SAN FRANCISCO — The annual Indigenous Peoples Day Sunrise Gathering returns to Alcatraz Island on Monday, Oct. 12, with participants boarding ferries from Pier 33 before dawn.
The practical complication this year is that two official sources currently publish different ferry schedules. The International Indian Treaty Council, which organizes the gathering, lists departures at 5:00, 5:15 and 5:30 a.m. Alcatraz City Cruises currently lists 4:15, 4:30, 5:00 and 5:15 a.m.
Because the schedules do not fully match, travelers should recheck the time printed on their reservation or the live City Cruises page before leaving for Pier 33.
When is the Alcatraz Sunrise Gathering?
The gathering is Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, on Alcatraz Island. IITC says the Pier 33 ticket office opens at 4 a.m., with boats leaving before sunrise and all boats returning participants to San Francisco by 9 a.m.
The event is an annual Indigenous Peoples Day observance. It is a special-access gathering rather than a normal daytime visit to Alcatraz.
What time do the ferries leave for the Sunrise Gathering?
As of Sept. 29, the official schedules do not line up exactly:
| Official source | Currently listed departures |
|---|---|
| International Indian Treaty Council | 5:00, 5:15 and 5:30 a.m. |
| Alcatraz City Cruises | 4:15, 4:30, 5:00 and 5:15 a.m. |
SF News Today is not choosing one schedule over the other. If you already have a reservation, use the departure time on your booking and check the ferry provider again close to Oct. 12.
Are Alcatraz Sunrise Gathering tickets sold out?
Alcatraz City Cruises currently shows no online dates available for the Sunrise Gathering. The ferry provider also says limited walk-up tickets will be available on the morning of the event, subject to availability.
IITC lists tickets at $12 and says children under age 5 are free. Anyone relying on walk-up availability should understand that the official ferry provider does not guarantee that a ticket will still be available on arrival.
Is the Sunrise Gathering a normal Alcatraz tour?
No. City Cruises says the ticket provides transportation for the Sunrise Gathering and access to the ceremony area. Normal Alcatraz visitor attractions, including the Cellhouse, are not part of this special early-morning visit.
Visitors looking for a standard Alcatraz tour should book that separately. They should also be aware that the island is scheduled for a later temporary closure beginning Oct. 26 for dock repairs.
Is the gathering wheelchair accessible?
IITC describes the Alcatraz gathering as wheelchair accessible. People who need specific boarding or mobility accommodations should still check the ferry provider’s current accessibility information before the event.
What happens after the Alcatraz gathering?
A separate San Francisco Indigenous Peoples Day celebration is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. the same day at the Great Lawn in Yerba Buena Gardens. The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival listing describes that afternoon program as free.
The two events are separate: the Alcatraz gathering happens before and around sunrise, while the Yerba Buena Gardens celebration begins at noon downtown.