San Francisco’s Downtown First Thursdays first debuted in May 2024 as a year-long project that brought monthly free block parties to downtown. The events regularly drew large crowds, with free performances from major artists, local vendors, and local businesses getting in on the fun. The free events have largely been deemed a success, with past headliners including Toro y Moi, Rebecca Black, and Bob The Drag Queen. Approximately 160,000 people have attended the parties of the past few months, with hundreds of performers. At April’s latest block party, organizers announced the events will continue through December 2025.
“Reviving downtown is essential to San Francisco’s recovery, and that means investing in what brings people together,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “Downtown First Thursdays has already brought joy to thousands and delivered a major boost to our local economy. I’m thrilled to see it expand so we can keep building momentum–bringing more people to our city, supporting small businesses, and showcasing what makes San Francisco special. This event proves that when we activate public spaces with intention, our city thrives.”
Organizers also announced two new events that will be debuting as part of Downtown First Thursday’s expansion. The first event is called The Symposium at DFT, a speaker series hosted at Salesforce Park. The series will start in June and run through October 2025, and while it’s still free, tickets will be limited. The second event, called Downtown Hoedown, starts this May and runs through October as well. Front Street will be transformed into a western-themed party with music, mechanical bull rides, and line dancing. All the events will be free with an online RSVP, with the new events starting in May and June.
The Civic Joy Fund and Into the Streets collaborate with many other organizations, including Another Planet Entertainment, Noise Pop, The Midway, and many more. The next Downtown First Thursdays will take place on May 8th, 2025, on 2nd Street between Market and Howard starting at 5 pm.