This weekend, a historic tradition is returning to North Beach. The Italian Heritage Parade is over 150 years old and has become a beloved tradition in San Francisco. The parade is this Sunday, October 11, and is the perfect opportunity to explore North Beach.
San Francisco’s Italian Heritage Festival and Parade
On Sunday, October 11, the annual Italian Heritage Parade will once again return to North Beach, bringing a vibrant celebration to the neighborhood. The beloved tradition is the oldest Italian Heritage Parade in the United States and dates back to 1868. The parade began as a Columbus Parade, but it eventually changed to the Italian Heritage Parade in 1994 to focus on celebrating Italian-American culture in San Francisco.
There are multiple popular restaurants along the parade route, perfect for grabbing a bite to eat outside and watching the parade pass. Restaurants include Original Joe’s, Italian Homemade Company, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, Firenze by Night, and more. This year’s grand marshal is actor Joe Mantegna, who is well known for his role in Criminal Minds.
The parade will start at 12:30 pm at Jefferson and Powell Streets in Fisherman’s Wharf, making its way south through North Beach and eventually ending at Washington Square.
Along with the parade, Saints Peter and Paul School will host its 108th Bazaar on Saturday and Sunday. The celebration includes food, games, and fun community activities hosted by the parents at the school. On October 10, you can check out the Il Gran Ballo: La Dolce Vita After Dark, a black-tie ball hosted at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in Union Square. The celebration will feature live music, and tickets are on sale now for $325.00.
You can learn more and buy tickets on the Italian Heritage Parade website.