SF Neon Chinatown Tour

Sat 11/2 | Register

Walk with us to find forgotten vintage neon signs in the streets of Chinatown, back alleys and backstories are included. It is a treasure hunt to discover these beautiful signs hidden in plain sight. We save the best for last: the glowing signs are at the end of the tour at twilight. Tour led by SF Neon founders Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan with neighborhood history and architectural/graphic design insights to the historical legacy of vintage neon signs, each one made by hand. Be prepared to walk for 1.5 hours, with rest stops.

Roxie-Mission SF Neon Walking Tour

Sat 11/16 | Register

The Mission District of San Francisco has an a rich collection of neon and legacy businesses: from bars and barbershops to grocery stores and cinema treasures. Take a twilight tour with San Francisco Neon historians Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan. This tour features eclectic local history with architectural and graphic design insights to San Francisco’s unique legacy of surviving neon signs. It is a treasure hunt to discover these beautiful signs in the heart of this vibrant neighborhood. We start at the New Mission Theater and end at the Roxie Theater. Be prepared to walk for 1.5 hours with rest stops. Photography and a lively Q&A encouraged.

Downtown Neon Walking Tour

Thu 12/5 | Register

This tour has hidden neon gems that still light up the night, reminding us when San Francisco’s nightlife was ablaze with neon. The Downtown neon tour includes several neighborhoods from Front Street, the Palace Hotel, and Union Square back streets. Spend an evening under the neon glow with San Francisco Neon authors and photographers Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan. Tours feature local history with architectural and graphic design insights to San Francisco’s unique legacy of surviving neon signs. Photography and a lively Q&A are encouraged.

Photo: Al Barna

Neon Speaks 2024
Festival & Symposium

Recordings: Watch On-Demand through 2024

Register now for access to all Neon Speaks 2024 recordings on YouTube!

The 7th annual Neon Speaks was a full of sell-out crowd for online and live events over 5 days. We keep live events small to give neon artists, sign makers, and preservationists a space to grow stronger by sharing neon preservation stories, techniques, design, and culture.

99 PERCENT INVISIBLE

Listen to “Tube Benders”, a deep dive into the topic of neon signs, featuring John Law, Shawna Peterson, and SF Neon. Produced by Avery Trufleman of 99% Invisible, a KALW NPR radio show on architecture and design.

MUNI DIARIES

Listen to an illuminating story told by SF Neon authors Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan “SF Neon tells the story of the giant neon dancing leg of Mason Street.” Produced by the MuniDiaries.com, This is a San Francisco neon mystery that remains unsolved!

SF Neon T-shirts: Limited Editions

Each year for Neon Speaks we design a new limited edition t-shirt. High quality printing, 100% cotton. We still have a few different designs, while they last.

Visit our online neon bookstore to donate and receive a book published by Giant Orange Press, the publishing arm of SF Neon and Neon Speaks Festival and Symposium.