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Walnut Creek Downtown outlines Summer Arts lineup, reports rising attendance and business foot traffic
Summary
Walnut Creek Downtown presented a mid‑summer update on the Summer Arts program, reporting a 14% increase in downtown event attendance over five years and highlighting free events designed to broaden access to performing and visual arts.
Donna Labriola, director of events and community relations for Walnut Creek Downtown, briefed the City Council on the Summer Arts program’s mid‑season activities on June 17.
Labriola said the program — now in its fifth year and originally launched as Arts Around August — brings monthly events and free programming downtown from June through August. She reported a 14% increase in downtown event attendance over five years and listed high‑attendance events so far, including the Locust Street Festival, Walnut Creek Art & Wine Festival, Pride Day at Bedford Gallery, Fiesta Cultural and Opera in the Park. She said the program aims to make the arts accessible, increase foot traffic for local businesses and provide exhibition and sales opportunities for local artisans.
Labriola and council members highlighted specific upcoming free performances in Rodney Plaza and Broadway Plaza, including a Thursday night concert series running through July and into August that features several performers and family programming. The Downtown Association and Visit Walnut Creek were named as sponsors and partners.
Why it matters: The Summer Arts program is an economic‑development strategy intended to increase downtown activity, support artists and drive customers into shops and restaurants during the summer event season.
City council members thanked organizers and encouraged residents to attend the remaining events.
