A float goes down Bryant Street in the Mission District during the Carnaval parade in San Francisco in 2024.
Don Feria/For the S.F. Chronicle
People carry letters spelling “Carnaval” during the Carnaval San Francisco parade in 2025.
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People carry flags during the Carnaval San Francisco parade in the Mission District in 2023.
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Bay FC’s Taylor Huff, right, and Angel City FC’s Alyssa Thompson play during a match in San Jose in 2025.
Stephen Lam/S.F. Chronicle
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup’s Bay Area stop this summer, Carnaval San Francisco is bringing soccer fever to the Mission District with La Copa del Pueblo (The People’s Cup), a theme celebrating the communities who rally around the game.
As part of the occasion, a popup soccer arena at Harrison and 20th streets, dubbed La Plaza del Fútbol, will offer a space for enthusiasts of all ages to participate in scrimmages; skill building; giveaways; and more fan experiences with Bay Area professional soccer teams including the San Jose Earthquakes, Bay FC, Oakland Roots SC, San Francisco Glens SC, SF City FC, Frisco United B11, Volo, Bay City Futsal Club, Jamestown Community Center and Futbol by the Bay.
Carnaval San Francisco: Festival 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 23-24. Free. Harrison Street between 16th and 23rd streets, S.F. • Parade 9:30 a.m. Sunday, May 24. Free-$50. Starts at Bryant and 24th streets, S.F. www.carnavalsanfrancisco.org
“In the spirit of Carnaval San Francisco’s cultural mosaic, La Copa del Pueblo embraces the global rhythm of the game and invites us to cheer for each other as one,” organizers said in a statement.
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The free two-day celebration, Saturday-Sunday, May 23-24, is expected to draw as many as 500,000 attendees.
Sunday’s parade will include dancers in flashy Carnaval costumes along with live samba, bomba and other festival marching music, floats, and more.
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Carnaval San Francisco arrives just weeks before Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara hosts six FIFA World Cup matches between June 13 and July 1, featuring teams from Qatar, Switzerland, Austria, Jordan, Turkey, Paraguay, Algeria and Australia.
Here’s how to joy the festivities:
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Bay FC fans wave flags and scarves before a soccer match between Bay FC and Washington Spirit at Oracle Park in San Francisco in 2025.
Minh Connors/For the S.F. Chronicle
The vibe
This high-energy event is set in the heart of the Mission District, offering family-friendly activities, cultural arts, locally made global cuisine, a marketplace, and a robust lineup of live music and dance performances.
The festival
Saturday and Sunday’s open-air celebration will take place 11 a.m.-6 p.m. along Harrison Street, between 16th and 24th streets. Attendees can view live performances across five stages as well as multiple all-day parties.
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The lineup
Entertainment will be provided by mariachi groups and multicultural music and dance ensembles from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. each day. Enjoy headlining performances from Mi Banda el Mexicano de Casimiro, La Gente SF and La Cuneta Son Machin on the main stages at 5 p.m.
People watch the Carnaval San Francisco parade in the Mission District in 2025.
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The parade
Sunday’s grand parade — with Brazilian soccer legend Romário set to serve as grand marshal — starts at 9:30 a.m. at Bryant and 24th streets.
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From there, more than 60 parade contingents will strut their stuff along 20 blocks in San Francisco’s historic Latino Cultural District, including the recently crowned king and queen of Carnaval, Chris Cornelious and Mizzy Ng.
Other participants include comparsa dance and drum troupes and thousands of artists representing the cultural heritages of Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Bolivia, Cuba, Peru, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Colombia, Guatemala, El Salvador and more.
The parade route heads west to Mission Street and then east on 15th Street before ending at South Van Ness Avenue.
Performers and musicians in the Carnaval San Francisco parade walk through the Mission District in 2025.
Anadolu/Tayfun Coskun/Getty Images
How do I get there?
With the road closures necessary to host this huge celebration, it’s best to avoid driving and instead use public transportation.
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Muni routes serving the area include the 9-San Bruno, 12-Folsom/Pacific, 14-Mission/14R-Mission Rapid, 22-Fillmore, 27-Bryant, 33-Ashbury/18th Street, 48-Quintara/24th Street, 49-Van Ness/Mission, 55-16th Street and 67-Bernal Heights.
Be aware that some bus lines may be rerouted on Sunday to accommodate the parade route.
For BART riders, both the 24th Street or 16th Street stations are within walking distance of the parade route. During the Saturday-Sunday street festival, each station is just a short walk away from the Harrison Street festivities.
Before you go
While the parade and festival are free, grandstand seating tickets for Sunday’s parade are for sale online for $40-$50.