SF’s Annual Parol Lantern Festival (2024)
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Yerba Buena Center for the Arts | 701 Mission St, San Francisco, CA
Event Details
Submitted by the Event Organizer
The Parol Lantern Festival takes place annually at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts every December. We invite you to participate in the Taste of Christmas, Parol Stroll and Tala Awards, and come together in the spirit of community.
The Parol lantern is the quintessential Filipino symbol of hope, blessings, luck, and peace, during the holiday season, and can be found lighting up windows in Filipino homes throughout the world.
Schedule of Events
- Taste of Christmas | 3-5PM – Featuring traditional Filipino holiday dishes in the YBCA Forum
- Parol Stroll | 5-7PM – A parade of community & professional organizations
- Tala Awards | 7-8 PM – Celebrating the decorated parols which reflect the theme.
- Live Music & Performances | 3-8PM – Enjoy performances from local Filipino musicians and community members
- Family Friendly Activities | 3-4:30 PM – Hosted by the Children’s Creativity Museum in the YBCA Lobby
- Parol Gallery | 3-8 PM – Take pictures with a gallery of Parol Lanterns provided by SF Farols
Taste of Christmas
3-5PM | YBCA Forum
Please note, pre-registration does not guarantee a Taste of Christmas ticket to the free sampling of traditional Filipino Foods.
If you would like to participate in the Taste of Christmas, please plan to arrive early. Samples will be available until supplies last.
Enjoy a free sampling of traditional Filipino desserts and delicacies served during the Christmas season that is sure to take your tastebuds on a trip back to the Philippines. Since the very first Parol Lantern Festival, community food vendors have contributed to the Taste of Christmas!
Samples are provided by our own community vendors such as Kababayan Restaurant, Mestiza, Tita Pearl, and Ate Tess of JT’s Restaurant.
Sandwiches from Izzy and Wooks will be available for purchase following Taste of Christmas in the YBCA Forum.
Parol Stroll
6-7PM | Jesse Square to Yerba Buena Gardens
Join our stroll contingents across the Yerba Buena Gardens as we showcase all of our parol lanterns
Make your own Parol lantern with provided materials and instruction with SOMA Pilipinas at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.
Workshops are free, family-friendly, and open to all.
The TALA Awards will continue the tradition of judging parol lanterns submitted based on craftsmanship & attention to detail, concept execution & creativity, and exhibition presentation.
We invite community groups and families to compete in this year’s Tala Awards and create traditional Filipino Parol lanterns that embody this year’s theme of “Passing the Torch, Forward in Light”. Sign up before November 22, 2024 to win big!
*If you sign up for the Tala Awards, you don’t have to sign up for Parol Stroll. You will be automatically added to the list.
Join us for a captivating evening as we gather at Jesse Square and make our way through the beautiful Yerba Buena Gardens for Parol Stroll, showcasing a stunning display of our parol lanterns. Each lantern, crafted with care and creativity, will illuminate our path, creating a magical atmosphere as we celebrate culture and community together!
Parol Stroll Contingent Deadline: December 1, 2024
Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.
Cost: FREE
Categories: **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, Christmas, Downtown San Francisco, Fairs & Festivals, Free Food, In Person, Kids & Families, Live Music, Tree + Holiday Lightings
