July in San Francisco brings free outdoor concerts, two large street festivals, Fourth of July fireworks, and the start of peak summer fog along the western neighborhoods. Here is what is happening around the city this month.
Fourth of July Fireworks
This year’s Independence Day fireworks launch directly from the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge at about 9:30pm on Saturday, July 4, marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The bridge closes to all traffic from 9 to 10pm. Recommended viewing spots include Crissy Field, Marina Green, and Pier 39 and the northern Embarcadero. The Crissy Field and Marina Green parking lots are closed for the day, so arrive on foot, by bike, or by transit. Full closure details are in our Golden Gate Bridge fireworks guide.
Fillmore Jazz Festival
The Fillmore Jazz Festival takes over 12 blocks of Fillmore Street between Eddy and Jackson on Saturday and Sunday, July 4 and 5, from 10am to 6pm. The free festival has multiple stages of live jazz, plus food and craft vendors.
Stern Grove Festival
The free Stern Grove Festival continues its Sunday concert season at Sigmund Stern Grove in the Sunset District. July shows include Major Lazer on July 5, the San Francisco Symphony with Bela Fleck on July 12, Charley Crockett on July 19, and Suki Waterhouse on July 26. Gates open at noon and music starts at 2pm. Admission is free with a lottery or Community Box Office ticket. See our Stern Grove Festival guide for how tickets work.
Free Museum Days
Several museums offer free admission in July, including the de Young, Legion of Honor, and Conservatory of Flowers on the first Tuesday, July 7, and the Asian Art Museum on the first Sunday, July 5. The Legion of Honor and de Young are also free every Saturday for Bay Area residents with valid ID.
Museum Exhibitions
Several large exhibitions run through the summer. Graciela Iturbide: Between Two Worlds opened at SFMOMA on July 11 with more than 150 black-and-white photographs, on view through November 29. At the Legion of Honor, The Etruscans: From the Heart of Ancient Italy gathers more than 150 ancient objects and runs through September 20. At the Asian Art Museum, Chiharu Shiota: Two Home Countries, the artist’s first Bay Area solo museum show, closes July 27. The same museum opened One Hundred Plays of the Noh Theater by Tsukioka Kogyo on July 16, a set of woodblock prints in the Tateuchi Japanese Galleries that is included with general admission and stays up through February 21, 2027.
Murals in the Mission
Balmy Alley, running one block south of 24th Street between Harrison and Treat, is a public street with no gate or admission. A city grant of up to $129,294 will fund restoration of five Balmy Alley murals plus one at the 24th and York mini park, with several of the original artists returning to repaint their own work. The restoration has not started; the team is still collecting permission from property owners, so the murals are on view in their current condition.
San Francisco Art Book Fair
The free San Francisco Art Book Fair returns to the Minnesota Street Project galleries in Dogpatch from Thursday, July 23 through Sunday, July 26, with independent publishers selling artist books, zines, and prints across three buildings.
Outdoors
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy has connected 12 of the city’s national park sites into one named route, the Golden Gate Dozen Trail, a roughly 13-mile walk or ride from Crissy Field to Fort Funston that is mapped on AllTrails and can be done in sections.
Baseball at Oracle Park
The San Francisco Giants play home games at Oracle Park during parts of July. Check the team schedule for dates and opponents.
Weather and What to Pack
July is peak fog season in San Francisco. Mornings are often gray and cool, especially in the Sunset, the Richmond, and along the coast, and most days clear by midday. The Mission, Potrero Hill, and Dogpatch tend to stay sunnier and warmer. Bring a layer even on warm afternoons.
