Summer Quarter Events and Highlights

Downtown San Francisco's Summer Events Roundup

Welcome to a vibrant summer season of events in Downtown San Francisco! Our city is buzzing with exciting events that celebrate our rich cultural diversity and historical heritage. Join us for the third annual Bastille on Belden and experience the colorful Bhangra & Beats Night Market! Don’t miss the Mechanics' Institute's 170th Anniversary Open House, a special occasion to explore one of San Francisco’s oldest cultural institutions, offering a glimpse into its storied past and vibrant present.

Bastille on Belden: Friday, July 12th, 2024

Bastille on Belden returns for a third year of French fun in the Financial District on Friday, July 12th from 4:30-9:30 pm.

Come enjoy classic accordion music by Vintage Jukebox, dinner specials served by the restaurants of Belden Place, festive decor, and complimentary berets provided by Downtown SF Partnership.

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Bhangra & Beats Night Market: Friday, July 12th, 2024

Summer is for exploring the Bhangra & Beats Night Market with family and friends on Friday, July 12th from 5-10 pm! Come downtown to enjoy traditional Bhangra performances, dance to the sound of eclectic beats, and try a variety of mouth-watering street foods.

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Mechanics' Institute 170th Anniversary Open House: Saturday, July 13th, 2024

Founded in 1854, Mechanics' Institute is celebrating its 170th anniversary with an all day activation of their historic library, events space, and chess room. Members and non-members are welcome to explore this literary jewel of downtown San Francisco through building tours, scavenger hunts, and library pop-ups throughout the day. Special events include a family story hour, discussions with the leading voices of the Bay Area on the past, present, and future of San Francisco, and a Bastille Day jazz concert with Le Jazz Hot Quartet.

Attendees are welcome to register for any and all of the events. Please use individual ticket options to register for the events you would like to attend. While we always welcome same-day and drop-in attendance, only tickets purchased prior to each event will guarantee admission. Mechanics' Institute members receive discounted tickets for all Open House events!

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1840s San Francisco and the Astonishing Legacy of America's "First Black Millionaire" Tour: Saturday, July 13th, 2024

Civic leader, diplomat, hotelier, and entrepreneur William Leidesdorff was the “life and soul” of early San Francisco and did much to establish it as a place for business and American power on the eve of the Gold Rush.  His untimely demise in 1848 started a race to control the vast fortune of this remarkable man who concealed his biracial identity for much of his life.  We’ll visit the sites of his many achievements, from bustling wharves and luxury hotels to the foundations of California’s first public school.  Along the way, we’ll weigh his impact on early San Francisco, consider the battle to control his legacy, and visit several public works of art that attempt to reflect and sometimes direct his fascinating story.

Meet on Commercial Street, just east of Montgomery, where the location of the original shoreline from 1850 is painted in bright colors on the street.

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San Francisco Marathon: July 27th-28th, 2024

Get your running shoes on! The 2024 San Francisco Marathon will be held July 27-28, 2024.

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836M Exhibition: The Past Will Fail You

The Past Will Fail You is multi-media artist Edward Mills‘ artistic U.S. debut. Born and raised in the United States, Mills has lived in Paris, France for the last two decades. Since 2019, he has exhibited throughout Paris and elsewhere in France. Working between drawing, painting and sculpture, his organic style combines a form of surrealist automatism with physically demanding, machine-like outputs.

These summer events are bringing together the community for unforgettable experiences, so come and be a part of the summer fun in Downtown San Francisco!

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