This Weekend: Easter Celebrations Galore, a Colorful Way to Ring in Spring, and Big Wheel Racing
Reminder for Weekend Early Closures of Twin Peaks Tunnel Resuming March 30-31: Resuming Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31 there will be preparatory work taking place inside Twin Peaks Tunnel ahead of the summer closure. Stations will close early on Friday and Saturday nights to provide extra time to work inside the tunnel. Buses will run in place of the K, L and M lines. For additional information on the project and for details on getting around during the shutdown, check out our project page.
Events: There will be no shortage of fun family activities in the city for this Easter weekend. On Saturday, take the kids over to Golden Gate Park for the Spring Eggstravaganza before heading up to the Ghirardelli Square Easter Festival. On Sunday, you can take in some early morning views from the city's highest peak during the annual (non-denominational) Easter Sunday morning service atop Mt. Davidson or head to Golden Gate Park for some more adult-themed fun with the annual Easter in the Park and Hunky Jesus Contest. For those looking for something non-holiday related, enjoy the sights and snorts of Pug Sunday at Alta Plaza Park. Read more about our featured events below.
Participants rolling, sliding, and otherwise careening down Vermont Street during the 2010 edition of Bring Your Own Big Wheel. Photo: Nicki Dugan Pogue/Flickr
Holi: The Indian Festival of Colors
Saturday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Mission Bay
Holi is an ancient Hindu festival that signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. Holi celebrations start on the night before Holi with a Holika Dahan where people gather, perform religious rituals in front of a bonfire, and pray that their internal evil be destroyed the way Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, was killed in the fire. The next morning is celebrated as a free-for-all festival of colors, where people smear each other with color by many means. Anyone and everyone is fair game and the fun occurs in the open streets, open parks, outside temples and buildings.
If you want to join in the celebration and partake in the friendly, colorful battle royale, then head over to the California College of the Arts in Mission Bay this Sunday for the annual Holi Color Fight. The event features live performances, a DJ, and of course, a lively color fight.
How to Get There on Muni: Anyone looking to join in the celebration can take the 10 Townsend, 19 Polk, 22 Fillmore, 55 16th Street routes close to the event.
Muni Service Notes: There are no planned service changes for this event. Higher than usual ridership and minor delays may be possible in the area.
Union Street Easter Parade and Spring Festival
Sunday, 10 a.m to 5 p.m.
Pacfiic Heights
If you'd like to maximize your celebration efficiency this weekend, the 27th annual Union Street Easter Parade and Spring Festival has you covered. This event wraps Easter and the arrival of Springtime into one package full of family-friendly fun. Some of Union Streets best restaurants will be on hand to serve attendees in an outdoor bistro setting and there will be inflatable bounces, rides and games, a petting zoo and live music to keep kids and adults alike busy for the day. Don your best Easter bonnet and enter into the Easter bonnet contest on Union at Buchanan by 11:15 a.m. for your chance to win an award in a variety of categories as well as all-important bragging rights.
How to Get There on Muni: Join the fun by taking the 22 Fillmore, 28 19th Avenue, 30 Stockton, 41 Union, 43 Masonic, 45 Union/Stockton or 76X Marin Headlands Express routes close to the event.
Muni Service Notes: Routes in the area may see increased ridership. The 45 will have a re-route.
Bring Your Own Big Wheel Race
Sunday, 3 to 6 p.m.
Potrero Hill
If you are seeking more thrills this weekend, pull out your best big wheel and head over to Vermont and 20th streets --the curviest street in the city, depsite what its more well-known counterpart might say-- for the 18th annual Bring Your Own Big Wheel Race in Potrero Hill. Each year, participants put their pride and bodies on the line as they careen around the hairpin curves of Vermont Street on their big wheels. Put on your best costume (or finest protective gear!), grab your trike and take part in this uniquely San Francisco event.
How to Get There on Muni: Parking near this event is very limited, so Muni is highly recommended. Big wheelers can take the 9 San Bruno, 10 Townsend, 19 Polk, or 33 Ashbury/18th Street routes close to the starting line.
Muni Service Notes: There are no planned service changes for this event. Higher than usual ridership and minor delays may be possible in the area.
“On Tap” gives you a heads up about the big events in town and what Muni routes and lines will get you to the party. Look for this feature to be posted usually on Wednesdays for a look ahead to the weekend. Check out our Weekend Traffic & Transit Advisory for more details.