San Francisco Events for January – February 2020
January 21st, 2020
It’s a New Year and 2020 is about saying “yes” more often than “no.” We’re giving you a list of our favorite upcoming events so you can choose your own adventure. Whether you’re a connoisseur of fine wines or craft beers, or an opportunist of all things quirky like SF’s beloved Edwardian Ball, there truly is something for everyone.
Yoga on the Labyrinth
Grace Cathedral
Yoga on the labyrinth at Grace Cathedral is a unique experience. Several hundred people of all ages, from all over the city, of many different faith affiliations, including none, gather as one to practice yoga in the darkened cathedral. Colorful mats cover the labyrinth, the aisles and even the altar. Tuesday yoga exemplifies our commitment to meeting people where they are and recognizes there are many ways to be spiritual. Mats are provided if you don’t have one!
Plants + Wine: Fern Mounting Workshop
Plant Therapy
Out of room for plants? Learn how to utilize the space on your walls! You’ll be sipping on wine and learning how to make a fern wall mount you can take home. Ticket includes all materials to make your own fern mount, endless wine, plus private plant shopping with a special discount offer for all workshop attendess.
The Edwardian Ball
The Regency Ballroom
Nigh impossible to describe, but absolutely delightful to experience. The Edwardian Ball is an elegant and whimsical celebration of art, music, theatre, fashion, technology, circus, and the beloved creations of the late, great author and illustrator Edward Gorey. Set in a re-imagined “Edwardian Era,” this multi-city, multi-media extravaganza has grown over the past TWENTY years from an underground club party into an internationally recognized festival of the arts, now operating with the blessing of The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust.
Bay Area Brew Fest
Fort Mason
The Bay Area Brew Festival returns for its eight year, bringing back dozens of breweries, hundreds of beers, food trucks, dj, photo booth, and much more!. Admission includes unlimited beer samplings, with VIP attendees getting an extra hour of admission and some specialty beers poured during the first hour. The Bay Area Brew Fest will take place at Fort Mason’s Festival Pavilion in San Francisco from noon to 4pm and 5:30pm to 8:30pm.
Golden Gate Kennel Club Dog Show
Cow Palace
Dog lovers get their chance to meet over 1,000 dogs from more than 100 breeds competing from around the world at the largest benched dog show in the West. A benched show is organized with breeds grouped on special benches, where owners, breeders and canine experts answer your questions about finding and caring for the right dog for you. Adoption and rescue groups with purebreds and mixed breeds of all ages will also be on hand with loving companions waiting for the right family.
Uncorked: SF Wine Festival
Fort Mason
With over 200 wines and champagnes, a live DJ, gourmet food trucks, photo wall and more, Uncorked: SF is back for a special Sunday Funday event!
Grace Cathedral Sound Bath
Grace Cathedral
Presented by Grace Cathedral, Gabriel Gold leads a team of top Bay Area musicians in this deeply meditative, 90-minute sonic journey. Bring your favorite yoga mat and/or blanket (for cozy fun) and get ready to be transported by the immersive sounds and space to that elusive, quiet refuge inside every human heart.
SF Indiefest
Mission District
San Francisco Independent Film Festival (SF Indie) is annual festival showcases the best in independent, alternative, and subversive cinema from around the globe.
Festival is looking for the best features, shorts, docs and animation we can find to present in San Francisco. For 18 years SF IndieFest has developed a great reputation for filling theaters, getting press and throwing great parties. Films at the fest regularly get Variety reviews and picked up at other fests.
SF Beer Week Opening Gala
Pier 35
The SF Beer Week Opening Gala is the largest, most anticipated, and prestigious annual gathering of the Northern California craft beer community. It’s the kick off party for SF Beer Week, commencing a multi-day marathon of beer dinners, tastings, tap takeovers and educational events that occur all over the Bay Area.
Chinese New Year Parade
Chinatown, SF
Named one of the top ten Parades in the world by International Festivals & Events Association, the Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the few remaining night illuminated Parades in North America and the biggest parade celebrating the lunar new year outside of Asia. Started in the 1860’s by the Chinese in San Francisco as a means to educate the community about their culture, the Parade and Festival have grown to be the largest celebration of Asian culture outside of Asia. Since 1958, the parade has been under the direction of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
68th Annual Pacific Orchid Expo
Golden Gate Park
There will be thousands of orchid flowers and plants on display, with judging from the American Orchid Society, as well as plants for sale from members of the San Francisco Orchid Society as well as over 23 international nurseries. Hands-on demonstrations will be conducted by experts with information about successfully growing and blooming orchids at home in San Francisco, as well as ongoing efforts to promote habitat conservation around the world. Families are welcome, and there will be special activities for kids and people of all ages and interests.
Image courtesy of Cloris Ying
Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Amateur chefs compete on Saturday, followed by professional chefs on Sunday. Join the delicious festivities as amateur and professional chefs prepare their finest clam chowder recipes along the Boardwalk. Teams compete in the friendly competition, hoping to win prizes and bragging rights for BEST CLAM CHOWDER in the country’s largest and longest-running clam chowder competition!
The Boardwalk is admission free! You may purchase tasting kits to sample the clammy concoctions. Tasting Kits are $10 each. Each Tasting Kit includes 6 taste tickets, spoon, cup, and a People’s Choice ballot. 100% of Tasting Kit sales benefit Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation.
Noise Pop Festival
Noise Pop Music & Arts Festival takes the best venues in the Bay and collectively turns them into your personal festival ground. Throughout the week there are different films, art shows, happy hours, and concerts all over SF and the East Bay.
Image courtesy of Marc Vandecasteele
Mardi Gras San Francisco Style, Fat Tuesday in the Fillmore
Fillmore Jazz Heritage Center
Celebrating Fat Tuesday in the Fillmore with great blues, a second line processional, creative costumes, good food and colorful beads, the Village Project will host the 14th annual Mardi Gras, San Francisco Style on Tuesday, February 25th. The free blues concert starts at 5 pm and ends at 7:30 pm, followed by the second line New Orleans style parade down the Fillmore Corridor, culminating with the annual Masquerade Ball at the Fillmore Jazz Heritage Center at 8 pm. At the Masquerade Ball, guests will enjoy New Orleans cuisine, Mardi Gras drink specials and more blues and Zydeco music, with Derick Hughes and his Fat Belly Blues Band and the infamous Bobby Reed.
Carnaval SF Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Kick-Off Celebration
Mission District
Come enjoy live samba drummers, dancers winding their way through the party, and lively music from salsa and soca to cumbia and rumba, so don’t miss out on the fun! Wear your costumes, masks & beads and join us in celebrating Fat Tuesday in true Carnaval San Francisco style!
Celebrate Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Parade to The New Parish
Oakland at Henry J. Kaiser Park
Celebrate Mardis Gras and Fat Tuesday in Oakland with a Second Line Parade featuring Brass Bands, Pedicabs, guest musicians, and much more. All ages welcome. Starts 6pm at Henry J. Kaiser Park (corner of Rashida Muhammed Path & 19th).
Hero photo courtesy of Kelsey Chance
