Whether you’re visiting the City by the Bay or call yourself a local, we’re bringing you the best events this year San Francisco.
Mark your 2015-2016 calendar with this insider’s round up…
April
Hunky Jesus Contest
A San Francisco institution hosted by The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence every Easter Sunday. The twerktacular Hunky Jesus Contest pits loin-cloth clad Jesus lookalikes against one another as they vie for the distinction of being the hunkiest, most Christ-like being. In 2014, the group started a Foxy Mary contest, too.
When: Easter Sunday at noon, rain or shine.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Insider Tip: Be sure to bring blankets, dispensable clothing and a supply of beverages.
May
Bay to Breakers
This raucous annual event draws cosplayers, furries, nudists and pop culture characters in one of the largest footraces in the world. It’s more of a foot-walk, actually. Bay To Breakers stretches a whopping 7.5 miles from Howard Street (bay) to Ocean Beach (breakers), with most participants crawling across the finish line after hours of partying along the way.
When: Sunday, May 17.
Insider Tip: If you’re not going to be part of the action, grab a seat to watch along Golden Gate Park’s Panhandle.
June
San Francisco Pride
One of the largest pride festivals in the world, San Francisco’s homegrown version explodes with rainbow flags, visiting revelers and fabulous events. This year’s theme: Equality Without Exception.
When: Hightail it to Civic Center Plaza on either June 27 or 28 for a look at the street fair. The Pride Parade rolls down Market Street on Sunday, June 28.
Insider Tip: With the throngs of visitors don’t expect to get anywhere quickly this weekend—just relax and enjoy the show!
Noteworthy: Check out one of the largest LGBT film festivals, Frameline.
July
Up Your Alley Festival
Aptly called “Folsom Street Fair’s dirty little brother,” this midsummer leather festival attracts a smaller but kinkier crowd. If you’re fascinated by whips, chains, puppy play and other things we probably can’t mention, then check out this kinktastic carnival.
When: Sunday, July, 26. Dore Alley between Howard and Folsom.
Insider Tip: Come with an open mind and up for anything. Get there early to get the most experience and shortest lines for all booths and activities.
August
Lazy Bear Weekend
Thousands of otters, bears, and their admirers descend on Russian River in Sonoma County for Lazy Bear Weekend. Now in its 19th year, Lazy Bear is one of the largest events in the country for manly wildlife.
When: August 1 – 3.
Insider Tip: Snag your tickets early (on sale now), and book your hotel/cabin ahead. It’s one crowded den!
September
Folsom Street Fair
The world’s largest BDSM street fair, Folsom, is a spectacle for visitors and locals alike. Be sure to pick up a leather jock strap from one of fair vendors, and ask before you snap any pictures, of course.
When: Sunday, September 27.
Insider Tip: Catch the plethora of house and bar parties nearby. That’s where many would say the most of the fun takes place.
October
Halloween in The Castro
Halloween in San Francisco’s Castro district may not be as organized of a party as it once was, but you’ll still find sidewalks packed with bears and otters dressed as lumberjacks in outfits as skimpy as the law will allow.
When: Halloween weekend.
Insider Tip: Bring a bag or plastic pumpkin and see what you collect by the end of the night.
November
Thanksgiving Weekend
All of the city is aglow during the holiday season, and the weekend after Turkey Day is notoriously one of the heaviest party weekends of the year. Break away from the fam and join many of the native locals as they line Castro and Market streets for all the holiday events.
When: The weekend following Thanksgiving.
Insider Tip: Buy you tickets to events early, before they are sold out, to capacity, or change an arm and a wing at the door.
December
Santa Skivvies Run
This annual charity crawl affirms that certainly sometimes the best things come in small packages. Choose from over six routes throughout the city, depending on your favorite hoods and bars.
When: First or second Sunday of December.
Insider Tip: Be sure to don more than just a Santa cap—if you’re in your birthday suite and not your Santa suit, you’ll be left at the starting line.
January
New Years Recovery Brunch
Partying ’til dawn isn’t enough for many San Franciscans, and for good reason. Some of the best parties are the day after, like MASS and recovery brunches around the city. A day off is a day to sip mimosas and go out with friends, and what better way to break in some memories for the new year?
When: New Year’s Eve right through to New Year’s evening.
Insider Tip: Start the day outside at Dolores Park, where the drinks are cheap and space is not so crammed. It’s San Francisco after all, there’s a great chance for a sunny park day even in January.
February
SF IndieFest
A celebration of everything alternative, the San Francisco Independent Film Festival is a two-week, 85-film lineup at quirky venues across The City. IndieFest now runs concurrently with the Winter Music Festival, and with more music-themed films added to the schedule, there’s always a lively crowd checking out the screenings.
When: Runs the first through third week of February.
Insider Tip: Be sure to get the information for the pre and post-film parties at nearby venues for some free food, drinks, and chances to meet the stars.
March
World Naked Bike Ride
At first glance, this “bare as you dare” party may seem like a bunch of cyclists letting it all hang out. Well it is. The San Francisco edition of this climate-change movement is celebration of independence, the human body and some pretty sweet Winter weather.
When: March 14th, 11am.
Insider Tip: Show up early for a body painting party and to get to know the other riders. If you’re not riding, then be sure to grab a good place in the Castro to see all of the action as it whizzes by.
See what events are happening every weekend in San Francisco on the San Francisco city page.
Xzamilio
Jeez… I had blue balls by the time I was at the bottom of the page. I’m getting prudish in my older days, because it all looked like fun, but too much emphasis on the sexual aestheticism. But do y’all, man!! Because one day, I’d love to go dick-crazy lol… but safely. Anything for overseas? Because Cologne, Germany had an amazing nightlife and the scenery was straight out of a movie.
Sheldon Siegel
Now I understand wanting to nail him on a big piece of wood! Lol
Glücklich
Ah, home. When I was told by my new boss I was going to have to do a temporary relo to New York (home for now), I made sure to let him know I had to be back in SF before the end of July. Positioned it as getting out of New York before the weather turned nasty but really it’s make sure I’m back for Up Your Alley.
Even if you’re not into kink, it’s a fun time to be in the city and meet new people. Get your goodies at Mr. S Leather. Those naughty boys will be glad to help you out. Gettin’ a little boned just thinking of them.
And Halloween – the Castro can be fun though quite restricted any more; you’re likely to have a better (i.e. dirtier) time South of Market (same ‘hood as Up Your Alley) or lower Polk Street/Tenderloin/Civic Center. TL’s a grittier neighborhood but will be well-populated/safety-in-numbers for H’ween.
Maximus Alegria
See Anthony Ikeda? Only in SF Lol
Anthony Ikeda
Right out front of my apartment too.
jwtraveler
That hunky Jesus can’t make me believe in God, but he could make me worship one.
Captain Obvious
I don’t quite understand this stuff as a southerner on the other side of the country. We aren’t quite as open or free here.
David Red
I’ll be at Folsom in September!
Jake Bachman
Remy Caseres!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clark35
These events are silly tourist traps in SF.
Go and explore the city instead.
pjm1
Top of the list
Wednesday April 1 and Tuesday Aril 2 (2015)
The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus present Jake Heggie’s
Choral Opera “For A Look or a Touch” at Davies Symphony Hall.
The opera is the true story of two young gay men in Nazi Germany —
one of them who dies it Buchenwald at 19 years. Thus story is based in
part on the documentary “Paragraph 175”.
Pretty much I can say you will be blown away and moved greatly.
pjm1
Sorry, that was Wednesday April 1 and THURSDAY APRIL 2.
bearonthepeaks
With Jews fleeing Europe in droves and Catholics being beheaded in the Middle East every day, holding a Hunky Jesus and Foxy Mary contest right now is in truly bad taste. Is it any wonder it is now legal to discriminate against gays in Indiana and may soon be in Arkansas? I definitely will not be attending this event!
jwtraveler
@bearonthepeaks: Wrong! Religious extremism is in bad taste. Bigotry, hatred and violence that arise from ignorance and close-mindedness are problems around the world. Satirical responses to those disturbing phenomena are not the cause of discrimination. They are a way to draw attention to the stupidity and harmfulness of religious fundamentalism with fun and humor. These contests don’t hurt anyone. Religion does.
Jonny B. Mitchell
I love the hunky Jesus contest!
Jean Philippe Laplagne
Praise the Lord!
Saint Law
@bearonthepeaks: It would do you the world of good to be pursued through the streets by a man clad in black brandishing a cleaver, fatty.
Brett Newman
Jason Naumovski
David Hodson
Jason Harris
vive
@bearonthepeaks, so we should instead cower in fear of what uptight people may think of us? That may be your liberation. It is not mine.