Art walks
February 1 - 2, 2019
Bay Area
Visit art galleries that stay open late on the first Thursday or Friday of each month. Free.
- San Francisco - First Thursday Art Walks
- Oakland - Oakland Art Murmur (Friday)
- San Jose - South First Fridays
San Francisco events February 2019
S.F. Restaurant Week
February 1 - 3, 2019
(begins Jan. 23)
San Francisco restaurants
Get a special deal on a fixed-price lunch or dinner meal at 130 restaurants during SF Restaurant Week.
Classic films
February 1 - 3, 2019
(begins Jan. 25)
1.6 miles SW
Noir City screens classic films that are stylish, cynical, and melodramatic at the Castro Theatre.
Seafood & wine dinner
February 2, 2019
55 miles north
Enjoy fresh seafood and Sonoma County wine at the Great Sonoma Crab & Wine Fest, plus a live auction at Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa.
Chinese flower fair
February 2 - 3, 2019
1.4 miles NE
Shop for fresh flowers for Chinese New Year from 120 vendors, and watch traditional Chinese magicians, acrobats, and folk dancers at the Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair in Chinatown. Free.
Free art museum day
February 5, 2019
3 miles west
Visit The de Young Museum on a First Tuesday of the Month to see its extensive collection of American and native art at Golden Gate Park. Free.
Film festival: indie films
February 7 - 21, 2019
1.8 miles south
SF Independent Film Festival (SF IndieFest) celebrates maverick filmmakers by screening films made by independent producers at theaters in the Mission District.
Wine walk
February 8, 2019
(4 to 8 p.m.)
1.6 miles north
Taste wine at restaurants and businesses with a ticket to Valentine Wine Walk on Union and Fillmore Streets.
Book fair
February 8 - 10, 2019
11.7 miles NE
Browse thousands of rare books, maps, prints, and photos from 200 booksellers at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair, which includes seminars and events at Oakland Marriott City Center.
Bird festival
February 8 - 10, 2019
34.3 miles north
Celebrate the peak of migration season with guided bird walks, self-guided walks, a wildlife expo, and an art show at San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival in Vallejo.
Valentine’s Day haunted house
February 8, 9, 14, 2019
23 miles SE
Your group gets one dim flashlight to navigate a pitch-black haunted house that features a gory Cupid and a bear wielding a chain saw at Valentine Haunt at Bayfair Center in San Leandro.
Book fair
February 9 - 10, 2019
10.6 miles south
Shop for a wide variety of books and paper products from 115 dealers at the San Francisco Antiquarian Book, Print & Paper Fair at South San Francisco Conference Center.
Valentine’s Day dinner
February 14, 2019
San Francisco Bay Area
OpenTable lists restaurants that offer special brunch, lunch, and dinner menus on Valentine’s Day.
Romance in the greenhouse
February 14, 2019
(uncertain)
2.5 miles west
Take a stroll through the lush Conservatory of Flowers at Aphrodisiacs of the Tropics, which includes sparkling wine, chocolate, accordion music, perfumes to sample, food for sale, and stories about plant reproduction.
Valentine’s Day wine train
February 14, 2019
46.9 miles north
Take a three hour ride through wine country on the Napa Valley Wine Train as you enjoy a gourmet lunch or dinner with a glass of sparkling wine, departing from Napa.
Cuban dance festival
February 15 - 17, 2019
0.3 miles SE
Enjoy beginner’s classes, workshops, parties, and concerts at San Francisco Salsa Rueda Festival at Hotel Whitcomb.
Chinese New Year Concert
February 16, 2019
0.1 miles SW
The Lunar New Year Concert and Imperial Dinner includes a pre-concert reception at 3 p.m. with lion and ribbon dancing, tea bars, Chinese calligraphy, children’s entertainment, and “lucky” red envelopes; a 4 p.m. concert by San Francisco Symphony in Davies Symphony Hall; and a 6 p.m. seated dinner at Zellerbach Rehearsal Hall. Or buy just concert tickets.
Photographic art
February 22 - 24, 2019
2.3 miles north
See contemporary photography displayed by international galleries at PhotoFairs in the Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason, which panel discussions. Free admission for children under age 12.
Fly Fishing Show
February 22 - 24, 2019
36.2 miles SE
The Fly Fishing Show has casting demonstrations, films, classes, celebrity speakers, fly-tying materials, rods, and reels at Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. The Fly Fishing Film Festival on Friday evening requires a separate ticket.
Chinese New Year Parade
February 23, 2019
1.2 miles NE
See beautiful floats, elaborate costumes, ferocious lions, exploding firecrackers, and Miss Chinatown USA at the free Chinese New Year Parade, which begins at the corner of 2nd Street and Market Street. Parade map. Free unless you reserve bleacher seats.
Chowder festival
February 23 - 24, 2019
73.8 miles south
Buy tasting tickets to sample the clam chowder that costumed chefs prepare along the boardwalk at the Clam Chowder Cook Off & Festival in Santa Cruz.
Beer Week
February 2019
(undated)
San Francisco Bay Area
Enjoy hundreds of tasting events, brunches, and dinners during SF Beer Week.
Independent music festival
February 2019
(undated)
San Francisco & Oakland
Noise Pop Festival is an indie music, arts, and film festival, with a focus on emerging talent.
Wine tasting
February 2019
(undated)
0.1 miles west
Enjoy wine, craft beer, appetizers, and an auction to support the YMCA at Pour Your Support at San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center.
Chinese food festival
February 2019
(undated)
0.8 miles SE
Buy Chinese New Year food (goyza, bao buns, dim sum, and fish balls) from 15 vendors during Dumpling Down at SoMa StrEat Food Park. Optional unlimited drinks (kumquat mimosas & E.S. Chi Herbal Tonic Ale).
Tater Tots from food trucks
February 2019
(undated)
0.8 miles SE
Celebrate National Tater Tot Day eating the crunchy potato treats served by 14 food trucks, and then vote for your favorite at SoMa StrEat Food Park. Live music.
Mardi Gras
February 2019
(undated)
1.1 miles NW
Mardi Gras San Francisco Style includes a free blues concert at Fillmore & O’Farrell Streets (5 to 7 p.m.) and a ticketed masquerade ball with dinner at Westbay Conference Center (8 p.m.).
German film festival
February 2019
(undated)
San Francisco theaters
See films from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland at Berlin and Beyond in S.F. at Castro Theatre and Goethe-Institut, and in Berkeley at Shattuck Cinemas.
Paella & beer party
February 2019
(undated)
1.4 miles NE
Enjoy unlimited paella (a Spanish rice meal) with or without meat, unlimited organic beer, and flamenco guitar at Paella Fest at ThirstyBear Brewing Company.
Run in your underwear
February 2019
(undated)
2.1 miles east
Cupid’s Undie Run includes a half-naked run in the street and a party at Pedro’s Cantina for charity. The 15-minute run starts at 2 p.m. Must be age 21+.
Scavenger hunt
February 2019
(undated)
2.2 miles north
Solve puzzles to reach a mystery location in the family-friendly Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt, beginning at Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center. Register in advance, and see the list of items to bring.
Brazilian dance party
February 2019
(undated)
2.3 miles NE
Brazilian Carnaval promises nonstop DJ dance music, drums, a Brazilian singer, and colorful samba dancers at Broadway Studios.
British movies
February 2019
(undated)
2.3 miles NW
See foreign films with no need for subtitles at the Mostly British Film Festival, from the U.K., Ireland, Australia, Canada, and India, at the Vogue Theatre.
Tribal art fair
February 2019
(undated)
2.3 miles north
San Francisco Tribal & Textile Art Show is both an art exhibition and sale by 70 curated galleries in the Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason Center.
Wine tasting
February 2019
(undated)
2.3 miles north
With 7,000 entries, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Public Tasting is billed as the largest competition of U.S. wines in the world. Taste them in the Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason Center.
Cocktail party
February 2019
(undated)
2.4 miles NE
Try creative drinks from 12 bars, hear live music and DJ dance music, and explore exhibits during Science of Cocktails at the Exploratorium on Pier 15 for age 21+.
Hip hop cocktail party
February 2019
(undated)
2.6 miles north
Enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres, dance performances, and a silent auction at One Love, a benefit for the Hip Hop DanceFest aboard a cruise ship at Pier 39 for age 21+.
Tulip days
February 2019
(undated)
2.7 miles NW
Brighten up winter with a walk among 39,000 tulips, with or without a guide, at Tulipmania on Pier 39. Free.
Mexican folk music
February 2019
(undated)
2.9 miles south
Featuring the folkloric music style of Veracruz, the Son Jarocho Festival offers concerts, workshops, and family activities at Brava for Women In the Arts.
Orchid show
February 2019
(undated)
3 miles west
Billed as the largest U.S. orchid show, the Pacific Orchid Exposition has 150,000 beautiful blooms and offers docent tours, vibrant exhibits, and cultivation tips at the San Francisco County Fair Building.
Half marathon
February 2019
(undated)
3.5 miles west
The San Francisco Half Marathon & 5K both begin in Golden Gate Park, but the half marathon continues south to the zoo with ocean views.
Pole-dancing competition
February 2019
(undated)
14.6 miles south
Watch the best pole dancers in the state compete to go to the national finals at Golden Gate Pole Championships at Skyline College in San Bruno.
Monster trucks
February 2019
(undated)
16.8 miles SE
Big trucks with big wheels create big excitement at Monster Jam in Oakland Alameda County Coliseum.
Motocross racing
February 2019
(undated)
18.6 miles SE
Watch off-road motorcycles race on dirt tracks with steep jumps, tight corners, and obstacles at AMA Supercross at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Family carnival in San Rafael
February 2019
(undated)
19.8 miles NW
Everyone is welcome at Purim Palooza, which has a bounce house, balloon animals, face painting, carnival games, and live music at Osher Marin JCC. Free except food.
American Indian art
February 2019
(undated)
20.5 miles north
Browse the displays of 100 dealers and artists selling pre-Columbian, Spanish colonial, and American Indian antique and contemporary art at the American Indian Art Show at Marin Civic Center in San Rafael.
Bacon and beer
February 2019
(undated)
43 miles south
Enjoy craft beer, bacon-inspired tastes from local restaurants, music, and interactive games at Bacon and Beer Classic at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
San Jose beer festival
February 2019
(undated)
50.4 miles south
Meet the Brewers features beer from dozens of local breweries, food trucks, live music, and local art by SJ Made at Hermitage Brewing.
South Bay jazz
February 2019
(undated)
multiple locations
See two-dozen shows during San Jose Jazz Winterfest.
Valentine’s Day humor
February 2019
(undated)
S.F. & Oakland
Adults tell stories about their lives and share embarrassing childhood artifacts (diaries, letters, lyrics, poems, and home movies) at Mortified Doomed Valentine’s Show.
- DNA Lounge, S.F.
- The New Parish, Oakland
Valentine’s Day cruise
February 2019
(undated)
2.1 miles NE
Enjoy brunch or dinner with views of the bay on the San Francisco Valentine’s Cruises from Hornblower, which depart from Pier 3 on The Embarcadero, or Berkeley.
1950s dance
February 2019
(undated)
3.6 miles NW
Buy retro cocktails and dance the evening away to live music from The Ely Brothers & The Doubletake Band at Valentine’s Day Sock Hop at the Presidio Officers’ Club. Free with RSVP.
Family tea party
February 2019
(undated)
14.7 miles NE
Collect fragrant edibles in the garden, and then make tea, snacks, and pressed Valentine’s cards at A Botanical Valentine’s Day Tea at UC Botanical Garden.