"The success of the past year and a half of Downtown First Thursdays events has encouraged the event's backers to go full-throttle into next year, guaranteeing that the monthly street party will go on. Downtown First Thursdays had been funded through the end of 2025, last we heard. But now billionaire Chris Larsen has confirmed that DFT will go on past New Year's Day and New Year's Day falls on a Thursday this year, so that will be the year's first event."
""When you bring thousands of people back to the heart of the city and put artists and entrepreneurs at the center, you're not just throwing a party you're revving up an economic engine," Larsen said in a statement to the SF Standard. The Civic Joy Fund, backed in part by then-civilian Daniel Lurie, originally launched the event in mid-2024 on a three-month trial basis."
"Larsen has been joined in financially backing the event by Gap heirs Bob and Randi Fisher, Levi Strauss & Co., Salesforce, and JPMorgan Chase. Larsen tells the Standard that he and the Fishers have already pledged $2 million toward getting next year's events off the ground. We also now know that Jazz Mafia will be performing at the New Year's Day event, and the Black Joy Parade will be part of event as well."
Downtown First Thursdays will continue into next year following strong attendance over the past 18 months and new financial commitments. Chris Larsen confirmed the series will run past New Year's Day, which falls on a Thursday and will serve as the year's first event. The Civic Joy Fund launched the event in mid-2024 on a three-month trial and the series has since become a consistent draw, including a large crowd for Toro y Moi. Major backers include Larsen, Bob and Randi Fisher, Levi Strauss & Co., Salesforce, and JPMorgan Chase, with Larsen and the Fishers pledging $2 million. Jazz Mafia and the Black Joy Parade are included in the New Year's Day programming.
Read at sfist.com
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