Italian Heritage Parade

Italian Heritage Parade

Sunday closest to October 12

Since 1869, the city of San Francisco has hosted the annual Italian Heritage Parade, one of the oldest such events in the United States. Originally begun as a way to honor the Italian-American community in San Francisco, the parade has grown to celebrate the October 12 birthday of Christopher Columbus as well.
The parade and many of the related festivities take place in the heavily Italian North Beach area of San Francisco. After services at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, the parade wends its way from Fisherman's Wharf down Columbus Avenue to Washington Square Park. Floats and marching bands from local community organizations make up the procession. Every year, young girls are chosen from the community to serve as Queen Isabella and her court, named after the Spanish queen who financed Columbus's historic expedition. Dressed in elaborate period costumes, the queen and her court preside over Columbus Day ceremonies throughout the city. The Italian Heritage Parade draws some 400,000 spectators each year.

CONTACTS:
Italian Heritage Parade
415-703-9888
www.sfcolumbusday.org

Celebration days: Oct 9, 2011; Oct 14, 2012; Oct 13, 2013; Oct 12, 2014; Oct 11, 2015