The Lunar New Year begins Sunday January 22 and kicks off 15 days of colorful celebrations perfect for family fun
Lunar New Year is here! Often called Chinese New Year, it is also celebrated by Vietnamese and South Korean cultures and this year rings in the year of the rabbit. According to an interview in Seventeen Magazine, Dottie Li, cultural expert and the voice of Rosetta Stone Mandarin, says, “The Year of the Rabbit 兔年 symbolizes longevity, positivity, auspiciousness, wittiness, cautiousness, cleverness, deftness and self-protection.” She adds that the new year brings new fortunes, and in 2023, people can expect prosperity, hope, and calm. “Because of the rabbit’s characteristics, we can expect relaxation, fluidity, quietness and contemplation,” Li said in the article. And how fun is this? Six, life-sized rabbits can be found on display around San Francisco—see if your family can find them all!
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Lunar New Year Storytime at South San Francisco Main Library
Jan. 12: Join Ms. Maggie and special guest, Oliver Chin, for a Lunar New Year themed storytime! Event details.
Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair
Jan. 14 & 15: The weekend before the new lunar year is celebrated, families traditionally hit up stores for supplies for the big celebration. More than 120 vendors will be on hand at the market fair showcasing plants, fruits, flowers, candy and other delights while performances from magicians, acrobats, drummers and folk dancers entertain shoppers. Event details.
Lunar New Year Performances at the Ferry Building
Jan. 22: Find the Chung Ngai Lion Dancers and Helen Dance Academy outside and throughout the Marketplace from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Also don't miss the calligraphy demonstration and receive a personalized red paper scroll with Lunar New year well wishes. Event details.
Chinese New Year’s Day Parade
Feb. 4: The largest Lunar New year celebration outside of Asia, San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Parade pulls out all the stops in its illuminated parade. Revelers will enjoy colorful floats, dazzling costumes, stilt walkers, lion dancers and the newly crowned Miss Chinatown USA. Another highlight is the famous Golden Dragon, “Gum Lung”, requiring about 180 handlers for its 268-foot length. The parade starts on Market Street and reserved bleacher seats are also available for purchase. Event details.
Lunar New Year Community Street Fair
Feb. 4 & 5: The most exciting time of the year in Chinatown is when Lunar New Year is celebrated! Vendors, giant puppets, family activities and live performances will all be on hand so bring the entire family down. Event details.
Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit with the San Francisco Symphony
Feb. 5: Celebrate Lunar New Year with the San Francisco Symphony at this vibrant event that draws upon Asian traditions, past and present with Earl Lee as the conductor of the Orchestra. Event details.
Chinese New Year Celebrations in the East Bay
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Lunar New Year Celebrations at Jack London Square
Jan. 21: This free, family-friendly event celebration will include martial art demonstrations, lion dancers, giveaways and a rabbit craft for kids. Event details.
22nd Annual Lunar New Year at OMCA: Year of the Rabbit
Jan. 29: Ring in the lunar new year with family-friendly cultural performances, story time with author Olive Chin, food truck bites, live music, take-home art activities and much more. Event details.
Lunar New Year x Black History Month at OACC
Feb. 4: OACC is collaborating with the Malonga Arts Residence Association (MARA) to create an intentional space for Black History and Future in Oakland Chinatown while continuing to honor AAPI cultural traditions. This event will spotlight performers that celebrate Black and AAPI arts and culture in Oakland. We are delighted to feature harpist and composer Destiny Muhammad, whose genre is cool and eclectic with a feel of jazz and storytelling to round out the sonic experience. Event details.
Chinese New Year Celebrations in the South Bay & Peninsula
Community Day: Lunar New Year at the San Jose Museum of Art
Jan. 21: Join SJMA and welcome the year of the Rabbit, or in Vietnam, the year of the Cat, with artmaking activities, cultural demonstrations, and live performances. This contemporary celebration honors Lunar New Year traditions commemorated around the globe and here in San José. Explore and create with family and friends in this multigenerational event. Event details.
Santana Row Lunar New Year Celebration
Jan. 28: Santana Row welcomes the year of the Rabbit with a Lunar New Year celebration for the entire family in Santana Row Park. Enjoy the exciting drumbeats and crashing cymbals of the Dragon and Lion dances and more live entertainment on our outdoor stage. Event details.
Lunar New Year at Children’s Discovery Museum
Feb. 4: Create your own branch of beautiful flowers to symbolize health, prosperity, and good fortune in the coming year, signifying the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Be thrilled by the magnificent and ever-popular Lion Dance by Yun Yee Tong USA, as we welcome in the new year together. Event details.
12th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration at Courthouse Square in Redwood City
Feb. 4: Lion dancers, martial artists, drummers and other live performers will head up the festivities along with arts and crafts at nearby San Mateo County History museum. Event details.
Chinese New Year Celebrations in Marin
Lunar New Year Festival 2023, Terra Marin School
Jan. 21: Celebrate the beauty of the Vietnamese, Chinese & Korean cultures. From a spectacular Lion Dance to the Korean drum dance from the dance group Urisawe to a lovely Vietnamese fashion show, it will be a culturally rich festival for family members of all ages. The event will also feature multicultural activities and a raffle with prizes. Masks are encouraged but optional. Event details.
