San Francisco’s Top 100 Events 2015

1. Outside Lands Music Festival

#2 Music Event
The music festival features more than 100 artists on five stages across Golden Gate Park and draws an annual attendance of more than 200,000. The 2015 lineup included Elton John, Mumford & Sons, the Black Keys, and Kendrick Lamar. The event also offers various food and art vendors as well as comedy performances. Next: August 2016

Photo: Jeff Kravitz for FilmMagic

2. Treasure Island Music Festival

#3 Music Event (up from #6)
With a lineup that this year includes Deadmau5, the National, FKA Twigs, and Azalea Banks, the festival is growing in popularity. The event sells out each year and has a typical attendance of 15,000 per day. Next: October 17-18, 2015

Photo: Josh Withers

3. Fillmore Street Jazz Festival

#4 Music Event
The largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, the event fills 12 city blocks with vendor booths and three stages. Held over July 4th weekend, it typically attracts more than 100,000 visitors. This year, acts included the California Jazz Conservatory Ensemble led by Dillon Vado. Next: July 2-3, 2016

Photo: SRES Inc.

4. Live 105 BFD

#5 Music Event
With five stages and 40 acts, the lineup focuses on alternative acts. This year’s bands included Modest Mouse, Of Monsters and Men, and Atlas Genius. The affordable festival drew more than 20,000 guests in 2015. Next: June 2016

Photo: Courtesy of Live 105

5. BottleRock Napa Valley

#6 Music Event
Imagine Dragons, No Doubt, and Robert Plant played at the three-day food, wine, and music festival this year. More than 100,000 guests attended the event, which had sponsors such as Intel, Coors Light, and Williams Sonoma. Next: May 27-29, 2016

Photo: Courtesy BottleRock Napa Valley

6. Stern Grove Music Festival

#8 Music Event
The 10-week concert series takes place in a grove in the Sunset district every summer. The event offers free performances, and last season’s talent included Talib Kweli, Morris Day and the Time, the San Francisco Ballet, and Tune-Yards. Attendance in 2015 was nearly 100,000 people. Next year will mark the festival’s 79th season. Next: June 19-August 21, 2016

Photo: Scott Wall

7. Noise Pop

#9 Music Event
For 23 years, the 12-day event has celebrated indie music, film, and arts. It features intimate live performances, film screenings, and special events at more than 20 venues throughout the city. This year’s acts included the New Pornographers, Ben Gibbard, and Best Coast. Next: February 19-27, 2016

Photo: Bailey Greenwood

8. San Francisco Jazz Festival

#10 Music Event
Described by The Los Angeles Times as “the preeminent event of its kind in the United States,” the jazzy festival will mark its 34th year in 2016. Held in the new San Francisco Jazz Center, the event offers 44 performances over 12 days. Next: June 2016

Photo: Jay Blakesberg, courtesy of SFJazz

9. San Francisco Opera’s Opera Ball

#11 Music Event (up from #14)
More than 3,000 guests flock to the black-tie gala each year. Dubbed “Moonlight and Music,” this year’s function marked the opening of the opera’s 93rd season and included a performance of Verdi’s Luisa Miller. Afterwards, patrons headed to City Hall for a banquet feast. Next: September 2016

Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

10. San Francisco Symphony’s Opening Night Gala

#12 Music Event
This year, the black-tie event included a pre-concert sparkling wine hour and three separate dinners. Kelsey Grammer was the featured guest artist; vocalists Alexandra Silber and Nathan Gunn also performed with the San Francisco Symphony. A glamorous after-party welcomed all 2,700 concertgoers. Next: September 2016

Photo: Courtesy of the San Francisco Symphony

11. Yerba Buena Gardens Festival

#13 Music Event (new to the list)
Held over seven weekends in the fall, the festival presents world and jazz music, dance, and theater for the whole family with a focus on diversity. It also includes a Thursday lunchtime series. Next: October 1, 2015

Photo: YBGF