Carnaval San Francisco returns to Mission District

Carnaval San Francisco is a steady tradition in the city, celebrating 39 years of music, dancing, food, drink and art.

Carnaval shuts down several city blocks in the Mission, offering a mostly volunteer-run, family-friendly, multicultural celebration of Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Cuba and other cultures.

The parade, led by Grammy-nominated percussionist John Santos and dancer Blanche Brown, begins at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, and the theme this year is “El Corazon de San Pancho — The Heart of San Francisco.”