Around Town with Stuecher Manning Group | August 2026
Around Town with Stuecher Manning Group | August 2026
August is one of the best months to experience San Francisco at its most energetic. Golden Gate Park fills with music and celebration, neighborhood streets come alive with food and culture, and outdoor events make the most of the city’s long summer days. From major festivals and free concerts to local traditions, family-friendly gatherings, and only-in-San-Francisco moments, there is no shortage of reasons to get out and explore. Here are some of the top events happening around the city and the Bay Area this August.
Jerry Day
Date: August 1, 2026
Location: Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, McLaren Park
Time: 11:30 a.m.–5:45 p.m.
Celebrate the music and legacy of San Francisco native Jerry Garcia during the 24th annual Jerry Day. This year’s lineup includes Melvin Seals & JGB with Jazz Mafia, Stu Allen & Mars Hotel, and Spencer Krenz & Friends performing a Garcia and Grisman tribute. The main celebration is followed by free performances and after-parties throughout the Excelsior District.
World Dog Surfing Championships
Date: August 1, 2026
Location: Linda Mar Beach, Pacifica
Time: 9:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Start August with one of the Bay Area’s most adorable summer traditions. The World Dog Surfing Championships brings talented pups to Linda Mar Beach to ride the Pacific waves and compete for top honors. Along with the surfing competition, visitors can enjoy a dog fashion show, pet wellness activities, adoption opportunities, and plenty of entertaining moments on the beach. It is a fun, family-friendly event for dog lovers, surfing fans, and anyone looking for a uniquely Northern California experience.
Nihonmachi Street Fair
Date: August 1–2, 2026
Location: San Francisco Japantown
Time: Event schedule varies
The 52nd annual Nihonmachi Street Fair celebrates the traditions and diversity of the Bay Area’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Explore live music and cultural performances, artisan booths, community organizations, food vendors, creative activities, a beer festival, and the popular Doggie World area. It is one of Japantown’s most welcoming and community-focused annual traditions.
Stern Grove Festival: August Concerts
Dates: August 2, 9, 15 and 16, 2026
Location: Sigmund Stern Recreation Grove
Time: Times vary by performance
Stern Grove Festival closes its 89th season with four impressive free concerts beneath the eucalyptus trees. Violent Femmes and Tune-Yards perform on August 2, followed by Patti LaBelle and Destani Wolf on August 9. The final weekend features Public Enemy with LaRussell on August 15 and Al Green with Goapele and The Glide Ensemble on August 16. Free general-admission tickets are distributed through the festival’s lottery system, so advance planning is essential.
Downtown First Thursdays
Date: August 6, 2026
Location: Second Street between Market and Howard streets
Time: 5:00–10:00 p.m.
Downtown First Thursdays transforms several blocks of SoMa into a free evening street party filled with music, dancing, art, food, shopping, drag performances, karaoke, and outdoor entertainment. Visitors can move between multiple stages and activity zones, including the Howard Street stage, Jessie Street’s Discoteca, the Natoma Dance Hall, curbside karaoke outside 111 Minna Gallery, and outdoor bars throughout the event area.
Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival
Date: August 7–9, 2026
Location: Golden Gate Park
Time: Daily schedules vary
Outside Lands returns for three days of music, food, wine, art, comedy, and immersive experiences spread across Golden Gate Park. The 2026 headliners include Charli XCX, The Strokes, and Rüfüs Du Sol, joined by artists such as Baby Keem, PinkPantheress, Tinashe, Geese, and the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. Beyond the stages, the festival showcases Bay Area restaurants, wineries, breweries, cocktail makers, and local artists.
Pistahan Parade and Festival
Date: August 8–9, 2026
Location: Yerba Buena Gardens and Market Street
Time: Parade begins Saturday at 11:00 a.m.; festival approximately 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The 33rd annual Pistahan Parade and Festival brings a vibrant celebration of Filipino and Filipino American culture to Downtown San Francisco. The weekend begins with the West Coast’s largest Filipino parade traveling from Civic Center along Market Street. The celebration continues at Yerba Buena Gardens with live music, traditional and contemporary dance, martial arts, food, art, shopping, exhibits, and family activities.
San Francisco Pizza, Bagel & Beer Festival
Date: August 15, 2026
Location: North Beach
Time: 12:00–4:00 p.m.
Come hungry for an afternoon celebrating three of San Francisco’s favorite things: pizza, bagels, and local beer. More than 65 Bay Area pizzerias, bakeries, breweries, and food businesses are expected to participate, giving guests the opportunity to taste a wide variety of slices, freshly baked bagels, and craft beverages in one of the city’s most historic food neighborhoods.
Festival of Chariots
Date: August 23, 2026
Location: Golden Gate Park, beginning near JFK Promenade and continuing to Robin Williams Meadow
Time: Check the official schedule for procession times
San Francisco’s Festival of Chariots celebrates its 60th year with a colorful procession through Golden Gate Park. Also known as Ratha-yātrā, the event features elaborately decorated chariots accompanied by music, dancing, chanting, cultural performances, exhibits, and traditional Indian food. San Francisco’s first celebration was organized in 1967, making it one of the city’s longest-running cultural festivals.
Sunday Streets Bayview
Date: August 23, 2026
Location: Bayview District
Time: 12:00–4:00 p.m.
Sunday Streets temporarily transforms neighborhood streets into car-free public spaces where visitors can walk, bike, skate, dance, exercise, and spend time with the community. The Bayview edition will feature free recreational activities, live entertainment, children’s games, local organizations, neighborhood businesses, health resources, and opportunities to explore the area at a slower pace.
Pokémon World Championships and PokémonXP
Date: August 28–30, 2026
Location: Moscone Center
Time: Daily schedules vary
Some of the world’s best Pokémon players are coming to San Francisco to compete in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon video games, Pokémon GO, Pokémon UNITE, and other championship events. The competition will be joined by PokémonXP, an immersive fan celebration featuring activities, exclusive merchandise, side events, interactive experiences, and opportunities to celebrate the Pokémon universe beyond the tournament floor.