Framelines’s mission is to strengthen the diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and further its visibility by supporting and promoting a broad array of cultural representations and artistic expression in film, video and other media arts. Locals know that this is a fantastic event, so advance tickets are suggested but at-the-door tickets are available until seating runs out. Reserve your seats early so as not to miss out on the event featuring directors, actors and other queer media icons.

June 20th to June 30th, 2013

For more information go to www.frameline.org/festival/

The San Francisco Marathon is a crown jewel for the city. Started in 2001 with the desire to create one of the most beautiful and challenging urban road race marathons in the United States, the Wipro San Francisco Marathon offers an idyllic summer running event. The course was built organically with the local runner in mind, the quintessential San Franciscan healthy outdoor-lover, embodying the natural, sustainable, genuine beauty of the city itself. True to local style, the Marathon values authenticity.

The race prides itself on being a bit different from the pack, like the city itself. The race is more individual, the course more challenging, the terrain more beautiful – an event The Wall Street Journal referred to as “The Race Even Marathoners Fear.” Attracting endurance athletes from around the country and the globe, those who come to this event share the same amazing aspects of the city that the residents love – to embrace and celebrate the running of the country’s toughest big city marathon and reward over 25,000 runners with unparalleled, breathtaking views and a Well Earned Finish.

June 16th, 2013
Full marathon registry fee is $135. Half marathons, progressive marathon, 5k run/walk and munchkin marathons priced accordingly.

For more information and to register go to www.thesfmarathon.com/

Sunday, June 16th, 2013 marks the start of the 76th consecutive Stern Grove Festival with a concert starring musical guests Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs. The concert is free to the public with first come, first serve seating. All Stern Grove concerts start at 2:00 PM. Please note that there is no public parking and guests are encouraged to take advantage of public transit. MUNI bus routes directly serve Sigmund Stone Grove.

Sunday, June 16th at 2:00 PM PST
Sigmund Stern Grove, 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard
No admission fees and no tickets required.

For more information go to www.sterngrove.org/

The 59th annual North Beach Festival is considered one of the country’s original outdoor festivals with Washington Square Park and several neighboring blocks taken over in this giant two-day street fair. With three stages for entertainment over 125 arts and crafts booths, 20 gourmet food booths, Italian street painting, beverage gardens and the blessing of the animals, there’s sure to be a little something for everyone.

Live music fills the streets of “Little Italy” during the two-day long Festival. Renewing the older traditions of when North Beach was a complete and thriving community, the sights, sounds, smells and flavors available will recall the strength and passion of San Francisco’s Italian heritage. Free to attend and family friendly, the North Beach Festival is sure to delight summer festival goers.

Saturday and Sunday, June 15th and 16th, 2013, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST
North Beach District, San Francisco
Free admission

For more information go to www.sresproductions.com/north_beach_festival.html

The event attracts over 100,000 people who take to the streets in an atmosphere reminiscent of the Summer of Love for which the event is famous. This, the 35th anniversary celebration, promises to live up to its world-famous reputation with entertainment for families with children, many local bands, top-drawer comedy, music, food and drink and an opportunity to celebrate with many other like-minded people. Admission to the Fair is free, so don’t miss out on this joyful and historical event.

Sunday, June 9th, 2013
600 Ashbury Street, San Francisco
Free to the public.

For more information go to www.haightashburystreetfair.org

In its 38th year, The Union Street Festival is one of San Francisco’s largest free annual events, launching the city’s summer street festivals with an atmosphere of open-air market and traditional fair ware in the heart of historic Cow Hollow, San Francisco’s premiere shopping and residential district. Featuring over 150 boutique artists from across the country, the Festival offers opportunities to browse and buy jewelry, pottery, paintings, photography, furniture and bath & body supplies while providing entertainment by the best of the Bay Area’s hardest working Indie bands.

Adding to the atmosphere of the Street Festival, over two dozen gourmet food booths and bistro style cafes plus multiple beer gardens offer nourishment while visitors absorb the sights and sounds.

June 1st and 2nd, 2013, 10:00 AM to 6:00PM PST
Union Street – Gough to Steiner
Free to attend.

For more information go to www.unionstreetfestival.com/

The San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, founded to present the ethnic dance companies in the Bay Area, includes performers from throughout Northern California with over 600 dance companies and 100 different genres. During its rich history, the Festival has celebrated and fostered appreciation for the diverse cultural communities in the Bay Area and Northern California. As the first multicultural, city-sponsored ethnic dance festival in America, the Festival has a responsibility and the honor to provide an outstanding opportunity for artists who seek to present the dance expressions of their cultural and ethnic heritages. Participants come from varied socio-economical backgrounds, representing a broad range of occupations and lifestyles and during the month long festival. Students, masters and groups from regions as varied as Senegal, Tobasco and Barangay all dance together on the same stage.

The four programs, one on each weekend of the month, feature 7 to 11 companies and are comprised of performers selected from an annual audition with World Arts West, the presenter of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. WAW’s mission is to support artists sustaining the world’s diverse dance traditions by providing needed services and performance opportunities and to provide the general public with opportunities to experience and learn more about world arts and cultures. The Festival plays a crucial role in California’s cultural ecology, highlighting the diverse heart and soul of San Francisco.

June 1st to June 30th, 2013

For more information go to www.worldartswest.org

Source : http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfcarnaval/5797557214/

The 35th anniversary San Francisco Carnaval Parade on May 26th, 2013, is the city’s largest multi-cultural event and a breathtaking display of community and colors, drummers and dancers, traditions and fellowship. This Latin inspired moving party celebrates global heritage with this year’s theme of “Spanning Borders; Bridging Cultures.” From music and dancing of the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Polynesia, Puerto Rico and Trinidad to African and Japanese drumming, the Memorial Day Weekend happening blossoms with intricate costumes, fantastic floats, stilt-walkers and thousands of people out to celebrate culture and international friendship.

Making its way through the Mission District with a simple message of love and peace through diversity, the Carnaval Parade is sure to awe and delight with its flashy dancers, passionate music, artistry, diversity and amazing percussion performances. Free to attend and family friendly, the Parade is a sensual intoxication both in spectacle of sight and sound and in the dynamic array of food from Latin America and the Caribbean. The Parade is the grand finale of the San Francisco Carnaval celebration and welcomes all who seek a message of peace and joy from the whole world.

May 26th, 2013 from to PST.
Mission District –
Free to attend, donations welcomed.

The 102-year old Zazzle Bay to Breakers 12k is one of the world’s largest and oldest footraces, held annually in San Francisco, California. The name reflects the traditional course which takes tens of thousands of participants from the northeast end of downtown near The Embarcadero (the bay side of the city) to the west end and the breakers of Ocean Beach. Originally started as a spirit-lifter of civic morale after the devastating earthquake and fires of 1906, the 7.46 mile race features world-class athletes, costumed runners and fun loving participants out for a great day of running or walking through beautiful San Francisco.

This historic event is USA Track & Field certified and registration is required, but this isn’t just a race for the serious runner. In the true spirit of San Francisco, the race is a celebration for everyone. Families, weekend runners and walkers, and thousands of costumed participants (there’s a contest for the costumes, too!) make their way through the heart of the city cheered on by 100,000 spectators, cheering and bursts of live music. Throughout its long history, Bay to Breakers has been a showcase for the City’s irrepressible color, spirit and affection for eclectic traditions. This is a quintessential San Francisco experience and a true reflection of the heart of the city.

Sunday, May 19th, 2013 at 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM PST
Start location: See website for appropriate placement.
Registration fees: $53.00 per adult and $48.00 per child (must register to run/walk)

For more information go to www.baytobreakers.com

Cooking demonstrations by renown Bay Area chefs, seminars, musical entertainment and food and wine purveyances will take place throughout the courtyards of Ghirardelli Square as well as extend onto the adjacent Beach Street. Tasting tickets for Uncorked! are $50.00 and include a souvenir wine glass and unlimited tastings to satisfy your Bacchanalian desires. There is no admission fee to enter the event. Revel and sip while learning wine basics, pairings and profiles.

Saturday, May 18th, 2013 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM PST
Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco
Tasting tickets: $50.00
Event entry: free

For more information go to www.ghirardellisq.com/events/uncorked-wine-festival/