Civic Center Community Benefit District improves and promotes the District through involvement in planning, policy and public programming initiatives, and City and County-related organizations and community committees. Partners include:
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Civic Center CBD programs include outdoor musical performances, the Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting, dance classes, chess and mahjong lessons, and hip hop workshops. Other activation efforts include Limoncello, UN Plaza Dog Park, support of the Heart of the City Farmers’ Market, and public art installations.
Civic Center Soundtrack
Civic Center Soundtrack offers live music in plazas, spring through fall, and reminds all that they are in San Francisco’s premier arts and culture district. In December, performances line Van Ness sidewalks for the holiday season.
Civic Center CBD sound systems in UN Plaza allow for live or recorded music around the clock.
Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting
The Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting — a free, family-friendly event — happens every year in early December. This festive event features holiday entertainment, children’s activities, a toy giveaway for 400+ children led by Another Planet Entertainment and the San Francisco Police Department, festive bites, “snow” flurries, and more!
Fitness Dance Classes
Since 2023, the free dance classes at the UN Plaza fitness court bring neighbors, visitors and area employees of all dance backgrounds together for upbeat workouts. Led by instructors from Rae Studios, Civic Center CBD stewards the space during classes, markets the series, and pursues funding. Each season is capped off with a dance-a-thon event: Boombox Sunday.
Chess and Mahjong Lessons
Every Sunday in UN Plaza, Civic Center CBD staff sets up game tables with chess boards and pieces for free chess lessons and matches led by the Mechanics’ Institute, and tiles for free mahjong lessons and game play. For all ages and levels, these drop-in lessons and games bring together the community for friendly competition. Civic Center CBD stewards the space during classes, markets the series, and pursues funding. Each summer the series includes a youth chess tournament with an option to challenge a Grandmaster.
Hip Hop Workshops
Free hip hop workshops for all ages and levels take place in Fulton Plaza from fall through spring, culminating in an annual hip hop festival with dance battles. These free Friday workshops led by the hop hip pros of All the Way Live Foundation are supported by Civic Center CBD through marketing, ambassador support, and pursuit of funding.
Limoncello (52 Grove)
The Civic Center location of Limoncello, adjacent to the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, features popular sandwiches, pizzas and salads; along with a full espresso bar, beer and wine; and catering services. Often bustling with City, federal and state employees during lunch hours, the cafe is dog-friendly, and also popular with families as it sits adjacent to the playgrounds. The all-outdoors venue is available for rental for special events, and offers takeout and delivery options.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-5:30pm; Saturday 10am-4pm
Dog Park
The UN Plaza Dog Park, adjacent to famed Arsicault Bakery, offers much needed space for dogs to stretch their legs and enjoy some time off-leash. The dog park area is managed and operated by the Civic Center CBD, with personnel on site each day.
The Heart of the City Farmers’ Market
Since 1981, this independent, farmer-operated, non-profit market operates daily on Wednesdays and Sundays year round (rain or shine!) with a mission to bring high-quality and affordable produce from small local farms to the heart of San Francisco. The well-loved Heart of the City Farmers’ Market, just steps from City Hall, offers a variety of lunch options and seating on Wednesdays. Civic Center CBD provides seating and free parking validation services.
Public Art Installations
Civic Center CBD provides support through ambassador presence, marketing, and expert knowledge of installation and upkeep of public art for Civic Center’s plazas.
Clean Team
Civic Center CBD’s cleaning and maintenance services address issues such as litter, graffiti, and general upkeep, and keeps acts of vandalism at bay creating an accessible, equitable, and comfortable environment for everyone. The Clean Team provides daily maintenance, and immediate response in the District, 7am to 7pm 7 days a week.
For expedited CCCBD Clean Team services, send photos of the issue through the 311 app. Our team receives and responds to 311 requests during business hours. No photo? Call CCCBD Dispatch (415) 781-4700 or send an email to dispatch@sfciviccenter.org.
Community Ambassadors
Easily identified by their orange uniforms, Ambassadors provide wayfinding services in the District 7 days a week 7am to 7pm. Their presence deters criminal activity through their proactive and immediate reporting of unsafe conditions to Civic Center CBD dispatch. They also help connect those in need of medical attention or social service support with proper City services.
Evening Ambassadors work Tuesday through Saturday from 6 to 11 pm near arts and performance venues to enhance the pedestrian experience before and after evening events. They also provide hospitality support at the Civic Center Garage.
Playground Ambassadors
Dedicated Playground Ambassadors at Helen Diller Civic Center Playgrounds ensure the safety of users and the grounds.
Safety Summit
Civic Center CBD brings its members together with public and private sector safety experts for inspiring keynotes, best practices, and training. If you are interested in presenting, participating, or sponsoring an upcoming Safety Summit, please contact us!
