Special Events

Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Time: 5 PM to 10 PM
Location: Multiple Venues, Mission District, San Francisco

Come meet your neighbors and make new friends at our 2026 Carnaval San Francisco Mardi Gras Celebration in several Mission District venues. Enjoy live samba drummers, dance performances, and lively music from soca to cumbia and rumba –– don’t miss out on the fun! Wear your costumes, masks & beads and join us in celebrating Fat Tuesday in true Carnaval San Francisco style!

Coming soon: venue list, performance schedule and downloadable map!

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 4 PM to 6 PM
Location:

• Live event at KQED Headquarters, 2601 Mariposa Street, San Francisco
• Live watchparty at Casa de Carnaval, 683 Florida Street, San Francisco

La Copa Del Pueblo (The People’s Cup) is this year’s theme for Carnaval San Francisco!

Join us in an action-packed and joyous competition to crown the King and Queen of Carnaval’s 48th Anniversary! Showcasing the best music, dance and artistry of Latin American, Caribbean and African Diasporas contestants step on stage bringing their spirit to the audience. Cheer for your favorite performer and be part of San Francisco’s history!

Date: April 15, 2026
Time: TBD
Location: Casa de Carnaval, 683 Florida St, San Francisco, CA (View Map)

Details TBD!

Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
Time: TBD
Location: Casa de Carnaval, 683 Florida St, San Francisco, CA (View Map)

More information coming soon!

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Time: 6 PM to 10 PM
Ages: 21 and over
Location: California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr San Francisco, CA 94118 (View Map)

Calling all creatures of the night: explore the nocturnal side of the Academy at NightLife and see what’s revealed. With live DJs, outdoor bars, ambiance lighting, and nearly 60,000 live animals (including familiar faces like Claude, our alligator with albinism), the night is sure to be wild.

Step inside the iconic Shake House and our four-story Osher Rainforest, venture into their latest aquarium exhibit Venom, visit the BigPicture exhibit in the Piazza, bask in the glow of the Philippine Coral Reef, take in the interstellar views from the Living Roof, then grab a bite from the Academy Café and head to the West Garden outdoor bar to drink and dine under the stars.

Date: Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24, 2026
Time: 11 AM to 6 PM
Location: Mission District

Our free, two–day Festival starts at 11 AM and runs to 6PM and covers 17 blocks in the Mission District, with five main stages, 50 local performing artists, and 400 vendors. The festival includes international food, dancing, sampling sites and entertainment for families, couples and friends of all ethnic, social and economic backgrounds.

Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026
Time: 10 AM to 2 PM
Location: Gray Area / Grand Theater, 2665 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110 (View Map)

See the 48th Anniversary of Carnaval San Francisco’s Grand Parade in the best seats of the event –the Grand Stand/Judging Area!

Our Grand Parade boasts a 60–contingent lineup, with over 5,500 artists representing the cultural heritages of Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Bolivia, Cuba, Peru, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Colombia, Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala, El Salvador, and more to participate, televised by CBS. The Grand Parade covers 20 blocks in San Francisco’s historic Latino Cultural District in the Mission.

Get your tickets as soon as they’re available because they will sell out. Limited tickets will be sold on site the day of the Grand Parade.

Parade starts on 24th & Bryant Street travels west on to Mission Street then on Mission Street travels north to 15th Street.

The Grand Stand seating area will be located outside, in front of the Gray Area Theatre (2665 Mission St, SF) as well as in front of La Corneta Taqueria (2731 Mission St, SF). Tickets will be for general admission — no reserve seating available. Wheelchair accessibility available.

Coming Soon – Full Lineup, Parade Map, and more!