San Francisco’s annual Carnaval celebration is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, with thousands of people expected to convene in the city’s Mission District and public agencies promoting travel alternatives because of road closures.
The free two-day festival and parade will take place along Harrison Street between 16th and 24th streets and will feature live music, dance, food, art, and cultural performances.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, a co-sponsor of the event, said closures along the festival route will begin Friday until early Monday morning. Local residents will be the only car traffic allowed to enter as the area is closed for event setup, staging, and takedown.
This year’s Carnaval SF theme is La Copa del Pueblo, The People’s Cup, a nod to the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 — with games set to kick off at Levi’s Stadium in June.
Sunday will feature the annual Carnaval parade, set to start at 10 a.m. From the intersection of 24th and Harrison streets. It will travel down Mission Street before ending on 15th Street. The SFMTA estimates over 5,500 performers from across 60 groups will showcase their cultures across 20 blocks in the Mission’s Latino Cultural District.
Muni officials are suggesting people take public transit as parking will be limited and delays are expected adjacent to the closed streets. Sunday will be further impacted due to parade activity.
More information about the event is available on the SFMTA website.