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

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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!

 

52nd ANNUAL CASTRO STREET FAIR ANNOUNCES 2026 THEME: “WHERE WE BELONG”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Founded by Harvey Milk, San Francisco’s legacy street fair returns Sunday, October 4, celebrating the Castro as a place of joy, freedom, community and belonging

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — June 1, 2026 — On this first day of Pride Month, the Castro Street Fair announces “Where We Belong” as the theme for its 52nd annual celebration, taking place Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the heart of San Francisco’s Castro District.

Founded by Harvey Milk in 1974, the Castro Street Fair began as a celebration of gay-owned businesses and the vitality of the Castro neighborhood. More than five decades later, the Fair continues that legacy by bringing together LGBTQIA+ people, neighbors, families, artists, performers, merchants, community organizations and allies for a joyful celebration of queer life and community connection.

This year’s theme, “Where We Belong,” honors the Castro as a place where generations of LGBTQIA+ people have found community, safety, visibility and joy, and affirms that the neighborhood remains a beacon of freedom and diversity today.

The theme also creates space for a broader declaration of belonging: Where trans people belong. Where drag belongs. Where chosen family belongs. Where hope belongs. Where we belong.

Continue reading “52nd ANNUAL CASTRO STREET FAIR ANNOUNCES 2026 THEME: “WHERE WE BELONG”” →

Calling Exhibitors — Early Bird Registration Now Open!

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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!

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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!

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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