Carnaval San Francisco
- Dates
- May 29 to 30, 2027
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- Harrison Street, Mission District (17th to 24th St)
- Price
- Free
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Nov 10, 2026
Carnaval San Francisco returns to San Francisco, CA, May 29 to 30, 2027. Froligo tracks free-entry details, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
Carnaval San Francisco is a free, two-day street festival and Grand Parade in the city's Mission District over Memorial Day weekend, celebrating Latin American, Caribbean, and Afro-Diasporic cultures across 17 blocks and five music stages. Established in 1979, it is one of the largest cultural celebrations on the West Coast.
How it works
The festival is free and fills 17 blocks of Harrison Street between 17th and 24th Streets, open 11am to 6pm both days. It has five music stages, four DJ block parties, a Kids Zone, Drum Pavilion, skate area and lowrider show, plus about 250 exhibitors and 50 food vendors. Alcohol is served only in designated gardens, and pets other than service animals are not allowed. The Grand Parade runs Sunday and has separate grandstand tickets. BART stops at 16th and 24th Streets; driving is discouraged.
Who it suits
This is a family festival, billed by the organizer as free for all ages, with a dedicated Kids Zone alongside the music and dancing. It suits people who enjoy dense, loud street crowds, Latin American and Caribbean food and parade costumes, and who are happy to stand or walk for hours. The organizer warns that the grounds are often loud, crowded and hot.
What people love
Attendees celebrate the vibrant costumes and floats, the energy and color of the Grand Parade, and the cultural diversity of both the performers and the crowd, describing a lively but generally mellow street atmosphere.
Last time around (2026)
The most recent held edition was the 48th annual festival over Memorial Day weekend in May 2026, drawing large crowds to the Mission District for two days of parades, music, and street celebration.
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Listen
No official playlist linked yet. Find Carnaval San Francisco on Spotify.
Lineup
Here's who played in 2026:
Getting there
Nearest airport SFO.
How do I get to Carnaval San Francisco?
By car
Most people drive to Carnaval San Francisco. The nearest major airport is SFO, and from there it is a straightforward drive to the venue. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
BART runs direct from the SFO station (International Terminal) to the festival, the official FAQ states '16th St Mission and 24th St Mission stations are both located directly on the parade route just a few blocks from the festival area', with entrances at 16th & Harrison and 24th & Harrison. Yellow Line toward Antioch, no transfer needed. This is the standard airport-to-festival route and the one the festival itself points attendees to.
Book / infoLocal connector rather than an airport leg: multiple Muni lines serve the Mission District around the festival footprint. Note the official FAQ warns that routes 12, 14, 12R, 22, 27, 33, 48, 49, 55, and 67 are rerouted during the event, check SFMTA's reroute page on the day. Useful for getting to the festival from elsewhere in the city; from SFO itself, BART is the direct option.
Book / infoTaxi & rideshare
Uber and Lyft both operate at SFO from designated pickup zones (domestic-side parking garage levels; follow airport signage from baggage claim rather than waiting curbside). Regulated taxis pick up curbside at marked zones. During festival hours the streets around Harrison (14th-24th between roughly Alabama and Treat) are closed, so expect drop-off a few blocks out on Mission, Valencia, or south of 24th.
Book / infoTaxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
Affiliate Flying in? You can book an airport transfer from SFO in advance rather than joining the taxi queue on arrival. Transfer links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
🅿 Parking
Cost Garage rates per SFMTA's Mission-Bartlett page; street parking effectively unavailable (closure/tow zones).
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at SFO
If you are hiring a car, it is worth checking parking near the venue before you go.
Search car hireCar hire links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Where
Venue
The venue has its own page with capacity, accessibility and parking.
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Carnaval San Francisco?
No on site camping. Here is where to stay nearby.
Budget stays 6
1707 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates761 Minna Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates860 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates415 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates411 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates895 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMid-range hotels 5
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates2766 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates2361 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates2284 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates2176;2180;2186 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94143
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTreat yourself 2
250 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Typically $170-300 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates125 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Typically $350-700 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesAirport hotels 3
1 Old Bayshore Highway, Millbrae, CA 94030
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates55 South McDonnell Road, San Francisco, CA 94128
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates401 East Millbrae Avenue, Millbrae, CA 94030
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMore hotels nearby 3
Airbnb & private camping
The Mission is one of San Francisco's densest short-term-rental neighborhoods, so close-in supply is strong. The 2027 edition (May 29-30) falls on Memorial Day weekend (Memorial Day is May 31, 2027), so expect holiday-weekend rates plus festival demand on top of SF's already-high baseline.
Search AirbnbHipcamp's San Francisco directory lists private-land camping and glamping clustered outside the city proper. Pacifica/Half Moon Bay coastside and Marin, typically 30-60 minutes out. A plausible budget base for van/car travelers who'd rather camp cheap and BART/drive in for the festival days than pay SF holiday-weekend hotel rates; not a walk-to-festival option.
Search HipcampSearch all hotels near Harrison Street, Mission District
Hotel links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Accessibility & comfort
The organizer does not publish accessibility details. Ask them directly before you travel about step-free access, accessible toilets, seating and anything else you need.
Pricing
While you're in San Francisco
AffiliateA Go City pass bundles San Francisco's top attractions into one price, handy if you're making a trip of it rather than coming just for the festival.
See what's includedWe may earn a commission if you buy a pass. It costs you nothing extra and never changes what we tell you about a festival.
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Quick answers
When is Carnaval San Francisco 2027?
May 29 to 30, 2027
How much are Carnaval San Francisco tickets?
Entry is free.
Where is Carnaval San Francisco held?
Harrison Street, Mission District (17th to 24th St), San Francisco, CA.