That’s right, the Castro Street Fair is back for another year. This beloved festival takes the Castro by storm every October, welcoming hundreds of local artists, vendors, organizations, and more to line the streets along with live music and dance stages. This year’s fair will take place on Sunday, October 6 from 11am-6pm on Castro and Market Streets. Donations of $10 or $20 are encouraged upon entry and will go to local nonprofits.
The most lively part of last year’s fair was Dance Alley at the intersection of Castro and Market. The fair features 4 stages with packed lineups of different DJs and performers. Check out the full lineup below:
The Castro Street Fair has raised millions of dollars for local nonprofits over the years. This years beneficiaries include UCSF Alliance Health Project, SF CASA, Instituto Familiar de la Raza, and many more. You can check out the full list of beneficiaries that help organize the street fair here.
“The Castro Street Fair has not only been a beacon of hope and celebration for the LGBTQ+ community but also a substantial contributor to the local economy,” says Jenn Meyer, the Fair’s Board President. “Last year, the Fair generated an estimated $8 million in total visitor impact, benefiting retail, dining, and hotels significantly. This year, we aim to surpass previous records, both in terms of attendance and community support.”
Harvey Milk founded the Castro Street Fair in 1974 in order to celebrate the Castro neighborhood’s diversity. Thousands of people participated, and the event has since grown into one of the city’s largest festivals.
Remember, the Castro Street Fair will be in full swing on Sunday, October 6 from 11am-6pm. In order to avoid parking nightmares, the fair recommends taking Muni on the K, L, M, and T lines which all stop at the Castro Station.
Featured image: @CastroStFair via Twitter