Oakland First Fridays is Oakland’s signature nonprofit street festival—free, family-friendly, and inclusive. Held on the first Friday of every month from 5–9 PM along Telegraph Avenue (22nd to 27th Streets), it draws up to 30,000 people to celebrate art, culture, food, music, and community.
Our mission is to create a vibrant space for the community to come together and support the arts. More than just an event, we’re a cultural hub that supports local artists, small businesses, and performers. By keeping vendor fees low, we make it easier for Oakland’s creative entrepreneurs to showcase their work and connect with the community.
Each month, we highlight diverse themes—celebrating everything from Black Love and Latin Pride to LGBTQ+ Pride, Women, and Youth. Oakland First Fridays is a movement rooted in creativity, community, and pride, where we celebrate the heart and soul of our city, one Friday at a time.
Oakland First Fridays is a monthly street festival that brings together art, food, music, and culture in the heart of Oakland. We support local artists, small businesses, and performers by giving them an affordable platform to share their work and connect with the community. Each month, we feature a new theme that celebrates the diverse people and stories of Oakland—from Black Love and LGBTQ+ Pride to Youth, Women, and Latin Pride. Our event creates a safe, welcoming space where everyone can come together, celebrate, and thrive.
The Oakland First Fridays festival has its roots in a number of community events, including the Community Council (a group of local vendors), a collective of gallery owners now know as Art Murmur and “The 23rd Street Fair” organized by the Rock Paper Scissors collective in 2006. As Art Murmur evolved into a citywide gallery crawl, the Community Council developed the Oakland First Fridays festival on Telegraph Avenue in 2011. It grew quickly in popularity and size, and in 2013 the Koreatown/Northgate Oakland Community Benefit District (KONO) assumed responsibility for producing the festival each month.
1. Marketing the KONO District: Attracts shoppers to the area.
2. Small Business Incubation: Supports the growth and development of small businesses.
3. Non-Profit Connector: Facilitates connections and collaborations among non-profit organizations.
4. Community Engagement: Encourages active participation and engagement within the community.
5. Platform for Performers and Organizations Working with At-Risk Youth: Provides a space for performers and organizations focused on supporting at-risk youth.
6. Job Creation: Creates job opportunities, both in brick-and-mortar establishments and through vendor-related employment.
7. Crime Reduction: Enhances the sense of safety and reduces crime during First Fridays.
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.png)
