San Francisco Turkish Festival returns to Embarcadero Plaza with artisans, dogs and food

The 3rd Annual San Francisco Turkish Festival takes over Embarcadero Plaza on Sept. 12–13 with free admission, 48 vendors and performers representing Türkiye and the wider Turkic world. The event spotlights living heritage through master artisans, Kangal Dogs, music, dance and food after drawing more than 7,000 visitors last year.

Why it matters: - The festival turns Embarcadero Plaza into a showcase for Turkish and Turkic culture, making traditions that are usually dispersed across communities visible in one public space. - Organizers are leaning into living heritage, which means visitors can watch artisans work, meet handlers and dogs, and experience cultural practices rather than only seeing finished products. - The free event lowers the barrier to entry for San Francisco residents and visitors who want food, performances and cultural programming in one weekend.

What happened: - The Turkish American Association of California (CALTURKS) is presenting the 3rd Annual San Francisco Turkish Festival on Sept. 12–13, 2026, at Embarcadero Plaza in San Francisco. - The festival runs from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM both days and is free to attend. - The event features 48 vendors, live performances, artists and cultural groups representing Türkiye and the broader Turkic world. - CALTURKS said the 2025 festival drew more than 7,000 visitors.

The details: - Four master artisans are traveling from Türkiye for the festival. - Almula İdil Kılıç will demonstrate Kütahya tile art and its painting techniques. - Ertuğrul Üzümcü will demonstrate traditional Turkish coppersmithing. - Orhan Çakıroğlu, a fifth-generation artisan, will present Gaziantep Yemeni craftsmanship and handmade leather footwear. - Süheyla Sarı Yoldaş will demonstrate Hereke silk weaving. - Visitors will be able to meet the artisans and watch live demonstrations. - Kangal Dogs will be on site through Thakeb Kangals, which will bring award-winning dogs and handlers to Embarcadero Plaza. - The festival will also feature Turkish, Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz and Uyghur traditions. - Additional programming includes Turkish folk dance, live music, a Whirling Dervish performance, darbuka and contemporary performances. - Food, desserts, coffee, handmade goods, jewelry, textiles, art, crafts, specialty products and cultural displays will be part of the vendor mix. - Festival information is available at TURKFESTSF.ORG.

Between the lines: - The festival is designed as cultural exchange, not just a marketplace or performance lineup. - By grouping artisans, animal heritage, food and performance into one event, CALTURKS is framing Turkish identity as broad and multi-regional rather than singular. - The emphasis on traditions passed down through generations suggests the organizers want the festival to function as both celebration and informal preservation. - Nalan Gungor Ozisik said the goal is for people to experience the culture directly through food, music, dance and encounters with artists.

What's next: - Visitors can attend the festival Sept. 12–13 at Embarcadero Plaza. - CALTURKS is promoting the weekend as open to all backgrounds and expects attendance from San Francisco residents, tourists and members of the region’s Turkish and Turkic communities. - The organization will continue using cultural celebrations and community events to advance its mission of sharing Turkish heritage in California.

The bottom line: - San Francisco is getting a two-day, free, hands-on window into Turkish and Turkic heritage, with rare artisan demonstrations and cultural programming centered in one of the city’s busiest public spaces.