The 52nd Castro Street Fair: Sunday, October 4, 2026

Posted on

This October 4, the Castro Street Fair turns 52 — and the planning is ramping up!

The Castro Street Fair is all about celebrating the vibrancy of the neighborhood, the diversity of our community, and the importance of supporting our local merchants, artisans, restaurants, and nightlife. Most of all, it’s about the family we’ve built together for over five decades.

Every year, the Fair transforms the Castro into a place where old friends reconnect, new friends are made, and community thrives. There’s literal dancing in the streets — and this year promises to be bigger, bolder, and even more joyful than ever!

Join us on Sunday, October 4, 2026, for a day you won’t forget!

 

Calling Exhibitors — Early Bird Registration Now Open!

Posted on

Early bird registration for exhibitors starts now and continues through midnight on Sunday, June 7, 2026. Enjoy 10% off your total booth space with discount code Castro2026 (👈 click link to register on Eventeny).

The same as last year, there will be a mix of exhibitors along Market Street, Castro Street and 18th Street, with three big stages and light entertainment mixed in along the way.

The Castro Street Fair is a community street celebration that was founded by Harvey Milk in 1974. Hundreds of local artists, vendors, craftspeople, and organizations line the streets and celebrate the diversity of the neighborhood. Stages with live entertainment and dance stages can be found throughout the fair. All questions can be sent to vendors@castrostreetfair.org.

The 52nd Castro Street Fair will be happening this year on Sunday, October 4 and we’re looking forward to celebrating with you all!

Celebrate Harvey Milk Day with a Donation!

Posted on

Happy Birthday, Harvey!

Today would have been Harvey Milk’s 96th birthday.

In his short time here, Harvey created a legacy that is still felt today. For 52 years, we have continued his tradition of bringing the community together through the Castro Street Fair — a celebration rooted in joy, visibility, and neighborhood pride.

Harvey believed in the power of community, and the Castro Street Fair remains a living tribute to that vision. As he says in the video “A street fair should be — for the neighborhood, about the neighborhood, and by the neighborhood.”

Please help us continue supporting Harvey’s vision for the Castro Street Fair with a donation. All donations will support this year’s fair on Sunday, October 4, 2026.

Interview with Harvey at the Castro Street Fair, 1976:

Video courtesy of Courtesy of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society.

Call for Nonprofit Beneficiaries for the 2026 Fair!

Posted on

Apply to be a nonprofit beneficiary for 2026!

As part of the Castro Street Fair’s commitment to community support and inclusion, we welcome community nonprofits—especially organizations that serve or uplift the Castro, LGBTQ+ communities, and surrounding neighborhoods—to become a beneficiary partner.

Beneficiaries selected will receive a share of the 52nd Castro Street Fair’s proceeds by providing much needed volunteers. Beneficiaries also gain visibility, volunteer engagement, and a chance to be part of one of San Francisco’s most beloved neighborhood events.

How It Works:
Beneficiary organizations provide volunteers to support key areas of the Fair, such as entry gate donation collection, set-up, breakdown, and other logistics.

Eligibility & Requirements:
To apply, your organization must be a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the Castro or surrounding communities.

To find out more, visit our Beneficiaries page.
Click here to apply now (Google Form)

Apply to be considered this year by June 1, 2026!

Photo by Bradley Roberge

Radical Happiness Lit Up the 51st Annual Castro Street Fair

Posted on
Miss Juanita MORE! Photo: Bradley Roeberge

Thousands gathered to celebrate San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ legacy, support local nonprofits, and mark the Castro’s new Entertainment Zone debut

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The 51st Annual Castro Street Fair filled the neighborhood with Radical Happiness on Sunday, October 5, 2025, as thousands of attendees danced, donated, and celebrated in the heart of San Francisco’s most iconic LGBTQ+ district.

The Fair’s beneficiary program continued its 50-year tradition of giving back — supporting local nonprofits, schools, and community organizations through vendor proceeds and attendee donations. Early estimates indicate that the 2025 Fair raised $25,000 to benefit this year’s nonprofit partners.

This year’s Fair amplified the Castro’s small businesses and creative community more than ever — with neighborhood bars, restaurants, and retailers anchoring a re-energized footprint that doubled as the unofficial debut of the Castro’s designation as a City-recognized Entertainment Zone. The new zone allows for expanded outdoor music, community activation, and nightlife vibrancy that reflects the Castro’s unique role as both a cultural and economic engine for the city. Continue reading “Radical Happiness Lit Up the 51st Annual Castro Street Fair” →