2017 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Summer of Love, a yearlong celebration of San Francisco's counter culture with a 1960's throwback including exhibitions, performances, literary events, tribute concerts and recognition of significant moments in time. The city of San Francisco served as a magnet for musicians, artists and social rebels in the mid-to-late Sixties. They created a counterculture bound by leftist politics, tribal spirit, music and art. Long stamped a literary bohemia, attracting nonconformists like the Beat Generation writers of the Fifties, it was logical that free-thinking San Francisco would give birth to a radical new movement eventually embraced by the rest of the world.

Here is an assortment of notable and historical dates, Summer of Love themed activities and exhibitions, annual music festivals and year-round activities. Updated events, details and trip ideas can be found at www.summeroflove2017.com.

 

Historical or Notable Dates:

Aug. 29, 1966                         
Beatles make their last public appearance, at Candlestick Park

Sept. 15, 1966                        
Grateful Dead “skull and roses” logo debuts

Oct. 6, 1966                           
“Love Pageant Rally" held in the Panhandle on the day LSD is outlawed

Oct. 15, 1966                         
Black Panther Party established

Jan. 14, 1967                         
Human Be-In is held in Golden Gate Park, drawing an estimated 20,000 people

May 13, 1967                         
Release of the song “If You're Going To San Francisco” by Scott McKenzie

June 1967                              
The Monterey International Pop Festival takes place, featuring the new generation of bands from San Francisco, Los Angeles and London

 

Summer of Love Themed Events and Exhibitions:
All exhibition titles and dates are subject to change.

June 16, 2016 – Jan 8, 2017  
San Francisco International Airport; Fashion in Flight: A History of Airline Uniform Design
Presents 70 female airline uniform ensembles and additional accessories that date from 1930 to the present. It traces the development of uniform design from the anonymous, in-house origins of the pre-war and Utility era, through the period of engagement with renowned couturiers and fashion houses that produced extraordinary collections for airline clientele during the 1950s, '60s, and '70s to today.

 

Oct. 8, 2016 – Feb 12, 2017  
Oakland Museum of California; All Power to the People: Black Panthers at 50
The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) will present a contemporary view of the Black Panther Party's legacy from multiple perspectives, “All Power to the People: Black Panthers at 50” will show how the Party continues to inspire culture, social activism and community empowerment efforts locally, nationally and internationally. The exhibition explores the Black Panther Party as a necessary, heroic and human response to societal needs and features art installations, historical photographs, media presentations, artifacts and contemporary works of art.

 

Oct. 26, 2016                      
Eric Quezada Center for Culture & Politics; Death of Money: Diggers 50 Years Later
From free food to free stores, free money and free communication, the Diggers defined a politics a half century ago that continues to exert a powerful influence on radicals today. Original participants in the Digger movement Judy Goldhaft and Kent Minault describe the interventions, confrontations and celebrations that ushered in the Death of Money, and later the Death of the Hippie.

 

Oct. 29, 2016 – Jan 22, 2017 
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; Bruce Connor: It's all True
The most comprehensive retrospective to date of the prolific artist Bruce Conner. He produced work in a variety of forms and was an active force in the San Francisco counterculture of the mid-1960s as a collaborator in light shows at the legendary Family Dog at the Avalon Ballroom. One of Conner's lithographed drawings was used on the cover of the August 1967 issue of the San Francisco Oracle.

 

Dec. 2016 – Sept 2017          
Walt Disney Family Museum; Summer of Love programming
The Walt Disney Family Museum will be featuring an incredible 60's poster exhibition.

 

Jan. 14, 2017                         
Regency Ballroom San Francisco; The Digital Be-In
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Human Be-In and the Human Edge of Tech, this event featuring speakers, panel discussions, installations, mixed reality demonstrations, live music and a 3D theater was born in 1989 to recognize the unique contribution Bay Area culture has made to the digital media revolution. In spite of the now obvious problems digital technology has spawned, the opportunities to leverage new opportunities that enhance human wellbeing and a thriving society are greater than ever before. The 17th Digital Be-In will focus on the emergent movements in VR/AR, consciousness hacking, and the next level World Wide Web. 

 

Jan. 26, 2017                         
San Francisco Arts Commission Galleries at City Hall; Jim Marshall's 1967
The exhibition will feature 80 photographs from iconic photographer Jim Marshall chronicling the years 1965-1970, highlighting the hippie movement and rock and roll scene and featuring American music icons including Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead. In addition to the exhibition at City Hall, the San Francisco Arts Commission will dedicate its 2017 Art on Market Street Poster Series to the Summer of Love. The posters, which appear in the bus kiosks on Market St. between the Embarcadero and Eighth St. will feature original work by three local artists that respond in a variety of ways to this historical event.

 

Feb. 8 – May 21, 2017           
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; Hippie Modernism: The Struggle for Utopia
Explore how art, architecture and design intersected with the counterculture of the 1960s and early 1970s. Loosely assembled around Timothy Leary's famous mantra, “Turn on, tune in, drop out,” “Hippie Modernism” charts the evolution of one of the most fertile periods of recent cultural history, one that witnessed a variety of radical experiments that challenged convention, overturned traditional hierarchies, explored new media and materials and formed alternative communities. Four distinct forum discussions featuring local activists also accompany the exhibition.

 

Feb 11 – 26, 2017                  
Pier 39; Tulipmania
Experience the power of flowers during PIER 39's Tulipmania featuring more than 39,000 tulips planted throughout the PIER.  Check-out the far-out peace sign in the East Park made up of wildly colorful tulips, inspired by the 50th Anniversary of San Francisco's Summer of Love.

 

Feb. 23 – 24, 2017                 
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, Fox Theater, Experience Hendrix Tour
The wildly popular "Experience Hendrix Tour" returns to the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa on Feb. 23 and the following evening at the Fox Theater in Oakland on Feb. 24 for an 8 p.m. concert. The tour – a celebration of the musical genius of Jimi Hendrix – brings together a diverse array of musical greats for a once-in-a-lifetime musical tribute to one of the world's greatest guitarists.

 

April 8 – Aug. 20, 2017                      
de Young Museum; Summer of Love: Art, Fashion and Rock & Roll  
Through a wide array of iconic rock posters, interactive music and light shows, “out-of-this-world” clothing and photographs, “Summer of Love” celebrates the city's rebellious and colorful counterculture and explores the visual and material cultures of a generation searching for personal fulfillment through social change. The exhibition includes rock posters by artists including Victor Moscoso, Stanley Mouse and Wes Wilson along with examples of the handcrafted, one-of-a-kind garments created by such designers as Brigitta Bjerke, K. Lee Manuel and Jeanne Rose.

 

April – Aug. 2017                   
The Cartoon Art Museum; Comix from the Summer of Love
The Cartoon Art Museum celebrates the Summer of Love with a selection of underground comix from Bay Area creators Lee Marrs (Pudge, Girl Blimp), Trina Robbins (Wimmen¹s Comix) and highlights from the collection of Ron Turner, founder of famed San Francisco publisher Last Gasp.

  

April 29, 2017                         
Telegraph Avenue Summer of Love Street Fair
The Telegraph Avenue Business Improvement District is hosting a family-friendly celebration of counterculture featuring wandering minstrels, hippie characters on stilts, organic food trucks, mimes and mellow hippie music in People's Park, Berkeley. Those that come in hippie threads will receive reduced price passes to Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive's “Hippie Modernism: The Struggle for Utopia” exhibition, plus a free hippie-themed film on the outdoor LED screen of the Pacific Film Archive.

 

May 12 – Sept. 10, 2017        
California Historical Society; On the Road to the Summer of Love
Guest-curated by Grateful Dead historian Dennis McNally, this photographic exhibition will start in the 1950's with “HOWL” and the Beat Generation and move through the free speech movement to LSD, rock and roll and the Haight in the 60's.

 

May 7, 2017                           
How Weird Street Faire: Summer of Weird
The 18th annual festival, a gathering to celebrate peace, dance in the streets, and explore technology exhibits, world class music, art, and creative wares, is continuing the great tradition of moving humanity further along. An opportunity to make new friends and greet old ones, and appreciate each other's differences much like the youth of the summer of '67.

 

May 13, 2017                         
50th Anniversary of the release of Scott McKenzie's song, “If You're Going to San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair).” 
Activities celebrating the iconic song to be determined.

 

May 2017                               
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and Smuin Contemporary Ballet; Summer of Love
Celebrated choreographer Trey McIntyre pays tribute to the Summer of Love and Garrett Ammon and Nicole Haskins tackle classical scores to contemporary, adventurous movement.

 

May 2017                               
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Museum Exhibition, TBD

 

June 2017                              
40th Anniversary Haight Ashbury Street Fair
A celebration of the diverse culture and history of the world-renowned district, the Haight Ashbury Street Fair, held on the second weekend in June, features arts and crafts, local restaurants and live music. Past performers have included Jefferson Starship, the Merl Saunders Band and The Tubes.

 

June 7 – July 2, 2017             
American Conservatory Theater: “A Night with Janis Joplin”
Like a comet that burns far too brightly to last, Janis Joplin exploded onto the music scene in 1967 and, almost overnight, became the queen of rock 'n' roll. The unmistakable voice, laced with raw emotion and Southern Comfort, made her a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock. A.C.T. presents an evening with the woman and her influences in the Bay Area premiere of the hit Broadway musical “A Night with Janis Joplin” at the Geary Theater.   Fueled by such unforgettable songs as “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Mercedes Benz,” “Cry Baby,” and “Summertime,” a remarkable cast, and breakout performances, 

 

June 24 – Oct. 1, 2017                       
Asian Art Museum: Flower Power
In honor of the 50th anniversary of San Francisco's Summer of Love, the Asian Art Museum will present the exhibition “Flower Power,” featuring significant artworks that explore the rich, symbolic history of flowers in Asian art.

 

June 16 – 18, 2017                    
50th Anniversary Monterey International Pop Festival
Presented on the exact same dates as in 1967 and from the exact same stage, the Monterey Pop Festival will be celebrating this monumental event in grand fashion just as it did 50 years ago.

 

June 18 – 25, 2017                
Proposed “Summer of Love Week”
A variety of exhibitions, performances, lectures, and symposia celebrating the art, music and history that marked this radical movement.

 

Mid-June 2017                                   
All You Need is Love event, details TBD

 

June 20 – 21, 2017                
Summer Solstice Celebration with light art activities (see www.IlluminateSF.com for examples)
A unique and illuminating way to experience much of the public art and innovation that sprung up from this time, San Francisco offers over 30 light art installations throughout the city and a wealth of events, ranging from wine tastings to sailboat regattas.

 

June 21, 2017                        
San Francisco Botanical Garden: Flower Piano “Summer of Love” Sing-along
On the Great Meadow Friday at 4-6 p.m., the San Francisco Botanical Garden will partner with Community Music Center to celebrate the Summer of Love in song.  During the Garden's signature summer event, “Flower Piano” (July 13-24, 2017), CMC's Billy Philadelphia will lead a lively sing-along featuring some of the greatest hits of 1967, including “Happy Together” by The Turtles, “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, “Somebody To Love” by Jefferson Airplane and “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles.

 

June 23, 2017                                    
Pier 39's 60's Dance Party
Featuring a Beatles cover band and other groovy stuff, Pier 39 is hosting a 60's dance party that's sure to entice visitors to come and let down their hair.

 

June 30 – July 4, 2017                       
The Marin County Fair: Let the FUN Shine In!
The Marin County Fair celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love emphasizing Marin's dedication to the community - family, art, agriculture and the environment. In 1967, the Summer of Love kicked-off with a two-day concert on Mt. Tamalpais called the Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival and is known to many as the first rock festival in history. This summer's Marin County Fair will celebrate that 1967 spirit with music, art, fashion and more featuring tie-dye and macramé competitions, flower power horticulture, groovy/psychedelic and abstract art and photography, and a daily 60s fashion parade. As always, there are carnival rides, free concerts and fireworks nightly.

 

July 2017 – Sept 2017                       
San Francisco Public Library: 50th Anniversary of Love and Haight
In this exhibit, historical photographs, grass roots newspapers, posters and flyers, record albums and manuscript materials from community groups and City of San Francisco collections will document the social and political upheaval of the summer of 1967 and how the city responded.  

 

Annual Music Festivals (2017 dates)

San Francisco features a number of music festivals throughout the year and many of which pay homage to the deep musical history including the iconic summer of 1967. The list below is a snapshot of the musical festivals and events the city has to offer.

Jan. 6 – 8                              
San Francisco Tape Music Festival

Feb. 17 –  26                          
Noise Pop Music Festival

June                                       
San Francisco Jazz Festival

June 25 – Aug 27                   
Stern Grove Festival

July 1 – 2                                
Fillmore Jazz Festival

Aug.                                        
San Francisco's Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival

Aug. 6                                     
15th Annual Jerry Day

Sept.                                       
San Francisco Symphony's 105th Season Opening Night Gal

Sept.                                       
San Francisco Opera Opening Gala

Oct.                                        
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

Oct.                                        
Treasure Island Music Festival  

 

Year-round Activities:

While the summer of love remains a key moment in history, the free love movement can be experienced through a number of geography specific tours, neighborhoods and performances throughout the year. 

The Fillmore Auditorium                    
www.thefillmore.com/about
The legendary Fillmore Auditorium offers performances throughout the year and launched the careers of greats including James Brown, Ike and Tina Turner, the Grateful Dead, the Jefferson Airplane, Santana and more. Famous for printing posters for every single show played at the venue, the poster room is just shy of 1,000 posters since officially opening its doors in the mid-60s. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bill Graham's first show at the Fillmore, which was December 10, 1965.

 

Jammin on Haight                  
www.jamminonhaight.com
Harkening back to The Psychedelic Shop, which opened on January 3, 1966, as the first head shop in America, Jammin on Haight is a boutique dedicated to keeping the memory of the Summer of Love alive.

 

Detour's Walking Tour                         
www.detour.com/san-francisco/haight-ashbury
Walk through the epicenter of the Summer of Love with Detour's Walking Tour of the Haight, narrated by one of the activists who was at its center, Peter Coyote.

 

San Francisco Love Tours                  
www.sanfranciscolovetours.com
Ride a VW hippie bus with San Francisco Love Tours and experience modern day San Francisco infused with the spirit of the 60's.

 

Flower Power Walking Tours               
www.haightashburytour.com
Walk in the footsteps of Janice Joplin and the Grateful Dead on the Haight Ashbury Flower Power Walking Tours touching on the history of it all, from rock and roll to art, fashion and architecture.

 

Wild SF Walking Tours                        
www.wildsftours.com
Take a walk on the wild side with Wild SF Walking Tours Haight-Ashbury Walking Tour: A Musical Trip of The 60's led by passionate, local artist guides committed to sharing the stories of inspiring heroes and radical social history that define San Francisco.

 

Avital Food Tours, Haight Ashbury      
www.avitaltours.com/san-francisco
Did you know that local food co-ops were born out of this era? Delve into one of the world's best food scenes to hear the stories of restaurant owners, chefs and industry experts for a unique culinary experience in San Francisco.  Walking tours are available in iconic neighborhoods across the city including Haight Ashbury.

 

Foot Tours                                          
www.foottours.com
Experience this groovy era through a special tour, Flashback: From the Summer of Love to the Winter of Discontent, from the highs of the summer of 1967 to the restlessness that followed. Either way, follow in the footsteps of music legends like Janis Joplin and Jerry Garcia with this walking tour in the iconic Haight Ashbury neighborhood.

 

Hard Rock Café at PIER 39                 
www.hardrock.com/cafes/san-francisco
Check out the autographed Grateful Dead guitar, a painting of Jerry Garcia by Grace Slick of the Jefferson Airplane, Jerry Garcia's bomber jacket, Jimi Hendrix' jacket and one of the last photos of Janice Joplin at the Hard Rock Café at PIER 39.

 

Madame Tussauds                              
www.madametussauds.com
Rub shoulders with iconic stars and free thinkers of the Summer of Love such as Jerry Garcia, Janis Joplin and Steve Jobs.

 

Magic Bus                                          
www.magicbussf.com
This two-hour+ adventure aptly title “Time Machine to the 60's” is a mind-bending combination of professional theater, film, music and sightseeing that allows tour goers to travel back in time to the summer of 1967.

 

“Beach Blanket Babylon”                    
www.beachblanketbabylon.com
The longest running musical revue in live theater history, San Francisco's hilarious pop-culture musical revue is a perfect night out with friends, and with “Hippie Peanut” taking center stage don't want to miss this fabulously counterculture-rooted performance.

 

The San Francisco Mime Troupe       
www.sfmt.org
Founded in 1959 with avant-garde performance events, today the SFMT produces social and politically relevant theater performances full of dance, song, satire and comedy all year long. In 1965 future rock impresario Bill Graham, then the company's business manager, organized his first rock dance/light show at the Fillmore Auditorium as a bail benefit for the SFMT and in 1867 The Troupe clinched its radical reputation with a comedy updated to satirize the Vietnam war.

 

The Presidio                                       
www.presidio.gov
San Francisco's former U.S. Army base was a key link in the projection of American military power into the Pacific during the Vietnam War. Now a National Park, the site offers a visitor experience rich with outdoor activities, food, art, history and more.

 

Summer of Love Themed International Events:

Largely regarded as a global phenomenon, the Summer of Love can be experienced through a number of international exhibitions around the world. 

• The Centre Pompidou; June 22 – Oct 6, 2016; The Beat Generation
  • Note: dates passed
• Victoria and Albert Museum; Sept 10, 2016 – Feb 26, 2017; You Say You Want a Revolution? Records & Rebels 1966 – 70
• Kunstraum [museum] Kreutzberg/Bethanien; Summer of Love: Haight/Kreuzberg
  • Note: dates passed

 

***San Francisco Travel and the California Historical Society have joined forces on the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love. Celebrating this rare moment in history, San Francisco is offering a year full of events, concerts, symposium and personal appearances. The California Historical Society provides the detailed historical and cultural context for this seminal summer.  San Francisco Travel is the go-to resource for visitors planning a trip, including must-see events, itineraries and tours that follow the footsteps of some of the greatest musicians of all time.***