Carnaval San Francisco is the Mission District’s Memorial Day weekend festival: a Saturday–Sunday street party with live music, food and a Sunday Grand Parade of dance groups in feathers and sequins. The 2027 edition is Saturday–Sunday, May 29–30, 2027. The organizers’ 2027 theme is “Souls in Motion / Almas en Movimiento”. This page stays at one address and we update it every year.
When and Where Is Carnaval 2027?
| 2026 edition | 2027 edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Sat–Sun, May 23–24, 2026 | Sat–Sun, May 29–30, 2027 |
| Festival hours | 11am–6pm both days | Not posted yet |
| Parade | Sunday, May 24, 10am | Sunday, May 30; time not posted yet |
| Festival area | Harrison Street, 16th to 24th | Not posted yet |
Carnaval San Francisco: official site · SFMTA: Carnaval SF 2026 transit guide
The Grand Parade
The parade starts at 24th and Bryant, goes west to Mission Street and then north on Mission to 15th Street. In 2026 it began at 10am and had more than 5,500 performers in more than 60 cultural groups. Muni joined the 2026 parade with a motorized cable car and a decorated vintage bus. KPIX (CBS Bay Area) will stream the 2027 parade live.
| Section | Where |
|---|---|
| General admission | Outside the Gray Area Theatre, 2665 Mission St |
| General admission | 22nd and Mission, 2601 Mission St |
| Premier | In front of The Hall SF Bar & Billiards, 2565 Mission St, next to the judges’ stage |
Wheelchair access is available in each section. The festival site does not list ticket prices.
The Festival
The festival side is free. In 2026 it ran 11am to 6pm both days along Harrison Street between 16th and 24th streets, with five live music stages, five DJ block parties and more than 400 vendors and food booths. The 2027 layout is not posted yet.
Street Closures and Getting There
- Closures. In 2026, closures ran 9am to 4pm on Sunday for the parade. SFMTA publishes the full closure list each year; check it the week before.
- Muni. SFMTA calls Muni the easiest way in. In 2026 the 9, 12, 14, 14R, 22, 27, 33, 48, 49, 55 and 67 served the area, and several were rerouted. Allow extra time.
- Help on the day. In 2026 the Muni booth was on Harrison between 20th and 21st for route, accessibility and fare help.
- BART. The 16th Street Mission and 24th Street Mission stations are the closest stations to the festival area.
For more transit tips see Muni vs BART vs cable car.
Going with Children
- It is billed as a family festival. The organizers call it a free two-day family festival.
- It is loud. Parade drums and block-party sound systems are big; bring ear protection for little ones.
- Pick a viewing spot early. The parade route is Mission Street, which also has shops and restaurants for breaks.
More Parades and Street Festivals
See our Pride guide, the Bay to Breakers guide and the street fair calendar. The events calendar lists what is on this weekend.
Sources
- Carnaval San Francisco homepage (2027 dates, route, grandstand seating, KPIX stream, theme)
- SFMTA: Carnaval SF is back May 23–24 (2026 hours, parade time, closures, Muni lines, festival layout)
Checked on 15 October 2026 against the festival’s homepage and SFMTA’s 2026 transit guide. We will update this page when the 2027 times, festival area and closures are posted.
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Read the guide →Questions People Ask About Carnaval San Francisco 2027: Dates, Parade and Mission Tips
When is Carnaval San Francisco in 2027?
Saturday and Sunday, May 29 and 30, 2027, in the Mission District. The Grand Parade is on Sunday, May 30.
Is Carnaval San Francisco free?
The festival is free; the organizers describe it as a free two-day family festival. Grandstand seats along the parade route are sold separately, and their prices are not listed on the festival site.
What is the Carnaval parade route?
The Grand Parade starts at 24th and Bryant streets, goes west to Mission Street, and then north on Mission to 15th Street.
What time does the Carnaval parade start?
The 2027 start time is not posted yet. In 2026 the Grand Parade started at 10am on Sunday. We update this page when the 2027 time is announced.
Where do you park for Carnaval San Francisco?
SFMTA says Muni is the easiest way to get there because of street closures and limited parking. BART's 16th Street and 24th Street Mission stations are also close to the festival area.
Can you watch the Carnaval parade online?
Yes. The festival says KPIX (CBS Bay Area) will stream the parade live on Sunday, May 30, 2027.
What are the grandstand seats at Carnaval?
General admission grandstand seating, with no reserved seats, is outside the Gray Area Theatre at 2665 Mission Street and at 22nd and Mission, at 2601 Mission Street. Premier seating is in front of The Hall SF Bar & Billiards at 2565 Mission Street, next to the judges' stage. Both have wheelchair access.
More to Explore
Happening Soon
- Treasures of the Pharaohs Sat, Aug 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 · de Young Museum
- Ferry Plaza Farmers Market Sat, Sep 12 – Dec 31 · Ferry Building Plaza
- Heart of the City Farmers Market Sun, Sep 13 – Dec 31 · Fulton Plaza, Civic Center
- SF State Observatory Public Nights (Wed–Fri, through Dec 4) Thu, Oct 1 – Dec 4 · SF State Observatory, Thornton Hall
Places to Check Out
- Alta Plaza Park Parks & Playgrounds
- Angelo J. Rossi Playground Parks & Playgrounds
- Aquarium of the Bay Attractions
- Asian Art Museum Museums
Cite this page: Project SF, “Carnaval San Francisco 2027: Dates, Parade and Mission Tips”, projectsf.com/guides/carnaval-san-francisco-guide/ (updated ).