Event Dates
From: Awaiting dates
To: Awaiting dates
The City by the Bay always dazzles, especially during the holiday season when it is aglow with the annual Illuminate SF™ Festival of Light
The City by the Bay always dazzles, especially during the holiday season when it is aglow with the annual Illuminate SF™ Festival of Light.
- Visiting San Francisco this Winter? Stay close to all the light installations in the heart of the city’s downtown/union square district. Alternatively choose the Mission District for a different vibe and host to San Francisco’s famous gay parties.
The Festival
- San Francisco’s Illuminate Festival of Light celebrates the power of light with artworks by world-famous artists.
- lluminate SF has grown since its inception from six to 62 temporary and permanent eco-friendly light art installations created by a diverse array of acclaimed international and local artists
- Stay close to the start of the light trail in Union Square (7 mins to Embarcadero) at the Citizen M San Francisco, rated Wonderful by guests featuring modern rooms and superb amenities in a perfect location,
The Light Art Trail
- Tip – A great way to see a collection of the installations is to take the Light Art Trail. The Trail begins along the Embarcadero at “The Bay Lights,” which is displayed on the north side of the Bay Bridge’s western span.
- The Trail ends at a poignant gay installation. “Hope Will Never Be Silent” glows over Harvey Milk Plaza in the Castro, commemorating the words of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the history of California.
- This installation is designed to honour his life and legacy through the light’s power of attraction, offering a sign of hope to all who visit.
- Stay close to all the major light installations at the Omni San Francisco, rated “Superb” by guests with a modern gym, spacious rooms and friendly and attentive staff.
Installation Highlights 2024
While all are worthy of a visit, here are our top choices not to be missed:
- Helical Trace: A permanent installation inside the new LUMA Hotel in Mission Bay, Helical Trace is local artist Jim Campbell’s newest contribution to San Francisco’s Light Art Trail. The dynamic light installation can be seen from the street through the lobby’s floor-to-ceiling three-story windows.
- Awaiting full list of installations for the next edition.
Where to Stay?
- San Francisco is divided into several neighbourhoods, but the primary 2 are The Castro and Soma, with Soma being the area where you will find Folsom Street and most of the leather and fetish bars.
- If you want to be close to all the tourist attractions and stay in some of the best hotels in the city, then we recommend the downtown/union square district
Recommended Hotels
The following hotels are close to the gay bars and the city’s top attractions:
InterContinental Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott , Palace Hotel, Hotel Zelos,
Where to stay close to all the gay bars.
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
The W Hotel is our preferred hotel in
the city close to everything with a gym
For further information and advice on
Illuminate Festival of Light, Website
We have divided the map into two areas, the Castro, San Francisco’s world famous gay district and SOMA, the are where the Folsom Street Fair takes place each September.
Map of Gay San Francisco (SOMA)
Map of Gay San Francisco (The Castro)
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in San Francisco that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Discover the best of Iluminate San Francisco
San Francisco is a vibrant and inclusive city with a long history of LGBTQ+ activism and culture. Here are the most popular neighbourhoods, including gay hot spots and districts close to the city’s most popular attractions. It is worth noting that the best-rated hotels are close to Union Square
One of the world’s most famous gay districts since the 1960s, a focal point for LGBTQ+ culture.
South of the city centre, known for its colourful murals, hipster culture, bars and restaurants.