“COOL: SAN FRANCISCO & SHAKESPEARE”

October in San Francisco sees a number of annual events make their return: The Bridge to Bridge Run, the Castro Fair, Italian Heritage Parade, Blessing of the Fish, and Fleet Week. In addition, there’s also the 75th anniversary of Coit Tower, a bluegrass festival in Golden Gate Park, and Love Fest - the largest dance-and-music event in the nation.

October 2-5
OCTOBERFEST BY the BAY
A celebration of Oktoberfest in the Bay Area. Check out this year’s new Saturday hours and what’s happening on “Gemutlichkeit Night.” Visit the official site.

October 3-5
HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS
Music in Golden Gate Park: bluegrass music that is. Speedway Meadows. Free to attend. Visit the official site.

October 4, starts at noon
4TH ANNUAL LOVEFEST
The largest dance-and-music celebration in the country. In 2007, a total 85,000 people participated, enjoying sun, music, and rhythm in the streets of San Francisco. The event will include live music, famed DJs, and various floats. The LoveFest parade starts on 2nd St @ Market and continues on to the Civic Center Plaza. Visit the official site.

October 4-5
AKI MATSURI
Japantown welcomes the fall with taiko drums, dancing, and games for all. Japantown (Post and Buchanan Sts). Free to attend. Visit the official site.

October 4-5
SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
Also happening the first weekend of October, the annual dragon boat festival at Treasure Island. This is the 13th annual. It’s quite the sight to see, all those boats (over 100) in the water, racing. Visit the official site.

October 5
BLESSING of the FISH
A Sunday ceremony dating back centuries. All takes place at Fisherman’s Wharf. Visit the official site.

October 5
GLIDE BRIDGE to BRIDGE RUN
A city race taking runners from the Bay Bridge all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a very picturesque race. Visit the official site.

October 5
CASTRO STREET FAIR
This gay-friendly street fair features arts and crafts, live entertainment, dancing, and music, all on the city’s famed Castro Street. Visit the official site.

October 9-14
FLEET WEEK
This is a great family event. It honors the nation’s men and women of the Navy and marine services, as well as gives the city one awesome air and sea show after another. In the past, there’s been some talk of shutting it down, but proponents have kept it going. Visit the official site.

October 12
SAN FRANCISCO ITALIAN HERITAGE PARADE, starts at 12:30 p.m.
Celebrate Italian heritage in San Francisco. The parade travels from Fisherman’s Wharf to North Beach, followed by entertainment, music, and good food in San Francisco’s “Little Italy.” Visit the official site.

October 17-November 9
SAN FRANCISCO JAZZ FESTIVAL
This is one of the city’s biggest music festivals, featuring jazz day and night, all over the city. Visit the official site.

October 18
ICER AIR
An action sports, music, and lifestyle event, that brings skiing and snowboarding to urban San Francisco. Visit the official site.

October 25, noon - 3 p.m.
COIT TOWER 75TH ANNIVERSARY (DIAMOND JUBILEE)
A celebration commemorating 75 years for the S.F. landmark. Those who attend will find among the various activities, a rally of antique fire trucks, a temporary exhibit featuring memorabilia, and free elevator rides to the top of the 210-foot structure all day. Coit Tower is must-see for the tourist, and this presents the perfect opportunity to check it off your list. For more information, call 1.415.831.2782.

October 26
PUMPKIN PANDEMONIUM
A family day at Pier 39 featuring a pumpkin patch, face-painting, and general Halloween/autumn fun. Visit the official site.

^{* Poster (c) LoveFest. | Coit Tower. Photo (c) PDPhoto.org.}