Blues, jazz, gospel, funk, Latin, and R&B are among the musical styles showcased on the multiple stages of this annual Oakland festival. The family-friendly fest takes place in and around downtown Oakland over the course of a late summer weekend, and in addition to the great line-up of bands and musicians, there are also art displays, creative workshops, kids’ carnival rides, arts and crafts for sale, and tons of food vendors. ...more...

San Francisco is such a thriving arts city that even just a small stretch of street merits itsown festival. 24 Days of Central Market Arts, launched in September 2010, is a three-week event that showcases performing arts companies based in the area of Market Street between 5th and 9th streets. Each day of the festival features at least one exciting event, including visual art displays, dance performances and social dances, …more…

(July 13 – 22, 2012) The verdant Napa Valley is home to some of the finest vineyards and restaurants in the world, including Thomas Keller’s legendary French Laundry, so it’s not terribly surprising that the Festival del Sole is less an arts festival than a complete and somewhat overwhelming immersion of the senses. The ten-day festival is held every July at various locations all around the Valley and offers a wide variety of programs, including theatrical performances, art exhibitions, classical and baroque concerts, ballet recitals, food and wine tastings, and yoga classes (which are taught by a local winemaker and are followed by a tasting of some of her wares). ...more...

Expect the unexpected at the San Francisco International Arts Festival, where ground-breaking Bay Area and international artists present (often in collaboration) performance art, experimental works, site-specific shows, and multi-disciplinary pieces that integrate dance, world music, and multimedia. These artists are always pushing the envelope and flirting with new and developing theatrical techniques, and they frequently engage in post-performance talks to discuss their processes with the audience. As a part of …more…

A favorite spot for painters since the 1800s, the Sausalito waterfront became a haven for artists of all stripes in the 1950s. The first Sausalito Art Festival was held there in 1952, and it has only gained in size and prestige since then. Hundreds of artists working in all kinds of media (paint, ceramics, jewelery, photography, sculpture, glass, wood, etc.) are selected to showcase their work, and art lovers and …more…

(June – August)

Stern Grove Festival Information

Public Transportation: Good (easily accessible by buses 23 and 28 at 19th Avenue/Sloat Boulevard; and the M and K light rail lines at the St. Francis Circle stop)
Handicapped Accessibility: A limited number of handicapped permit parking spaces will be available on Sloat Boulevard, just past the main entrance to the park at 19th and Sloat. Round-trip, wheelchair accessible shuttle service is provided between 19th Avenue/Sloat …more…

(January)

Women on the Way Festival Information

Venues: Shotwell Studios (3252-A 19th St); The Garage (975 Howard)
Public Transportation: Shotwell Studios (a short walk from bus 12 at 19th Street/Folsom Street; a 3-minute walk from buses 14 and 49 at 19th Street/Mission Street; a 6-minute walk from bus 33 at 16th Street/Shotwell Street; and a 10-minute walk from the 16th Street Mission BART Station). The Garage (easily accessible by several buses, light rail …more…

(May – October)

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival Information

Public Transportation: Very Good (easily accessible by several buses, light rail lines, and BART trains at and around the Powell Street BART Station)
Handicapped Accessibility: Limited chair seating, provided primarily for seniors and individuals who have a physical need for a chair (each senior or disabled patron may be accompanied by one other person). 15 minutes prior to show time unoccupied seats become available for …more…