SAN FRANCISCO — Halloween in the Castro returns Saturday, Oct. 31 with a free evening street event centered on 18th Street and Castro Street.
Castro Merchants and the Castro Night Market organizer both list the event for 5 to 10 p.m.. CG Events describes it as an evening of art, food and entertainment, with local vendors and merchants participating.
Is Castro Halloween free?
Yes. The event organizer lists 2026 Castro Halloween as free. No general-admission ticket is required for the street event.
Where is Castro Halloween 2026?
The event is centered at 18th Street and Castro Street. Castro Night Market’s current event page lists the same intersection, while the city-approved street closure covers 18th Street between Noe and Diamond streets plus the Eureka parking lot at 4116 18th Street.
When does 18th Street close?
An SFMTA Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation agenda approved the Castro Halloween closure from 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 until 1 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.
The approved footprint covers 18th Street between Noe and Diamond streets and the Eureka lot. That closure window is much longer than the public event’s 5–10 p.m. hours because setup and breakdown happen before and after the festival.
What is the best way to get there?
The event organizer says no event parking is available. The Castro is served by Muni Metro at Castro Station, the F Market streetcar and neighborhood bus routes including the 24 Divisadero, 33 Ashbury/18th, 35 Eureka and 37 Corbett.
Because the closure is on 18th Street, the 33 Ashbury/18th is the route most likely to require a detour. SFMTA has not yet posted a dedicated 2026 Halloween service-change page as of Oct. 23, so exact missed stops and reroutes should be checked closer to the event.
What do organizers currently confirm?
Castro Night Market confirms local food vendors, merchants and live entertainment. Castro Merchants lists “Halloween in The Castro” for the same 5–10 p.m. window. More detailed stage and entertainment schedules may still be added before Oct. 31.
One rule vendors already know
CG Events’ vendor materials say SFPD requires bar vendors to end alcohol sales at 9 p.m. on Halloween, even though the street event continues until 10 p.m.