Summer is in full swing!  BBQ, fireworks, and fog!! Happy 4th of July and have a great month with all the festivals and fun kid friendly events in San Francisco in July 2017.

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival: Musical Performances: All Month Long

The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival offers the delightful Yerba Buena Gardens Children’s Garden Series, interactive performances specially designed for kids and families, on Fridays in the Yerba Buena Children’s Garden at Howard and Fourth Streets.

Extraordinary Playscapes at The Main Library: All Month Long

San Francisco Main Library, Fisher Children’s Center, 2nd Floor (100 Larkin Street)

This national exhibition and education program from Design Museum San Francisco explores the latest thinking in playground design while presenting how vital free play is to childhood development, thriving communities, and social equity.  Extraordinary Playscapes examines the art, history, science, and importance of play, while telling the story behind some of the most incredible play spaces in the world.  Featuring over 40 international playgrounds, drawings, sketches, videos, scale models, and playable installations, the interactive exhibition examines the importance of play and the latest thinking in playground design. From towering treetop playgrounds to hand-knit crochet installations, visitors will discover how architects and designers worldwide are engaging diverse communities to translate play objectives into state-of-the-art and meaningful environments. Free & Open to the Public.

Presidio Twilight: Every Thursday, 5-9PM

Celebrate summer evenings in the park at Presidio Twilight! Back for its fourth season, the gathering features delicious international food and drink from a large selection of local vendors, lantern-lit cabanas, shared fire pits, live music, and views of the sun setting over San Francisco Bay. Grab your blanket, bundle up, and enjoy San Francisco Bay views, yoga at dusk, and a great community vibe.

Union Square Live: All Month Long

Every Wednesday at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., from April through October, there’s something new under the sun and stars downtown at San Francisco’s historic Union Square Park . Rock & Roll, classical and jazz music. Swing and salsa dancing. Circus performer. Outdoor cinema. And much more.  July: Circus performances, music, and more.

Drop in Art Studio at Contemporary Jewish Museum: July 2 & 9 , 11AM

Every first and second Sunday and select school holidays from 11am–3pm, families can experience a new adventure in art-making free with admission to The Contemporary Jewish Museum. As always, the hands-on fun inspires children to learn more about the exhibitions on display in the galleries, the building’s architecture, or holidays and traditions while experimenting with materials and art

July 2/9: Inspired by the interiors in the cartoons of Roz Chast, make miniature tchotchkes, couches, and other things from home using specialty fabrics and papers, wax string, and modeling clay.

Stern Grove Concert Series: July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

July 2: Nicki Bluhn & the Gramblers; Fantastic Negrito July 9: San Francisco Symphony. July 16: Eric Burdon and the Animals; The Stone Foxes.  July 23: LOS ÁNGELES AZULES; Featuring Jay De La Cueva & Ximena Sariñana; Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San FranciscoJuly 30: San Francisco Ballet

Marin County Fair: July 1 -July 4

This year’s fair, Let the Fun Shine In , celebrates the 50 ^th anniversary of the Summer of Love. This fair will celebrate the 1960s spirit with music, art, fashion and more featuring tie-dye and macramé competitions, groovy art and daily 1960s fashion parades. As always there will be carnival rides and midway games. Headliners this year include Ann Wilson of Heart, the 5 ^th Dimension and UB40.  11am-11pm.

Sing-A-Long Sound of Music: July 1-7

Sing-A-Long Sound of Music is a presentation of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical in glorious widescreen, complete with subtitles so that the whole audience can sing along! In addition to belting out the tunes, goody bags will be handed out to everyone and audience members can add to the fun by dressing up as a favorite character for the costume contest!

Alameda County Fair: July 1-9

Get ready for the Best. Summer. Ever. as the 2017 Alameda County Fair returns with extended dates, new rides and features, delicious food and an amazing concert series, presented by Big O Tires. This year the fair will run for 20 days, opening Friday, July 16 and running through July 9, closed on June 19, June 20, June 26, and June 27.

Bean Sprouts Family Day: July 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29, 10AM

Families with children of all ages can enjoy nature crafts, garden care, outdoor games and exploration in the children’s garden at the SF Botanical Graden. Every Saturday 1-4pm through Oct.

Set up camp, enjoy a pizza dinner, meet with a zookeeper and take a guided nighttime tour of the animals. For children ages 6 and up accompanied by an adult. 5:30pm through 10am Sunday.

Headlined by Passion Pit , the event includes live bands and DJs as well as a silent disco for those wanting to party alone yet together. A variety of food and drink options ranges from an assortment of Guinness beer, cocktails, and wine to food trucks, bites from local restaurants, and—obviously—oysters.

Fillmore Jazz Festival: July 1 & 2

The largest jazz festival on the west coast takes place on the weekend before Fourth of July in San Francisco. This fun event offers free live jazz music all weekend long. The festival also features dozens of local artists showcasing their work, top gourmet goodies from SF eateries, and other fun activities.

Y Learn to bike Program: July 2, 11AM

Get your kids riding on two wheels with free, safe, and friendly instruction from the Presidio Community Y. Bikes and equipment are provided. All ages are welcome; no reservations required. Co-sponsored by the Presidio Trust.

Art Making With Ayomi Yoshida : July 2, 11AM

The art installation Yedoensis reflects the need for environmental awareness and sustainability. Add a petal to the installation and share your reflections.

Movie Nights at Alamo Drafthouse: July 3, 17, 24, 31

In partnership with the SFPL, Alamo Drafthouse is showing free throw-back movies throughout the month.  July 3: Charlotte’s Web; July 17: The Iron Giant; July 24: Babe; July 31: Where the Wild Things are.

San Francisco 4th of July Celebration: July 4

Celebrate Independence Day 2017 in San Francisco! Like every year, this Fourth of July will bring lots of fun activities to the city, especially along the waterfront in Fisherman’s Wharf. You can enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, and the fireworks display over the water at dark.

San Francisco Mime Troupe Free Performance: July 4, 2PM

No, this is not pantomiming! But it IS a fantastic, free show of a talented community-based theater group that talks, sings, and dances about socially and politically relevant themes. Their Bay Area Opening Weekend performance in Dolores Park is another one of the unique San Francisco events in July.

Creative Family Fun at the Presidio: July 8/9, 15/16, 22/23, 29/30, 11AM

July 8/9: The Presidio is home to many beautiful butterflies, from Monarchs to the Green Hairstreak butterfly. Come learn about the Presidio’s different butterflies by making your own mobile and then get out in the park to find some of our flying friends.  July 15/16: This summer marks the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love. Come celebrate the spirit of the 1960s by making your own necklaces with super groovy pendants. July 22/23:  Come design your own paper planes; you can even take them down to Crissy Field and see how. July 29/30: Come make nature stamps with the interesting patterns and shapes of the Presidio.

Inner Sunset Flea Market: July 9, 10AM

Join us for our monthly Inner Sunset Flea Market featuring fabulous finds, family fun and fantastic food just one block away from beautiful Golden Gate Park! 10am-4pm ON Irving Street between 9th-10th Avenues. Come play in the street with us as local residents, merchants and makers share their treasures while children can explore all the fun.

Feature Film Jaws with Live Orchestra: July 13 & 14, 7:30PM

Watch Steven Spielberg’s action-suspense blockbuster film as the SF Symphony performs John Williams’ iconic score live! Follow each nail-biting twist on the big screen as a seaside community is terrorized by a great white shark. Widely considered one of the most influential adventures in film history, don’t miss your chance to experience this classic of American cinema in a whole new way.

Shark Awareness Day: July 14, 9AM

Join us at Aquarium of the Bay for Shark Awareness Day on July 14, for special shark programming including Shark talks and activities! Here at the Aquarium you’ll get to meet sharks face to fin like sevengills, leopard sharks, and pacific angel sharks, while uncovering the mysteries of their majesty and role within the ecosystem.

Salsa Festival in Fillmore: July 14 & 15

Get out and join 7,000 others at one of California’s biggest Latin dance parties, dancing under the stars to live salsa music at the Fillmore Center Plaza. In addition, the festival features three blocks of salsa bands, DJs, dance instructors, and live performances.

Film Night in the Union Square Park: July 15

Enjoy a free movie in the park on Saturday, July 15. Film Night in the Park’s July movie is Beauty and the Beast . This free event will start just before dark in Union Square. Head over early to get the best seats.

Lotus Live at the Asian Art Museum: July 15, 9:15AM

On Saturday, July 15, 2017, the Asian Art Museum will attempt to earn the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the Largest human flower with LOTUS LIVE, and you can help us bloom! In honor of the 50th anniversary of San Francisco’s Summer of Love and the museum’s special exhibition Flower Power, LOTUS LIVE brings together 3,000 members of the community to form a beautiful lotus flower.

Pixar Family Concert at the SF Symphony: July 15, 7PM

From Toy Story to Finding Nemo, Pixar films have given audiences of all ages some of the most beloved characters on screen. This summer, Pixar in Concert offers musical selections from box office hits like Ratatouille, Monsters University, and Up, performed live by the San Francisco Symphony while clips are projected on the big screen. Fun for the entire family.

Sunday Streets: the Mission: July 16, 11AM

Bicycle, skate, walk or jog but leave the car behind for this event. Activity hubs will be located between 14th and 16th streets and 24th and 26th street with dozens of of free family activities offered in between.

Frozen Film Festival: July 20-23

The largest SF film festival in July is the Frozen Film Festival. It offers independent film makers, youth, and underserved communities with great talent but few screening opportunities, a place to show their work to a wide audience. The opening night gala will feature local musicians and artists, and for four days, you can watch groundbreaking documentaries, animations, and shorts at the Roxie Theater in the heart of the Mission District.

Presidio Outdoor Family Movie Night: Sing July 21, 5:30PM

Bring a blanket and enjoy a movie night in the great outdoors! Sponsored by Supervisor Mark Farrell, in partnership with the Presidio Trust and the Presidio Y.

Summer Play Day: July 22, 11AM

In honor of National Park and Recreation Month in July, join SF Rec and Park for our FREE Summer Play Day on Saturday, July 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Excelsior Playground (579 Madrid Street). The event will feature Randall Museum Exhibits, Mobile Rec, Carnival Games, Court Sports, and more!

Orchids in the Park: July 22 & 23

Free San Francisco Symphony concert at the Waterfront: July 23, 12PM

Join the San Francisco Symphony for the third annual free concert at Pier 27.

San Francisco Marathon: July 23

This year marks the 40th edition of the San Francisco Marathon! Spend your Sunday morning touring SF’s streets with your own feet by joining more than 27,000 other runners in either the 5K, half, or full marathon. You’ll run past landmarks like the Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf, Crissy Field, the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, Golden Gate Park, the Haight-Ashbury, and the Mission.

Movie Night at Pier 39: Mrs. Doubtfire: July 28, 8:30PM

Grab your blankets and enjoy this PG 13-rated comedy about a father who pretends to be a female nanny to get close to his children.

Berkeley Kite Festival: July 29 & 30

Get your kites and head to the Berkeley Marina as this popular event returns with opportunities to fly a kite, make a kite, watch expert competitions and performances, play in t he kids’ zone and catch candy from the sky!

What are you up to this month?  Let me know of all your adventures in the comments.

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