February
Chinese New Year Festival and Parade - The largest festival and parade in San Francisco takes place in exciting Chinatown. This key event in Chinese culture draws many people throughout the city to join in the celebrations. From the energy of street performers to the explosion of fireworks, the exuberance of the festivities abounds. The parade as well as the New Year Flower Market and community street fair are a few of the highlights.

San Francisco Arts of Pacific Asia Show - Ancient tools and artifacts can be found at this show, an innovative effort started by Bill Caskey and Elizabeth Lee. The civilizations of the Asia Pacific began to thrive with the creation of sophisticated tools. Ancient artifacts are displayed as well as sold.

Tulipmania Festival - If you've never been to this festival, you've probably never seen 40,000 tulips in one place before. Even if they're not your favorite flower, this impressive event offers some of the most beautiful tulip specimens from every corner of the globe.

March
St Patrick's Day - Live music, dancing and green beverages accompany one of the city's favorite parades of the year.

April
Cherry Blossom Festival - This beautiful celebration first took place in April 1967, when the country was being torn apart by civil rights and war issues. The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival was started with the intention of displaying Japanese cultural heritage and pride, but the organizers were stunned when community groups from all over the state put their differences aside to join in the festival. Today the festival has grown to a two-weekend event and celebrates Japanese dancing, singing, arts and crafts, culinary delicacies, and martial arts.

May
Carnaval San Francisco - Samba music, dress and dance flood the streets in the Fiesta de Tambores. Often compared with Mardi Gras, the Carnaval is one of the city's largest annual public events and is, above all else, a celebration of life.

Albersons Bay to Breakers Foot Race - Anyone can enter this 7.46 mile race to travel up a steep hill that peeks at 215 feet above sea level before gently sloping downhill alongside the Golden Gate Park. Spectators are encouraged to walk the path with the racers.

June
Haight Street Fair - The Haight Street Fair offers visitors five blocks of entertainment with two huge stages providing a steady stream of music from rock and jazz newcomers to punk and blues legends and just about any other genre you can imagine. Add to that a plethora of arts and crafts and food and beverages and you have the perfect recipe for an outdoor extravaganza.

July
Fourth of July Waterfront Festival - If you're looking for a monstrous waterfront birthday party, the fourth of July celebrations at Fisherman's Wharf feature live entertainment, arts and crafts, food and the largest fireworks display on the West Coast.

Ghirardelli Square's Fourth of July Celebration - If you'd like to celebrate the nation's birthday in a slightly smaller venue, Ghirardelli Square offers a variety of family activities and live performances. of traditional dance, music, craft demonstrations, parades, dance parties and ethnic foods spread across six outdoor stages.

August
San Francisco Aloha Festival - The Aloha Festival is a free event sponsored by Pacific Islanders Cultural Association to showcase and celebrate Pacific Island culture and tradition through Polynesian music and dance, island food, and a massive sea of vendors selling arts and crafts. There are also educational exhibits, workshops and kid games. You'll love saying Aloha (hello) to this fun festival although you may be sad to say Aloha (goodbye) when it's over.

September
San Francisco Grand Prix Cycling Event - This 109-mile biking event winds over the hilly streets of San Francisco providing the athletes with a challenging course. If you don't think your legs are strong enough to compete, come out to cheer on the participants.

Cirque du Soleil - Witness the stunning circus troupe perform their unforgettable extravaganza "Varekai." Tickets are required, and it is suggested you order them weeks in advance.

December
Great Dickens Christmas Fair - The Cow Palace transforms itself for an old-fashioned English Victorian Christmas with the best in street vendors, dance parties, taverns, shops, theaters and music halls. The period costumes are what really make the experience, though.

Sources:
( http://www.sfvisitor.org )
Accessed December 21, 2004

( http://www.san-francisco-travel-services.com )
Accessed December 21, 2004

( http://www.lonelyplanet.com )
Accessed December 21, 2004