When is the Chinese New Year Parade?
The San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade, celebrating the Year of the Horse, will be on Saturday, March 7, 2026 and starts at 5:15 PM from 2nd and Market St. It is a free event for all to attend but tickets must be purchased to sit in the bleacher sections.
What is the Parade Route?
The parade starts off at 2nd and Market Streets, goes around Union Square and ends at Kearny Street & Columbus Ave. The distance of the parade route is approximately 1.3 miles. The parade is a free event for all to attend and you may stand anywhere on the parade route, behind the barricades, to watch the parade. The following map also shows the location of crossing points through the parade route. These areas can be used to safely cross the parade route but must be kept clear for emergency personnel. Please do not stand in these areas to watch the parade. In order to maintain the flow of the parade, Local law enforcement and parade personnel will instruct guests when it will be safe to cross over. Please follow their instructions. If you have purchased a bleacher ticket, and we highly recommend you do, the following map also shows the locations of your bleacher areas.
How can one participate in the Chinese New Year Parade?
If your organization is interested in participating in the parade, please contact the parade office using the contact form at: https://chineseparade.com/#contact
Where is the best place to view the parade and what time should we arrive?
The entire parade route is an excellent place to view the parade but it does get more crowded as you get closer to Chinatown. If you purchased bleacher tickets, we strongly encourage you to check-in to your assigned section by 4:00 PM. Please note that SFPD will begin closing streets around 3pm and we are not responsible for any delays this may cause you to arrive to your assigned bleacher section on time.
How do I purchase bleacher seats?
We have partnered with Eventeny to provide digital tickets to our attendees. The cost ranges from $45 – $75 per ticket. Tickets will be e-mailed to you or available within your Eventeny App for your mobile device (All ticket sales are final and are non-refundable).
Bleacher ticket sales will begin October 1.
Where are the Bleachers located?
Section A is located at Kearny Street (between Washington & Jackson Streets)
Section B is located at Kearny Street (between California & Sacramento Streets)
Section C is located at Post St. (between Grant Ave and Kearny Streets)
Section E is located at Geary St (between Stockton and Powell Streets)
Every bleacher ticket will have an assigned location and you may sit anywhere you like within your assigned location. Due to the early street closures by law enforcement and the crowds which build up, please try to be near your Bleacher Section area by 4:00 pm.
Important: Your receipt will not permit you to sit in the bleachers, you must present your ticket (QR-Code) at a Check-In station and you will be given a badge to display while you sit within the bleacher areas.
Where are the Wheelchair and Accessible Seating locations?
Designated Accessible Seating and Wheelchair Parking areas will be available both outside the parade route barricades, alongside the general public, and within the bleacher sections. However, Accessible Seating in the bleacher section requires a bleacher ticket purchase.
Do I need to purchase a bleacher ticket for my child?
Children 2 and under are free but must sit on the lap of a caregiver with a valid bleacher ticket.
What items are prohibited at the parade?
This is a public event, and we ask that you comply with all local laws and regulations regarding prohibited items, such as weapons, firearms, explosives, and drones. Additionally, out of consideration for others, we request that large items that may encroach on others’ space—such as oversized cushions, coolers, pets, selfie sticks, or camera tripods—are not brought into the bleacher sections.
Is the parade going to be cancelled if it rains? How long is the parade?
No, the parade will not be cancelled if it rains and the parade is approximately 2-1/2 hours. Please dress accordingly to the weather.
What is the best way to get to the parade?
We strongly suggest everyone take public transportation. For more details on transportation options, click here.
Where are the portable restrooms?
Portables will be placed throughout the parade route typically close to the bleacher areas.
What if I have more questions?
For further questions, please contact the Parade Office @ (415) 889-8891 or info@chineseparade.com