Halloween Street Festival Cancelled In San Francisco's Castro District

After a rash of violence at its annual Castro district Halloween festival in recent years, San Francisco has put the kibosh on this year's festivities. City officials are hoping word of the party's cancellation has been heard.

1 minute read

October 31, 2007, 7:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"San Francisco has two words for Bay Area residents who want to come to the Castro neighborhood to party: Stay home."

"On Monday and today, rush-hour commuters at 15 BART stations received flyers telling them there would be 'no party' and 'no fun.'"

"But the two questions on the minds of people at City Hall are: How many people will show up anyway, and what will they do when they get there?"

"After nine people were shot during the event last year - including a pregnant woman who was hit in the head - city leaders said the gathering could not continue as it had in the past."

"Halloween traditionally is a big event in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities, but the celebration in the Castro neighborhood over time has become a regional party attracting hundreds of thousands of people."

"Violent incidents occurred at recent Halloween celebrations, including four stabbings in 2002, and some neighborhood residents fear the event attracts people who want to attack gays and lesbians."

Tuesday, October 30, 2007 in The San Francisco Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 25, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Two people walking away from camera through pedestrian plaza in street in Richmond, Virginia with purple and white city bus moving in background.

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA

The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

June 17, 2025 - WRIC

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

June 16, 2025 - Governing

Sign for Mt. Hood National Forest sign on roadside.

US Forest Service Could Open Millions of Roadless Acres to Logging

The USDA indicated it plans to repeal the ‘Roadless Rule,’ a Clinton-era regulation that prevents new road-building in undeveloped federal forest areas.

15 minutes ago - Bloomberg Law

Close-up of green and white sign for 1 hour EV charging station outdoors with tall palm trees in background against blue sky.

Judge Reverses Federal Funding Freeze for EV Infrastructure

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to release funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, a $5 billion program aimed at improving charging infrastructure.

June 25 - News From the States

Wide street in Santa Monica, California with cars parked on either side and tall palm trees lining the street on a sunny day.

Santa Monica May Raise Parking Permit Fees

The city says the changes would help better manage curb space and support its sustainability goals.

June 25 - Westside Current

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.