Coffee Festival San Francisco: Dates, Tickets & Highlights

The San Francisco Coffee Festival is back this November, bringing together roasters, baristas, and coffee fans for a weekend dedicated to the drink that keeps the city running. It’s not just about sipping samples—it’s a chance to meet the people behind your favorite blends, hear from industry experts, and see how far coffee culture has come. Held at Fort Mason, the event turns a waterfront warehouse into a buzzing hub of flavor, conversation, and creativity.

San Francisco Coffee Festival – Complete Guide for Coffee Lovers: Dates, Tickets & Highlights

Festival Overview

This is the ninth year the festival has taken over the Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason, marking the start of SF Coffee Week. Spread across two days, it offers a structured yet relaxed environment where attendees can move at their own pace. The layout is open, with roaster booths lining the space, panel areas tucked in the corners, and music filling the air between sessions.​

• Dates: Saturday, November 8 and Sunday, November 9, 2025
• Location: Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd., San Francisco
• Hours: Two sessions per day—9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Website: https://www.sfcoffeefestival.com

Ticket Information

Tickets are timed and non-refundable, so choosing the right session matters. General Admission gets you in for one session, while VIP Early Admission opens the doors at 9 a.m. and includes access to the full day. All Day Passes are available for those who want to come and go as they please.​

• General Admission: Click here for tickets
• VIP Early Admission: $81.55
• Purchase: Only through Eventbrite

Featured Roasters & Vendors

More than 100 roasters will be on site, from well-known names to small-batch newcomers. You’ll find Ritual Coffee, Equator Coffees, and Voyager Craft Coffee, along with rising stars like Little Green Cyclo and River Phin, which specializes in Vietnamese-style brews. Each booth offers a chance to taste, ask questions, and learn about sourcing.​

• Bay Area Favorites: 1951 Coffee, The Crown, Frinj Coffee
• Specialty Focus: Direct trade, rare varietals, experimental processing
• International Influence: Strong representation from Southeast Asian coffee makers

Coffee Tasting Experience

Tasting is built into the ticket price, so you can try as many brews as you like. Whether you prefer pour-over, cold brew, or espresso, there’s something to match your preference. Some roasters will serve unique drinks like the Habibi Latte, made with cardamom and orange blossom, or nitro cold brew with a citrus twist.​

• Brew Methods: Drip, French press, siphon, Chemex, and more
• Sample Types: Single-origin, blends, flavored infusions
• Interaction: Talk directly with roasters about roast profiles and flavor notes

Coffee Convos – Educational Panels

These talks dive into the real issues and ideas shaping coffee today. Past sessions have covered extraction science, the economics of farming, and how to open a coffee shop without burning out. Speakers include veterans like Paul Katzeff of Thanksgiving Coffee and Eileen Hassi Rinaldi of Ritual.​

• Topics: Sensory training, sustainability, coffee cocktails
• Format: 30- to 45-minute discussions with Q&A
• Schedule: Posted on the festival website and Instagram

Latte Art Throwdown

Hosted by Heirloom Coffee Roasters, this live competition draws skilled baristas who create detailed designs in real time. The audience watches as hearts turn into dragons and rosettas evolve into animals. The winner takes home $1,000, but the real prize is the show.​

• Prize: $1,000 cash
• Host: Heirloom Coffee Roasters
• Viewing: Open to all attendees during the event

Live Music & Entertainment

Each day features a different lineup of local musicians, mostly from the Bay Area. The sound is kept at a conversational level, so it enhances the mood without making it hard to talk. Past acts include soul and indie performers like Jonah Melvon and Sofie Mae.​

• Genres: Soul, acoustic, indie
• Schedule: Released closer to the event
• Vibe: Laid-back, not a concert—more like background energy

Food & Snacks

Food isn’t included, but several food trucks and vendors will be on site. Expect pastries, vegan treats, and light bites to balance the caffeine. You can bring your own snacks, but glass containers and alcohol are not allowed.​

• Options: Vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian
• Vendors: Rotating local favorites
• Tip: Bring a water bottle—staying hydrated helps with tasting

Art & Cultural Highlights

Coffee isn’t just a drink here—it’s a medium. Artist Jarold Cadion returns, painting portraits using coffee as his pigment. His work is for sale, along with prints and merchandise. It’s a quiet corner of the festival where you can slow down and watch something take shape.​

• Featured Artist: Jarold Cadion
• Medium: Coffee-based paint
• Merch: Prints, stickers, coasters available for purchase

Practical Tips for Attendees

Go early, especially if you have the first session. Lines build up by midday. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a reusable cup, and scan your ticket before you arrive. Follow the festival’s Instagram for real-time updates on panel times and surprise pop-ups.​

• Bring: Water bottle, phone, ticket ready to scan
• Wear: Comfortable shoes—there’s a lot of standing and walking
• Pro Move: Check the schedule the night before and plan your route

The San Francisco Coffee Festival works because it doesn’t try to be everything at once. It’s focused, well-organized, and built for people who care about where their coffee comes from. Whether you’re there to taste, learn, or just enjoy the vibe, it’s a rare event that feels both inclusive and authentic. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into your morning cup, this is the place to find out.

More…

• https://www.sfcoffeefestival.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/sfcoffeefestival/?hl=en
• https://www.overheresf.com/best-cafes-san-francisco-fall-drinks/