DogFest 2025 is a mutt-tastic festival at one of the most dog-friendly parks in the city and the biggest dog event in San Francisco.
DogFest is a celebration of dogs, families, community, and spring in San Francisco. It’s also a charitable event that raises funds for McKinley Elementary – a small public school in the neighborhood.
DogFest attendees can expect nonstop fun and games. The park fills with carnival-style games staffed by McKinley students, while at the top end jumping castles keep the little ones busy. Dogs are the star of the event, of course, with a daylong show and contest. Food trucks ensure that everyone is well fed, while the book fair, merchant stalls, and the doggie adoption zone provide wonderful ways to support the community.
We are thrilled to announce the 2025 PROXY Spring Series film festival of FREE outdoor cinema at the PROXY Outdoor Theater, starting on Friday, March 28th and running through Friday, April 25th!
Our film selection this Spring focuses on stories of everyday heroines: women forced out of their comfort zones, facing life’s difficulties with grace and determination, who through their journeys find completely new selves on the other side. In these dispiriting times, it is inspiring to share such compelling stories of compassion, grit, unconditional love and an uncompromising belief in our ability to create a better world together. We hope you come out, leave reality behind, and watch a film or two under the stars with us in the weeks ahead!
3.28 – Andrea Arnold’s surreal masterpiece Bird 4.04 – All We Imagine as Light @allweimagineaslightfilm 4.11 – Crossing 4.18 – Nocturnes 4.25 – Flow @flowmovie2024
The Japanese Tea Garden provides visitors from around the world with an opportunity to experience the natural beauty, tranquility, and harmony of a Japanese-style garden in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
Originally created as a “Japanese Village” exhibit for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition, the Japanese Tea Garden endures as one of the most popular attractions in San Francisco, featuring classic elements such as an arched drum bridge, pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds, and a zen garden. Cherry blossom trees bloom throughout the garden in March and April.
Admission to the Japanese Tea Garden is free for San Francisco residents with valid ID. Free hours for everyone (even non-residents) are 9-10 am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
The East Cut CBD and Transbay Joint Powers Authority invite you to Spring Fling in Salesforce Park! Join the Funny Bunny and hop into fun! Enjoy egg hunts, live music, crafts, face painting, beverages from Barebottle available for purchase, and more.
Spring Fling 2025 Saturday, April 19, 2025 | 10a – 1p Salesforce Park: Main Plaza, 425 Mission St., SF FREE – RSVP
Please note, RSVP is required for participants attending each of the three age-specific egg hunts below.
Schedule:
10:30 am – Ages 0-4 at the Amphitheater
11:30 am – Ages 5-7 at the Central Lawn
12:30 pm – Ages 8+ at the Central Lawn
For more information please visit the following links
Since 1968, the Festival has served to cultivate the continued alliance between Japan and the United States using culture as its bridge. Each year, over 220,000 people attend this dazzling display showcasing the vibrant colors and grace of the Japanese culture and the diversity of the Japanese American Community in the festivities as San Francisco’s Japantown celebrates Japanese and Japanese-American culture. The celebration coincides with the blooming of the cherry blossoms.
57th Annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival – April 12-13, 2025 | 11 am to 5 pm – April 19-20, 2025 | 11 am to 5 pm – GRAND PARADE – Sunday, April 20, 2025 – 1pm to 3pm – from Civic Center Plaza to Japantown – Festival – Post Street between Laguna and Fillmore Streets, Japantown, SF FREE
Will there be a parade for 2025? Yes! The Grand Parade will occur on the final Sunday of the Festival. A lively procession of taiko drummers, dancers, and decorative floats will celebrate the Festival and the Japanese traditions that thrive here in Nor Cal
2025 Parade Route The Grand Parade will depart the Civic Center Plaza at 1:00 pm., proceeding up Polk Street to Post Street, and ending in Japantown at Post and Fillmore Streets.
SPECTRA: A Dazzling New Light Installation Transforms San Francisco’s Civic Center
San Francisco’s Civic Center is about to shine brighter than ever with the unveiling of SPECTRA, a groundbreaking LED art installation set to illuminate Fulton Plaza. This massive public art project, developed by local nonprofit Illuminate in partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, will bring a dynamic, ever-changing display of color and movement to the heart of the city.
Spanning 1.6 acres and adorning the rooftops of the San Francisco Public Library and the Asian Art Museum, SPECTRA features 1,271 individually programmable LEDs that ripple in response to sound, light, and energy. The installation, designed by Oakland-based artist Joshua Hubert, mimics the movement of light and sound waves, creating a mesmerizing visual experience for visitors and locals alike.
A Brighter Civic Center
For years, San Francisco’s Civic Center has been a space of cultural significance, but it has also faced challenges. Illuminate’s founder, Ben Davis, sees SPECTRA as part of a larger effort to rejuvenate the area.
“The long-held promise of a revitalized city center is finally starting to take shape. The Civic Center area is being transformed into a safer, cleaner, well-lit, and more vibrant part of our city. Illuminate is honored to be part of this sustained, collective effort to restore this area as a source of pride and a true gathering place for the community.”
Hubert, known for his innovative work blending light, technology, and community engagement, was invited in 2023 to envision a project that would bring new energy to the space. His concept for SPECTRA reflects the vibrant diversity of San Francisco, incorporating movement and color in a way that resonates with the city’s artistic and cultural landscape.
A Celebration of Light and Community
SPECTRA will make its public debut on April 5, 2025 at 8:10 p.m. as part of Night of Ideas, a citywide festival of art, culture, and innovation co-hosted by the San Francisco Public Library, the Asian Art Museum, Villa Albertine, and KQED. The official Grand Lighting Celebration, hosted by Illuminate, will follow at a later date.
According to Phil Ginsburg, General Manager of Rec and Park, the installation will take public art in the Civic Center to a new level:
“SPECTRA transforms the plaza into a breathtaking fusion of light, sound, and movement—an experience that reflects the creativity and innovation that define our city. We’re thrilled to partner with Illuminate, the Civic Center Community Benefit District, and the Public Library to make public art an everyday part of life.”
Visitors can enjoy SPECTRA seven days a week, with specific viewing hours yet to be determined. The installation also complements existing public art, such as the koi fish murals by artist Jeremy Novy, which circle Fulton Plaza below.
Illuminate’s Legacy in San Francisco
Illuminate has a history of creating large-scale, transformative public art. The nonprofit’s past projects include The Bay Lights on the Bay Bridge, Photosynthesis on the Conservatory of Flowers, and Hope Will Never Be Silent in the Castro. The organization continues to push the boundaries of public art, with an ongoing mission to inspire awe and community connection through its work.
With SPECTRA, Illuminate is not just lighting up a city block—it’s illuminating the spirit of San Francisco itself. Don’t miss this chance to witness a new era of public art in the Civic Center.
Thanks to Mission Local for sharing the news that San Francisco is set to debut a brand new night market in the Mission District on May 8, 2025. A three-block stretch of Valencia Street, between 16th and 19th streets, will be closed to vehicle traffic from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for Valencia LIVE! The market will take place on the second Thursday of each month through October, with the aim of continuing for at least two years if successful.
The night market will feature performances from local artists on stages set up by Mission businesses and community groups. One stage, hosted by Blondie’s, a local cocktail bar, will feature live music. Another stage will highlight the neighborhood’s Carnaval traditions, and a parking lot will host a market for indigenous artisans. Local restaurants will set up tents with additional seating to serve food to visitors, while vendors will offer a variety of goods and activities.
On Valencia Street between 16th and 19th Streets—in the American Indian Cultural District—the second Thursday of every month from May to December of 2025 from 5-10pm.
Explore happenings, happy hours, and deals at local businesses Savor local food and delicious drinks Shop with amazing brick and mortars and pop-up market hosted by the American Indian Cultural District and American Indian Cultural Center Dance to live music in the streets curated by Carnaval SF, Blondie’s and The Chapel Make art, play games, and hang out! The market is part of an effort to support the neighborhood and bring more visitors to the area. Valencia Street has faced challenges with declining foot traffic, and organizers hope the event will help bring more people to the street. The market will be funded by donations to the Civic Joy Fund, which has previously supported night markets in other parts of the city, including Chinatown, the Richmond, and the Sunset.
In addition to the market, the event will also contribute to the city’s expanding network of “entertainment zones.” The Valencia Night Market will be one of five designated zones in San Francisco, made possible by a state law from Senator Scott Wiener that took effect last year. The law allows businesses with a music venue license to apply for entertainment zone status, which permits them to serve alcoholic beverages to pedestrians within certain hours.
The event is being organized by the Civic Joy Fund, the Valencia Corridor Merchants Association, the Mission Merchants Association, and Into the Streets, a local event planning business. The mayor’s office is also supporting the event. Local businesses have expressed support for the closure, noting that similar past events have had a positive impact on the area.
Construction work on Valencia Street is expected to move the center bike lane to the curbside, preparing the street for the market. Organizers are hopeful the event will provide a boost to the Mission District and help support local businesses.
Mmmm… Tuesday, April 8, 2025 is Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s, and you know what that means… free ice cream for you.
As long as you don’t mind waiting in really long lines, almost all Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops in the Bay Area (and around the world, for that matter) are opening their doors from noon to 8 pm to serve up a free scoop of any flavor of your choice.
The original and premier artisan chocolate festival on the West Coast takes place this Spring at the 17th Annual San Francisco International Chocolate Salon and Festival, in San Francisco. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, buyers and journalists can experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world’s great culinary metropolitan areas.
Save $2 w/ secret code FUNCHEAP24YRD (or $30 at door)
Advanced discount tickets are limited
6 hours of tastings
Featuring a delicious selection chosen and curated by the Organizers, previous Annual International CHOCOLATE SALON participants included master chocolatiers, confectioners, and other curated culinary artisans.
Salon highlights feature chocolate tasting, demonstrations, chef & author talks, and ongoing interviews by TasteTV’s Chocolate Television program. (Salon Entry includes all chocolate tastings, demos, etc.). The is the international chocolate festival not to miss!
List of 2025 Participants Amano Artisan Chocolate, Kokak Chocolates, Charlotte Truffles, RJ Toffees, and more TBA. Like all things in life, the list of participants is subject to change.
Get ready for an air-mazing experience like no other as the Balloon Museum arrives in San Francisco with its bold and breathtaking EmotionAir: Art You Can Feel exhibition! From March 29th to September 7th, 2025, explore inflatable masterpieces, vibrant light shows, and interactive art that’ll make you feel all the feels in the iconic Palace of Fine Arts.
Through the work of 22 internationally recognized artists, immerse yourself in the emotional journey of art. Whether you’re diving into the mesmerizing “Hyperfeeling” installation or getting lost in the colorful chaos of “Synchronized Chaos,” EmotionAir turns air into a medium for both expression and exploration. Get ready to touch, feel, and play with art in a way you never have before, from giant inflatable sculptures to sensory overloads of color and sound.
HOURS
MONDAY – THURSDAY
1 pm – 7 pm
last entry 6 pm
FRIDAY
11 am – 8 pm
last entry 7 pm
SATURDAY
10 am – 9 pm
last entry 8 pm
SUNDAY
10 am – 8 pm
last entry 7 pm
Tickets: Monday – Friday
Adult (18-65) – $42.50 , Young (13-17), Over 65, Military, California Resident, Adult Disability – $39 Child (4-12); Adult Disability California Resident – $32.50 Family Pack 2+1 – $108 Family Pack 2+2 – $139 Family Pack 2+3 – $170
Tickets Saturday – Sunday & Holidays Adult (18-65) – $54 Young (13-17), Over 65, Military, California Resident, Adult Disability – $49 Child (4-12), Adult Disability California Resident – $43.50 Family Pack 2+1 – $141 Family Pack 2+2 – $177 Family Pack 2+3 – $210
For more information please follow the links below
