SF’s Downtown Monthly Street Party Just Got Bigger
Downtown San Francisco’s comeback journey after the pandemic has been anything but linear, but one event series has emerged as a consistent bright spot: Downtown First Thursdays (DFT). Launched in May 2024, this monthly street celebration on Second Street between Market and Howard Streets has quickly become one of the city’s most dynamic cultural gatherings—fusing music, food, art, and community into a single, electric evening.
In just its first year, DFT has welcomed over 160,000 attendees, transforming downtown into a destination of joy and creativity. From disco dance parties and second-line brass bands to community chess matches and art installations, the event has captured the city’s vibrant spirit. It has also created a major economic impact, contributing an estimated $11.9 million in downtown spending and investing more than $325,000 in local musicians, DJs, and performers. Local businesses, from restaurants to art galleries, have reported record-breaking sales and foot traffic on event nights.
Thanks to overwhelming public support and private investment, the event has been officially extended through December 2025. The expansion comes with exciting new features and partnerships. Beginning in May 2025, DFT will grow beyond its original footprint with two bold additions:
- Downtown Hoedown on Front Street (California’s first officially designated Entertainment Zone) will bring a western flair to the festivities, with country and bluegrass performances, line dancing, mechanical bull rides, and a playful, immersive atmosphere. This site will run every first Thursday from May to October 2025 and is funded by Levi Strauss & Co.
- The Symposium at DFT, running from June through October 2025, will transform Salesforce Park into an open-air amphitheater for thoughtful public discourse. A collaboration with KQED City Arts and Lectures, the speaker series will feature a diverse lineup of thinkers, artists, activists, and innovators sharing ideas about the future of cities. Entry will be free with RSVP, and space will be limited.
The event’s success has been powered by a coalition of partners, including Into the Streets, the Civic Joy Fund, The East Cut Community Benefit District, Yerba Buena Partnership, Downtown SF Partnership, and venue collaborators like Natoma Cabana and 111 Minna Gallery. Major funders include Chris Larsen, Crankstart, Bob and Randi Fisher, Salesforce, JPMorgan Chase, and Levi Strauss & Co.
Beyond the economic boost, DFT has been widely celebrated as a cultural force, activating public spaces and connecting communities. It has featured over 200 performers and attracted contributions from some of the Bay Area’s most beloved arts organizations, including The Midway, Noise Pop, KALW, OASIS, Grace Towers, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, and more. The 2025 season will also welcome new collaborators like Carnaval San Francisco, Awesome Orchestra, Mario B. Productions, Bussdown Collective, and Good Neighbors.
New initiatives like DFT Exploded will further amplify the event’s reach, promoting additional happenings in the Yerba Buena neighborhood to encourage attendees to explore the surrounding arts, dining, and nightlife before and after the main event.
What began as a three-month experiment has evolved into a signature monthly celebration and a national example of creative urban revitalization. With plans to grow further in the coming years, DFT aims to become a world-class street fair on par with iconic events in cities like Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires—animating spaces from the Ferry Building to Union Square and celebrating the full cultural tapestry of San Francisco.
Downtown First Thursdays continues on the first Thursday of each month throughout 2025. Event details, performer lineups, and RSVP information can be found at www.dftsf.com or by following @Dftsanfrancisco on social media.
DFT is FREE with RSVP at the following links: DFT May 1st (Downtown Hoedown Launch at DFT) and DFT June 5th (The Symposium at DFT Launch). Limited space available for The Symposium at DFT on a first-come, first-served basis (free tickets required for entry).
Hat Tip: SF Gate
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