Home » Art & Museums, Block Party, Community, Downtown San Francisco, Eating & Drinking, Fairs & Festivals, Fun & Games, In Person, Kids & Families, Live Music, Shopping & Fashion

SF’s Free NYD Block Party: DFT w/ Jazz Mafia + Pet Pageant (2026)

Every 1st Thursday Through December 31st.
Thursday, January 1, 2026 - 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free with RSVP

2nd Street between Market and Howard Streets | San Francisco

Event Details

SF’s Free DFT Monthly Block Party: “Downtown First Thursdays” (2026)

Downtown First Thursdays is back for a full year of street parties in 2026: Starting Jan 1, 2026 with a New Year’s Day Edition. 

DJs – Live Performances – Dancing – Drag – Food Trucks – Shopping – Fashion, and new surprises every month.

All Ages | All Vibes | FREE!

☀️ ☔ DFT IS ON RAIN OR SHINE

Rain or shine, you can find fun in and outdoors on 2nd St. and around the block.

Check out different special guest performers each month, brought to you by Another Planet Entertainment, Carnaval SF, Black Joy Parade, and a rotating line up of local talent curators.

Celebrate the best of SF in the streets. Dance away under the The Biggest Disco Ball West of the Mississippi at the Discoteca (hosted by Grace Towers), sing your heart out at Curbside Karaoke, gets hands on with arts and crafts pop-ups, shop small and local with retail vendors, and explore neighborhood bars and restaurants.

Get there early to make the most of the night, and come back every month for new surprises. 

Howard Stage Happy Hour
Pallette SF hosts the Howard Stage happy hour every month from rom 5-7PM at Howard and 2nd St. It’s a genre-fluid dance party, with a different theme each month. Think post-work house party vibes in the streets.

plus… Happy Hour Specials at the outdoor bar on 2nd St. between Minna and Natoma from 5-7PM ONLY:
$8 draft beers
$10 margaritas, and house wines
$15 wells shots + beer special

RSVP also gets you access to:

  • $3 off featured Specialty Cocktails at all DFT outdoor bars on 2nd St.___

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at: @dftsanfrancico

Monthly performances curated by: Grace Towers, Another Planet Entertainment, and more!

ADA seating available by request: info@intothestreetssf.com

__

DFT is presented by Into The Streets and Civic Joy Fund in partnership The East Cut CBD, Yerba Buena Partnership, Natoma Cabana, and 111 Minna Gallery.

DFT is made possible with support from San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation.

Special thanks to Chris Larsen, Bob and Randi Fisher, and Pisces Foundation for making DFT possible.

It’s your family-friendly (and hangover-friendly), FREE, all-ages alternative to start off 2026 right!

Enjoy feel-good vibes, live music, mocktails (as well as the usual cocktails) as we usher in the new year and celebrate the start of a new DFT season.

Special Guest Performers:
Jazz Mafia takes over the Howard Stage from 7-9PM

Howard Stage Happy Hour Debuts!
Palette SF hosts the Howard Stage happy hour every month from 5-7PM at Howard and 2nd St. It’s a genre-fluid dance party, with a different theme each month.

Think post-work house party vibes in the streets. This month’s theme: WHITE PARTY! Dress in your freshest, funkiest, all-white fit.

Plus… Happy Hour Specials at the outdoor bar on 2nd St. between Minna and Natoma from 5-7PM ONLY:
$6 White Claws
$8 draft beers
$10 margaritas, and house wines
$15 wells shots + beer special

Winterwear Pooch Pageant | 6:45PM at Howard and 2nd St.
Dress up your doggo, bring them up on stage to strut their fluff, and…snatch the crown?

Jazz , Swing, and Fashion at Natoma @ 2nd St. | 5-9:30PM
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM – Lavay Smith and the Red Hot Skillet Lickers
6:30 PM – 7:00 PM – Swing Dance Lesson
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Lavay Smith and the Red Hot Skillet Lickers
8:00 PM – 9:30 PM – Pop-Up Fashion Show + DJ Set by Mario B.

Backyard Party Zone (2nd St. btwn Mission – Jessie St.) | 5-9:30PM
Bingo + Live Musicians all night

__________

RSVP also gets you access to:

  • $3 off featured Specialty Cocktails at all DFT outdoor bars on 2nd St.

__________

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.


Cost: FREE*
*Free with RSVP
Categories: Art & Museums, Block Party, Community, Downtown San Francisco, Eating & Drinking, Fairs & Festivals, Fun & Games, In Person, Kids & Families, Live Music, Shopping & Fashion
Venue: 2nd Street between Market and Howard Streets
Address: San Francisco

Thursday, January 1, 2026

   SF’s Free New Year’s Day Street Party  FREE
7:30 am   Free Admission Day at SF Botanical Garden for New Year’s Day 2026  FREE*
*Free on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and daily from 7:30-9 am
9:00 am   New Year’s Resolution Bike Ride (San Jose)  FREE*
*RSVP Required
All Day   SF’s Holiday Ice Skating Session at Union Square (New Year’s Day)  $22
All Day   SF’s 12 ft. Tall “Sugar Castle” at the Westin St. Francis (Nov. 26-Jan. 2)  FREE
10:00 am   13th Annual “First Day” Hike at Jack London Stat Park (North Bay)  $15*
*$15 plus $10 per vehicle park entry fee
10:30 am   2026 NYD Ocean Beach Plunge + Naked Bike Ride (SF)  FREE
11:00 am   Cancelled: Free First Thursdays at Berkeley Art Museum  FREE*
*Free admission to galleries. Film programs are excluded. No advanced tickets required, but subject to capacity limits
11:00 am   2026 New Year’s Day “Hatsumode” Japanese Shrine Visit (SF)  FREE
11:00 am   San Jose’s New Year’s Day “Skate Under the Palms” Ice Skating  $21*
*$21 includes skate rentals
12:00 pm   Life-Sized Candy Land (Castro Valley)  FREE*
*See attached flyer for more information.
12:00 pm   ‘Stranger Things’ Series Finale on the Big Screen & Themed Snacks  $20*
*$20 concession voucher includes reserved seat
12:00 pm   New Year’s (& Final) Day at San Jose’s “Christmas in the Park”  FREE*
*Free, but donations are accepted
12:00 pm   New Year’s Day Aloha Luau Party at Headlands Brewing (Walnut Creek)  FREE*
*FREE ALL-DAY, LIVE MUSIC STARTS AT 2PM
12:00 pm   SFMOMA’s “Free First Thursdays” Free Museum Day for Locals  FREE*
*Residents of the nine Bay Area counties are invited to spend a day at the museum on us
1:00 pm   Free New Year’s Day 2026 Huge Sand Art-Making at Ocean Beach (SF)  FREE*
*Open to all
3:00 pm   The Challah Club  FREE
3:00 pm   Free SF Chamber Orchestra Concert on New Year’s Day (Palo Alto)  FREE*
*Tickets/RSVPs NOT required but it helps us to know you're planning to come. Supporting Members may enter up to an hour before downbeat for first choice seating. General Admission begins at 2:45pm.
4:30 pm   New Year’s Day at Oakland Zoo’s “Glowfari” 2025 Lights Festival  $30.75*
*Adult admission tickets start at $30.75; The Zoo is using dynamic pricing, so ticket prices will vary based on date and time and purchase date. Buy early. Tickets do sell out in advance.
5:00 pm   New Year’s Day at “Lightscape”: Immersive Holiday Light Trail  $32*
*Adult tix start at $32
5:00 pm   SF’s DFT New Year’s Day: “Downtown First Thursdays” (2026)  FREE*
*FREE with RSVP
5:00 pm   SF’s Epic “Photosynthesis” Light Show | Conservatory of Flowers  FREE*
*Free to watch from outside the building.
5:00 pm   PIER 39’s Dazzling 60′ Tree Lighting Show (New Year’s Day)  FREE
6:00 pm   Lower Polk / TL Art Walk | Trendyloin  FREE
6:00 pm   SF’s 2025 Macy’s Union Square Great Christmas Tree (Final Night)  FREE
7:00 pm   Hecklers Welcome: SF’s First Stand-Up Comedy Show That Invites Heckling  FREE*
*Free with RSVP
9:00 pm   Every Thursday: “Inner Circle” Dance Party at White Rabbit (SF)  FREE*
*Inner Circle is always Free with RSVP
9:00 pm   16th & Mission Open Mic (w/out a mic)  FREE*
*Absolutely free for all!
9:30 pm   Sadderday: An Emo/Pop-Punk/Screamo Dance Party | SF  FREE
< Wednesday, December 31 Friday, January 2 >