Friday Night Market 2025: A Summer to Remember
Photo by: Amy Kumler
What a summer! The Eureka Friday Night Market ran for 12 weeks, June through August, and it was our biggest season yet. We saw record attendance, welcomed over 200 different vendors, and partnered with 12 local nonprofits who joined us behind the bar to fundraise. Thanks to the North Coast Growers Association, we also had a certified farmers market on E Street every week—bringing fresh, local produce right into the heart of downtown. And with three stages of music and entertainment—including the Romano Gabriel Sculpture Garden stage curated by our partners at The Ink People—the market was buzzing every single week.
This year, Humboldt Made members not only received a discount on booth space but were also eligible to serve as block ambassadors. These are longtime vendors who have consistently shown great vendor etiquette and a willingness to lend a hand. In exchange for taking on this leadership role—keeping an eye out, supporting their neighbors, and helping staff manage the flow—they were placed on high-traffic corner spots. It was a win-win for the vendors and for the market.
And let’s not forget the bar! Every Friday it was stocked with beer, wine, spirits, and kombucha—all crafted by Humboldt Made member businesses. Local flavors were literally on tap, and every pour supported the makers who make our county special.
We also heard your feedback about wanting a place to sit down and enjoy your food and drinks together. So this year, we debuted a dining area! It might seem like a simple thing—tables and chairs—but behind the scenes it’s quite the operation. Just picture the logistics: storing dozens of tables and chairs, hauling them back and forth, and setting it all up week after week. It’s one of those “you don’t think about it until you think about it” details that makes a big difference for the community experience.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the City of Eureka. Their crews worked overtime all summer—closing and clearing the streets, putting up bollards, keeping the space safe, and making sure things ran smoothly. We couldn’t ask for better partners, and we are so grateful for their dedication.
Moving the Party to Arcata
When August wrapped up, we weren’t done just yet. The City of Eureka contracts us for 12 weeks, and that decision is based on compromise with downtown merchants who’ve expressed concerns about extending the series too long. It’s a good reminder that while many of us love the market and want more, our neighbors’ needs and perspectives matter too. Finding balance is how we keep this going.
That’s when the City of Arcata reached out with an idea: why not bring Friday Night Market to the Plaza for the month of September? With Eureka’s blessing (thank you, City of Eureka, for always championing collaboration!) and the support of our friends at the Arcata Chamber of Commerce, we made it happen. And honestly—what better time than September, when the weather is at its finest?
The response was incredible. The turnout was huge, and the mix of people was exactly what we’d hoped for. Most notably, we saw a ton of Cal Poly Humboldt students out enjoying the market—something that simply hasn’t happened at the same scale in Eureka. Having the market in Arcata made it easy for them to walk, bike, or shuttle over, and they showed up in full force. The Plaza was alive with students, families, and longtime locals all mingling together. It felt like Humboldt at its best.
Gratitude All Around
One of the things we’re most proud of is how supportive and steady our community has been. Fog or shine, you showed up to shop, eat, dance, and connect. We cannot thank you all for making this summer vibrant and fun.
Friday Night Market doesn’t happen without our sponsors, partners, and community. These events take an enormous amount of time, energy, and resources, and we are so thankful to everyone who helps make it possible. Summer in Humboldt just wouldn’t be the same without Friday Night Market, and we’re already dreaming up ways to make next year even better.