Thousands of spectators filled the streets of San Francisco’s downtown and Chinatown yesterday to watch the Chinese New Year Parade and celebrate the year of the horse.

Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu came back to her hometown, serving as the parade’s grand marshal. Starting at 2nd and Market streets, the parade followed its usual route wrapping around Union Square before turning down Kearny Street. Onlookers flooded barricades eager for a glimpse of the parade’s intricate floats, performances and costumes.

San Francisco District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar, as well as other local politicians such as District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan and State Senator Scott Wiener, both running for San Francisco’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, also made appearances in the parade. 

San Francisco honors the year of the horse during the 2026 Chinese New Year Parade downtown, with Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu serving as the parade’s grand marshal.

Participants take photos in a decorated cable car while gearing up for the start of the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco on Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Seamus Geoghegan / Golden Gate Xpress)