January
More than 20,000 people come together to celebrate the Vietnamese New Year at the Tet Festival in United Nations Plaza. There are dragon and lion dances, a firecracker show and a karaoke contest.

February
Named one of the top ten parades in the world, San Francisco's Chinese New Year celebration has been ongoing since the 1860's. There is a 268 foot long golden dragon as a highlight. The surrounding festival goes all weekend with more than 80 booths.

February
Merchants along Union Street offer wine samples, finger foods and special treats to celebrate Valentine's Day in the neighborhood. Participants receive a wine glass and then can walk from store to store.

April
After a parade that winds through the Mission from Dolores Park to 24th Street, a festival along 24th celebrates the life of labor leader Cesar Chavez. There are Aztec dancers, classic cars and sidewalk sales.

April
In addition to standard street fair booth and food, the Cherry Blossom festival in Japantown brings martial arts performances, origami, a traditional tea ceremony and Japanese doll making.

Easter Sunday
On Easter Sunday, a bigwheel race down San Francisco's curviest street takes place. People of all ages maneuver plastic tricycles down the wild course in an effort to win handmade trophies.

May
The world's oldest consecutively run annual footrace travels 12k across the city from the Embarcadero to Ocean Beach. Although some runners are serious, the race becomes a huge celebration with costumes and revelry.

May
This fair in Little Saigon is all about culture, with a Thai monk blessing, a free day at the Asian Art Museum and a live cooking demonstration. There is also a tai chi presentation and a display of traditional Asian costumes.

May
This two-day block party in the Mission is a celebration of music and culture from Latin America and the Caribbean. There is a grand parade, lots of music and plenty of food.

Sunday, June 8
The Haight's main street fair has three stages and runs down Haight Street from Golden Gate Park to the famed Haight-Ashbury corner. It was created by local merchants and residents with the support of Harvey Milk back in 1978.

May-October
Live entertainment throughout the summer and fall will include music, acrobatics, poetry and more, as well as arts and crafts and food. Events happen at a variety of dates and times from May through October.

Saturday June 14 and Sunday June 15
At age 60, North Beach's festival is one of the oldest in the country. Unique features include the animal blessing at the National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi and live Italian street painting.

Saturday June 28 and Sunday June 29
The highlight of the city's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Festival is the parade held on Sunday morning. The festival, however, goes all weekend with dance stages, booths and vendors.

Saturday July 5 and Sunday July 6
The largest free jazz festival on the West Coast draws in more than 100,000 visitors each year. It stretches over twelve blocks and goes from sunup until sundown each day.

Saturday August 2 and Sunday August 3
Japantown's street fair brings together Asian-Pacific American life with San Francisco culture. Youth volunteers produce and organize the event. Two stages showcase performances such as Hawaiian music and Japanese dance.

Saturday September 13 & Sunday September 14
The chocolate festival features local chefs making chocolate creations and live music. The "Earthquake" ice cream sundae eating competition is one of the main events of the weekend.

September 6-7, 2014
The Moon Festival is Chinatown's largest celebration, with dancers, drummers and performers taking over Grant Avenue for two days. Food includes bubble tea, moon cakes, tea sampling and dim sum.

September 14
Inspired by free outdoor music concerts, Comedy Day is a free five-hour show in Sharon Meadow. Legends like Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams have performed in the past.

September 20-21
Over 130 dragon boat teams compete in Treasure Island's Clipper Cove. There is an accompanying festival with entertainment, activities for children and a marketplace.

Sunday, September 21
The most infamous street fair in San Francisco isn't like any other festival, and it definitely isn't kid-friendly. This celebration, which stretches from 8th to 13th streets, is all about leather and fetish.

Friday October 3, Saturday October 4 & Sunday October 5
This huge free festival in Golden Gate Park's Hellman Hollow is one of San Francisco's major events every year. It draws huge crowds for headliners like Emmylou Harris and The Lumineers.

Thursday October 9-Sunday October 13
Fleet Week celebrations take place on the waterfront and include a parade of navy ships and ship tours. The highlight is, of course, the Blue Angels airshow.

October
The Outer Noriega Street Fair is one of the newest festivals in the city, with its 3rd iteration held in 2013. It is held when the Sunset actually gets sunny and includes music and booths from local merchants.

Saturday, October 18
In one of San Francisco's most kid-friendly neighborhoods, the Noe Valley Harvest Festival is all about autumn. There are hayrides and costume contests for both dogs and children.

Saturday, October 25
Wharf Fest draws on the unique characteristics of Fisherman's Wharf by including a chowder eating competition, ship tours and street performers. It was begun in 2013 to replace the canceled Fleet Week but will continue even though Fleet Week is now back.

Sunday, November 2
The traditional Day of the Dead held in The Mission every year includes a Festival of Altars and a procession through the neighborhood. It commemorates the Meso-American holiday to honor ancestors. There are no vendors or booths.