After a three-month hiatus, the Castro Night Market returns on Friday, March 21 from 5 to 10 pm. And thanks to an influx of additional funding from the Civic Joy Fund, the event will now happen monthly, instead of every other month.
The Castro Night Market launched in October, followed by a second event in December.
The event follows upon the success of night markets around the city including Chinatown, Sunset, the Great Highway, and Downtown First Thursdays.
Attendees walk along 18th St at the Castro Night Market. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
"We are very excited to see the Night Market become a monthly event," said Castro Merchants president Terry Asten Bennett. "It has universally been the most exciting and successful event in the Castro driving customers to bars, restaurants, and retail alike."
The event is funded by the Civic Joy Fund, co-founded by Manny Yekutiel and Mayor Daniel Lurie, and produced by CG Events co-founders Chris Carrington and Greg Sroda.
Yekutiel tells Hoodline they've given the event an additional $100,000 in funding. According to Sroda, each Castro Night Market costs approximately $25,000 to produce.
"I decided to deepen the commitment to the Castro night market for the same reason we are doing so around the city: because the night market program is delivering real measurable economic impact for San Francisco small businesses right when we need it most while also bringing joy to the streets," said Yekutiel.
State Senator Scott Wiener, Manny Yekutiel, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, and Terry Asten Bennett. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Yekutiel explained that they are expanding the night market program to 10 neighborhoods and doubling the funding "because it works" and to "turn San Francisco into the night market city."
"We are so grateful to the Civic Joy Fund for investing in revitalizing our community," added Asten Bennett.
Castro Night Markets happen every 3rd Friday - April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19, and October 17. While permits have not been issued for the additional months, organizers tell Hoodline they await approval at an ISCOTT (Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation) hearing.
The Castro Night Market will continue to use the same footprint from the previous two events. 18th Street will be closed from Hartford to Castro streets and from Castro to Collingwood streets from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Castro Street will remain open throughout the evening.
Former Mayor London Breed at the October Castro Night Market. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
During Pride Month and October, the footprint will be expanded one block to Diamond Street.
With spring just around the corner, March's theme will be Spring Market Kickoff. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in spring attire.
The event will include over 30 vendors, DJs performing across three stages, and go-go dancers.
Event producer Samantha Alvarez tells Hoodline there will also be a special flower installation. CG Events is currently developing a community entertainers program and identifying a local non-profit to support.
One of the Castro Night Market vendors. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Vendor applications for March are currently closed, but anyone interested in vending at a future Castro Night Market is encouraged to apply.
Since launching in October, Carrington said the event "has been well received by the neighborhood."
"We've gotten positive feedback from local Castro merchants and community members walking by," Sroda said. "We want to drive foot traffic to support brick-and-mortar businesses."
Moving forward, Sroda says the Castro Night Market will look to "bring more than just vendors."
While District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman has proposed for the Castro to become an Entertainment Zone, that legislation is still pending a 30-day review, so free-walking on the street with alcoholic beverages won't be permitted.
Attendees looking for a place to enjoy alcohol can do so in the parking lot behind Walgreens on 18th Street. The Neon Garden will be run by Castro bar The Lookout.
While Castro Night Market is free to attend, guests are encouraged to register in advance.
