Harrison Street Memorial Day Festival & Parade

Carnaval San Francisco will return to the Mission District on May 23 and 24 for its 48th annual Memorial Day weekend celebration, according to the event’s organizers, SF.gov and San Francisco Travel. The free festival is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday along Harrison Street between 16th and 24th streets. The Grand Parade is set for 10 a.m. Sunday, starting at 24th and Bryant streets and continuing through the Mission. ### Where exactly is the festival, and where does the parade go? Harrison Street is the center of the two-day festival, with event space stretching between 16th and 24th streets in the Mission District, according to SF.gov and San Francisco Travel. City materials describe the footprint as 17 blocks with five main stages, food, crafts and family programming. The Sunday Grand Parade begins at the corner of 24th and Bryant streets at 10 a.m., San Francisco Travel said. (carnavalsanfrancisco.org) The route then moves west to Mission Street, heads north on Mission to 15th Street, and turns east to South Van Ness Avenue. KQED reported the parade will include more than 70 contingents. ### How big is the event? SF.gov says more than 400,000 people attend Carnaval San Francisco each year. (sf.gov) The city’s event page says the free festival includes five main stages, 60 local performing artists and 300 vendors. KQED reported this year’s celebration will feature more than 3,000 dancers, musicians and artists over the weekend. Organizers said in promotional materials that more than half a million attendees from around the world are expected, though city materials list annual attendance at more than 400,000. (sftravel.com) (sf.gov) ### What will people see this year? Carnaval San Francisco has chosen “La Copa del Pueblo” — “The People’s Cup” — as its 2026 theme, according to the organizers and San Francisco Travel. San Francisco Travel said the theme ties the event to soccer ahead of the World Cup and frames the game as a community tradition. KQED reported that organizers are adding a soccer pavilion as part of this year’s programming. (kqed.org) Executive Director Rodrigo Durán told KQED that soccer is “deeply ingrained in Latin American culture” and reflects the communities the festival serves. San Francisco Travel said parade spectators can expect floats and contingents representing Latin American, Caribbean and other cultural traditions, including samba schools, Caribbean groups, Mexican Aztec performers, African drummers, Polynesian dancers, Japanese drummers and folkloric groups from several countries. (carnavalsanfrancisco.org) ### Who is performing? KQED reported that Su Majestad Mi Banda El Mexicano de Casimiro is this year’s festival headliner. (kqed.org) Organizers highlighted the group in their 2026 announcement for the May 23-24 weekend. SF.gov says the broader festival lineup includes dozens of local performers across five stages. (sftravel.com) Organizers’ materials and local event guides describe the programming as a mix of live music, dance and community performances across both days. ### What should visitors know before going? San Francisco Travel said BART riders can use either the 16th Street or 24th Street stations and walk to the festival area. (kqed.org) The tourism group said driving and parking are discouraged because of street closures and heavy attendance. KQED published a visitor guide on May 13 covering parking, parade viewing and family activities for the May 23-24 event. (sf.gov) SF.gov and organizers also direct visitors to official event pages for updates on schedules, route information and festival logistics. May 23 and May 24 are the next key dates for the event, with the festival opening at 11 a.m. both days and the Grand Parade starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 24. (sftravel.com) Organizers, SF.gov, San Francisco Travel and KQED have posted the current route, theme and visitor information ahead of the weekend. (carnavalsanfrancisco.org) (kqed.org)