Year of the Dragon, Chinese New Year Parade

San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Parade is the largest parade to celebrate the Lunar New Year outside of Asia and one of the only night parades in North America.  

Although the parade starts at 5PM while it is still light out, once the sun sets and twilight turns to dusk, the illuminated floats “floating” down Market Street, 

the beat of the drum that precede the different lion dancing troupes, 

culminating with the explosion of firecrackers every few feet for the illuminated Golden Dragon (Gum Long) finale, it truly feels magical. 

 

Maybe it is because this is the Year of the Dragon, the only mythical animal in the Chinese Zodiac.  Representing power, prosperity, and good fortune, it is considered one of the most auspicious signs in the culture.  As the most revered of the 12 signs, it is believed dragons even have the ability to control natural elements including water and the weather. 

It makes me a believer as I cannot remember the last time the weather was this perfect for the parade.  Normally cold, wet, or both, this year saw a high of almost 70 degrees during the day that I was still in short sleeves at 8PM and there was not a cloud in the sky on this starry night.  Speaking of stars, with it so perfectly aligned, I could not resist staying for the live parade this year, only my second time, with my first 22 years ago. 

Like previous years when I had an affinity for the animal, like Year of the Rat since my parents are both born Year of the Rat and Year of the Tiger since I am a Tiger Girl, the plan was to come into the city before lunch so I can take pictures up close, at a leisurely pace of the floats lined up on Main Street, their pre-staging area.  

 

However, the floats are just a part of the parade.  From the start with the Grand Marshal Awkwafina this year, 

the cute kids from local Bay Area schools 

to the marching bands including my husband’s alma mater Cal Poly 

and lion dancing troupes including the SFPD’s with an 80-year-old police veteran under the head of one 

and lots and lots of dragons, 

the star of the year, I could not ask for anything more or so I thought.  

Excitement started coursing through my veins when I spotted the Thunder Valley float carrying new Miss Chinatown 2024 Miss Tara Wong Nash, 

as I knew that grand finale is right behind her.  Lion dancing, firecrackers, that new 288-feet Golden Dragon/Gum Long maneuvered by 180 members of White Crane, the lion dancing troupe that performed at my wedding all those years ago, the energy you feel experiencing it live is just unmatched.  It is so worth going deaf temporarily from those firecrackers to feel that vibration on the streets of San Francisco. 

It is no wonder, the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade is named one of the top ten parades in the world by the International Festivals and Events Association. 

For just a taste of what you can experience, check out my story highlights on IG:  @around_the_bay_and_away “CNY Parade”. 

Tip:  What I had learned from attending two previous SF Giants World Series parade, is stand at the beginning of the parade route.  The wait is shorter as it goes by first and after the parade ends, I can get out of the city quicker before traffic gets backed up with everyone leaving at the same time.  I was back home in the East Bay in half an hour.