Chinatown’s Lunar New Year Parade 2025

Jessica Perez
Jessica Perez - Managing Editor 3 Min Read
Photo by Michael Warwick on Shutterstock

Join the excitement of San Francisco’s Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade 2025 on Feb. 15. Enjoy floats, dragons, and more!

Get ready for the excitement of San Francisco’s Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade! The much-anticipated parade will take place on February 15, 2025, bringing vibrant festivities to the heart of the city.

San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Parade has been a beloved tradition since 1851. It’s the oldest and largest celebration of its kind outside Asia. This event draws thousands of people every year, making it one of the city’s most popular cultural highlights.

What to Expect at the Chinese New Year Parade 2025

🗓️ Date: February 15, 2025
Time: Parade starts at 5 PM and lasts approximately 2.5 hours
📍 Location: Market, Geary, Post, and Kearny Streets in Chinatown

The parade features over 100 units, including colorful floats, lion dancers, firecrackers, and the newly crowned Miss Chinatown USA. A crowd favorite is the 288-foot-long Golden Dragon, carried by 180 people. If you want the best view, you can grab a spot along the route or purchase bleacher seats ($45-$75).

chinese new year 5
Photo by Aspect Photography, courtesy of CNY Festival & Parade

Community Street Fair and More Festivities

Don’t miss the Community Street Fair on February 15-16, 2025. Over 120 booths will line Washington, Jackson, Pacific, and Grant Avenues, offering handmade crafts, delicious food, and cultural performances. Enjoy Chinese folk dancing, opera, and drumming.

In addition to the parade, other exciting events include:

YMCA Chinatown Run: March 2, 2025

Flower Market Fair: January 25-26, 2025

Chinese New Year’s Day Ceremony: January 29, 2025

Basketball Jamboree: February 8, 2025

Miss Chinatown Pageant: February 14, 2025

Chinese New Year Parade route in SF.
Image from chineseparade.com

Tips for Attending the Parade

Thousands of people will attend, so public transportation is your best bet. Parking in Chinatown will be limited. The festival is proudly sponsored by Alaska Airlines and organized by the San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Celebrate the Year of the Snake in style by joining the parade and street fair. It’s an unforgettable experience for families and visitors of all ages!

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Managing Editor
Jessica is the senior editor leading CollegeUnified. Prior to this role, she spent nearly six years at the LA Times, first as assistant editor of the News Desk, then community editor of De Los, a Latinx vertical. She also worked as a digital producer at NBC Los Angeles, and spent a year as a fellow at USC Annenberg’s School of Journalism. She holds a degree in journalism from Cal State Long Beach. jessica.perez@collegeunified.com