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Cesar Chavez Holiday: Details for the 2024 Parade & Celebration
by Jill Loeffler •
Updated: February 8, 2024
The annual Cesar Chavez Parade and Festival is on Saturday, April 13, 2024 in San Francisco. Highlights for the day include a parade and street fair in SF's Mission District.
This annual festival commemorates the life and work of the labor and civil rights leader, Cesar E. Chavez.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
Overview of Cesar Chavez's Contributions
Early on in life, Chavez noticed unfair work practices for farmer and migrant workers. As he grew up, he knew he wanted to do something about it.
In 1962, he founded the National Farm Workers Association (later known as the United Farm Workers or UFW).
With this union, workers had support in the fight to improve their working conditions.
The union grew slowly at first.
However, with Chavez's tireless leadership, the union grew to more than 50,000 members by 1970. It's still one of the most active unions today.
Cesar Chavez Holiday Parade
The parade for the Cesar Chavez Holiday Festival assembles at 10 am in Dolores Park at 19th and Dolores Streets, and officially kicks off at 11 am.
The parade makes it way from Dolores Park to the street fair in the heart of the Mission at 24th Street and Folsom/Bryant Streets.
Street Fair Details
This year's street fair is from 11 am to 6 pm. All activities will take place on 24th Street between Folsom and Bryant.
All afternoon, you can enjoy music, dancing, and sidewalk sales with local vendors. This year's event also features two live music stages.
Dozens of artists will display their unique pieces as well throughout the festival.
Entry to the festival is free.
Getting to the Parade & Festival
It's easy to get to SF's Mission District. Here are your best options:
- From Union Square: The easiest way to get here from Union Square is to take the underground BART train from Powell Station. Get off at the 24th Street Station in the Mission and head east to the festival. You will cross both Van Ness and Folsom Streets to reach it.
- From Fisherman's Wharf: From Fisherman's Wharf, take the F streetcar from Jones and Beach to 2nd and Montgomery. From here, take the underground BART train to the festival (following the direction above from Union Square).
- From Civic Center: You can also take the BART train from the Civic Center District to the Cesar Chavez Holiday Festival. Pick it up at the Civic Center Station and head south to the 24th Street Station.
Here are some tips for those coming from outside SF:
- From the East Bay: If you are coming in from the East Bay, I also recommend BART. Parking in the district can be tough, so taking the train in is easier than driving.
- From the North Bay: From the North Bay, I recommend taking the express Golden Gate 101 Bus. Take it to the Civic Center (hop out at Hyde & Grove) and walk to the Civic Center BART Station. Take BART to the 24th Street stop and you will find the festival just three city blocks east.
- From the Peninsula & the South Bay: BART is also your best bet from the Peninsula or the South Bay. Drive to the Millbrae station and then take BART to the 24th Street Station in the Mission.
Parking Options for Those Driving
If you decide to drive, you might get lucky and find street parking in this district on a Saturday afternoon. However, you will most likely need to park your car in a garage.
Click here for some of the best places to park in SF's Mission District.
Where to Stay
If you are interested in staying near the festival, you will find a few nice lodging options right in the Mission. Many are smaller boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts.
Click here to find a list of hotel recommendations for the Mission.
Other Great Pages
Cherry Blossom Festival: Another popular April festival in San Francisco is the Cherry Blossom Festival. This annual event celebrates the official start to spring as the cherry trees start to bloom.
Other SF Festivals and Street Fairs: Each weekend in SF, you will find a fun festival or street fair. They range from the Cesar Chavez Holiday Festival to the large North Beach Street Fair in June. Click the link above for this year's schedule.
Mission San Francisco de Asis: The oldest building in San Francisco stands on the western side of the Mission District. If you have an extra hour or so before the festival, I recommend stopping by for a visit. This mission was built in the late 1700s and is a gorgeous display of California's famous missions.
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