Light in the Grove 2026! at National AIDS Memorial Grove – San Francisco, CA

This past September, the National AIDS Memorial Grove (“the Grove”) celebrated its 35th anniversary! Fittingly, once again, we invite you to join us as a Host of our iconic, annual Light in the Grove gala, a one-of-a-kind outdoor/indoor fundraising experience. Light in the Grove is a magical evening celebration of Hope, Community, and Remembrance at the Grove in Golden Gate Park.

Join us on November 30, the eve of our annual World AIDS Day National Observance (also at the Grove) for this truly unique and inspiring experience, recognized year-after-year as the Bay Area’s Best LGBTQ+ fundraising event. This whimsical, stunning experience in nature, under the stars, surrounded by friends and community, includes:

• Complimentary valet parking and champagne or sparkling beverage greeting and stroll, under the evening sky, through the magnificence of the artfully-illuminated Grove
• Beautifully lit pathways with brilliant, colorful light displays, imaginative artistic features, and enchanting dance performances in the Redwood Grove
• Moving candlelight reflection at the Circle of Friends
• Gourmet hors d’oeuvres, dinner, sweets, and beverage stations throughout the evening
• Live music/DJ and dancing along with a surprise performance!
• Stunning night-time display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, curated to evoke touching moments of love, community, action, and resilience

Your support as a Host of Light in the Grove funds the programs of the National AIDS Memorial, which includes the care, maintenance, and preservation of both our beloved 10-acre Grove and the historic 50,000+ panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, a powerful symbol and tool of AIDS activism and the largest community folk arts project in the world.

All Hosts will be acknowledged in our media advertisements, printed materials, online, and onsite.

We hope you will join us as a Host of Light in the Grove and gather with us in community for our traditional celebration of Hope, Community, and Remembrance.

Please complete and return your Host form and desired level, or use the QR code, by October 6 to be listed in the Light in the Grove printed (and electronic) invitation.

For Host questions, email Rick Oculto at: roculto@aidsmemorial.org.

Please send attendee names by email to Steve Sagaser at: ssagaser@aidsmemorial.org no later than November 14th, 2026.

If your Host level includes an engraving as a benefit (Glow level and above), please note that our deadline to receive engraving orders is September 26th, 2026. Any engraving orders submitted after that date will be fulfilled in 2027. If applicable, please send your engraving details to Steve Sagaser at: ssagaser@aidsmemorial.org. Engravings descriptions are below.

We are deeply grateful for your support and look forward to seeing you at our annual reunion under the stars on the eve of World AIDS Day!

If you'd like to learn more about the work of the National AIDS Memorial, please visit www.aidsmemorial.org.

Check out our recent Light in the Grove below:

BOULDER ENGRAVINGS:

Made of Sierra granite, boulders are placed throughout the Memorial's 10-acres. This is another beautiful way to leave a prominent tribute within the Memorial. Inscriptions may be up to 70 characters (including spaces), not to exceed 5 engraved lines.

CRESCENT ENGRAVINGS:
Crescents are located on the outer rim of the Circle of Friends. Letters are larger (Remembrance Crescent = 1.5” tall, Hope Crescent = 1 3/8" tall) and allow for a name (individual or organization) and short message (60 - 70 character maximum, including spaces).

ARTISTS PORTAL:
Located at the west end of the National AIDS Memorial Grove, the Artists Portal is a circular stone wall with flagstone floor dedicated to the more than three-hundred voices of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and all other artists silenced, and/or otherwise touched, by AIDS. An engraved name of an individual may include up to a first, middle, and last name.