Photo by Kyle Adler

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DATE OF PARADE: Sunday, May 25, 2025

EARLY BIRD APPLICATION DEADLINE: Saturday, February 15, 2025 by 11:59 pm

LATE APPLICATION DEADLINE: Saturday, March 1, 2025 by 11:59 pm

DEFINITION OF A COMPARSA

A comparsa is an artistic, street theater performance group with its own theme, cast of dancers, musicians, other performers, with choreography, costumes, props, and floats. A comparsa creates a new theme for each annual Carnaval San Francisco. To express this theme a comparsa builds a new float, choreographs new dances, performs new music, and sews/buys new costumes. Comparsas must have at least 30 dance performers, not including volunteers. A community organization, local business, company, government agency, or political entity is not a comparsa.

JUDGING CATEGORIES

• Contemporary / World Fusion
• Traditional / Folkloric
• Brazilian
• Caribbean
• Children & Youth

PLACING (UPDATED)

*$700 to the 1st place winners of each category

*There will be no more OVERALL WINNERS.

• Contemporary / World Fusion: 1st, 2nd, 3rd

• Traditional / Folkloric: 1st, 2nd, 3rd

• Brazilian: 1st, 2nd, 3rd

• Caribbean: 1st, 2nd, 3rd

• Children & Youth: 1st, 2nd, 3rd

JUDGING CRITERIA (UPDATED)

* Overall Visual Impact has been REMOVED.

• Perpetual Motion

• Harmony/Balance of Form and Color

• Clarity of Theme

• Standout Costumes/Regalia

• Music

• Dance

• Carnaval Spirit

• Creativity and Authenticity

QUESTIONS OR INQUIRIES ABOUT THE PARADE

Arturo Carrillo, Parade Director: arturo@carnavalsf.org or

Marisol Melara, Comparsa Coordinator: parade@carnavalsf.org