Pardon our dust; we're working on a new installation that affects the Atrium and Floors 3, 4, and 5.
Free and open to the public; museum admission is not required.
RSVP encouraged.
Get ready to craft your very own parol, the iconic Filipino star lantern that lights up the holiday season with hope, blessings, and community spirit!
This workshop is designed for all ages, so bring the whole family. We’ll provide everything you need to build your own star-shaped lantern, which you can then proudly carry in SOMA Pilipinas’ 24th Annual Parol Lantern Festival on December 12, 2026!
Symbolizing hope, peace, joy, and light during the holiday season, the parol is the most visible symbol of the holiday season in the Philippines. Its glow carries a deeper meaning, too: in earlier times, a lantern hanging in a home’s open window was a signal of welcome, letting travelers know they’d find warmth and refuge inside. For Filipinos in San Francisco, the parol represents a shared heritage and ritual that brings the Filipino community together in the South of Market.
Come make something beautiful, learn a piece of Filipino tradition, and celebrate together as a community!
SOMA Pilipinas is officially recognized by the City of San Francisco and State of California as the center and cultural hub for the thriving Filipino community, culture, arts, and activism. SOMA Pilipinas’ mission is to stop the displacement of Filipino residents and cultural institutions, raise our visibility through cultural celebration and public art, and advance racial equity in solidarity with other communities.
