Chinese New Year Parade 2025

Visit the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade to experience the ancient Asian tradition of celebrating the Lunar New Year, a practice over 3,500 years old!

For the curious, the Lunar New Year marks the start of a calendar year whose months are cycles of the moon, based on the lunar calendar.

Each year is represented by one of the 12 animals. This year marks the Year of the Snake! This holiday is the oldest and most important in China and is celebrated in countries like Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea!

Interestingly, over 2 billion people worldwide celebrate this holiday, including in San Francisco.

In the mid-1800s, many Chinese immigrants came to San Francisco, California, during the Gold Rush, bringing along their cultural traditions with them. This built up a sizeable Chinese community, forming the famous Chinatown district. In 1860, San Francisco's Chinese community organized the first parade to share their culture with non-Chinese neighbors and celebrate the Lunar New Year.

By the 1950s, the parade evolved into a significant citywide event organized by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco. International Festivals named it one of the top ten parades in the world!

The Parade, which will occur on February 15, is part of a longer Chinese New Year Festival that will last from January 25 to March 2. Join us for this biggest parade celebrating the lunar new year outside of Asia, which is also one of the few remaining night-illuminated parades in North America!

What to Expect When Attending Chinese New Year Parade 2025

The grand parade starts at 5:15 PM at 2nd and Market Streets, weaves its way through Chinatown and ends at Jackson and Kearny Streets. The parade route is approximately 1.3 miles long and ends around 8 PM.

The day before the parade, the Miss Chinatown USA Pageant, an annual beauty pageant held for Chinese American women, takes place. The pageant celebrates Chinese-American culture, community, and tradition while providing young women opportunities for personal growth and leadership!

On the day of the parade, expect colorfully decorated floats with lanterns, flowers, and other symbols of good fortune. Many of them will present the year’s theme of the Chinese zodiac.

Traditional lion dancers will perform acrobatic movements to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck! One of the parade's highlights, and a crowd favorite, is the Gum Lung or Golden Dragon, which stretches over 268 feet. It is carried by more than 100 martial arts performers!

Don't miss the opportunity to see the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade. Nowhere else will you see more gorgeous floats, ferocious lions, elaborate costumes, exploding firecrackers, and much more!

You can expect mild and rainy days during February. Daytime temperatures will likely range from 59-60°F (15-16°C), while nighttime lows could drop to around 46-47°F (7-8°C). Dress in layers, bring an umbrella, and enjoy this day!

Tickets

The parade is a free event, although tickets for special bleacher seats are available. The cost ranges from $45 to $75 per ticket.

Security Protocols

• The police and security will be present to check bags, patrol the streets, and respond to any emergency.
• Medical tents will be located along the route if someone needs medical help.
• Prohibited items include large bags or heavy luggage, drones, alcohol, and dangerous objects.

How to Get To or From the Event

The event takes place at different venues, such as Chinatown and Union Square. Here's how to reach them:

• BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit): Get off at Montgomery Street Station or Powell Street Station. From there, you'll have to take a short walk to the parade route.
• Muni Buses and Metro: Take the underground lines (J, K, L, M, N, T) to Powell Street Station or Montgomery Station. Bus lines such as 1-California, 8-Bayshore, 30-Stockton, or 45-Union/Stockton service the Chinatown and Union Square areas.
• Car: If driving, be aware of heavy traffic and road closures. You can park in Union Square Garage, Sutter-Stockton Garage, and Portsmouth Square Garage (close to Chinatown). The spots fill up quickly, so use apps like SpotHero to secure a spot ahead of time.

Chinese New Year Parade 2025 Bag Policy

The event doesn't have a bag policy publicly posted, but since this is a huge event, all attendees are encouraged not to bring larger bags or backpacks.

There's no space to store luggage at the venues, so feel free to contact Bounce, which offers a convenient and affordable solution for storing belongings!

Our platform will provide you with a perfect spot for leaving your luggage. We partner with local businesses, with 13,000 locations for storing your luggage in more than 2000 cities, and San Francisco is one of them!

Check our website or use our mobile app, and contact us!

Chinese New Year Parade 2025 Bag Storage

Store Your Bags With Bounce and Celebrate the Chinese New Year Parade

A Bounce partner offers you the assistance you need!

After checking out San Francisco contact a Bounce partner, who will help you book a secure place to drop off your belongings.

For only $4.10 per day, no cancellation fee, and 24/7 support, you can relax and experience something unique and festive!

How to Stow Your Bag at Chinese New Year Parade 2025 With Bounce

• Find a desirable location, contact a Bounce partner, and pay online.
• Go to the chosen location and leave your luggage.
• Have fun at the Chinese New Year Parade!

How to Make the Most Out of Chinese New Year Parade 2025

• Visit Chinatown: Stroll through Chinatown during the day to enjoy street performances, shopping, and traditional foods, like dumplings, longevity noodles, or spring rolls!
• Visit cultural booths: Many events feature booths with crafts, Chinese calligraphy demonstrations, and zodiac readings—activities that the whole family will find interesting!
• Take memorable photos: Bring your camera or smartphone to take pictures and videos of this unique New Year celebration! Capture the special moments with your loved ones!
• Explore the Asian Art Museum: The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco is one of the premier institutions for Asian art and culture in the world! To get into the spirit of the parade, look for artifacts, pieces, and exhibitions depicting Chinese culture.

Come to San Francisco and store your luggage with Bounce! The Lunar New Year Parade will bring you a look into the mix of Asian culture and San Francisco tradition, offering a perfect day to create beautiful memories!