Cobbs and the smaller comedy clubs, San Francisco actually has a lot of places to see stand up. Who doesn't like laughing? There are over 30 local and national comedians including hometown favorite Robin Williams jammed onto 1 stage over the course of 5 really funny hours. This event is at Sharon Meadows in Golden Gate Park, it's free and usually a beautiful day. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Folsom Street Fair
Date: End of September
Description: You know the album Nothing's Shocking? Well, Jane's Addiction hadn't been to the Folsom Street Fair when they made that album title. It takes place every year on Folsom & Dore, down near 8th Street. On the surface the leather, bondage festival is shocking, then, you hear some stories from friends and you think, "no, not possible what he just said". But it's true, all true. This party is not for the faint of heart (the faint of heart should attend Comedy Day, same day). If you like ball gags and leather though, this is your party. Crack that whip and enjoy.