Things to do in July

After being declared “National Ice Cream Month” by President Reagan in 1984, it’s hard not to love the month of July. School is out, summer is in full swing and lots of people are traveling all over the place for some much needed vacations. It is also the month where we celebrate our independence with fireworks, barbecues and gatherings with friends for the Fourth of July holiday. There are exciting things happening all over the world such as the Tour de France, The San Fermin Festival (aka Running of the Bulls), Bastille Day, the MLB All-Star Game and Comic-Con in San Diego. If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area or are planning a visit during the month of July, you will have plenty of events and activities to choose from. The San Francisco Fourth of July Pub Crawl, SF Independence Day Fireworks, The San Francisco AIDS Walk, Fillmore Street Jazz Festival, The San Francisco Marathon, The San Francisco Hot Dog Eating Contest and lots of other great events happen during the month of July, so you won’t have any trouble finding things to do. So get ready to enjoy some adult beverages, see some fireworks and, of course, enjoy some of the best ice cream in San Francisco for National Ice Cream Day on the third Sunday in July.

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Top July Events in San Francisco

July is a great time to be in San Francisco. The weather may not be as warm as the rest of the country (always bring a jacket), but there are lots of great events for people of all ages. The beginning of the month starts out strong with the Fourth of July Holiday bringing some fun events to the city and ending up with a spectacular fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day in a big way. The outdoor music venues are all open, so you can head to Shoreline Amphitheater, Greek Theater Berkeley or other fun spots to see some of the great artists that come to the Bay Area. The San Francisco Street Fairs also continue with the Fillmore Street Jazz Festival bringing large crowds to the city. No matter what you enjoy, whether it is crazy parties, outdoor activities or checking out some films and museums, you will be able to find great events and activities every day.

Fourth of July Fireworks:

There are two big fireworks shows you can depend on every year, New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July. There are amazing fireworks shows all over the Bay Area and if you are lucky enough to have a high rooftop, you may be able to see a few shows at once. If you are in San Francisco, the place to be is along The Embarcadero, where you will get a front row seat to the amazing San Francisco fireworks show at dusk.

More Details: crawlsf.com/independence-day-fireworks-in-the-bay-area/

Fourth of July Pub Crawl:

There are lots of ways to celebrate the Fourth of July, but if you want to take things up a notch, grab your friends, throw on some red, white & blue and head down to the San Francisco Fourth of July Pub Crawl. This annual event draws thousands of attendees to Polk Street in San Francisco to enjoy amazing drink specials, djs, dancing and more at bars like Mayes Oyster House, R Bar, McTeague’s Saloon, Jackalope, Lush Lounge, El Lopo, Soda Popinski, Playland Bar and more. It’s the perfect pre-party before the San Francisco fireworks show.

Event Details: july4sf.com

San Francisco Hot Dog Eating Contest:

San Francisco’s version of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest gives you a chance to see some of the best competitive eaters in the Bay Area show off their skills. The contest takes place every year on July 4, during the Fourth of July Pub Crawl.

Fillmore Street Jazz Festival:

Fillmore Street has a rich history when it comes to jazz music. Throughout the 50s and 60s, jazz clubs like Jimbo’s Bop City and The Blackhawk hosted some jazz legends like Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald and more. The historic San Francisco neighborhood serves as the perfect backdrop for the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, The Fillmore Street Jazz Festival. Going strong for over 60 years, the popular San Francisco Street Fair offers 12 blocks of vendor booths, food trucks and beer gardens as well as several stages of live music.

Event Details: fillmorejazzfest.com

San Francisco AIDS Walk:

An annual fundraising event that has raised over $90 Million since its inception in 1987, The AIDS Walk in San Francisco has become a staple in SF. It started with just a little over 3,000 people at the height of the AIDS epidemic with a mission to raise money and educate the public about the disease. The event has grown since its humble beginnings, brining over 10,000 people together and attracting celebrities like Rupaul, Gillian Anderson, Mike Meyers and more to help spread the message. The walk takes place every July in San Francisco.

Event Details: sf.aidswalk.net/

San Francisco Marathon:

A qualifier race for the Olympic Team Trials and the Boston Marathon, The San Francisco Marathon attracts a wide variety of talented athletes to the city. It started over 40 years ago and is considered one of the most scenic marathons in the United States as runners cross the Golden Gate Bridge and run along the San Francisco Bay. Runners can compete as a full marathon, half marathon, 10K or 5K.

Event Details: www.thesfmarathon.com/

San Francisco Jewish Film Festival:

The longest-running and biggest event of its kid, the Jewish Film Festival in San Francisco has been an annual event in SF since it was founded in 1980. The festival is dedicated to presenting the complexities of Jewish life and features a selection of more than 65 films plus events and live performances.

Event Details: jfi.org/film-festival