Fillmore Jazz Festival

Only passed by the 2024 Fillmore Jazz festival this year because it coincided with the pug meet nearby. We love this summer festival though and happy it's back and thriving. Can't wait to attend again in 2025!

We recently attended the Fillmore Jazz festival this past weekend and we had a lot of fun! Whenever there's an opportunity to walk in the middle of streets, while listening to good music and enjoy delicious food, it's hard not to have fun. For the festival, they close up 5-6 blocks on Fillmore. The streets are lined with different vendors. A lot of the same repeat ones we've seen at the other street festivals we've been to this year, but still fun nonetheless. We picked up some new spices from a vendor from Tracy, which we are excited to cook with. The food selection was a lot more diverse, which was great. We got hibachi soul food, delicious wings, and of course the garlic crab fries. All the food was priced normally for fairs, so most things were around $20. What's also cool is that a lot of the bars along Fillmore participated by offering drinks specials. Harry's was a good time, with delicious espresso martinis and jell-o shots! They had a couple of live music stages, with a bunch of jazz bands which was cool and unique. I think the one thing that could make it better is to have more of a variety of alcohol options and there was a lot of empty space which could've been filled with more vendors. Other than that, still a great time, especially with the beautiful weather.

I can't believe I only just now checked out this festival! It was packed on Saturday afternoon! There were so many people and good vibes. There are several jazz bands, each with different styles, performing throughout the day. I recommend checking the performance schedule so that you can get a good viewing spot early. I liked starting on the northern end of the festival (Jackson St) then working my way south, all the way down Fillmore St. You can just walk through or bring a blanket or chair to sit upon. Don't forget a hat - it's super sunny! The weather was perfect all day. No need for a jacket this year!The Brad Leali Quintet featuring Carla Helmbrecht (performed on Saturday at the California St. stage) was terrific! Groove 8 didn't perform on a stage, but their set was just as fun. There were sooo many fabulous vendors to shop! All of the food stalls were located on the southern end, south of Geary St. (But Fillmore St. has many cafés if you prefer that instead.) Most of the arts & crafts vendors appeared to be located north of Post St. This festival had WAY more live music and vendors than the Head West marketplace at the Ferry Building -- or any other street fair I've attended in SF. I highly recommend checking out this annual event!

If the city looks abandoned on the July 4th weekend it's because everyone's at the Fillmore Jazz Festival.Wall to wall people, non-stop live music on several stages, food, clothing, jewelry, dancing, & the bands were amazing. Highlights for me were Zepparella & Groove 8. Zepparella is an all-women Led Zeppelin cover band. They really got the crowd rocking. Looked them up, they have a heavy tour schedule. Groove 8 played almost all day Saturday & Sunday. Mind-blowing talent, appreciative audience. There was no problem finding something to eat. All the street faire favs, bbq, oysters, burgers, dumplings, lobster rolls, crab rolls, ice cream, much etc. The crowd was also good for the local businesses. Parklets we're full, shoppers shopping, smiles all around.Best of all, the fashion on the street. Big hats, crazy sunglasses, high style suits & dresses, stylish hairdos. People really went all out to see & be seen. What a scene.

Great event. The schedule online on the event site is not downloadable and hard to see time and venue using a mobile . Please post a pdf so we can enjoy all events even if we run into intetnet issues on filmore st.

We came back from our European sojourn just in time to enjoy this weekend's (July 1-2) Fillmore Street jazz fest. I usually like to nest and do chores after being off the continent for a month, but I can only do so MUCH laundry!The sounds of sax mixed with soft drums and keys floated down the entire Fillmore st. from Jackson to Eddy. We passed by vendors selling your usual arts and crafts, jewelry, acrylic paintings and home goods. Some were overpriced, but the vendors were not pushy.There were plenty of folks imbibing, but with a $10 price tag for 24 oz beer, the rowdiness is kept to a minimum. The very strong police presence and event staff made me feel safe and able to enjoy the festival without feeling overwhelmed. Expect plenty of BBQ items and fried food for sale and the lines are managed well. We opted for Humprhey Slocombe ice cream truck coz you know, MONEY SHOT. See you next year!

*** As far as street fairs can be rated ... ***The annual Fillmore Jazz Fest must rank tops.Multitudes of vendors in booths - from artisans to clothiers to bbq grills to jambalaya to beers.All clustered along ~ 1mi stretch of Fillmore St,filling the gap between band stage performers.Performers range from some trendy hip hop DJ's to some old school country blues artists.A little of everything for everyone young & old.SF police presence was on every street corner.Crowd was orderly and even allowed to carry beers as they strolled thru the festivities n/p.I can't think of a better way to spend the day.*** All restaurants & shops open as well. ***

2019 is a great year for the Fillmore Jazz Festival. The bands are tremendous. I discovered a new Jazz-Funk band called Groove 8. They're based in North Carolina and their band members are from all over. The most important fact: they play phenomenal music. They have 3 sax players and some of these gentlemen switch off and play other instruments as well. The bass guitar player is really rocking his sound and the drummer is so chill, you can put hold a fan up to his face and the breeze off him will blow that fan.I know and have heard other acts here at the festival over the years and they're awesome. Great singing and music. Groove 8 just walked in and grabbed the best spot on Fillmore Street; in front of a Victorian that currently houses a hair salon called Hue.I'm coming back a second day just to hear more music from Groove 8 and all my other favorites as well. Jazz is a state of mind, you know. There is no other event with this quality of jazz that's all free! Only in San Francisco - I know that, that's why I call it home. It's just that special.

Very disappointing. I came for first time in 6 years. It is basically an overblown arts and crafts festival NOT a Jazz Fest. I was at the Fair for 2 hours before I heard any music. Every time I walked by a stage it was being worked on, no recorded music to even bridge the gap. Also, it was advised to bring your ID to be admitted into the Beer Gardens... there were no Beer and Wine Gardens or any alcohol available at all!!! This festival is a downer, I will not go again.

2023 Saturday 1 JulyWe've been to so many previous great Jazz Festivals on Fillmore that this one was very disappointing - bands did not play according to schedule, and an hour or more lag time between bands. Badly organized and badly coordinated, and we were not impressed with the music we did hear.Will skip Sunday's lineup only because we expect the same disorganization tomorrow.