San Francisco's Top 100 Events 2014 - Parades, Holiday Events & Fairs
1. Fleet Week
#1 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair
With an average attendance of 1.2 million guests, the grandiose event includes a parade of navy ships passing under the Golden Gate Bridge and an air show featuring stunts from the United States Navy Blue Angels. Sponsors include Bank of America and United Airlines. Next: October 2015
2. San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade
#2 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair
Regarded as the second-largest pride celebration in the world (Sao Paolo hosts the largest), the rainbow-decked celebration draws some 400,000 people. It includes a celebration at City Hall, a parade with 200 contingents, and main stage performances from the likes of Lady Gaga. Next: June 27-28, 2015
3. Chinese New Year Festival and Parade
#3 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair
Presented by Southwest Airlines, the gathering is billed as the largest Chinese New Year celebration outside of China. The festive gathering—a tradition since the 1860s—draws more than 400,000 attendees each year. Next: March 7, 2015
4. Chinese New Year Flower Fair
#4 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair
With more than 400,000 attendees, the event takes place before the Chinese New Year and allows families to purchase plants, flowers, candies, and fruits for the celebration. There’s also a mini procession with lion dancers, giant walking puppets, stilt walkers, drummers, and dancers. Next: February 14-15, 2015
5. Union Street Spring Celebration and Easter Parade
#5 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair
Known as “the biggest little parade in San Francisco,” the event includes a popular Easter bonnet contest, fare from Union Street restaurants, and kid-friendly activities such as a petting zoo. Annual attendance is about 20,000. Next: April 5, 2015
6. Carnaval
#6 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair
Billed as “the largest multicultural celebration on the West Coast,” the event celebrates Latin American and Caribbean culture. It draws 400,000 guests and includes a grand parade with 52 marching and dancing contingents and floats. Next: May 23-24, 2015
7. North Beach Festival
#7 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair
Going into its 61st year, the event is considered one of the country’s first outdoor festivals. It has Italian street painting, live music, a kids' chalk area, and more than 150 booths with arts, crafts, gifts, and foods. There’s also a blessing of the animals. Next: June 13-14, 2015
8. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Easter Celebration
#10 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair
The popular event outgrew its original home in Dolores Park and moved to Golden Gate Park in 2013. The celebration includes an Easter bonnet contest, burlesque performances, and the popular “Hunky Jesus” contest. A “Foxy Mary” contest was new to the event in 2014. Next: April 2015
9. San Francisco Day of the Dead Ritual Procession
#11 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair
With 350,000 participants and spectators, the affair is known as the largest ritual procession of its kind in the United States. Festivities include music, performances, and large-scale community altar installations. Next: November 2, 2015
10. Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
#12 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair
Some 200,000 guests attend the flowery celebration each year. Known as the second-largest celebration of its kind in the United States (the largest is in Washington, D.C.), the event includes martial arts, a queen program, and a grand parade. There’s also a kids’ corner with Hello Kitty-inspired games. Next: April 2015
11. Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival
#13 Parade, Holiday Event & Fair
Held on Main Street in Half Moon Bay—known as “the world pumpkin capital”—the event is 44 years old. It includes enormous pumpkins on display, harvest-inspired crafts, three stages of live entertainment, and a lot of pumpkin pie. In 2014, a highlight was the world’s largest mosaic pumpkin sculpture, which was created by artist Peter Hazel and weighed 100,000 pounds. Next: October 17-18, 2015
