Santa Maria’s well known Downtown Fridays 2025 begins

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - One of the most popular community events Santa Maria has to offer is getting its annual start.

Some vendors began setting up at 8:30 Friday morning.

Downtown Fridays is starting its first end-of-the-week evening of festivities for 2025 in the Town Center West parking lot in Santa Maria.

“I’m excited to be back. I'm glad that we have a place that's free for our community. I like seeing the community come together regardless of their race, color, language, and enjoy their community, their neighborhoods,” says event organizer Ed Carcarey.

There's a little bit of everything at Downtown Fridays, including locally grown produce, clothing vendors, games, music & dancing, tacos, adult beverages, and more.

“It's a signature event for Santa Maria, which we've desperately needed because all the communities around us have one. SLO Farmer's Market has it. It's 35 years old. We're only ten. Were the babies, but something that It's free admission, free parking, It's safe. Families come out between two and 3000 every Friday night. I like that,” says Carcarey.

Santa Maria residents come out of the woodworks to participate in the festivities, support local businesses, and purchase homegrown and homemade items.

“We always come to the Friday night family event here because we're all family. We've gone to almost every one we can,” says Santa Maria local Davis Butler.

This is a great way to spend a Friday evening with your family and neighbors, and best part? Admission is free.

“How do you beat the best four letter word in America? It's the best F word—‘free.’ How do you go wrong with that?” says Carcarey.

A dance competition had a cash prize for the winner.

“But I'm 77, so I got to go easy on dancing. I dance a lot here. ‘Cumbia!’” says Butler.

If you missed the first one don’t worry, there are 25 more Downtown Fridays in 2025.