Third Thursday Arts & Eats Debuts Downtown

The City of San Ramon is starting a new monthly arts-and-food series at the Dougherty Station Community Arts Center, adding another recurring public event to its summer calendar. City event listings show 3rd Thursday Arts & Eats will run on the third Thursday of each month from May through October, with the first event scheduled for May 21 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 17011 Bollinger Canyon Road. The city says the gathering will combine local artist booths, food trucks, live acoustic music and hands-on activities in an outdoor setting. City officials described the event as free and family-friendly. ### When does the series start, and how long will it run? May 21 is the first date listed for the new series, according to San Ramon’s Parks and Community Services event calendar. The city’s arts events page says the program will continue on June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17 and October 15. (sanramon.ca.gov) The third-Thursday schedule gives San Ramon a six-event run in 2026. The city says each event is planned for the same four-hour window, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. ### What will people find at the event? The city says each event will feature local artists selling original artwork, handmade goods and other creative products. (sanramon.ca.gov) A rotating lineup of food trucks will serve a range of cuisines, according to the city’s arts events page and a city press release republished by Contra Costa News. Contra Costa News, citing the city’s release, said the market is expected to include about 10 local artists and eight rotating food trucks. The city’s own event page also says guests can expect live acoustic music, free art activities and other hands-on experiences during the evening. (sanramon.ca.gov) ### Where will it be held downtown? Dougherty Station Community Arts Center is the listed site for all six events. The city gives the address as 17011 Bollinger Canyon Road in San Ramon. The city says the activities will take place outside the arts center. San Ramon’s event materials describe the format as an outdoor community gathering rather than an indoor ticketed program. (contracosta.news) ### Which local groups are expected to take part? The Dougherty Station Library and Diablo Valley College’s San Ramon Campus are named by the city as community partners for the event. (sanramon.ca.gov) San Ramon says those partners, along with others, will appear through pop-up activities, demonstrations and informational booths. Adam Chow, a recreation supervisor, said in the city release that the event is intended to bring residents together in “a creative and engaging way.” Chow said organizers are looking to build a monthly gathering where residents can enjoy art, food and community in an outdoor setting. (sanramon.ca.gov) ### Are artists still being recruited? The city’s arts events page includes a call for artists and makers to participate as vendors. San Ramon says painters, photographers, ceramic artists, jewelry makers, textile artists and other handmade-goods sellers are eligible to apply. (contracosta.news) An April 26, 2026 deadline was listed for the first review of applications, and the city said spots were limited. The event information page names Adam Chow and Ri Thomas as contacts for more information. ### What happens next? May 21 is the first public event date on San Ramon’s calendar, with the opening edition set for 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Dougherty Station Community Arts Center. (sanramon.ca.gov) The city’s posted schedule shows the next event after that on June 18, followed by monthly dates through October 15.