#1 Music Event
The Bay Area’s largest music festival features more than 100 artists on five stages and draws an annual attendance of nearly 200,000. The 2014 lineup included Kanye West, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and the Killers; there were also sponsor activations such as a beer camp hosted by Sierra Nevada and a flower crown craft station from Bloom That. Next: August 7-9, 2015
#2 Music Event
The free festival in Golden Gate Park offers more than 100 musical acts on seven stages. At this year’s event, performers included Lucinda Williams and Yo La Tengo. Attendance exceeded half a million guests. Next: October 2015
#3 Music Event
This year, the three-day food, wine, and music festival featured performances from the Cure, Outkast, and Weezer. Some 80,000 guests attended the event, which had sponsors such as Toshiba, Sprint, and Coors Light. Organizers plan to expand next year but will focus on keeping the event manageable and not overcrowded. Next: May 29-31, 2015
#4 Music Event
The largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, the event fills 12 city blocks with vendor booths and three stages. Held over July 4th weekend, it typically attracts more than 100,000 visitors. Next: July 4-5, 2015
#5 Music Event
With four stages, more than 30 bands, and an affordable ticket price, the festival drew 24,000 guests in 2014. The lineup focuses on alternative acts, and this year’s bands included Foster the People and Walk the Moon. Next: June 2015
#6 Music Event
Outkast, Massive Attack, and Zedd appeared at this year’s festival. With the San Francisco Bay as its backdrop, the event sells out each year and has a typical attendance of 15,000 per day. Next: October 2015
#7 Music Event
Neil Young founded the benefit for the Bridge School, which assists people with speech and physical impairments. Held at the Shoreline Amphitheatre, the event features performances from big-name acts. In 2014, Pearl Jam, Florence & the Machine, and Soundgarden performed. Next: October 2015
#8 Music Event
The 10-week concert series takes place in a grove in Golden Gate Park. The event offers free performances, and last season’s talent included Smokey Robinson, Rufus Wainwright, and the San Francisco Symphony. Attendance in 2014 was 90,000 guests. Next: June 14-August 16, 2015
#9 Music Event
Celebrating indie music, film, and arts, the festival includes intimate live performances, film screenings, and special events in venues throughout the city. Notable musical acts have included Modest Mouse, the White Stripes, and the Flaming Lips. Next: February 24-March 1, 2015
#10 Music Event
Noted by The Los Angeles Times as “the preeminent event of its kind in the United States,” the jazzy festival will mark its 33rd year in 2015. Held in the new San Francisco Jazz Center, the event offers 44 performances over 12 days. Next: June 2015
#12 Music Event
This year, the black-tie event included a pre-concert sparkling wine hour, three separate dinners, and performances from Bonnie Raitt, Yuja Wang, and the San Francisco Symphony. A glamorous after-party welcomed all 2,700 concertgoers. Next: September 2015
#13 Music Event
The champagne-filled celebration includes dinner at the War Memorial Opera House followed by a concert and onstage dancing. At midnight this year, 2,014 colorful balloons will spill down from the ceiling. Next: December 31, 2014
#14 Music Event
More than 3,000 guests flock to the black-tie gala each year. Dubbed “Passione,” this year’s function included a performance of Bellini’s Norma. Afterwards, patrons headed to City Hall for a banquet feast. Next: September 2015
