San Francisco Sun

Today, Mayor London N. Breed, alongside the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), announced "Nightmare on Front Street," a Halloween event in San Francisco's Front Street Entertainment Zone. Scheduled for October 31 from 2 to 10 p.m., this free event will feature live music, games, movie screenings, and costume contests. Businesses such as Schroeder’s, Harrington’s Bar & Grill, and Royal Exchange will sell alcoholic beverages to-go within the zone.

This follows the successful "Oktoberfest on Front," which attracted around 10,000 attendees last month. The Downtown SF Partnership (DSFP) organized the event to boost local businesses and community engagement. Mayor Breed expressed optimism about these initiatives: “San Francisco knows how to have fun... Together, we are showing the world that San Francisco is open for business and thriving.”

In May 2024, legislation was introduced by Mayor Breed to designate Front Street as an entertainment zone under Senate Bill 76. Authored by State Senator Scott Wiener and approved by the Board of Supervisors in June, this allows businesses to sell alcohol to-go during special events. The ordinance aims to enhance foot traffic through arts and recreational activities.

Senator Wiener remarked on the new law: “I want to thank Governor Newsom for signing California’s Entertainment Zone law... I can’t wait to see these zones take off throughout the state.” In September 2024, additional legislation was introduced by Mayor Breed and Supervisor Matt Dorsey for new zones in Mid-Market and Thrive City.

Sarah Dennis Phillips from OEWD stated: “We look forward to Front Street’s Halloween event... We want to spread that love so that other small businesses and communities get that same shot in the arm.” Ben Bleiman of Harrington’s Bar added: “Our Entertainment Zone gives us the power to put on events like never before in Downtown S.F.”

The DSFP has partnered with Gensler for designing the entertainment zone. Robbie Silver of DSFP commented: “Events like ‘Nightmare on Front Street’ are key to redefining downtown San Francisco as a vibrant destination.”

Mayor Breed's broader economic revitalization includes various initiatives such as entertainment grants supporting over 140 events downtown, weekly activities at Embarcadero Plaza, night markets drawing large crowds, ongoing outdoor movie nights at The Crossing at East Cut, seasonal programs like Union Square’s Winter Walk, concerts at iconic locations attracting thousands of attendees, and transforming vacant spaces into pop-up experiences through "Vacant to Vibrant."

These efforts are part of a roadmap aimed at enhancing San Francisco's economic revitalization through arts and culture.

More information about creating an entertainment zone is available at sf.gov/entertainmentzones.