Latest news with #CastroNightMarket
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
How San Francisco's Castro is hoping to bring back its legendary Halloween celebration
San Francisco's Castro district is hoping to reclaim its place as the city's Halloween hub by reviving a long-dormant tradition — this time with a modern twist. Organizers plan to host a special edition of the monthly Castro Night Market on Oct. 31, again transforming the historic LGBTQ+ neighborhood into a festive nighttime celebration on Halloween. 'The last couple of years, Civic Joy Fund has pushed to bring Halloween festivities back to the Castro — a neighborhood where San Franciscans have traditionally celebrated the holiday — in a safe, joyful way that supports small businesses in the neighborhood,' a spokesperson for the nonprofit said Monday, Aug. 11. The night market, typically held on the third Friday of each month, will shift to Halloween this year, as the calendar brings the holiday to a fifth Friday. Organizers hope to expand the event's footprint along 18th Street and include live entertainment stages, pending city approval. The effort follows years of scaled-back Halloween activity in the Castro after a series of violent incidents, including a mass shooting in 2006, led city officials to shut down the legendary street party. The tradition began in 1948 with a children's festival hosted by Cliff's Variety and grew into one of San Francisco's most prominent LGBTQ+ events by the 1970s. Since 2023, the neighborhood has seen a more subdued but growing return of Halloween celebrations, supported by merchant grants and community groups, including the Civic Joy Fund — the nonprofit, co-founded by Manny Yekutiel, owner of Manny's café in the Mission, and Mayor Daniel Lurie, to revitalize San Francisco's commercial corridors. Permitting and programming details are still in progress, but organizers are optimistic. 'Our partners at CG Events are currently working on the permitting for the event, so nothing is set in stone as of yet,' the spokesperson added.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
SF Mayor adds new entertainment zones to boost nightlife
The Brief Mayor Daniel Lurie announced the creation of five new entertainment zones in the city on Friday, with the aim of revitalizing neighborhoods and the downtown area. The city says there are 21 San Francisco entertainment zones that have been designated or are pending. SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco's nightlife scene is on the rise, and now getting a boost from the mayor. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced the creation of five new entertainment zones in the city on Friday, with the aim of revitalizing neighborhoods and the downtown area with night markets and street fairs that loosen restrictions and allow open alcohol containers on the streets for special events. What they're saying "I know these entertainment zones work," Mayor Lurie said at a ceremony at Pier 39 to sign the legislation. "On Front Street, our first entertainment zone, bars have seen an increase in sales of up to 1,500% during these events." "People want to come out and be part of the community, and we will be bringing that to all San Francisco," Lurie said. "The entertainment zone expansion is just one part of our plan to create a vibrant San Francisco." The city says there are now 21 San Francisco entertainment zones that have been designated or are pending. The Castro Night Market is among those sites. Local businesses, restaurants, bars and vendors say it's exciting to have the events. "The community is amazing; family, children, dogs, a lot of food, community," Juan Davila, a Castro Night Market vendor said. Along with Pier 39 and the Castro, the new zones include Folsom Street, Yerba Buena Lane, Valencia Street and Ellis Street downtown by John's Grill. "We're going to incorporate jazz and the arts and pitch stages and bring marquee artists to really create an amazing experience," John Konstin, Junior, owner of John's Grill said. What's really important is we get people back to San Francisco, back to downtown something exciting to go to" Elsewhere in the City The night-life scene is also expanding in the city's Tenderloin. The 2nd Tenderloin Music and Arts Festival is being held over the weekend with concerts at local bars such as Edinburgh Castle and a small gathering place called Dodge Alley. "For us, it's very important to bring the community together to bring music and art. This festival is at least 90% of the bands are local bands," Guillermo Goyri, Psyched Radio and Tenderloin Music Festival Organizer said. "We want to revitalize the area, and we want to be able to connect with small businesses here. We want to make sure they have foot traffic," Cyntia Salavar, Community Director for the Tenderloin Community Benefit District, said. San Francisco Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, who represents the Tenderloin neighborhood, says there are talks already about establishing an entertainment zone in the Tenderloin. Residents also, hope their neighborhood will eventually get an entertainment zone. "I think it is a model for how we can revitalize it with night markets and street fairs throughout the district. Because you can't have public safety without joy. And joy helps to activate this neighborhood and that's what we're looking to do with more of these activations," Mahmood said.
Axios
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
9 SF events to check out this weekend, from Brew Fest to Hunky Jesus
There are several intersecting holidays this weekend, from Easter Sunday to 420 and Earth Day. Luckily, San Francisco has something to offer for everyone. 🌯 Swing by the Castro Night Market for local food vendors, merchants and live entertainment. 5-10pm Friday along 18th Street between Hartford and Collingwood. Free. 🪩 Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Kraftwerk's iconic album "Autobahn" with a psychedelic show performed by the German electronic music pioneers. 8pm Friday at Greek Theatre in Berkeley. Tickets start at $85. 🌳 Learn about the environment and the importance of sustainability at the 2025 Earth Day Festival & Green Business Expo, which will feature tree planting, biodiversity tours and chalk art. 10am-3pm Saturday at the Yerba Buena Gardens. Free. You can also volunteer at our local national parks to honor Earth Day and National Park Week. 🎡 Partake in carnival rides, games, Easter egg hunts and more at San Francisco's annual Spring Fling event. 11am-4pm Saturday at Crocker Amazon Park. Free. ASL interpretation and other accommodations are available. 🚶♂️ Join the Walk for Epilepsy to raise awareness for the neurological disorder and fundraise for the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California. 9:30am-1pm Saturday starting at Embarcadero Plaza. 🍻 Check out more than 200 beers at the Bay Area Brew Fest. You'll have unlimited samples and access to food trucks and live music. Noon to 4pm for early admission and 1-4pm for general admission on Saturday at the Presidio Lawn. Tickets start at $73.44. 🍿 Catch a screening of "The Big Lebowski" followed by a discussion with the Dude himself, Jeff Bridges. 6:30pm Sunday at The Masonic. Tickets start at $113. ⚙️ Give your best shot at the annual Bring Your Own Big Wheel race down some of the city's curviest streets. 2-3pm for kids 13 and under, followed by "adult children" 3-5pm Sunday at Vermont and 20th Streets in Potrero Hill. Free to watch; registration required to race. ✝️ Don your Sunday best for the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence's annual Easter in the Park, featuring drag performances, egg hunts and the legendary Foxy Mary and Hunky Jesus contests.
