North Beach Festival Returns June 20-21 for Its 70th Year in San Francisco
San Francisco’s North Beach Festival returns to the streets around Columbus Avenue and Green Street on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21, 2026. The free street fair runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days and covers the North Beach footprint between Filbert Street, Broadway, Stockton Street, and Grant Avenue. Organizers bill it as the 70th annual edition and say the event dates to 1954.
This year’s festival is presented by Zoox and produced by the North Beach Business Association in collaboration with Sunset Mercantile. According to the organizers, proceeds are granted to local community organizations that fund free meals, after-school activities, job training, and temporary housing.
What to expect
The festival lists more than 200 vendors selling art, crafts, jewelry, apparel, home decor, and vintage fashion across the neighborhood. Food comes from North Beach restaurants, local food vendors, and Bay Area food trucks. Outdoor beer and cocktail gardens serve craft beer, wine, and cocktails, with proceeds supporting local organizations.
Live music plays on multiple stages alongside poetry readings. At the Green Street Party Lot, KXSF DJs spin on Saturday and DJ Gr!mmo plays on Sunday, which is Father’s Day.
The Maker’s Block, presented by Avenue Greenlight, runs hands-on activities led by local artists, including looming demonstrations, live painting, silk-screening, jewelry making, and leather work. Visitors can forge a commemorative medallion from recycled aluminum. Family zones add Lego building, bubble making, and a chalk area.
Blessing of the Animals and Italian street painting
The Blessing of the Animals, a long-running North Beach tradition, takes place at 1 p.m. each day, and Jeffrey’s Pets hosts a pet adoption pop-up alongside the ceremony. On Vallejo Street, Biordi’s Italian Street Painting Promenade features local chalk artists working directly on the pavement, a reference to the neighborhood’s Italian heritage.
The festival footprint sits in central North Beach, near Coit Tower, City Lights Bookstore, and Washington Square. For food within walking distance, SFGuide’s guides to the best pizza in San Francisco, San Francisco bakeries, and classic San Francisco seafood all point to North Beach spots near the festival.
Getting there
The 30 Stockton and 45 Union/Stockton Muni lines run through North Beach, and festival organizers also point riders to the 8 line. The Powell-Mason cable car runs through the area. There is no onsite parking, and street parking in North Beach is difficult on weekends, so transit is the easier option. The festival closes streets within its footprint. All Sunset Mercantile events are smoke-free under San Francisco Health Code Article 19L, and dogs on leashes are welcome.
Details
When: Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, 2026, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days.
Where: North Beach, centered around Columbus Avenue and Green Street, between Filbert Street, Broadway, Stockton Street, and Grant Avenue.
Cost: Free to attend.
More information: See the official North Beach Festival site and the festival program and map from Sunset Mercantile.