FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Directions?
The How Weird Street Faire takes place in the heart of the SoMa district of San Francisco. It is centered at Howard & 2nd Streets, a few blocks south of Market Street, and a block east of Yerba Buena Gardens. Just around the corner from the giant Salesforce Tower, and next to the Transbay Terminal. The coordinates are 37°47’12.4″ N, 122°23’53.7″ W
Entrances?
The four Faire entrances this year are at Howard and 1st Streets, Howard and New Montgomery Streets, Folsom and 2nd Streets, and at Mission and 2nd Streets. They are all near the Montgomery BART station, Transbay Terminal, Caltrain Station, and MUNI. We strongly recommend taking public transportation to the Faire. There is also a car/taxi waiting area at 1st Street and Howard. We recommend arriving early to avoid lines and see all of the Faire. The Faire starts at Noon.
Maps?
Go to the maps page. There will also be printed maps inside of the 2024 Faire Guide, along with the music stage schedules, magic specials, and much more. Grab one on your way into the Faire! Or stop by the Info Booth at the center of the Faire
What is this year’s theme?
The theme for How Weird 2024 is “Star Weird Day: May the 4th Be With You”. Come dressed in your weirdest outfit!
Ages?
How Weird is a place where all are welcome. The Faire is open to all ages, but we recommend ear plugs or headphones for children. It is loud. Children 12 and under do not need tickets but must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Are refunds available?
Refunds are available up to 7 days before the Faire.
Handicapped accessible?
Yes, the entire Faire is handicapped accessible. It is at street level, with ramps to the sidewalk.
Are animals allowed?
Only service dogs are allowed at the Faire.
Is smoking allowed?
No, it is not. By city law, there is no smoking allowed in street fairs. You can step outside the Faire if you want to smoke.
What should I NOT bring?
Do not bring glass bottles or weapons, they are not allowed inside the faire. Bags and people may be searched going into the Faire.
What SHOULD I bring to the event?
Please bring smiles, a colorful costume, and an open mind.
Car parking?
If you drive, it can be hard to find parking. For short stays, you can go to the parking garage at 5th & Mission Streets. ParkWhiz shows available parking nearby, which you can book online. You can also find parking spots nearby through Parkopedia.
Bike parking?
This year there will be bike parking on Natoma Street, with an entrance on New Montgomery Street. Park your bike before entering the Faire. Please lock your bike over the top of the barricades, not on the side. There will be security watching the bikes.
UFO parking?
The designated Flyer Saucer landing zone is at 37°47’16.62″N, 122°23’53.92″W
What is that weird alien-like symbol you used in the past?
In the 1990s, crop circles were appearing around the world, with increasingly complex designs. These designs worked their way into electronic dance music culture, and inspired many weird people. Below is the design of the Barbury Castle crop circle from July 17, 1991 in England, perhaps the most iconic crop circle. The design was recreated on the playa of Burning Man in 1999 by Landon, the design artist for How Weird, with assistance from Justin, one of the producers of How Weird. It served as the dancefloor for the last Community Dance at Burning Man. It was featured in the poster for How Weird 2020, of which no physical copies survived the pandemic, although many were printed.
Should I take the red pill or the blue pill?
The red one, it’s weirder.
Are costumes really required?
Yes, they are. You can go as yourself, or go as something else. We recommend something colorful, creative, fun, and weird. Weird is always in style. This year try to dress in your weirdest costume yet!
Nudity?
Nudity is not encouraged at How Weird. It often upsets others, and we don’t want that. So everyone is asked to come in costume. But be aware that there may be some nudity.
Are there ins and outs?
Yes, there are ins and there are outs.
What time should I arrive?
Arrive at Noon. The Faire starts at noon, and you don’t want to miss any of the fun. The music will also start at noon. And the vendors will be open at noon. Even Art Alley will be shining at noon.
What about rain or bad weather?
The How Weird Street Faire is a rain or shine event. We hope for shiny days.
Can I DJ/play at How Weird?
Each stage decides their own line-ups. The music stages are produced by awesome people who do their best to create an amazing experience. It is them that decide who plays. The Faire does not book any DJs or bands.
Can I fire dance at How Weird?
Unfortunately no. The city does not give us the permits necessary for fire dancing, and the Faire has become too crowded and surrounded by high rise office buildings and condos.
Do I have to dance? What if I’m not a good dancer?
It doesn’t matter how good you are. What matters is whether or not you are having fun. If the music moves you, please dance however you want… as long as you are not stepping on other people’s feet. Everyone is free to interpret the music in their own way through their dancing. The more diverse the interpretations the better!
Is there a VIP area?
The VIP area has being extended to cover the entire Faire. Everyone will be very important at How Weird! And hopefully very weird.
How weird should we be?
This is the question that has confounded humanity since the dawn of time. Weirdness is relative, each person has a different perspective. We think of being weird as being creative and fun and unique, having a fresh and exciting way of seeing the world, always inventing new ways to do things. But there is always something weirder. So be as weird as you want to be.
What should I do with trash?
Throw it away! Please don’t leave your trash on the ground. There will be trash, recycling, and compost containers throughout the Faire. It’s hard to dance if there is trash on the ground!
Lost and found?
Lost and Found is located in the Info Booth, where you will also find answers to all of your Faire questions.
Why is it called “How Weird”?
How Weird is a play on the name Howard Street, which is where the Faire takes place. It also describes the people at the faire, especially when in costume. The word “Howard” is an Old English word meaning “noble watchman”. It is also the surname of William Davis Merry Howard, after which the street in San Francisco is named. He was a gifted mimic who improvised theatricals, as well as funding the city’s first public school, first hospital, first fire engine, and first churches. He lived from 1819 to 1856, and was described by his friends as a “bold operator” and a jester.
What is the purpose of How Weird?
The Faire aims to inspire peace through music, art, ideas, raising consciousness, and the benevolent uses of technology. We are trying to maintain community and connections and a thriving culture. As well as celebrate peace, creativity, and the survival of the human spirit in spite of adverse conditions. Plus, after a really hard year we could all use a good dance together.
Why do you want to raise consciousness, and what does that mean?
We mean raising the level of awareness and understanding that people have, and helping them reach a place where the connections between all people become apparent. At a wider level of understanding, it is easier to see common interests and similarities, and view the world from other perspectives. This creates an environment where peace can flourish. Collectively, we are faced with severe challenges that need to be addressed in a fresh way. Awareness, as any psychologist will tell you, is the first step to change. As Albert Einstein noticed, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.”
Why can’t the How Weird Street Faire be every day?
Because then it would be normal, and that’s the one thing How Weird can never be.
