Downtown First Thursdays in San Francisco Extended Through 2025

The Downtown First Thursdays street fair in San Francisco has announced its extension through December 2025, along with the addition of two new locations to enhance the event’s vibrancy.

Event Details and New Locations

Since its inception in May 2024, the monthly First Thursday event has transformed Second Street, adjacent to Mission, into a hub of activity. The street is closed to vehicular traffic, allowing attendees to explore various vendors, food trucks, and engaging activities.

Katy Birnbaum, CEO of Into the Streets, emphasized the initiative’s success, stating, “We have continued, every single month since then, bringing tens of thousands of people down here to Second Street to support all of our amazing small businesses downtown.”

Expanding the Experience

In response to the event’s popularity, organizers are planning to introduce a “Downtown Hoedown,” a country-themed street party at the new Front Street entertainment district, running from May through October. This lively gathering will feature:

• A mechanical bull for adventurous attendees
• A giant disco bison
• Two stages showcasing Bluegrass and Country Western music

Manny Yekutiel, executive director of the Civic Joy Fund and co-organizer, announced that the hoedown will be sponsored by Levi Strauss & Co.

The Symposium at DFT

In addition to the hoedown, a speaker series titled “The Symposium at DFT” will commence at Salesforce Park from June to October. Mirroring the style of ancient Greek symposiums, this series aims to discuss “the future of the city,” featuring notable speakers from various fields.

Yekutiel shared, “We’ll be bringing famous actors, athletes, politicians, writers, to come and discuss the theme of ‘future of the city.'” Participants can also expect poetry readings, lyre music, and engaging discussions following the presentations. Although specific speakers are yet to be announced, Yekutiel hinted, “There are some really exciting ones.”

Community Impact and Future Prospects

The growth of Downtown First Thursdays reflects a broader initiative to foster business and community spirit throughout San Francisco. Mayor Daniel Lurie noted, “You can just feel that hope, that optimism coming back to San Francisco, and it’s a good time to be here.”

Community Response

Local resident Steven Shi expressed his enthusiasm for the event’s expansion, stating, “Really looking forward to that, can’t wait to check out those locations and new events.”

As Downtown First Thursdays continues to evolve, it presents an exciting opportunity for residents and visitors to engage with San Francisco’s vibrant local culture.