KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Executive Director Fernando Pujals visits ABC7 News Midday Live to tell viewers everything they need to know about the Market Street Arts & Theater Festival happening October 17, 2026
Market Street Arts Festival Hub
“Doors” open at 3:00 PM
Saluhall | 945 Market Street
Our Festival HQ!
Stop by before the curtain rises.
Market Street Arts will be ready for you
Have a drink at Spirited, get a walking guide,
enter giveaways and snag some freebees.
Early RSVPs can pick up their $20 food voucher.
All night long stop by, fill your cup, grab a bite, and take a breather.
Psyched! Radio DJ’s are setting the vibe.
Get creative at Well-Crafted crafting workshops between
5-9 PM. After the festival wraps, Saluhall is open ‘til 11 PM .
🏷️ General Info
What is the Market Street Arts & Theater Festival?
Presented by Market Street Arts, an initiative of the Mid-Market Business Association & Foundation, this inaugural arts & theater festival is a massive celebration of live performance and cultural expression spanning six blocks and three plazas along Mid-Market, featuring 50+ free experiences and over 100 community partners. Presented in collaboration with the landmark theaters of this historic arts district, the festival unites these cultural institutions along with independent venues, homegrown artists, and the creative community in the Mid-Market corridor.
When and where is it?
Saturday, October 17, from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM along the Mid-Market corridor between 5th Street and Van Ness Avenue. “Doors” open at 3pm at the Market Street Arts Festival Hub at Saluhall where you can pick up a map, have a drink and grab some freebies before the Opening Ceremony at 4pm at UN Plaza. If you were one of our 500 Early RSVPs, pick up your $20 food voucher to use at participating eateries.
How much does the Festival cost?
It’s free to attend!
All outdoor plaza, sidewalk, and pop-up shop performances are completely free to the public. Most indoor events are also completely free, but may suggest you RSVP.
Five of our theater or venues are presenting shows that require separate, paid tickets. These shows are clearly marked on our line-up. Visit the full schedule and click “Buy Tickets” to be directed to the show website to purchase tickets.
What kind of acts will be there?
You can check out the full schedule here! The lineup features gravity-defying vertical dance by BANDALOOP on the facade of 1128 Market Street, along with other Bay Area faves including Dear San Francisco, Mark Farina, Monarch & 200 Channels, The Living Earth Show, Oasis, and San Francisco's first-ever Drag Laureate D'Arcy Drollinger. Aerialists, acrobats, R&B line dancing, drag, live music, DJs, performance artists, video installations, and other incredible creative experiences are happening all throughout the corridor.
Are festival events come-and-go? Or are there specific start times?
It depends on the event! The festival kicks off at 4:00 PM in UN Plaza with an incredible opening ceremony featuring BANDALOOP and Dear SF, but you’re welcome to arrive at any time, for any duration.
Most of our free, open to the public experiences are come and go as you please for the length of the program.
Venues and Theaters are more likely to have specific start times. We recommend RSVPing to the free shows you’d like to attend to help plan your night and ensure you don’t miss it. If you’re not sure, visit the festival schedule for more info.
There are a lot of free events, are the artists being compensated, or donating their time?
We pay our artists and creative partners. We believe deeply in the economic value of art and artistic expression. The Market Street Arts & Theater Festival creates paid opportunities and new audiences for local artists and brings visitors to restaurants, hotels, nightlife and small businesses across the corridor.
This inaugural festival is supported by a $100,000 Culture Forward grant from the Svane Foundation, as well as generous support from UC Law, Dolby, Hudson Pacific, San Francisco Rec & Park, the Office of Mayor Daniel Lurie and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), and the Mid-Market Foundation, through our Market Street Arts initiative.
🎟️ RSVPs & Perks
Do I need to RSVP?
While outdoor events are open to everyone, registering online is highly recommended to receive updates and reminders, and maybe even get entered into a drawing or two. Some festival experiences have separate RSVPs to help plan your night. RSVPs do not guarantee entry to shows with limited seating, plan to arrive early to the show to ensure you have a spot.
Is there an early RSVP bonus?
Yes! The first 500 people to RSVP online receive a $20 voucher redeemable at participating festival food vendors and local eateries.
How do I buy tickets to paid shows?
Links to ticketed main-stage theater performances and comedy shows are hosted directly on the Market Street Arts Festival schedule page.
🍜Food & Drinks
What are the food options?
Dozens of local Mid-Market restaurants, cafes, and bars will be open throughout the 6-block festival footprint.
Where can i get a drink?
Bars & Restaurants: We have a host of amazing bars & restaurants in the Mid-Market neighborhood (including rooftops!) participating in the festival.
Beer Garden: the festival features a beer garden at Limoncello in Civic Center Plaza.
Entertainment Zone: on Market between Mason and 6th Streets, you can grab a drink at Saluhall or at Tenderheart at the Timbri hotel and take it to go as you stroll along the block.
Will there be food trucks and vendors?
The small businesses in Mid-Market are a critical part of the creative economy of this historic arts & theater district. Rather than bring in outside vendors, we encourage festival-goers to explore the many wonderful Mid-Market eateries and watering holes.
The first 500 people to register for the event receive a $20 voucher to spend at participating businesses. The MMBAF & Market Street Arts covers the cost of the vouchers, driving paying customers to our neighborhood businesses.
🚊 Getting Here & Logistics
How should I get to the fest?
Taking public transit is highly recommended. The entire festival footprint sits directly above the Powell Street and Civic Center BART/Muni Metro stations, or take the F-Train or Bus. Traffic is predicted to be heavy this weekend.
—> For BART, exit at the Civic Center/UN Plaza or Powell Street stations. Plan Your Trip on BART
—> For Muni Metro, take lines J, K, L, M, N and T and exit at the Civic Center or Powell Street stations.
—> For Bike Parking: Civic Center Bike Station - 1150 Market St., San Francisco, CA, 94102
BikeLink 24hr Controlled Access Parking: Located on the concourse level of the Civic Center BART Station toward the 7th Street end of the station. This is a BikeLink self-park facility. Typical parking rates are 3-5 cents per hour.
To arrive by car, consider rideshare options. For parking here are some Mid-Market Public Parking Options.
Is Market Street closed during the festival?
Nope! The street will be open, and The Hotsy Totsy Cable Car will be making stops between 5th & 10th throughout the evening. Hop on to experience a Drag Queen fueled karaoke experience with D’Arcy Drollinger & Oasis on your way to your next stop.
F-Trains and other public transit will continue to travel up and down Market Street.
Where should I use the restroom?
Our indoor venues, eateries, and bars will have publicly accessible restrooms for attendees and patrons. Additionally, there is a attended public restroom located at UN Plaza, as well as a select number of porta potties in Fulton Plaza.
PRESENTED BY
WITH GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM
OUR VENUE PARTNERS
