Lunar New Year 2025 Parade & Events

Flower Market Fair

The Flower Market Fair for Chinese New Year takes place on the weekend prior to the holiday on January 25 and 26. Located on Grant Street between Clay and Broadway, this vibrant market is the perfect spot to buy fresh flowers, fruits, candies, and new home essentials to welcome the lunar new year. Enjoy performances from traditional Chinese magicians, acrobats, folk dancers, and opera artists while taking in the scents of Spring.

Chinese New Year Parade

One of the grandest nighttime illuminated parades in the U.S., the parade started in the 1860s and has grown to be one of the largest celebrations of Asian culture in this hemisphere. Parade highlights include elaborate floats, lion dancers, folk dancers, costumed school groups, marching bands, stilt walkers, Chinese acrobats and a 268-foot-long Golden Dragon.

This year's parade will be held on February 15 and will start on Second and Market streets. If this is your first parade, bleacher seats might be a good suggestion. Crowds are extremely dense along the parade route. If you opt for the standing room option, be sure to stake out your spot well before parade time. Arriving between 3:30 and 4 p.m. is recommended. Ear plugs are suggested for all ages; firecrackers are an integral part of the parade. Parking south of Market St. is usually easier; garages in Union Square will be impacted by crowds and street closures. Muni and BART are excellent options to get to and from the parade. And bring an umbrella. It will often rain on the parade, and it is considered good luck, so everyone takes it in stride.

Chinatown Street Fair

The San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce will host a two-day Chinese Community Street Fair, February 15 and 16, with activities and entertainment for all ages. Enjoy Chinese folk dancing, opera, drumming and much more at the entertainment stage in the heart of San Francisco Chinatown. The fair will run on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Events at Edge on the Square

Edge on the Square will present different curated activities to celebrate the Lunar New Year. To welcome in the Year of the Snake, they will be offering a selection of art activations on February 24 and 25 at 800 Grant Avenue. They will also be hosting a series of free, public workshops with local artisans on February 15 and 16:

Artisanal Candy Making with Dragon Papa 

Dragon's Beard Candy, a 2,000-year-old artisan Chinese dessert, traces its origins back to the Han Dynasty, where it was served to Chinese royalty. Its name is derived from the thin, feathery threads that cling to the chin when consumed, resembling a dragon's beard. Dragon Papa will be demonstrating how to recreate this delectable treat. 

Red Envelope Paper Art-Making by Jade Wu 

Jade Wu is a recognized artist specializing in red-envelope art, celebrated as the Creative Red Envelope Lantern and Fans Competition Champion and Outstanding Overseas Chinese Honoree. Her work includes community-centered teaching, offering red-envelope art workshops at schools and senior centers, and designing annual Lunar New Year decorations for the California State Building.

Screen Printing with City Studio 

City Studio is an intergenerational art project that fosters creativity and community growth. Run by artists and educators Amy Berk and Chris Treggiari, City Studio works to bring activism and art to youth in the Bay Area while bridging communities through public art projects. They will conduct printmaking activities as, hopefully, a connection point to fellow youth, artists, and community. 

Concerts and Performances

Beijing Guitar Duo

San Francisco's St. Regis Hotel, in partnership with Festival Napa Valley, will host an intimate concert with the acclaimed Beijing Guitar Duo on Thursday, February 6. The show begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are now on sale, and attendees gain access to an exclusive overnight hotel rate!

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NightLife at California Academy of Sciences

On January 30, the California Academy of Sciences' weekly NightLife event will delve into Lunar New Year traditions. Experience the mahjong mayhem, night market thrills, tattoos by Parallax Studio and lion dance remix.

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San Francisco Symphony

Bring in the Lunar New Year with the San Francisco Symphony on February 8. The concert, conducted by Francesco Lecce-Chong, draws from a wide range of Asian traditions, and showcases vibrant artists and music to celebrate the holiday.

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Miss Chinatown USA Pageant

Each year, more than a dozen women from around the U.S. compete for the title of Miss Chinatown U.S.A. This year's pageant will be held on February 14 at the Regency Ballroom on 1300 Van Ness Avenue. Cocktail hour begins at 4:30 p.m., then a celebratory dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the pageant and coronation ball to follow at 6:30 p.m.

Chinatown YMCA Run

Celebrating its 47th anniversary, the Chinatown YMCA CCHP Lunar New Year Run offers participants a chance to navigate the historic and hilly streets of San Francisco's Chinatown. Runners can enjoy the rich architecture, aromas, and lively sounds of this vibrant community. The run will take place March 2, at 8:00 a.m. from the corner of Grant Avenue and Sacramento Street. 

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