Carnaval San Francisco will celebrate its 47th edition with the Mission District kicking into full swing on Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25, 2025. This free two-day festival celebrates Latin American, Caribbean, and African Diaspora cultures through music, dance, art, and community interaction.
Highlights
- Grand Parade to include more than 3,000 performers dressed in elaborate costumes
- Five stages are set to host diverse musical and dance performances.
- Guests can enjoy interactive workshops and more than 400 vendors serving international cuisine.
Heritage of Carnaval San Francisco
Carnaval San Francisco was established in 1979, drawing its inspiration from the vibrant culture of Brazilian and Caribbean carnivals. The festival was founded by artists Adela Chu and Marcus Gordon to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of Latino, Afro-Caribbean, and Indigenous groups in the Mission District.
Now considered the biggest multicultural event to take place on the West Coast with over 400,000 attendees yearly, it is an occasion for cultural representation, community empowerment, and artistic collaboration.
Festive Program and Parade Highlights
Carnaval San Francisco 2025 will feature a variety of events that honor Latin American, Caribbean, and African Diasporic cultures. Activities will take place throughout two days, featuring live bands, dance performances, art installations, and a huge parade that will light up the Mission District.
- Grand Parade and Ceremonial Opening
The Grand Parade, or the grand finale of the festival, will start at 9:30 in the morning on the 25th of May, 2025. The parade starts at the intersection of 24th and Bryant Streets, continues westward onto Mission Street, heads north on 15th Street, and finishes at South Van Ness Avenue. There will be over 70 contingents parading, including samba schools, Aztec dancers, Caribbean groups, and folkloric groups, showing off elaborate costumes and vibrant performances.
This year, the parade theme “AfroMundo: African Diaspora in the Americas” celebrates the cultural legacy of and contributions from the African-descended communities in the Americas, with Grand Marshals John Santos and Dandha Da Hora leading the parade as a testament to preservation and celebration of culture.
- Live Music, Dance, and Performance
50-plus local and international artists perform on five main stages, ranging in musical genres, from salsa and reggae to samba and calypso, throughout the festival. Artists including Cuban-based Wampi, DJ Camilo Lara of the Mexican Institute of Sound, and several community dance troupes will perform. Roving artists and spontaneous dance circles will bring out an interactive celebration of culture.
- Art Installations and Interactive Workshops
Harrison Street will be transformed into an outdoor gallery filled with murals, giant puppets, and bright art installations portraying the multicultural theme of the festival. An elaborate array of interactive workshops will offer opportunities for hands-on mask-making, drumming, and traditional dance, as well as educational and experiential learning, for all ages. Over 400 vendors will line the festival grounds selling handcrafted artisan works, cultural wares, and international fare (plus vegetarian and vegan options).
Attendee Information and Access Details
The event is free of charge, though donations are appreciated to help fund future events. Grandstand seating is available at $40 in front of the Gray Area Theatre for those seeking premium viewing. Furthermore, all other seating is under general admission, and wheelchair accessible.
With widespread street closures and large crowds expected, festival-goers are urged to use public transit. Direct access to the festival grounds is made convenient through BART stations at 16th and 24th Streets.
Establishing Community Ties
Carnaval San Francisco is much more than entertainment; it is about cultural exchanges, community education, and economic empowerment. The fest grants artists and small businesses vendor opportunities while building the Mission District’s creative economy.
Carnaval works in partnership with schools through its Cultural Arts and Health Education Program to teach traditional arts and wellness practices. Casa de Carnaval, which is newly opened on Florida Street, will serve as a steady cultural center, furthering the efforts of the festival in community engagement and cultural preservation.
Carnival San Francisco 2025 will allow for a colorful multicultural heritage celebration, uniting communities through music, dance, art, and common traditions. Expect weekend fun with all sorts of energetic acts, interactive experiences, and sincere appreciation of the cultures that enrich this city.
