SAN FRANCISCO — Drivers, delivery services and people traveling through SoMa should plan for a prolonged closure on Howard Street ahead of Microsoft Ignite at Moscone Center. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency says Howard Street between Third and Fourth streets will be closed from 6 a.m. Thursday, November 12, through 6 p.m. Sunday, November 22, 2026, a window that includes event setup and teardown.
Microsoft Ignite is scheduled for November 17–20 at Moscone Center. The closure begins five days before the conference and continues two days after it ends, so commuters who do not attend the event can still be affected.
Exactly which block of Howard Street is closed?
The announced closure applies to Howard Street between Third Street and Fourth Street in SoMa, near Moscone Center. It does not mean the entire length of Howard Street is closed. However, because Howard is normally a useful eastbound route across the neighborhood, drivers can expect additional traffic on nearby streets, especially during weekday daytime arrival and departure periods.
When does the closure begin and end?
| Date | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Thursday, Nov. 12 | Howard Street closure begins at 6 a.m. |
| Tuesday–Friday, Nov. 17–20 | Microsoft Ignite conference dates |
| Sunday, Nov. 22 | Scheduled reopening by 6 p.m. |
These are the announced times; the city can revise traffic controls or access arrangements. Check the SFMTA advisory immediately before making a trip.
How can drivers get around the Moscone Center closure?
Travelers who would normally drive through the Third-to-Fourth block of Howard should reroute before reaching the blocked segment. SFMTA says traffic will be detoured via southbound Second Street to Harrison Street, or via New Montgomery Street to Hawthorne Street and then Folsom or Harrison streets. Nearby roads may also become more congested. Navigation applications sometimes lag temporary event restrictions, so obey posted traffic signs and officers rather than attempting to drive into a closed block.
People making deliveries, using garages or reaching destinations directly alongside Moscone Center should check property-specific entry routes in advance. SFMTA says people bicycling on Howard can follow a signed detour north onto Second Street and then Market Street. Those who prefer to stay on Howard may dismount at Third Street and walk bicycles along the north sidewalk.
Will Muni be affected?
A major Moscone Center event can slow surface transport on adjacent SoMa streets, but the confirmed information in this article is the Howard Street traffic closure. Do not assume every Muni route is rerouted. Check the agency's live travel updates for any event-specific stop changes, and consider Muni Metro or BART for trips where walking from the station is practical.
Why this matters before the conference starts
Most event searches will peak closer to November 17, but motorists can encounter the restriction from November 12. Anyone traveling through SoMa during the November 12–22 period should plan for the closure even when the conference is not actively in session.
The city expects more than 20,000 people at Moscone Center, with particularly heavy traffic from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the closure. Motorists should also anticipate additional lane closures around the venue.
Sources and further information
Schedules may change. Check the organizer or city agency before setting out.