There are always fun things to do in January at San Francisco. From the sea lions returning to PIER 39 to the FOG Design+Art Fair, welcome the New Year 2017 with a bang. Here are the top picks we have removed for you to have a joyful time at San Francisco in the month of January.
FOG Design+Art
January 12-15
The fourth annual edition of the FOG Design+Art Fair will take place January 12–15, 2017 at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. The Preview Gala benefiting the newly transformed and widely heralded San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Celebrating today’s most significant creatives and leading contributors to the worlds of design and visual arts, the fair assembles 45 leading international galleries; prominent 20th-century and contemporary design dealers; a weekend of exciting programs; and 21POP, a special installation created by Stanlee Gatti.
Enjoy exclusive early access to the fair’s vast range of exquisite furniture, fine art, and design objects before it opens to the public. Guests at the Platinum, Gold, and Silver levels will enjoy early access to the gala to peruse the booths. At 7 p.m., Supporter-level guests will join for a festive evening of entertainment, culinary creations by McCalls, and design-centric cocktails. For more information please visit, www.fogfair.com
San Francisco Sketchfest
January 12-29
SF Sketchfest was founded in 2001 by David Owen, Cole Stratton and Janet Varney as a way to showcase the talents of six Bay Area sketch comedy groups: The Fresh Robots, Kasper Hauser, The Meehan Brothers, Please Leave the Bronx, Totally False People and White Noise Radio Theatre. The festival debuted in January of 2002 at the Shelton Theatre in downtown San Francisco and has grown rapidly into a nationally recognized comedy festival that mixes national headliners, local favorites and the best up-and-coming groups from throughout North America for a month of sketch, improv, stand-up and alternative comedy. A favorite with audiences, critics, and performers alike, the festival has grown substantially to become a highly anticipated artistic showcase that consistently delivers top quality comedic performances, tributes and panel discussions. For more information please visit, www.sfsketchfest.com
27th Anniversary of the Sea Lions’ Arrival at PIER 39
January 20-22
Join us to celebrate the 27th anniversary of the sea lions’ arrival to PIER 39! The boisterous barking pinnipeds began arriving in droves shortly after the Loma Prieta earthquake hit San Francisco in October 1989. With a protected environment and plentiful supply of food from the Bay, the sea lions quickly decided to make PIER 39’s K-Dock their new home.
Join us from January 20-22 to celebrate with free Sea Lion Encounter Walking Tours, departing daily at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm from the Sea Lion Statue west of the PIER 39 Entrance Plaza. Tour participants also receive a celebratory treat and special discounts at select PIER 39 businesses. For more information please visit, www.pier39.com
Chinese New Year Parade and Celebration
January 21-February 12
Named one of the top ten Parades in the world by IFEA, the Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the few remaining night illuminated Parades in the country. Started in the 1860’s by the Chinese in San Francisco as a means to educate the community about their culture, the Parade and Festival have grown to be the largest celebration of Asian culture outside of Asia. Since 1958, the parade has been under the direction of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Nowhere in the world will you see a lunar new year parade with more gorgeous floats, elaborate costumes, ferocious lions, exploding firecrackers , and of course the newly crowned Miss Chinatown U.S.A. and her court. A crowd favorite is the spectacular 268′ Golden Dragon (“Gum Lung”) It takes a team of over 100 men and women from the martial arts group, White Crane to carry this dragon throughout the streets of San Francisco. This year’s Southwest Airlines® Chinese New Year Parade promises to warm your heart and electrify your senses, come rain or shine. For more information please visit, www.chineseparade.com
For more information please visit, www.sftravel.com
