San Francisco Italian Heritage Parade and Festival
Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015
12:30 pm parade start time
Celebrate Italia! Taking place the weekend before Columbus Day, which is Monday, Oct. 12, the San Francisco Italian Heritage Parade and Festival is a tradition dating back all the way to 1868. Beginning on the Embarcadero waterfront near Fisherman's Wharf, the Parade will make its way westerly up Jefferson Street before turning south on Leavenworth Street. At North Point, the Parade route moves down Columbus Street, through the heart of the North Beach district, the home of the oldest Italian-American neighborhood in the United States. The Parade terminates in Washington Square Park, across from St. Peter and Paul's Church. There you'll find hands-on activities for children and the Ferrari Sports Car display.
There's prime viewing along the route at one of the many colorful and delicious Italian restaurants, which feature sidewalk or picture window seating. Enjoy a plate of pasta and a glass of wine while watching the parade march on by. What can you expect to see? This year's Grand Marshal is Broadway actor and singer Franc D'Ambrosio, famous for his unforgettable turn as the Phantom of the Opera. Traveling in one of the beautifully crafted floats will be the 2015 Parade's pageant beauty queen and her court, Queen Isabella. Other participants will include marching bands and dance performers from local schools, clubs and community organizations. All Italian Heritage Parade and Festival activities offer free admission. Parking will be extremely tight and pricey, so take public transportation if you can. To find out more, visit www.sfcolumbusday.org.