Lunar New Year is just around the corner, and SF is known for having weeks of wonderful celebrations to ring in the new year. San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Parade and Festival is one of the most iconic events on the city’s cultural calendar. The festival has been happening since 1851, making it the oldest and largest celebration of its kind outside of Asia.
What to know for the Chinese New Year Parade
🗓️ Date: SF’s Chinese New Year Parade is on Feb. 15, 2025. It usually starts around 5 pm and lasts 2.5 hours.
📍 Location: The parade will happen on Market, Geary, Post, and Kearny Streets in SF’s Chinatown.
While Chinatown is hosting events for the Lunar New Year starting this weekend with a massive flower market, the parade is typically one of the last events to close out the celebrations. The official day of the Lunar New Year is Wednesday, January 29, but you can look forward to several weeks of festivities.
The Chinese New Year Parade has a long history in San Francisco. It’s been named one of the top ten parades in the world by the International Festivals & Events Association and is the biggest Lunar New Year parade outside of Asia. Over 100 units usually take part, with elaborate floats and costumes, firecrackers, and the newly crowned Miss Chinatown USA. You can get a good view all along the parade route, but bleacher seats are also available, costing between $45-75.
In 2022, the parade added a brand-new 288-foot Golden Dragon (“Gum Lung”), carried by a team of 180 people. Several Lucasfilm-recognized STAR WARS™ costuming organizations also took part, and the parade closed with a spectacular 3-minute fireworks finale. At last year’s parade, comedian and actress Awkwafina made an appearance as the Grand Marshall.
Don’t forget to check out the Community Street Fair (Feb 15-16, 2025), with over 120 booths set up on Washington, Jackson, Pacific, and Grant Avenues. You can purchase excellent artisanal products and enjoy Chinese folk dancing, opera, drumming, and more. Plus, snap some photos with artifacts from the parade, including the giant puppets and dragon.
Do your best to take public transportation to the parade, as thousands of people are expected to show up, and street parking will be limited. The festival is sponsored by Alaska Airlines and hosted by the San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
More Lunar New Year festivities in SF’s Chinatown
Lunar New Year is on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Although San Francisco’s parade isn’t until February 15th, you can ring in the Year of the Snake with plenty of additional activities throughout the city, including the following events courtesy of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce:
- Jan. 25-26, 2025: Flower Market Fair
- Jan. 29, 2025: Chinese New Year’s Day Opening Ceremony
- Feb. 8, 2025: Basketball Jamboree
- Feb. 14, 2025: Miss Chinatown Pageant and Coronation Ball
- Feb. 15, 2025: Chinese New Year Parade
- Feb. 15-16, 2025: Community Street Fair
- Mar. 2, 2025: Chinatown YMCA Run
🌐 Learn more: ChineseParade.com