San Francisco Celebrates

Lunar New Year 新年快樂 Selamat tahun baru 明けましておめでとうございます ສະ ບາຍ ດີ ປີ ໃຫມ່ Selamat Tahun Baru Chúc Năm Mới Tốt Lành 행복한 새해 되세요 Manigong bagong taon नये साल की हार्दिक शुभकामनायें Nyob zoo xyoo tshiab สวัสดีปีใหม่

Year of the Tiger

San Francisco Lunar New Year Celebration Guide 2022

Lunar New Year starts on February 1, 2022 and we are ready to celebrate the Year of the Tiger.

Lunar New Year is an important festival that is not only observed by Chinese Americans, but is also celebrated across many Asian Pacific communities.

To help you and your family celebrate the Year of the Tiger, the APA Heritage Foundation has compiled a list of community and cultural events in San Francisco for your easy reference.  Some of these events are in person and others are virtual programs that can be enjoyed safely at home.

We hope you will find helpful information in this Celebration Guide and wish you good health, happiness and prosperity.

Feb 9, 2022: Mayor London Breed joins the APA Heritage Foundation to Celebrate the Lunar New Year and unveil the commemorative Year of the Tiger postage stamp.

Mayor London Breed and City officials Celebrated Lunar New Year!

Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 
5:30 p.m.

City Administrator Carmen Chu
City Attorney David Chiu
Sheriff Paul Miyamoto
Public Defender Mano Raju
Supervisor Connie Chan
Supervisor Gordon Mar

Featured Activities

Chinese New Year Parade

Chinese New Year Parade

Over 100 units will participate in the SF Chinese New Year Parade. A San Francisco tradition since the Gold Rush, the parade continues to delight and entertain hundreds of thousands of people who come to watch it on the street or on TV. The SF Chinese New Year Parade will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2022.

Year of the Tiger on Parade

Year of the Tiger on Parade

Six life-sized Tigers will be publicly displayed around San Francisco, from January 17 – February 19, to help ring in the new year. The Tiger statues spotlight local artists as well as reflect upon the culture, people, and traditions surrounding Chinese New Year.

Greetings from Chinatown

Visit San Francisco Chinatown to enjoy a new storefront art exhibit celebrating Lunar New Year foods, customs, and neighborhood traditions. Go visit each storefront art location to pick up a free postcard with the same design and learn a friendly Chinese greeting for the new year.

Need Parking? Until Feb 28, 2022, enjoy free 2 hours of parking at Portsmouth Square Garage in Chinatown.

Celebrate Lunar New Year

Museum From Home

The Asian Art Museum invites you to celebrate the Lunar New Year at home.  From performance videos and  exhibits to art making activities, there is something for the entire family to enjoy.  Visit the Asian Art Museum website at www.asianart.org.

Events Calendar

Jan 29

Jan 29

SF Chinatown Flower Market Fair

In-person: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Chinatown

The Chinese New Year Flower Fair is the place to come to purchase fresh flowers, fruits, candies and brand new supplies for the home to begin the new lunar year. Delight in performances of traditional Chinese magicians, acrobats, folk dancers and opera as you take in the beautiful fragrances of spring.

Jan 30

Jan 30

Lunar New Year Storytelling

Online: 11:00 AM - 11:40 AM

Welcome the Year of the Tiger with this fun virtual Lunar New Year storytelling program for the whole family. Why is the tiger the third animal of the zodiac? What does the tiger symbolize in Asian art? Learn all this and more with exciting stories.

Feb 1

Feb 1

Choy Sun Doe Day

In-person: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Chinatown

Under the auspices of the SF Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Choy Suns will grace Chinatown and pass out thousands of “Lai Sees” to eagerly waiting children. All the “Lai Sees” will contain a chocolate gold coin. Additionally, some will have either money or a gift certificate that can be redeemed for a toy.

Feb 1

Feb 1

Writing for the Chinese New Year

Online: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

In celebration of the Chinese New Year, we prepare some handwritten Chinese character on red paper for you to take home to add some festive cheer! Welcome to join us live on Zoom.

Feb 4

Feb 4

Paper Craft Celebrating New Year

Online: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

為慶祝農曆新年,欢迎您在Zoom參加我們的紙手工製作活動。
Make paper craft to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Feb 5

Feb 5

SF Public Library Celebrates Year of the Tiger

In-person: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Main Library, 100 Larkin

Celebrate Year of the Tiger with a Lion Dance and traditional Chinese art performances, including a tea ceremony, China Ethnic costume show, vocal solos from local artists, and traditional dances.

Feb 5

Feb 5

12th Bayview Black History Month & Lunar New Year Celebration

Online: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

February is a month of celebrating two cultures with rich histories. Join the Bayview YMCA, Chinatown Community Development Center and CYC in honoring Black History Month and Lunar New Year with a virtual celebration.

Feb 5

Feb 5

Lunar New Year Tour: Interior Garden by Cathy Lu

In-person: 1PM-1:30PM & 3PM - 3:30PM
Chinese Culture Center

Join us for a special tour of Interior Garden, an exhibition of large-scale ceramic installations by Cathy Lu that explore belonging and the American dream.

Feb 10

Feb 10

Lunar New Year: A Standard Evening with Chef Martin Yan and Han Li

In-person: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
2505 Mariposa Ave.

Live cooking demo with Chef Martin Yan and conversation with The San Francisco Standard reporter Han Li. You’re invited to what will be an entertaining and delicious evening that celebrates Chinese culture.

Feb 12

Feb 12

SF Public Library: Lion Dance

In-person: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Little Footprints Preschool

Ring in the Lunar New Year of the Tiger with an exciting celebration of Chinese lion dance and martial arts.

Feb 12

Feb 12

SF Public Library: Lion Dance

In-person: 12:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Ortega Courtyard

Ring in the Lunar New Year of the Tiger with an exciting celebration of Chinese lion dance and martial arts.

Feb 19

Feb 19

SF Chinatown Community Street Fair

In-person: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
SF Chinatown

Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of San Francisco’s exhilarating Chinatown during one of the community’s most exciting times of the year. You will find over 120 booths and concessions making this a shopper’s paradise. Enjoy Chinese folk dancing, opera, drumming and much more at the entertainment stage.

Feb 19

Feb 19

Alaska Airlines Chinese New Year Parade

In-person: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Market Street

Named one of the top ten Parades in the world by International Festivals & Events Association, the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the few remaining night illuminated Parades in North America and the biggest parade celebrating the lunar new year outside of Asia.

Feb 24

Feb 24

At the Table Dumpling Adventure with Kristina Cho 

In-person: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Asian Art Museum

Surprise your sweetie and amaze your friends by making them siu mai shaped like roses. Learn how at this At the Table event with food stylist and blogger Kristina Cho. Cho will show us her technique for making these special pork and shrimp dumplings, so you can make them at home.

Feb 26

Feb 26

Lunar New Year on Ocean Avenue

In-person: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Unity Plaza

The event will feature family friendly activities, community resources, local vendors, and multicultural performances. A complimentary lunch will be provided by participating local businesses on Ocean Avenue to the first 400 guests.

Greetings from San Francisco Leaders

Shamann Walton, District 10 Supervisor
President of the Board

Catherine Stefani, District 2 Supervisor

Aaron Peskin, District 3 Supervisor

Gordon Mar, District 4 Supervisor

Matt Haney, District 6 Supervisor

Rafael Mandelman, District 8 Supervisor

Hillary Ronen, District 9 Supervisor

Ahsha Safai, District 11 Supervisor

David Chiu, City Attorney

Carmen Chu, City Administrator

Paul Miyamoto, Sheriff

Joaquín Torres, Assessor-Recorder

Chesa Boudin, District Attorney

Manohar Raju, Public Defender

Scott Wiener, CA Senator

APA Heritage Foundation

The APA Heritage Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting appreciation of the diverse Asian Pacific American cultures as well as to providing a forum for community collaborations.

The annual San Francisco celebration of APA heritage month is coordinated by community representatives who volunteer on the APA Heritage Celebration Committee.

2021 Sponsors and Partners

Your support of the APA Heritage Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, makes this celebration possible. For 2022 APA Heritage Month sponsorship information, please contact Claudine Cheng at info@apasf.org.

Heritage Champions – Presenting Sponsors

Heritage Patrons

Heritage Partners

Heritage Friends

Business Supporters

Community Sponsors

  • Asian American Donors Program
  • Asian Firefighters Association
  • Asian Peace Officers Association
  • Chinatown Merchants Association
  • Chinese American Citizens Alliance San Francisco Lodge
  • Center for Asian American Media
  • Coalition of Asian American Government Employees
  • Hep B Free – San Francisco Bay Area
  • Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California
  • Nihonmachi Street Fair, Inc.
  • OCA San Francisco Bay Chapter
  • Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition (PAAWBAC)
  • San Francisco Community Health Center
  • San Francisco – Bangalore Sister City Committee
  • San Francisco – Ho Chi Minh Sister City Committee
  • San Francisco – Manila Sister City Committee
  • San Francisco – Osaka Sister City Association
  • San Francisco – Seoul Sister City Committee
  • San Francisco – Taipei Sister City Committee
  • Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center

Media Sponsors