Go to: San Francisco Main Event Calendar | May Events
If you have a public festival or fair you'd like to submit for consideration click here for the submission form. Detailed guidelines for Bay Area event submissions are available in this document.
San Francisco Festivals by Month:
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San Francisco Festivals and Fairs - May 2008
Dates and details are subject to change. Always check with the organization or venue for updates.
San Francisco Jazz - Spring Season 2008
March 6 to June 20, 2008
Jazz performances at a variety of venues in San Francisco
April 25 to May 10, 2008
Check website for venues and film listings
Films (features and shorts) from around the world. See the SFIFF event and film calendar for screenings and special presentations
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
May 2008 to October 2008
Yerba Buena Gardens - SoMa (See SF Map)
Music, arts, dance and children's programs through the spring and summer season
Attack of the Killer B Movies
May 1 to June 7, 2008
Dark Room Theater (2263 Mission Street)
Runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8p - Trio of B Movies brought to life by an acting ensemble/stage adaptation - (The Birds on 5/1 to 5/10, The Bad Seed on 5/15 to 24, The Blob on May 29 to June 7)
San Francisco Cinco de Mayo
May 3, 2008
Mission Dolores Park - Mission District (See SF Map)
Picnics, music, dance, arts
Norway Day Festival
May 3 & 4, 2008
Herbst Pavilion - Fort Mason (See Fort Mason Map)
Norwegian food, culture, music, fashion and activities
9th Annual How Weird Street Faire
May 4, 2008
Howard & 2nd (10 blocks from original location) - SoMa - (See SoMa on SF Map)
11:11a to 5:55p - Seven city blocks of art, food, non-profit organizations, 9 stages of music
** Art in the Alley
May 4, 2008
Kerouac Alley between City Lights & Vesuvio - (See North Beach on SF Map
12p to 6p - More than 24 emerging and established artists – AlTal Jazz Trio provides music
Dog Day on the Bay
May 4, 2008
From Pier 3, Hornblower Landing, on the Embarcadero
Noon to 2p – Boarding at 11a
Proceeds benefit cats and dogs at the San Francisco SPCA - Bring your dog on board for a two-hour, dog-friendly cruise featuring a Bow Wow Buffet, Water Bards, and Doggie Relief Area - Guardians and friends indulge in gourmet buffet and free flowing champagne - One dog per person
PlayGround Festival
May 8 to 25, 2008
Festival of new works by new writers at The Thick House (1695 18th Street)
15th Annual KFOG KaBoom!
May 10, 2008
Pier 30/32
Festival featuring Los Lobos, Collective Soul, Matt Nathanson
10th Anniversary of FUNNY GIRLZ
May 10, 2008
Herbst Theatre
Women comedians, featuring: Phranc, Diane Amos, Gina Yashere, Matthew "Peggy Lee" Martin, Samantha Chanse and Lisa Geduldig
KUSF Rock ‘n Swap
May 11, 2008
McLaren Hall - on USF campus
10a to 3p - $3.00 (free for USF students) – giant record collectors fair
San Francisco Cocktail Week
May 13 to May 19, 2008
At various venues and participating bars
Events include the Opening Gala, Farmers' Market Cocktails at the San Francisco Ferry Building, International Guest Bartender Night, and Literature, Booze and History
San Francisco International Comedy Festival
May 13 to May 17, 2008
Stage Werx Theatre (533 Sutter) and Our Little Comedy Club (287 Ellis)
More than 20 international comics in five consecutive days of standup - shows at 8:30p and 10p - proceeds go toward uniforms and school supplies for young girls and boys in the poverty-stricken countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea
Bike to Work Day
May 15, 2008
Join bike commuters in making a statement about the importance of the two-wheeled way - volunteers will cheer cyclists on at 25 Energizer Stations around San Francisco - plus Annual Bike Away From Work Party at the Rickshaw Stop – 6p to 10p
San Francisco Oyster & Beer Festival
May 17, 2008
Great Meadows at Fort Mason – Fort Mason (See Fort Mason Map)
Gates open at 11a - Show at noon
Demos, Shuck and Swallow Competition, Irish dancing, bands (Dropkick Murphys, Juliette and the Licks, Chuck Prophet and many more)
Start of Film Night in the Park Season
May 17, 2008 -- at dusk in Dolores Park - See Mission District on SF Map
The Wizard of Oz
Next dates: June 7 and June 28
Ing Bay to Breakers 12K
Third Sunday in May - May 18, 2008
Start at Howard & Beale – 8:00a
Finishes at Ocean Beach
Free to spectators - Runners (costumed and non-costumed) crowd the course in this San Francisco annual tradition
5th San Francisco International Arts Festival
May 21 to June 8, 2008
Check website for venues
The Truth in Knowing/Now: Threads in Time, Place, Culture - More than 40 performances
and three major visual arts exhibits being presented by more than 25 San Francisco
Arts organizations at multiple venues
Carnaval San Francisco
May 24 and 25, 2008 - Grand Parade on May 25
On Harrison (between 16th & 23rd)
California’s largest multi-cultural celebration, drawing hundreds of thousands of people - two days of dancing, music, arts, entertainment, food and a grand parade on Sunday
Memorial Day Ceremony at the Presidio
May 25, 2008
10:30a parade at Presidio Main Parade Ground
11:00a - Program at SF National Cemetery at the Presidio
See Presidio on SF Map
32nd Annual Union Street Festival
May 31 & June 1, 2008 - 10a to 6p
Union Street - Gough to Steiner (See Marina District/Cow Hollow on SF Map)
Arts and crafts using eco-friendly materials, food, organic farmers market, wine and beer gardens, musical performances
