Celebrate the Lunar New Year with BARTable Festivities

The San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade is the largest celebration of its kind outside of Asia. Photo courtesy of SF Travel. 

Lunar New Year is on Jan. 29, but the festivities have already begun in the Bay Area. BARTable attractions include one of the best parades in the world, delicious dining spots, family-friendly activities and opportunities to learn more about the fascinating traditions and symbolism accompanying this special holiday. This year, there's no shortage of ways to welcome the Year of the Snake. Let's celebrate!

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Lunar New Year Events in the Bay Area 

Enjoy the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco's Chinatown. Photo courtesy of The Standard (Juliana Yamada).
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Flower Market Fair | Montgomery St

Head to the Flower Market Fair on Grant Ave. between Clay and Broadway on Jan. 25–26. Pick up a few things to ring in the new year. Flowers symbolize growth. Fruit, like oranges and tangerines, symbolize abundant happiness. Candies are the ideal treat to share with family and friends. With over 120 booths, there will be a lot to choose from. Plus, you’ll see traditional Chinese magicians and folk dancers while shopping 0.7 miles from Montgomery St. 

Chinese New Year Parade and Community Street Fair | Montgomery St

San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Parade is one of the city’s most famous events and the largest Lunar New Year celebration outside of Asia. The historic event dates back to 1851 and has been named one of the top ten parades in the world by the International Festivals & Events Association and USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Award. Starting just a few feet from Montgomery St at 2nd St. and Market St., you can expect many colorful floats, lively performers and noisy firecrackers. However, one of the main highlights is the over 200-foot-long Golden Dragon. The parade circles Union Square and ends at Kearny St. and Columbus Ave. Don't miss the BARTmobile during the parade on  Feb. 15. 

You can also head to Chinatown anytime that weekend for lively entertainment and plenty of concessions at the Community Street Fair. 

SF Symphony’s Lunar New Year concert | Civic Center/UN Plaza

The San Francisco Symphony is presenting its 25th annual Lunar New Year celebration on Feb. 8. Enjoy pre-concert lobby entertainment, and a concert inspired by Asian traditions, followed by a celebratory banquet 0.4 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza. 

More ways to celebrate Asian cultures all year long include visiting the Asian Art Museum, Chinatown walking tours, the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory and evenings at Chinatown night markets. 
 

The OMCA is one of many places to celebrate Lunar New Year in the East Bay. Photo courtesy of OMCA. 

Lunar New Year at Children’s Fairyland | 19th St/Oakland 

Children's Fairyland has three days of fun scheduled to celebrate the Year of the Snake. On Jan. 24, enjoy snacks and story time. On Jan. 25–26, indulge in a sampling of sweet treats and partake in arts and crafts. You can also learn how to lion dance before watching Cal's Vietnamese Student Association's performance. Exit BART at 19th St/Oakland. Children’s Fairyland is 0.6 miles away at 699 Bellevue Ave. 

Celebration at Jack London Square | 12th St/Oakland City Center

Lion dances, crafts and a martial arts presentation are just a few of the things to expect at this year’s Lunar New Year celebrations at Jack London Square. The free, family-friendly event on Feb. 1 will be held in the Plaza by Plank. Head to 12th St/Oakland City Center to join the festivities 0.6 miles away. 

OMCA’s 24th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration | Lake Merritt

Oakland Museum of California is hosting its annual Lunar New Year celebration on Feb. 8. Bring the whole family and find food from AAPI chefs, watch lion dance performances, create a hand puppet, decorate a red envelope and partake in special occasion gallery activities just steps from Lake Merritt. 

Lunar New Year Parade in Oakland’s Chinatown | Lake Merritt

The 3rd annual free and family-friendly Lunar New Year Parade in Oakland on Feb. 22 is quite the celebration. The parade starts at 11 a.m. at Wilma Chan Park (361 ft. from Lake Merritt). After the parade, the party will continue with live music, cultural performances and delicious dishes. 

Bay Area Lunar New Year happenings at your local library | Multiple

Library events, such as those at South San Francisco Public Library, are fun and educational. Photo courtesy of City of South San Francisco. 

Library events prove an effective way to learn about Lunar New Year traditions in various Asian cultures. Check out these Lunar New Year activities at SF Public Libraries. Several events run at the main library (steps from Civic Center/UN Plaza) and the Chinatown branch (0.8 miles from Montgomery St) The South San Francisco Library (0.8 miles from South San Francisco) also has a Lunar New Year celebration on Jan. 25. 

In the East Bay, Berkeley’s Central Library (0.2 miles from Downtown Berkeley) is planning a Lunar New Year Celebration on Feb. 8 with Leung's White Crane Lion Dancers, Cal's Vietnamese Student Association's performance and the Town Square Dance Troupe. San Leandro Library (0.6 miles from San Leandro) will also host a Year of the Snake event on Feb. 1. The Oakland Public Library Asian Branch (0.2 miles from 12th St/Oakland City Center) is another excellent resource with books on Asian heritage, history, immigration and much more. 

Dining this Lunar New Year in the Bay Area

Enjoy China Live's Lunar New Year offerings. Photo courtesy of SF Eater (Les Conrad). 

Food plays a very important role in Lunar New Year celebrations. It reflects cultural and family traditions and is often steeped in symbolism. Popular dishes include dumplings, longevity noodles, fish, spring rolls and so much more. Here are a just a few of our favorite BARTable eateries around the Bay Area to visit this new year. 

Mister Jiu's | Montgomery St

Kick off the Year of the Snake with Executive Chef Brandon Jew at Mister Jiu’s. The modern space in the heart of Chinatown offers a Californian take on Cantonese cuisine. A prix fixe menu is exclusive to reserved tables. Add family-style items, such as roast duck, to accompany your meal. An à la carte menu is also available for walk-in diners. Take BART to Montgomery St to find this Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant 0.5 miles away at 28 Waverly Place.

China Live | Montgomery St

Chef George Chen’s China Live offers a delicious selection of seasonal menus. Expect sustainable and farm-to-table dishes, like their Shen Jian Bao, Peking Duck and fried scallion bread. Also, on Jan. 31, celebrate Chinese New Year at China Live with Paul Gee, the first Chinese American vintner in Napa Valley. Enjoy heavy-passed appetizers and raise a glass of Gee's wine to toast the new year. Take BART to Montgomery St. China Live, which is 0.7 miles away at 644 Broadway.

New Dumpling | El Cerrito Plaza

This Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant near BART specializes in dumplings, but the appetizers, side dishes and soups are also fantastic. The presentation is as beautiful as the flavors. 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

Oakland’s Fortune Factory is the oldest fortune cookie maker in the Bay Area. Order ahead for store pickup and share with lucky loved ones this new year. Opt for the 2025 Lunar New Year cookies. They’re red and dipped in gold chocolate, which looks like real liquid gold. Take BART to 12th St/Oakland City Center for sweet treats 0.3 miles away at 261 12th St.

Peony Seafood Restaurant | 12th St/Oakland City Center

This dim sum and seafood restaurant in the heart of Oakland’s Chinatown has served Bay Area patrons for over 20 years. Their menu is extensive, and everything is made by hand using only fresh ingredients. Enjoy your meal 0.2 miles from 12th St/Oakland City Center at 388 9th St. 

What is your favorite BARTable Lunar New Year Event?

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