Oakland is known for hosting many vibrant festivals, street celebrations, and block parties. Fruitvale’s Dia de Los Muertos celebration, for instance, draws a considerable crowd every year, but few festivals can match the continued popularity of Oakland First Fridays.
The first official First Friday was hosted in 2011. The event has grown rapidly, now occurring on the first Friday of each month. The festival has its roots in fairs hosted as early as 2006, when the Community Council (a group of local vendors), Art Murmur, and the Rock Paper Scissors Collective created the 23rd Street Fair. Along with the growth of Art Murmur’s gallery walks, the Community Council developed First Fridays, which eventually fell under the jurisdiction of the Koreatown Northgate (KONO) Community Benefit District, an entity formed to boost economic revitalization in Oakland’s Koreatown Northgate neighborhood. A KONO report cites First Fridays as a strong driver of economic growth in the area, especially for local businesses.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, unforeseen financial costs, permitting issues, and public health and safety concerns put First Fridays on hold for two years—the event even faced the possibility of permanent closure. Fortunately, the free festival returned in 2021 and continues to draw up to 30,000 people from across the Bay Area and beyond, even winning the Best Outdoor Art Festival award from the East Bay Express in 2021.
Every month, attendees can visit a variety of local food trucks and small businesses along West Grand and 22nd Street on Telegraph Avenue and engage in lively music and dance performances. A key goal of First Fridays is to keep vendor fees low to allow local businesses to participate and broaden their platforms. Food and toy drives, recycling campaigns, and other charity events are often held as a way for the festival to give back to the community; community organizations such as the Roots Community Health Center also use First Fridays as a way to reach out to residents.
I have had a great time at First Fridays. Wafting scents of delicious food pull me in every direction while rows of stalls feature unique clothing, crafts, and other eye-catching items. It is an exciting way to feel the energy and community spirit that courses through Oakland.
Cover image credit: Visit Oakland
