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.
MAKIBAKA:
Ignite the Fight,
Light Up Our Legacy
Programs
Nov 2–Dec 7
Learn how to make your own Filipino Parol Lantern
Taste of Christmas
3pm–5pm
Featuring traditional Filipino holiday dishes in the YBCA Forum
Parol Stroll
5pm–7pm
A parade of community & professional organizations
Tala Awards
7pm–8pm
Celebrating the decorated parols that reflect the theme
Volunteer
Support us in making this Festival’s activities run smoothly
Multiple Shifts
MAKIBAKA exhibit
3pm–8pm
Reclaiming the rich cultural contributions of Filipinos in SOMA
Build your own parol — the iconic Filipino lantern symbolizing hope, blessings, and community during the holiday season — and carry it proudly at the 23rd Annual Parol Lantern Festival on Saturday, December 13 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)!
Workshops are free, family-friendly, and open to all. Parol Kits are available for a suggested donation of $20 per kit or $10 for seniors and youth (18 and under).
Workshop Schedule:
YBCA Workshops (701 Mission Street, SF):
Sunday, November 2: 12–4 PM
Sunday, November 9: 12–4 PM
Sunday, November 16: 12–4 PM
Saturday, November 22: 12–4 PM
Sunday, November 23: 12–4 PM
Thursday, December 4: 4–8 PM
Bayanihan Community Center Workshops (1010 Mission Street, SF):
Saturday, December 6: 12–4 PM
Sunday, December 7: 12–4 PM
Come early, bring friends, and take part in a creative, heartwarming tradition that connects generations.
Parol-Making Workshops
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.
Pre-register to get in the priority line for Taste of Christmas tickets for a sweet taste of your favorite Filipino holiday treats!
Tala Award Competition
We invite Individuals, families and community orgs to compete in this year’s Tala Awards, and create traditional Filipino Parol lanterns that embody this year’s theme of “MAKIBAKA: Ignite the Fight, Light Up Our Legacy”.
Sign up before November 22, 2025 to win big!
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.
Volunteer with us
Calling on volunteers to help us make this year's event a fun-filled cultural festival of food, drinks, performances, TALA Awards, and Parol Stroll! Volunteers will receive a Parol 2025 Sweater.
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.
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
