Plus, a Limited-Time Coordinates: Dispatch Ticketed Art Exhibit Debuts Inside Historic Fire Alarm Station Building at Park
The Midtown Association is pleased to present a series of elevated Midtown Second Saturday activations on August 8. A signature monthly activation for the Midtown Association, Sutter Health’s Midtown Second Saturday includes a full-sensory celebration of Midtown’s creative spirit district-wide where creativity takes over the streets and the energy carries into the night. Highlights for August 8 include a FREE Silent Disco at Winn Park plus the debut of Coordinates: Dispatch, a temporary exhibit located inside the historic Fire Alarm Station building at the park, and more activations happening throughout the district such as a self-guided Midtown Mural.
Expected to draw nearly 9K visitors to Midtown each month, Midtown Second Saturday programming starts early in the day at the Midtown Farmers Market and continues well into the evening. The monthly activations are designed to celebrate Midtown’s thriving arts and culture scene along with the individuals who bring it to life. Attendees can enjoy an all-day/evening celebration of local artists and artistry, entertaining music, dance and theatre performances, culinary artistry in action, and food and drink specials at popular Midtown bars and restaurants. A sampling of the enhanced programming and special activations follows.
Midtown Second Saturday Highlights for August 8
- Mornings at the Market – The crowd-favorite Midtown Farmers Market is open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. with special activations that include Fire Pixie Entertainment offering a hands-on bubble art activation for kids – and the young-at-heart – plus live music performed by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Alpina Basnet at Market Square (20th & K Streets).
- Signature Midtown Second Saturday Event: A FREE Silent Disco – Midtown Second Saturday attendees can enjoy a lively and fun experience with enhanced programming at Winn Park (1616 28th Street) from 6 to 9 p.m., including a Silent Disco, La Minerva food truck serving up Mexican favorites (for purchase), complimentary educational wine sampling from the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op (adults 21+), and chalk available for sidewalk chalk art creativity.
- Coordinates: Dispatch – The Midtown Association is proud to support Coordinates: Dispatch, a temporary (and ticketed) exhibit curated by Sites of Vacancy that is located inside the Historic 1937 Art Deco Fire Alarm Station building in Midtown’s Winn Park. Instead of being used to dispatch emergency signals as in the past (for nearly 90 years!), the building will be the site for dispatching a one-of-a-kind responsive art exhibit featuring newly commissioned works from nearly 30 talented local artists.The exhibit is available August 8 through October 10, 2026 (times vary). Admission is by timed entry, and visits are limited to 60 minutes. Advanced tickets are available here with proceeds benefiting the participating artists.
- Midtown Mural Trail – Introduced in June, a self-guided Midtown Mural Trail invites guests to explore a curated collection of murals that showcase the creativity, culture, and stories that make Midtown unique. Using a free digital pass, explorers can check in at featured murals throughout the district, unlocking an interactive experience that awards points that can be redeemed for raffle entries on a number of amazing prizes. Along the way, guests hear directly from participating artists through exclusive audio recordings that provide insight into the inspiration, meaning, and process behind their work. August artists for the self-guided Midtown Mural Trail include JM Knudsen, Maren Conrad, Few and Far Women, Raphael Delgado, and Uli Smith.
- Small Business & Organization Activations (hours vary and subject to change)
- Balance Coffee Shop (1004 24th Street) – Meet the Artist and Jewelry Making workshop with Lily Glass Studios from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Anchor & Tree Coffee Roasting Co. (1412 16th Street) – Enjoy live music from musician Tess Andrea from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Balance Coffee Shop (1004 24th Street) – Paint Night, a fun and relaxed evening of creativity alongside local artist Cara Emilia, from 4 to 6 p.m.
- MAARS Art Pop-Up (1050 20th Street) – Art pop-up featuring local artists and DJ from 4 to 6 p.m.
- Gallery Shows & Special Events (hours vary)
- Archival Gallery (3223 Folsom Blvd.) – Sean Royal and Jim Marxen with an artist reception from 5 to 8 p.m.
- b. sakata garo (923 20th Street) – Vibrant and new solo exhibition by the talented Liliana Karavay with an artist reception from 5 to 8 p.m.
- Prism Art Space (2120 K Street) – CHaRMS Riso Show curated by @singlepickles and @jazel.print with a special reception from 5 to 8 p.m.
- Slither Gallery (2325 J Street) – Art Show and Live Music at Midtown’s newest gallery from 5 to 10 p.m.
- Venues
- Harlow’s (2708 J Street) – Man Man, American Tomahawk; doors open at 7 p.m.
- Hyatt House (2719 K Street) – Live music performed by singer/songwriter Alan Connerley from 6 to 8 p.m.
For more details about Sutter Health’s Midtown Second Saturday activations (each year May through October), please visit www.midtownsecondsaturday.com. Plus, a helpful and user-friendly Midtown Second Saturday FAQ is available here. For background about a previous Midtown Second Saturday district-wide art installation, a case study of the 2025 Urban Dreams Art Experience is available here.
It is easier than ever to get to and navigate around Midtown. In addition to offering numerous public transportation options, Midtown Sacramento is walkable and bike/scooter/car-share friendly with plenty of parking available in nearby garages plus various lots throughout Midtown. For more information about Midtown Sacramento in general, special events and activities, and the Midtown Association, please visit www.exploremidtown.org or follow on social media – Facebook at www.facebook.com/exploremidtown/ and @ExploreMidtown on Instagram and X.
