Programming & Events
At SF Parks Alliance, our goal is to encourage people to get out and explore their parks. Over the years, we’ve found that one of the best ways to achieve this goal is through event programming. Check out some of our event-based programs below, taking place all over the city!
Action Awards
The Action Awards is a grant program designed to enable the small but mighty efforts that reconnect people to our city, each other, and the outdoors through free events like fashion shows, paint parties, and so much more.
Bloomtown
In Fall 2021, SF Parks Alliance in partnership with Building 180 brought Bloomtown to life on Union Street: a multi-layered, interactive art experience.
Due South
First launched in the summer of 2019, Due South is a unique concert series taking place at Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park. At each Due South concert, a diverse lineup of contemporary talent takes to the stage, celebrating the cultures and communities that surround San Francisco’s McLaren Park. The entire series is free and open to the public.
Entwined: Elder Mother
Entwined’s forest of illuminated color has lit up Peacock Meadow in Golden Gate Park every winter since 2020, immersing park visitors in a realm of art, technology, and nature. As of 2022, the installation features twice a week performances and other engaging art activations.
Golden Gate Bandshell
SF Parks Alliance, in partnership with Illuminate and the SF Parks & Recreation Department, brought live music back to Golden Gate Bandshell’s iconic stage. The lineup of performers taking to the stage is highly diverse and local, with over 100 free outdoor concerts scheduled to take place annually.
Golden Gate Park 150th Anniversary
2020 marked the 150th Anniversary of Golden Gate Park, an international tourist attraction, urban oasis, and beloved local park. Although the 150th celebration looked different than anticipated, the Park continues to serve as an iconic green space where people can connect, relax, and enjoy nature.
Jazz Thursdays at Muriel Leff
In partnership with the Bay Area Jazz Mobile, SF Parks Alliance hosts jazz in warm weather months at Muriel Leff Mini Park.
Kite By The Bay
In October 2023, SF Parks Alliance hosted the first ever Kite the Bay kite festival in partnership with California State Parks and Parks California. This free event took place at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, people of all ages came and brought, borrowed, or decorated kites to fly throughout the day.
Park & Play at UN Plaza
As part of a project to bring activity to UN Plaza, SF Parks Alliance is hosting free chess on Sundays.
Party for the Parks
Each year, SF Parks Alliance hosts a gala like no other. Complete with a cocktail reception, buffet dinner, and live auction, Party for the Parks raises critical funds for important civic projects. The party is held in a different location each fall, join our newsletter to be first to know where and when tickets go on sale!
Promenade Presents
Promenade Presents was a program designed and funded by the SF Parks Alliance to bring community and culture to JFK Promenade. SF Parks Alliance provided grants ranging from $100-$4,000 to local community-based organizations for activities at multiple locations along the Promenade during fall 2022.
Public Space Summit
The Public Space Summit is the premier meeting of park improvers in the Bay Area. Workshops and talks put community-building, learning and networking front and center with like-minded folks who understand the power of our parks. Stay tuned for details on next year’s Summit!
Sankofa Market
The Sankofa Makers Market was a recurring market in Bayview Hunters Point hosted at Hunters Point Blvd. between Hawes and Jennings.
SF Stairway Month
SF Stairway Month is a celebration of San Francisco’s 900+ public stairways, many of which we worked with Community Partners to tile! The first ever SF Stairway Month is packed with free events that showcase our love and commitment to these public spaces.
Sundown Cinema
Sundown Cinema is a free outdoor movie series that visits parks around the city. Keep an eye out for the 2024 schedule!
The Park Market at Crane Cove
The Park Market is a recurring market that features local makers, food and drinks, activities, and musicians, all nestled in Dogpatch’s waterfront park, Crane Cove.