The Pistahan Parade kicks off the largest Filipino fair in the West Coast. The free 2-day outdoor event is fun for the entire family and features hands-on and authentic cultural experiences in 8 pavilions: Art, Culinary, Dance, Health, Heritage, Innovation, Sports and Tavern. The Pistahan is a showcase of folk dance groups, variety entertainers, emerging talents and headline artists. The Festival supports local artisans, food vendors, entrepreneurs and more, and it provides opportunities for guests to discover Philippine history, heritage and traditions.

The mission of the Filipino American Arts Exposition (FAAE) is to broaden awareness and deepen the understanding of Filipino heritage and traditions, to spark cultural pride and foster community empowerment.

The Pistahan Parade and Festival was founded by FAAE in 1994 after more than 4,000 Filipino families were displaced to accommodate the redevelopment of the Moscone Convention Center and the Yerba Buena Gardens Complex. The Pistahan was born out of the community's activism to honor and preserve the enduring legacy of the Filipino American community's struggles, triumphs and deep roots in SOMA Pilipinas: Filipino cultural heritage district. The Pistahan was the first outdoor event at the Yerba Buena Gardens and after 29 years, it continues to be a beacon of cultural preservation and celebration.