Ring in the Lunar New Year With BARTable Celebrations
San Francisco's Chinese New Year Parade is one of the largest outside of Asia. Photo courtesy of chineseparade.com.
The Year of the Horse starts on February 17, and festivities around the world—including in the Bay Area—have already begun. Popular New Year's events include parades (BART will be at both the Oakland Lunar New Year Parade and the San Francisco Chinese New Year’s Parade!), delicious dining spots, activities for all ages and opportunities to learn more about Asian history and culture. Here’s your BARTable guide to celebrating Lunar New Year in the Bay Area.
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Early Lunar New Year celebrations in the Bay Area
San Francisco's Chinatown. Photo courtesy of the San Francisco Planning Department.
Over the years, Lunar New Year celebrations have transformed Bay Area neighborhoods into lively hubs of food, music, parades and community pride. One of the most popular, the San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival & Parade, can trace its roots to the 1860s, when Chinese immigrants first shared vibrant customs with the city. Originally a small community procession along what is now Grant Avenue, the parade has grown into a world-renowned celebration and is now one of the largest Lunar New Year festivities outside Asia, drawing millions of spectators to Chinatown each year. We’ll dive into the historic parade and more BARTable Lunar New Year events below.
Lunar New Year events in the Bay Area
Don't miss the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of sfgov.com.
Flower Market Fair | Feb. 14 & 15 | Montgomery St
The Flower Market Fair on Grant Ave. between Clay and Broadway will be held on February 14 and 15. The colorful concessions will be a must-stop for all things you need to welcome in the new year. Think flowers, which symbolize growth; fruit, which symbolize happiness; and candies to share—all just 0.7 miles from Montgomery St.
Celebration at Jack London Square | Feb. 21 | 12th St/Oakland City Center
On February 21, head to Oakland’s Jack London Square for lion dances, a martial arts presentation and kids’ crafts. The free, family-friendly event will be held in the Plaza by Plank. The event runs from 1 to 3 p.m. and has free giveaways (while supplies last). Exit BART at 12th St/Oakland City Center to join the festivities 0.6 miles away.
OMCA’s 25th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration | Feb. 21 | Lake Merritt
Oakland Museum of California is hosting its annual Lunar New Year celebration on Feb. 21. The party runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Festival access starts at 11 a.m. and activities and performances start at noon. Watch lion dance performances, enjoy food from local AAPI chefs or take a K-pop dance class. Whatever you decide to do, have fun at OMCA’s Lunar New Year celebration, just steps from Lake Merritt.
SF Symphony’s Lunar New Year concert | Feb. 28 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
The San Francisco Symphony is celebrating the Year of the Horse with its annual Lunar New Year event at Davies Symphony Hall on Feb. 28. This year, Mei-Ann Chen leads the orchestra, which includes Asian composers Chen Ge Xin, Tyzen Hsiao, An-Lun Huang, Che-Yi Lee, and Huan-Zhi Li. Enjoy the show, just 0.4 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.
Lunar New Year Parade in Oakland’s Chinatown | Feb. 28 | Lake Merritt
The annual Lunar New Year Parade in Oakland is free and family-friendly. Join the fun on Feb. 28! The parade starts at 11 a.m. at Wilma Chan Park (361 ft. from Lake Merritt), but stick around after. There will be lots of live music, cultural performances and culinary delights.
Chinese New Year Parade and Community Street Fair | Mar. 7 | Montgomery St
Starting just a few feet from Montgomery St at 2nd St. and Market St., San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Parade is one of the city’s favorite New Year's events. In fact, it’s the largest Lunar New Year celebration outside of Asia. Here, you can expect illuminated floats, dancers, marching bands and acrobats. However, the main highlight is the over 268-foot-long Golden Dragon. Don’t miss the fun (or the appearance by BART) on March 7. Bonus: Olympic gold medalist Ailing "Eileen" Gu will be the parade grand marshal.
Bay Area Lunar New Year happenings at your local library | Multiple
Public libraries across the Bay Area host Lunar New Year programs that offer opportunities to learn about many traditions from Asian cultures. These events often include lion dance performances and fun, family-friendly activities. All ages can also explore books and resources on Asian history, immigration, and heritage. Check out these Lunar New Year activities at multiple SF Public Libraries. In the East Bay, explore Berkeley’s Central Library (0.2 miles from Downtown Berkeley), San Leandro Library (0.6 miles from San Leandro) and the Oakland Public Library Asian Branch (0.2 miles from 12th St/Oakland City Center).
How to celebrate Asian culture in the Bay Area all year long
Enjoy the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of the Asian Art Museum.
Beyond Lunar New Year, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Asian cultures year-round in the Bay Area. You can start by visiting the Asian Art Museum, exploring San Francisco’s Chinatown on foot on a Chinatown walking tour, and learning how fortune cookies are made at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. You can also catch live performances, cultural festivals, and food pop-ups across the Bay Area or spend evenings browsing Chinatown night markets in Oakland or SF for late-night bites.
Dining this Lunar New Year in the Bay Area
Dine on dumplings at Yank Sing. Photo courtesy of SFGate (Blair Heagerty).
Popular Lunar New Year dishes include dumplings, longevity noodles, fish and spring rolls. While you can find these Asian dishes (and so much more) throughout the Bay—especially in neighborhoods like San Francisco's Chinatown, the Mission District, the East Bay's Oakland Chinatown and Downtown Berkeley—here are just a handful of our favorite BARTable Asian eateries.
New Dumpling | El Cerrito Plaza
This Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant near BART is a great choice if you're craving dumplings. However, while they do specialize in dumplings, the rest of their menu is equally impressive. Don’t skip appetizers, side dishes and soups. Take BART to El Cerrito Plaza. The fresh dumplings are waiting 0.3 miles away at 10064 San Pablo Ave.
Fortune Factory | 12th St/Oakland City Center
Want to check out the oldest fortune cookie maker in the Bay Area? The Year of the Horse is the perfect time to visit Oakland’s Fortune Factory. Plan ahead and order for store pickup. The Happy Horse Gift Set includes a lucky red envelope, a trio cookie box and an enamel pin! Take BART to 12th St/Oakland City Center for sweet treats 0.3 miles away at 261 12th St.
Yank Sing | Embarcadero and Montgomery St
Yank Sing is known for their yummy dumplings and traditional Cantonese classics. With two downtown locations convenient to BART, it’s a go-to for refined Chinese fare. Perfect for brunch, lunch, or a celebratory meal. Head to 101 Spear St. (0.2 miles from Embarcadero) or 49 Stevenson St. (0.1 mile from Montgomery St).
R&G Lounge | Montgomery St
This Chinatown institution has served authentic Cantonese cuisine since 1985. Known for seafood, roasted meats and classic dishes, R&G Lounge’s salt-and-pepper Dungeness crab and Peking duck are especially popular, especially for special occasions. During the Year of the Horse, don’t skip R&G Lounge. You'll find it 0.4 miles from Montgomery St at 631 Kearny St.
What is your favorite BARTable Lunar New Year Event?
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