120th Annual 1906 Earthquake & Fire Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony
Date and Time
- Saturday, Apr 18, 2026 4:30am - 5:30am
Location
Details
2026 marks a landmark year for one of San Francisco’s most storied traditions – the 120th Anniversary of the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. Falling on Saturday, April 18th, the free, pre-dawn Commemoration Ceremony invites residents, families, and history buffs to gather at Lotta’s Fountain to honor our city's resilience and soul.
Be Part of History: The 120th Legacy Registry
To mark this anniversary, attendees are invited to register for the free Legacy Registry Ticket. By registering, your name will be permanently captured in the Guardians of the City Museum records as an official participant in the 120th Anniversary Commemoration. A century from now, when historians look back at how San Francisco remembered 1906, your name will be part of that story.
The Morning Program
Master of Ceremonies and "voice of the 49ers" Bob Sarlatte will lead a riveting retelling of the 1906 earthquake and fire, taking our community back to the moments that changed San Francisco forever. The sequence of events includes:
- 4:30 AM: Public gathering begins with complimentary hot coffee and tea.
- 4:45 AM: Formal storytelling program commences with Bob Sarlatte.
- 5:10 AM: Ceremonial wreath-laying on Lotta's Fountain.
- 5:12 AM: A profound moment of silence, followed by a "Siren Salute" from a fleet of historic fire apparatus at the exact moment the earthquake began.
- 5:15 AM: A community sing-along of the city’s anthem, "San Francisco," led by a living history interpreter portraying the legendary Lillie Hitchcock Coit.
- 5:45 AM: The commemoration moves to 20th and Church Streets for the annual painting of the "Little Giant" hydrant, which famously saved the Mission District.
And for the first time since the 2006 centennial, the Guardians will showcase the 1928 Kleiber Light Wagon 2, a rare, San Francisco-built treasure and the last truck of its kind in existence.
Additional Details
Distinguished Guests: The ceremony will be joined by Mayor Daniel Lurie, Fire Chief Dean Crispen, Police Chief Derrick Lew, and other city leadership.
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Attire: Brisk April temperatures are expected; dressing in layers is highly recommended.