Many are celebrating the Lunar New Year over the next few weeks. The holiday is marked by family, colorful performances, fireworks and cultural traditions.
From parades to marketplaces and art exhibitions, here’s a list of scheduled events to celebrate the Lunar New Year in the Bay Area.
Did we miss any events? If you want us to add an event to this list, please email us at newstips@nbcbayarea.com.
Time and Date: Parade begins at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 7
Address: The parade starts at Second and Market streets, goes around Union Square and ends at Kearny Street and Columbus Avenue in San Francisco. The parade route will cover approximately 1.3 miles and is free to watch. You can also purchase tickets for bleacher seats.
The iconic San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade returns to the heart of San Francisco, an annual event that has been going on since the 1860s. Eileen Gu, Olympic gold medalist and San Francisco native, will be the Grand Marshall of the parade.
Details for other San Francisco events surrounding the Lunar New Year, like the community street fair and Miss Chinatown USA pageant, can be found at this calendar of events.
Visit chineseparade.com for more information.
Now that Super Bowl is in the rearview mirror, San Francisco is ramping up for Lunar New Year festivities. Christie Smith reports.
Time and Date: Begins 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19
Address: Cal Academy of Sciences (55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco)
Welcome in the Year of the Horse at the Cal Academy of Sciences, featuring LED lion dances, fortune tellers and a night market. Also enjoy a special performance by Frankie Fictitious. This event is 21+.
Visit calacademy.org for more information.
Time and Date: Begins 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19
Address: Pier 15 Embarcadero (Green St, San Francisco)
Experience multicultural Lunar New Year traditions through lion dance, traditional crafts and mahjong to celebrate the Year of the Horse. Also watch the Chung Ngai Dance Troupe perform throughout the Exploratorium’s galleries. This event is 18+.
Visit exploratorium.edu for more information.
Time and Date: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21 and Sunday, Feb. 20
Address: Eastridge Center (2200 Eastridge Loop, San Jose)
UStar Productions will host the largest Vietnamese Lunar New Year for Tết Festival 2026, featuring attractions ranging from live performances to carnival rides. Guests can also indulge in food booths and support local businesses for the three-day celebration.
Visit sanjose.org for more information.
Time and Date: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21
Address: 377 Santana Row, San Jose
Enjoy lion dances, cultural performances, arts & crafts and more to ring in the Year of the Horse in Santana Row Park. You can also pick up a surprise red envelope with gifts and offers at Sugarfina Santana Row. This event is also hosted by NBC Bay Area.
Visit santanarow.com for more information.
Time and Date: Begins at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21
Address: Thrive City (1725 3rd St, San Francisco)
Experience Lunar New Year with family-friendly activities and food from Dumpling Time and Boba Guys. Watch cultural performances from LionDanceMe, Nguyen Dance Company and Korean Culture Center Urisawe Drum Performance.
Visit chasecenter.com for more information.
Time and Date: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21
Address: Oakland Museum of California (1000 Oak Street, Oakland)
Enjoy a full day of celebrations at the OCMA during their 25th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration. The event will feature live performances, family-friendly storytelling, hands-on activities, local food from AAPI chefs and ways to support AAPI artisans. This includes a performance from Oakland native seiji oda who will perform on the Garden Stage. Guests can also participate in K-pop dance lessons, wishing trees and zodiac quests.
One ticket includes access to OMCA galleries and special exhibits, including Good Fire: Tending Native Lands and Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain.
Visit museumca.org for the full schedule and more information.
Time and Date: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22
Address: City Center Bishop Ranch (6000 Bollinger Canyon Rd Suite 2650, San Ramon)
Catch an afternoon of vibrant cultural performances and festive displays to celebrate the Year of the Horse at City Center Bishop Ranch. Visitors can enjoy traditional Chinese dance performances, lion dance and a kung fu demonstration.
Time and Date: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28
Address: Courthouse Square (2200 Broadway, Redwood City)
Celebrate Lunar New Year and enjoy lion dancing, martial arts and taiko drum performances. The 15th annual celebration will also feature arts and crafts for kids. Visitors can enjoy free admission to the San Mateo County History Museum throughout the day.
Visit redwoodcity.org for more information.
Time and Date: 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28
Address: Davies Symphony Hall (201 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco)
SF Symphony’s annual Lunar New Year concert will feature traditional and modern performances drawing on Asian traditions. There is also a banquet that follows after the concert.
Visit sfsymphony.org for more information.
Time and Date: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28
Address: Wilma Chan Park (198 Seventh St., Oakland)
Celebrate the Year of the Horse during the parade, featuring cultural performances, traditional lion dances and live music. After the parade, enjoy more live performances, music and local food vendors.
Visit visitoakland.com for more information.
Time and Date: 8 a.m. Sunday, March 2
Address: Starts on Grant Avenue, finishing at Kearny Street in San Francisco
Participants will run through San Francisco’s bustling and historic Chinatown for the 48th annual run. Proceeds from the event will support youth and teen programs for Chinatown YMCA’s programs.
For more information, visit ymcasf.org.