PAROL
LANTERN
FESTIVAL
December 13, 2025
SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District in partnership with Filipino American Development Foundation presents their 23rd Annual Parol Lantern Festival on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) from 3-8pm.
This free, family-friendly festival continues the tradition of the parol lantern—a quintessential Filipino symbol of hope, peace, and community during the holiday season,
and can be found lighting up windows in Filipino homes throughout the world.
The festival’s theme this year is “MAKIBAKA: Ignite the Fight, Light Up Our Legacy”,
a rallying call to fight, rise, and shine amidst hardship and harm, and is honored
in MAKIBAKA: A Living Legacy exhibition at YBCA, open through January 4, 2026.
This activity is supported in part by the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Learn more at www.ybca.org.
PRE-REGISTRATION FOR PAROL LANTERN FESTIVAL IS NOW CLOSED
Please plan to register for Parol Lantern Festival at the Main Entrance of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (701 Mission) beginning at 3PM.
MAKIBAKA:
Ignite the Fight,
Light Up Our Legacy
Schedule
FiliPINX
7pm
SF Bay Area Filipin(x)
Drag Supergroup
Taste of Christmas
3pm–5pm
Featuring traditional Filipino holiday dishes in the YBCA Forum
5pm–7pm
A parade of community & professional organizations
6pm–7pm
Celebrating the decorated parols that reflect the theme
Get your groove on
to cap the night off
Until Closing
3pm–8pm
Reclaiming the rich cultural contributions of Filipinos in SOMA
MAKIBAKA Exhibition
MAKIBAKA: A Living Legacy is a powerful new exhibition—curated by City and State recognized Filipino Cultural Heritage District SOMA Pilipinas in partnership with acclaimed independent curator, Trisha Lagaso Goldberg—reclaiming the rich cultural contributions, enduring spirit, and fierce political activism of the Filipino community in San Francisco’s South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood and beyond.
Experience the exhibit for FREE during the Parol Lantern Festival at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Galleries.
Taste of Christmas
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, Ate Tess of JT’s Restaurant, and many more. Pre-register to get in the priority line for Taste of Christmas tickets for a sweet taste of your favorite Filipino holiday treats!
Pre-registration for Taste of Christmas is now closed.
If you would like to participate in the Taste of Christmas, please plan to arrive and register at the Main Entrance. Samples will be available until supplies last.
Parol Stroll
Join our annual tradition of showcasing our parol lanterns! The Parol Stroll is a parade of lights, lanterns and community faces illuminated through the Yerba Buena Gardens.
This year's Parol Stroll is at Yerba Buena Gardens and ending at the YBCA Forum. The route features stunning parol lanterns, celebrating Filipino culture. Attendees can enjoy scenic landmarks, parol installations, and community displays, making for a memorable evening. Each stop reflects the rich heritage illuminated by the lanterns as the stroll progresses through these iconic spaces.
ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE SOMA PILIPINAS CONTINGENT IN THE PAROL STROLL AT 5PM.
Tala Award Competition
The TALA Awards will continue the tradition of judging parols submitted based on festival theme, craftsmanship, concept execution & creativity, and exhibition presentation.
Meet this year’s TALA Award Participants:
Emari
FEC Galing Bata
Filipino Heritage Club of Parkway Heights Middle School
Kabataan Youth Leadership Program of Filipino Community Center
kb.studio gallery
Luminary Rebels
Marielou Pascua
Malaya Movement San Francisco
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory Kapamilya CCC
SFUSD Filipino WLES Programs
South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN)
West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center
Parol Gallery
Come view and enjoy a gallery display of parol lanterns imported from the Philippines. Parols by SHOP Farol and parols created by community organizations competing for the Tala Awards will also be on display in the YBCA Forum.
ACCESSIBILITY
All YBCA public entrances are accessible. At the Gallery Forum Building, both the 701 Mission St
and Garden Esplanade entrances have electric push-button doors.
There will be reserved seating with tables for seniors or people with mobility issues
available during 3-5PM; and additional seating throughout the program.
COVID PROTOCOL
YBCA is following the Health & Safety protocols set forth by the city of San Francisco.
Masks are strongly recommended for visitors indoors at YBCA, except when actively eating.
If you are feeling unwell or exhibiting any cold or COVID-19 symptoms,
we ask that you cancel your visit to YBCA and take the time to rest and recover.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP
MUNI: For Bus Lines along Market St., disembark at Market Street and 4th Street/Powell Street.
On Mission Street, turn left into the Yerba Buena Gardens.
BART: For all BART Lines, disembark at the Powell Street Station.
Exit to 4th and Market streets. On Mission Street turn left into Yerba Buena Gardens.
PARKING: If traveling by car, we recommend parking at 5th Street Garage
on 833 Mission Street, SF, CA is walking distance (two blocks from YBCA).
DONATE
Your generous donation fuels the brilliance of the Parol Festival, supporting our mission to celebrate and share the richness of Filipino culture. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us illuminate this cultural extravaganza, ensuring its success for all to enjoy.
Together, let's ignite the spirit of giving and keep the festival aglow for years to come.
Your support creates magic!
THE 23RD ANNUAL PAROL LANTERN FESTIVAL IS MADE POSSIBLE
WITH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF:
COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS
PARTNERS
CITY FUNDERS
SPONSORS
