A lively festival is returning to the Pilipinas Filipino Cultural District in San Francisco. The festival is a queer celebration, featuring art, live music, food, and more. The festival is in its fourth year and will take place on Friday, June 13, from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. The festival will span Mission Street between 4th and 5th Streets.
DJ NOODLES, a Bay Area native, is set to perform at the festival. You can also expect a drag showcase from John Fedellaga, who competed on the beloved Drag Race Philippines. Other activities and performances at the festival include a Filipinx DJ Showcase, a set from DJ JMenace, a Blindfolded Lumpia Eating Contest, and more. Local cooks can also enter the Adobo Showdown, a cooking contest with a $100 prize.
“Be Free is more than a festival—it’s a movement,” said Desi Danganan, Executive Director of Kultivate Labs. “It’s a powerful expression of Filipino pride and personal liberation, rooted in the cultural richness and resilience of our community. By blending celebration with social impact, Be Free is staking a claim for joy, resistance, and visibility in San Francisco.”
The festival will also have a market filled with local retail vendors, including Sunkissed Pinay, Malaya Botanicals, Homie SF, and more. Plus, you can expect food vendors like Hungry Crumbs, Ube Area, and more.
The festival is presented by Kultivate Labs in partnership with local production company Into the Streets. Kultivate is a nonprofit focused on economic and arts development in SF. Into the Streets has helped produce many public events in San Francisco, including the popular free block parties Downtown First Thursdays, Hoedown on Front Street, and more.
Be Free Festival is scheduled for Friday, June 13, and will take place on Mission Street between 4th and 5th. The festival is free and open to the public, offering live music, food, fun performances, and more. You can find more details about the festival here.