Hundreds of Star-shaped Lanterns Light up Yerba Buena for 22nd Annual Parol Lantern Festival & Parade
Thousands to Participate in Parade of Colorful Lanterns and Enjoy Live Music, Cultural Performances and Filipino Holiday Treats
Traditional Filipino Parol lanterns light up Yerba Buena. photo credit Come Plum
San Francisco, CA - November 1, 2024 - SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District in partnership with Filipino American Development Foundation and South of Market Community Action Network present the 22nd Annual Parol Lantern Festival on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Parol lanterns are the quintessential Filipino symbol of hope, blessings, and luck during the holiday season. The Festival takes place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (701 Mission Street) from 3-8 PM. Events at the festival include a Taste of Christmas, a sampling of traditional Filipino holiday snacks and treats (3-5pm), alongside new offerings from the Filipino Cultural Heritage Districts new eateries Izzy and Wooks, Mestiza and Sarap Shop.
The Parol Stroll and Tala Awards will start at 5-8p, at Jesse Square on Mission Street, right next to St. Patrick’s Church and will proceed to the Yerba Buena Gardens into the YBCA Forum. The festival carries forward practices, art forms, and stories that have been passed down by elders, families, and communities, with this year's theme, "Passing the Torch, Forward in Light," honors the way in which Filipino culture is preserved and has evolved in the diaspora.
“When I migrated to the United States, I was hoping that those who were not familiar with the Parol tradition would learn…[and] will carry it in the Filipino American community. We’re looking forward to young people getting interested in the tradition of arts and crafts,” stated MC Canlas, Community Strategist at Bayanihan Community Center and creator of Parol Making Workshops in SOMA Pilipinas.
Parol making workshops leading up to the festival are open to the public to learn the traditional artform from 12-4 PM at the YBCA Grand Lobby on the following dates. Families, groups of friends, and organizations are encouraged to attend the workshops and have their own contingency in the parade. RSVP HERE for workshops.
Saturday, November 2
Sunday, November 3
Saturday, November 16
Sunday, November 17
Saturday, November 23
Sunday, November 24
Saturday, December 7
History of Parol Lanterns in Filipino traditions
The parol, is a traditional ornamental lantern that adorns streets, homes, malls and buildings in the Philippines during Christmas. Parol lanterns are the quintessential Filipino symbol of hope, blessings, and luck during the holiday season.
The lanterns’ roots predate the Spanish colonization of the Philippines in the 16th century. In ancient times, the lanterns were a symbol of hospitality. Travelers who saw one hanging in a home’s open window at night knew they were welcome to seek refuge there. Under the rule and religious influence of Spain, star-shaped lanterns on bamboo poles lit the way to early morning mass. The tradition is so important in Filipino American communities that they have created parol festivals in the United States, including in the Los Angeles Historic Filipinotown, where they also pass on the art of parol-making through an annual Parol Parade and workshops.
“We carry forward practices, art forms, and stories that have been passed down by our elders, families, and communities. This year’s theme "Passing the Torch, Forward in Light ," honors the way in which our culture is preserved and evolves, informed by the values and traditions we inherit and carried forward in the homes and communities we build.” says Raquel Redondiez, SOMA Pilipinas Director.
2024 Parol Festival Event Details
What: 22nd Annual Parol Lantern Festival
Where: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St and Yerba Buena Gardens
When: December 14, 2024, 3 PM to 8 PM
Taste of Christmas (3-5pm), Parol Stroll and Tala Awards (5-8pm)
Attend a Parol making workshop: RSVP HERE
Saturday, November 2
Sunday, November 3
Saturday, November 16
Sunday, November 17
Saturday, November 23
Sunday, November 24
Saturday, December 7
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About SOMA Pilipinas - SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District was officially recognized by the City of San Francisco in 2016. It is dedicated to preserving and promoting Filipino culture and history, supporting community artists and cultural workers, and fostering economic development through cultural arts and community partnerships.
About Filipino American Development Foundation (FADF) - FADF exists to strengthen the social, physical, and economic well being of the Filipino American community in the San Francisco Bay Area, with special attention to San Francisco’s South of Market community.
About South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN) - SOMCAN is a multi-issue and multi-strategy organization that nurtures the lives of youth, families, individuals and workers. SOMCAN works on a wide range of issues—from tenant rights to community planning to Filipino language access to workers rights—and provide culturally competent direct services ranging from tenant counseling to family support to youth empowerment to employment.