Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays for countries that follow the lunar calendar. People from China, Vietnam, Korea, Tibet, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand celebrate the Lunar New Year. This year, the new year of the wood snake falls on Jan 29, 2025. As the Year of the Wood Snake begins, San Francisco’s Chinatown has come alive with colorful parades, cultural performances, and festivities to mark the Lunar New Year. Locals and tourists alike crowd the city over the next few weeks to celebrate one of the most awaited cultural events of the year, with traditions blending into modern-day expressions.
Official festivities will start on Saturday, Feb 15, with the Chinatown Community Street Fair. Visitors will be able to explore food stalls featuring traditional dishes like dumplings, rice cakes, and peking duck, alongside other local fusion dishes. The fair also showcases various artisanal crafts and merchandise, offering the perfect blend of old and new, with everything from traditional calligraphy to high-tech gadgets on display.
A crowd favorite, the Chinese New Year Parade, will return to the streets of San Francisco’s Chinatown on Saturday, Feb 16, drawing thousands of eager spectators who aim to see its famous floats, lion dancers, and the massive golden dragon that flows through the heart of the neighborhood.
San Francisco’s historic Chinatown will be alive with music and local performers, many in traditional costumes, showcasing their talents. The Golden Gate Lion Dance Association leads the parade, with performers showcasing their martial arts and acrobatic moves as part of the lion dance, bringing good luck for the year ahead.
The Asian Art Museum will also be holding events for the Lunar new year. On Sunday, Feb 2, LionDanceMe, a performance group once featured on America’s Got Talent, will be performing at the Asian Art Museum.