Grand Parade
Our Grand Parade boasts a 60–contingent (comparsa) 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.
Parade Lineup
Parade Map
Parade Lineup
1 – San Francisco Lowrider Council
2 – Viva, Amor y la Lucha con Samba Ritmo (Carnaval Letters)
2a – Fútbol Soccer Community
3 – Xiuhcoatl Danza Azteca
4 – The American Indian Cultural Center of San Francisco
5 – A Sweet Route: A Tribute to Paleteros
6 – Unidos Da Capital with Tambores e Samba
7 – Chinelos de Morelos and Train Eclipse
8 – ABADA Capoeira San Francisco
9 – Zumba, Friends & Fitness
10 – San Francisco Public Library
11 – Buena Vista Horace Mann
12 – SF Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
13 – Community Music Center and SFUSD Partners
14 – Asiya Shriners of San Mateo
15 – La Copa Es Nuestra Telemundo 48
16 – Recology
17 – The San Francisco Belles & Beauxs
18 – La Cumbiamba Colombiana
19 – 2026 King Chris Cornelious & Queen Mizzy Ng spnsored by SFBLBA
20 – Samba da Terra
21 – Bolivia Corazon de America Dance Company
22 – Beautiful Beginnings Arts Collective
23 – Mi Tierra Colombiana
24 – RUMBARENA Carnaval
25 – Morenada San Francisco – Bolivia para el Mundo
26 – Feline Finesse Dance Company
27 – Nicaragua Danza Hijos del Maíz
28 – Tradición Peruana Cultural Center
29 – Parceros Fusion Colombia
30 – Woven Rhythyms: The Global Fabric of Dance
31 – Chavalos Danzas por Nicaragua
32 – Esforço
33 – World Flags by The Frontline Essential Workers of Laborers Union
34 – Grand Marshal
35 – Grupo Samba Rio
36 – Carnaval Putleco
37 – Latin Dance Grooves
38 – Everett Middle School ft. Bateria Batuki & the Brazilian All-Stars
39 – Club Puertorriqueño de San Francisco
40 – Aquarela Samba Dancers and Samba School
41 – Oaxaca en San Francisco
42 – Cuicacalli
43 – Asociacion Mayab
44 – Ginga Brasil
46 – Caravana de la Bahia
47 – San Francisco Fire Department Los Bomberos
48 – Los Bomberos de Oakland
49 – Negritud Yanga USA
50 – Sambaxé
51 – Jaguars of Fire
52 – Mestizaje in partnership with Zona Cheo and Calle 24 Latino Cultural District
53 – Batala San Francisco
54 – Esplendor Azteca
55 – Kantuta Ballet Folklorico de Bolivia
56 – Loco Bloco
57 – Cable Car Operators & Families
58 – Valverde Dance
59 – Fogo Na Roupa Grupo Carnavalesco Cultural
60 – SF. Muni Historical Cable Cars
61 – Caporales San Simon Cochabamba Filial California
62 – Raio de Luz Samba Performers
63 – Ballet Folklórico South Texas College
64 – Paixão Dance Ensemble
65 – Karibbean Vibrationz
66 – Miss Panama SF California
67 – SambaFunk’s Artists United
68 – Xplosion Mas
69 – The Beat Berkeley Performing Arts
70 – Move to the Rhythm Zumba Central Valley
71 – Tradiciones Michoacanas: El Torito de Petate
72 – Hella Jab
Parade Judges
Judge Roberto Borrell
Roberto Borrell has over fifty years of experience performing and teaching Afro-Cuban Folkloric Dance and Cuban Popular Dance in Havana, Cuba and in the United States. Born in Havana, he became a master of Danzón, Son, Son-Montuno, Guaracha, and the Cha-Cha-Cha at a young age. His stylish dancing earned him an invitation to join Cuba’s Conjunto Folklórico Nacional where he was schooled in the traditional Orisha songs, dances, and rhythms by the most renowned Afro-Cuban folkloric dancers and percussionists of the time.
Roberto has directed musical groups for over 30 years, from his early days with his own group in Cuba, Union Cienfueguera, to his popular San Francisco-based Danzón orchestra, Orquesta la Moderna Tradición.
Judge Stacie Powers Cuéllar
Anastacia Powers Cuéllar has been a part of the Mission District Arts Community since 1983. Her credits include Production and Tour Manager for the San Francisco Mime Troupe, Business Manager for Dr. Loco’s Rockin’ Jalapeño Band and Managing Director of Dance Mission Theater. In February 2012 she became Executive Director of Brava! for Women in the Arts and Brava Theater Center until she retired in June of 2025.
During her tenure at Brava she oversaw not only the revitalization of the Theater Center and its programming, but also grew their Fiscal Sponsorship program to support the revitalization of Carnaval SF, the founding of the Latino Cultural District and the community partnership between the Latino Task Force and SF General Hospital’s COVID response program
Judge John Calloway
Dr. John Calloway is a nationally recognized multi-instrumentalist/composer who for 40 years led a dual career in education. He has performed in the Bay Area with John Santos, Mark Levine, and Marcus Shelby along with internationally known artists such as Cachao.
He was the co-founder and music director of the Latin Jazz Youth Ensemble of San Francisco from 2001-2024 while serving as an educator, SFUSD arts administrator, and San Francisco Arts Commissioner. He also founded the Afro-Cuban Ensemble of San Francisco State University in 1999, stepping down as its only director after 25 years. He taught in SF public schools for over 30 years.
Judge Jazz-Ylaine Baptiste
Queen Jazz-Ylaine Baptiste is a Cultural Architect, facilitator of ancestral remembrance, and Founder & Director of Samba Journeys Cultural Arts Institute in Oakland, California. A second-generation dancer with over 20 years of experience in Samba and Afro-Brazilian dance, she is recognized for her commitment to honoring the roots of Samba through education, embodied practice, and cultural exchange.
She competed in Samba and Carnaval competitions at the local, regional, national, and international levels between 2010 and 2025, winning many titles and bringing her deep cultural knowledge, lived experience, and integrity to the art form.
Judge Jessica Maria Recinos
Jessica Maria Recinos has been part of the San Francisco Carnaval scene since she was a teenager – first as a performer, then growing into a community leader and culture bearer. Her dance journey began in the streets and studios of the Mission and Excelsior, training across styles and building lasting connections that now span nationally and globally.
As the founder of Rising Rhythm, Jessica blends movement, music, and fashion to celebrate the creative power of Black and Brown communities. Her professional arts experience gives her a sharp, detail-oriented eye, keeping things competitive, fresh, and exciting. She’s passionate about bringing new ideas to Carnaval while honoring its roots, always pushing to elevate the experience for everyone involved
Get the best seats
See the 2026 Carnaval San Francisco Grand Parade in the best seats of the event, the Grand Stand/Judging Area!
Parade starts on 24th & Bryant Street travels west on to Mission Street then on Mission Street travels north to 15th Street.
The Grand Stand general seating area will be located outside, in front of the Gray Area Theatre (2665 Mission St, SF) as well as on the corner of 22nd and Mission (2601 Mission St, SF). With your ticket you can enter from either side. Tickets are for general admission—no reserve seating available. Wheelchair accessibility available.
The Grand Stand premier seating area will be located in front of The Hall SF Bar & Billiards (2565 Mission St, SF), next to the Parade Judges Stage. Enjoy the electrifying performances next to the judges! Tickets are for the premier seating area—no reserve seating available. Wheelchair accessibility available.