This Thursday, several blocks in Downtown San Francisco will be closed to car traffic and turned into a massive street party and free concert. The block party is one of SF’s most popular events every month, drawing major crowds to downtown.
This month’s Downtown First Thursdays block party will take place on May 7 from 5 to 10 pm on 2nd Street. The free street party is partnering with R&B and Ribs, which is just as it sounds. You can expect DJs playing R&B-inspired sets, accompanied by food from Sticky Business BBQ and Prubechu. The lineup for DJs includes J. Espinosa, Knowpa Slaps, LadyRyan, and Lefty between 5 and 9 pm on the main stage.
You can also check out a discoteca on Jesse Street, featuring even more local DJs playing house, reggaeton, and disco. If that wasn’t enough, you can head to the Natoma Dance Hall, which will be playing K-pop hits and EDM mashups.
For those 21+, several outdoor bars will be offering drinks. Plus, a local art gallery always joins the party with drinks and live entertainment. The free street party will also include numerous retail vendors, selling art, accessories, clothes, and more.
The block parties take place on the first Thursday of every month and will continue for the rest of 2026. Organizers recently announced that critically acclaimed musician Janelle Monáe is set to headline June’s block party.
Downtown First Thursdays will take place on 2nd Street between Howard and Market. The event is known to draw large crowds, so we recommend taking public transit as parking will be limited in the area. All ages are welcome at the block party.
You can learn more about Downtown First Thursdays here.
