Happy Lunar New Year! It's almost time to welcome the Year of the Tiger, and Hoodline has rounded up some of the best events in San Francisco and Oakland to mark the occasion.
As always, check health and safety guidance, and confirm event details ahead of time. If you prefer not to attend in-person activities, you'll also find details below on how to watch the San Francisco parade on TV, as well as information about virtual Lunar New Year programming from the Oakland Asian Cultural Center.
EVENTS IN SAN FRANCISCO
Celebrate the Year of the Tiger in Thrive City, Fri., Jan. 28, 5-8 p.m.
Free, family-friendly Lunar New Year Celebration. Live entertainment, arts and crafts station where guests can create lanterns, and a Good Fortune Tiger statue, part of the San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival's art project, which is temporarily placing six life-sized tiger statues, designed and hand-painted by local artists, around the city. Guests are encouraged to dress in traditional attire that celebrates their heritage and participate in a photo opportunity. RSVP. Info: www.chasecenter.com/thrivecity/events/lunar-new-year-celebration-20220128
San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival Mini-Procession, Sat., Jan. 29. 10:30 a.m.
Get a preview of the main parade with a mini-procession that will start from historic St. Mary’s Square, follow the original parade route down Grant Ave. and proceed to the Flower Fair’s main stage on Pacific St. below Grant. The procession will include lion dancers, giant walking puppets, costumed stilt walkers, drummers, and dancers. Followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick off the festival, at the main stage on Pacific between Grant and Kearny.
Chinese New Year Festival Flower Market Fair, Sat., Jan. 29 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., Jan. 30, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Traditional new year items including oranges, tangerines, flowers, plants, and other auspicious foods for sale from over 120 booths and concessions. Traditional Chinese entertainment such as Chinese Opera, lion dancing, traditional Chinese magicians, acrobats, and folk dancers on stage both days. Location: Grant Ave. from Sacramento to Broadway on Saturday; Washington, Jackson and Pacific between Stockton and Kearny on Sunday. Information: chineseparade.com/flower-market-fair/
Chinese Community Street Fair Sat., Feb. 19 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. & Sun., Feb. 20, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Before the main parade, and the day after, the street fair will feature shopping t over 100 booths and concessions, plus entertainment like Chinese folk dancing, opera, drumming, and more at the entertainment stage on Pacific St. below Grant. Photo opportunities with the parade's giant puppets and other artifacts. Location: Grant Ave. from California to Broadway on Saturday; Washington, Jackson and Pacific between Stockton and Kearny on Sunday. Information: chineseparade.com/community-fair/
San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade, Sat., Feb. 19, 5:15-8 p.m.
The crown jewel of local celebrations, the San Francisco parade was started in the 1860s by the city's Chinese community and has grown to be among the world's biggest, named one of the top ten parades in the world by the International Festivals and Events Association. This year's return to in-person celebrations will include actor Daniel Wu serving as Grand Marshall to light the opening firecrackers, swashbuckling Star Wars costumes, and a closing firework display. The parade runs from Market and Second to Kearny and Jackson. Free, but bleacher tickets are available for sale, $38-$65. Information: chineseparade.com
Note: If you're avoiding crowds or just can't make the live event, you can also watch it on TV: KTSF 26 (Chinese) on Sun., Feb. 20, 6-8 p.m.; KTVU Fox 2 (English) on Feb. 26, 6-8 p.m.; KTVU Plus (English) on Feb. 27, 9-11 a.m. or 5-7 p.m.
EVENTS IN OAKLAND
Jack London Square Lunar New Year Celebration, Sat., Jan. 29, 1-3 p.m.
Lion dancers, demonstrations by martial artists, mask-making craft for kids, Year of the Tiger selfie photo opportunities, and giveaways. Located in Jack London Square, in the plaza by Plank. Free and open to the public; no pre-registration required. Information: jacklondonsquare.com/event/Lunar-New-Year-Celebration/2145557694/
Lunar New Year Celebration by Oakland Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce, Sat., Jan. 29, 1-4 p.m.
The Oakland Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce is hosting a small celebration with music, fashion, cultural activities, and traditional foods like sticky rice cake and gingered fruit, plus lucky red envelopes for the kids. At Clinton Park in Oakland. Information: www.facebook.com/events/1096956981114930/
Oakland Asian Cultural Center Virtual Lunar New Year Celebration, Feb. 5, 11 & 12
OACC will celebrate Lunar New Year with three days of virtual content highlighting Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other cultural traditions and art forms connected to the Lunar New Year holiday to complement its in-person festival. Feb. 5: virtual kick-off with dance and music; Feb. 11: virtual food and art demos; Feb. 12: virtual stories and cultural presentations. Information: oacc.cc/event/oacc-apny-2022/
Oakland Asian Cultural Center Lunar New Year Celebration, Sun., Feb. 6
In-person Lunar New Year Celebration at OACC, 388 9th St. #290, Oakland. Masks and proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test result required. Information: oacc.cc/event/oacc-apny-2022/
