Third Thursday Live — a program designed to expand on San Pedro’s monthly First Thursday events in the downtown shopping district — debuts this week with live music and a display of World War II items from Fort MacArthur.

First Thursday has been a town staple since 1997, offering locals and visitors alike a chance to mingle with neighbors, listen to live music and check out the growing art scene. In recent years, the area’s business improvement district has worked to capitalize on the monthly event by adding a popular lineup of food trucks.

Now, business leaders are expanding the concept with Second and Third Thursday offerings as well.

“Third Thursday Live @6” launches this week with an outdoor stage set up at Sixth and Mesa streets, where the band 20 Eyes will perform from 6-9 p.m. There also will be rockabilly music and street-side activities and events. A restored searchlight and other artifacts will be on display, provided by the Fort MacArthur Museum.

The Second Thursday monthly event will be called “Night Out” and also will feature live entertainment and other activities.

The idea, said Eric Eisenberg, president of the San Pedro Historic Waterfront Business Improvement District, is to “make Thursdays the night to be in downtown San Pedro. … People can come here on Thursday nights and always find something going on in downtown San Pedro.”