By Rafael Mandelman—
The Castro Street Fair has been part of this neighborhood since Harvey Milk and the Castro Village Association started it in 1974 to promote gay-owned businesses and celebrate the vitality of the Castro—and it’s still one of the best days of the year on Castro Street. The fair has grown from 5,000 attendees in 1974 to about 15,000 today, making it one of San Francisco’s largest LGBTQ gatherings outside of Pride.
It’s exciting to see this event taking advantage of legislation I authored in 2024 to establish the Castro Upper Market Entertainment Zone, so bars and restaurants can sell to-go drinks during neighborhood events. Last year, the Castro Street Fair was the inaugural activation of that entertainment zone, with businesses reporting significant sales increases over prior years. Please patronize our local businesses during the Fair this year! And a big shoutout to Senator Wiener for passing the state legislation that enabled entertainment zones in San Francisco and elsewhere.
Coordination for this event is a lot of work, but it’s what keeps this 52-year tradition running. Thank you to the board members, led by Redge Roberts and Jenn Meyer, and to the 200+ volunteers who give their day to keep us all safe and having fun at the Fair. See you on Castro Street!
Rafael Mandelman is the President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
Arts & Entertainment
Published on September 24, 2026
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