FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 12th, 2025
Contact: Hayden Anderson, hayden@gfpublicaffairs.com, 480.848.2946
***PRESS RELEASE***
I LOVE TENDERLOIN WEEK RETURNS FOR A THIRD YEAR, CELEBRATING SAN FRANCISCO’S MOST MISUNDERSTOOD NEIGHBORHOOD
Weeklong celebration returns with expanded programming, highlighting the Tenderloin’s culture, resilience, and community partnerships.
San Francisco, CA – The Tenderloin is proud to welcome the return of I Love Tenderloin Week (ILTW) from Sunday, June 15 through Saturday 21, 2025, offering dozens of community-focused events throughout the neighborhood. Now in its third year, ILTW continues to expand following the successful programming in 2023 and 2024, showcasing the neighborhood’s unique offerings, family-friendly activities, and volunteer opportunities.
“I Love Tenderloin Week will transform this neighborhood into a hub of art, culture, and connection, and I could not be more excited,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “Being able to give kids space to play and neighbors space to gather gives all of us a reason to smile. I’m proud to support this community-led effort to uplift and honor a neighborhood that too often gets overlooked.”
ILTW is funded primarily by the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (SFOEWD) and coordinated in partnership with the Tenderloin Community Benefit District (TLCBD), Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF), and Liveable City. In past years, ILTW has been well-received by locals, residents, and the City, with thousands of attendees traveling to the neighborhood over the span of the week. unique identity while envisioning a brighter future for those who live, work, and visit the district.
“I Love Tenderloin Week gives us a chance to brag a little—about the people, the culture, the businesses, and the deep sense of community that make this neighborhood such a vital part of San Francisco,” said Director of OEWD, Sarah Dennis-Phillips. “Spotlighting local leadership and creating opportunities for economic growth that people can truly feel and celebrate are exactly why OEWD is proud to support.”
The festivities kick off with Sunday Streets Tenderloin, presented by Liveable City, on Sunday, June 15th. Sunday Streets is San Francisco’s open streets initiative that temporarily transforms city streets into vehicle-free spaces to promote local businesses and family-friendly activities. Golden Gate Avenue between Jones and Hyde Streets, by way of the St. Anthony Foundation, will host music, activities, local food vendors, resource booths, and other programming.
Jessica Tovar, Director of Sunday Streets, stated, “Sunday Streets SF is proud to join forces with I Love Tenderloin Week to celebrate the heart and soul of the Tenderloin. We’re thrilled that 2025 marks the first time our events are coming together to kick off a full week of festivities. This collaboration uplifts the community, highlights the creativity and resilience of the neighborhood, and brings people into the streets to celebrate all that makes the Tenderloin special.”
Throughout the week, ILTW will feature a myriad of public offerings for all ages, including a youth and family ice cream social at Boeddeker Park hosted by Code Tenderloin, a Small Business Marketplace at the San Francisco Main Library, art classes and workshops, social justice forums at Glide Memorial Church, and performances, such as The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot play at the Tenderloin Museum.
“Small businesses, community organizations, colorful entertainment, and social services are all integral to the Tenderloin’s story past and present,” said Katie Conry, Executive Director of the Tenderloin Museum. “ILTW highlights the unique social fabric that makes the Tenderloin shine, and the TLM is honored to fiscally sponsor this neighborhood-wide effort to celebrate its character and beauty with insiders and outsiders alike!”
ILTW concludes on Saturday, June 21, with Beautification Day—the Tenderloin Community Benefit District’s signature community event. Beautification Day brings together residents and volunteers for a large-scale cleanup, including trash removal, planting greenery, and graffiti abatement. This will serve as TLCBD’s inaugural graffiti abatement initiative, as part of its new workforce development efforts funded by San Francisco Public Works.
“This Beautification Day is love in action for the Tenderloin. It’s always so encouraging to see the diversity of people who really share a sense of pride for our shared spaces in the neighborhood,” said Katie Robinson, Executive Director of the Tenderloin Community Benefit District. “We are focusing on graffiti to also highlight TLCBD’s and DPW’s mutual commitment to ongoing beautification – both today and as part of an expansion within our workforce development program.”
Since its inception, ILTW has demonstrated the impact of community-led events in strengthening neighborhood connections, enhancing public spaces, and supporting local institutions. The growing attendance and continued support by the City and Tenderloin residents reflect the significance of such events in promoting neighborhood pride and collaboration.
“BGCSF is very excited to take part in I Love Tenderloin Week again this year,” said Rob Connolly, President of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco. “This celebration of community speaks to our core values and our commitment to community engagement. We love that our youth have the opportunity to more deeply connect with, celebrate, and give back to their community. I Love Tenderloin Week showcases this thriving community, which we have enthusiastically served for the past 29 years.”
For additional details on ‘I Love Tenderloin Week’ and the schedule of events, please visit https://tlcbd.org/iltw2025.
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