Overview
- Carnaval San Francisco, which drew thousands on Sunday, shut down more than 20 blocks of the Mission for its annual parade that began at Bryant and 24th streets.
- A pop-up soccer area called La Plaza del Fútbol offered scrimmages, skill clinics and fan activities with Bay Area clubs including Bay FC, the San Jose Earthquakes and the Oakland Roots.
- The procession, led in part by Brazilian great Romário, featured more than 60 contingents with lowriders, dancers, bands, floats and performers tossing beads and candy into the crowd.
- City transit agencies rerouted buses and advised of street closures for the parade while local groups and volunteers provided services on the route such as library book giveaways and on-the-ground crowd assistance.
- Carnaval’s ‘La Copa del Pueblo’ theme linked the Mission’s long-running cultural tradition to the 2026 World Cup and highlighted how neighborhood festivals can mobilize local arts, youth soccer and community networks ahead of the tournament.