Chinese New Year in San Francisco 2023 - Everything You Need to Know

San Francisco is home to one of the most diverse cultures on Earth. Thanks to its booming tech industry, the city is home to a large Chinese community. As a result, the Chinese New Year is a festival that is widely celebrated across the city. During this time, one can expect to see large parts of San Francisco decked in Chinese lanterns and red decor, while street parades include floating dragons and intricate costumes. Here’s everything you need to know about how this festival is celebrated in the Bay City.

What is the Chinese New Year?

Most of us are familiar with the Gregorian Calendar, with 12 months across 365 days. The New Year most of us celebrate marks the start of this year, on the 1st of January. However, the Chinese Calendar is a lunisolar calendar that was followed by China until the early 20th century. It consists of 12 months, usually starting around the 3rd week of every Gregorian month. This calendar also follows a 12 year Chinese Zodiac cycle, with 2021 being observed as the ‘Year of the Ox’.

The Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the new Lunar Year. This festival is popularly known as the Spring Festival in the Chinese community. The day is marked by family reunions and gatherings, with a number of myths and customs being observed. It is also a popular time for shopping, with intricate gifts and Chinese goods being sold at discounted rates.

Dates for Chinese New Year 2023

Chinese New Year 2023 - January 22, 2023

Chinese New Year will be observed on the 22nd of January in 2023. The day is observed depending on when the New Moon appears between January 21st and February 20th.

How is Chinese New Year celebrated in San Francisco?

The festivities around Chinese New Year begin a week before the day of the New Year. The New Year Festival in Chinatown continues for two weeks after New Year’s Day, ending in the Lantern Festival. During this period, many Chinese residents fly back home to reconnect and spend time with their families. 

The New Year is welcomed by a display of fireworks. On this day, people visit the eldest members of their family and seek their blessings. On this day, sharp objects are avoided as they are believed to bring bad luck. Traditional delicacies are cooked on this day, with a feast called ‘weilu’ being organized in honor of their ancestors. The day is also marked by stunning parades in the street, with dancers, acrobats and floating dragons mesmerizing the crowds.

Red is mainly associated with the Chinese New Year. Houses are adorned with red paper lanterns, while people wear predominantly red clothes to mark the occasion. People also leave dried fruits and oranges outside their doorstep. This tradition is based on the belief that Nien, a mythical beast, would feast on the offerings and spare their homes from his wrath.

The Lantern Festival marks the end of the festivities, with beautifully adorned lanterns covered in ornate Chinese calligraphy and symbols. This marks the completion of half of the lunar cycle.

Best Places to Enjoy Chinese New Year Festivities in San Francisco

1. San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade

The San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade was established in 1851, and has since grown to become the largest of its kind outside of Asia. The festival runs for a period of two weeks and celebrates the Lantern parade with elements of the typical American parade. 

The parade begins around 5pm in the evening, starting from Market Street and ending at Chinatown. The nighttime parade itself is a stunning visual treat for the audience, with Chinese acrobats, lion dancers, floats and marching bands entertaining one and all. The highlight of the parade is the Grand Finale, where the Golden Dragon walks through the streets. The dragon is over 250 ft long, and consists of more than 100 men and women working in harmony to keep the dragon floating and moving. Guests are advised to bring ear protection due to the large number of fireworks being burst during the parade.

The festival has a number of supporting events through the course of the Chinese New Year, with food stalls and street vendors selling Chinese delicacies and handicrafts. Be sure to try out the dimsums or buy an intricate Chinese fan to remember this amazing festival.

2. Asian Art Museum of San Francisco

The museum has a scheduled list of performances and events commemorating the Chinese New Year. It is a great place for families with kids, with storytelling and demonstrations about the Zodiac animal thrilling the little ones. One can also participate in the lantern making events or try their hand at Chinese calligraphy, while learning more about the Chinese culture. On the day of the New Year, dances, traditional music and martial arts displays keep the crowds entertained.

3. Miss Chinatown USA

Miss Chinatown USA is an annual beauty pageant held for Chinese American women. The pageant attracts women from all across the country. The pageant consists of a number of quizzes and competitions to test their beauty, talent and fashion. The winner is crowned Miss Chinatown and receives a number of scholarships and prizes, while also earning a place in the Parade the following day.

4. San Francisco Beer Week

In honour of the Chinese New Year, the Beer Week has a special dim sum and beer brunch. Oe gets to taste the finest handmade craft beers of the city, while having tasty dim sums and other Chinese delicacies to snack on. Food lovers and beer connoisseurs must definitely not miss out on this rare opportunity!

If you’ve made up your mind to celebrate this festival the Chinese way, then pack your bags and head to San Francisco. Pick up your red costumes and practice saying ‘xin nian hao’, Chinese for Happy New Year in the mirror, and you are ready to celebrate Chinese New Year in San Francisco!