Join us for a transformative journey at

SAN FRANCISCO’S ANNUAL PAROL LANTERN FESTIVAL

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.

The Parol Lantern Festival takes place 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.

ONLINE RSVP

Register now to participate in this year's festival and come together in the spirit of community.

Celebrate Filipino Holiday Tradition with a magical gallery of handmade parol lanterns, performances, and a Taste of Christmas

Taste of Christmas

Special Pilipino sweets and delicacies! From community cooks like SoMa Pilipinas' very own Tess from JT Restaurant!

Parol Stroll

Join the parade of lights starting at Jesse Square through Yerba Buena Gardens and then celebrate with everyone at YBCA.

Tala Awards

Our annual best parol contest. Enter the competition to win $800 for the best hand-made life-size parol lantern!

Parol Lantern Gallery

Come view a gallery display of parol lanterns imported from the Philippines!

Cultural Performances

Enjoy live music and performances from our amazing line up.

Sign Up Your Contingent for the

Tala Awards

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.

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Parol Stroll

Join us for a captivating evening as we gather at Jesse Square and make our way through the beautiful Yerba Buena Gardens, 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

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SOMA Pilipinas Parol Lantern Workshops at YBCA

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.

MAKE YOUR PAROL NOW

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!

DONATE HERE

Volunteer Opportunity

Volunteer at the Parol Festival and immerse yourself in vibrant traditions, forge meaningful connections, and play a pivotal role in crafting unforgettable moments for everyone. Join us in weaving the threads of tradition into an experience that will leave a lasting impact. Let's create cherished memories together!

VOLUNTEER HERE