Lunar New Year Celebration Guide 2023
Lunar New Year starts on Sunday, January 22, 2023. While most of Asia celebrates the Year of the Rabbit, Vietnam celebrates the Year of the Cat.
Lunar New Year is an important festival that is not only observed in Asia, but but is also celebrated by Chinese Americans and many Asian Pacific American communities.
To help you and your family celebrate the Lunar New Year, the APA Heritage Foundation has compiled a list of community and cultural events in San Francisco for your easy reference.
We hope you will find helpful information in this Celebration Guide and wish you good health, happiness and prosperity.
Featured Activities
Chinese New Year Parade
Chinese New Year Parade started back in the 1860’s to celebrate and showcase the Chinese Culture. It has grown to be the biggest CNY celebration outside of Asia, named one of the top ten parades in the world by the International Festival & Event Association, and consistently placed top 5 Best Cultural Festival by USA Today Readers Choice. The SF Chinese New Year Parade will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023.
Year of the Rabbit on Parade
Five Rabbit Sculptures culturally painted are displayed around San Francisco from January 7 – February 5 for everyone to explore. Enter the photo contest by taking a photo with the Rabbit for a chance to win a prize. Official rules on chineseparade.com website.
Year of the Rabbit Stamp
Everyone is welcome to this special event – the first date in the country when the Year of the Rabbit Stamp and First Day Cover can be purchased. Stamp sale starts at 10am.
Jan 12, 2023
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94111
City of SF Celebration
Mayor London N. Breed
together with
City Administrator Carmen Chu, City Attorney David Chiu, Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, Public Defender Mano Raju, Supervisor Connie Chan
Lunar New Year 2023 Year of the Rabbit Celebration
Monday, January 30, 2023 – 5:30 p.m.
City Hall Rotunda, 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102
Zodiac Wall
The theme for the 8th year of the Zodiac Wall is “wealth” for Year Of The Rabbit 2023. Residents and visitors wrote down their wishes for the new year in lucky red envelopes that are tiled to create a mosaic mural that resembles the character for 富 wealth. Chinatown wishes everyone a ‘Wealthy’ new year together for businesses, health, and community.
Events Calendar
Jan 8
Zodiac Wall Opening 2023
In-person: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Chinatown - The theme for the 8th year of the Zodiac Wall is “wealth” for Year Of The Rabbit 2023. Wealthy together for businesses, health, and community.
Jan 12
Year of the Rabbit Stamp - National First Day of Issue Ceremony
In-person: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Asian Art Museum
Everyone is welcome to this special event - the first date in the country when the Year of the Rabbit Stamp and First Day Cover can be purchased. Stamp sale starts at 10am.
Jan 13
Spark! Edge on the Square’s Community Opening
In-person: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM Chinatown - Edge on the Square (Edge), San Francisco’s highly anticipated new cultural arts hub. Event activities will include an array of multi-sensorial experiences such as a conceptual "shop", food activation titled “Curve Restaurant” and an audience-engaged performance called “Playing Field”, both by the artist Gao Ling.
Jan 14-15
Flower Market Fair
In-person: 10am – 6pm Chinatown -
The 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.
Jan 22
Chinese New Year Celebration & Choy Sun Doe
In-person: 11am – 2pm - 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.
Jan 22
Let the Future Speak: Storytelling Ritual and Community Event
In-person: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM - Asian Art Museum
Join multidisciplinary artist, educator, TED speaker, and STEM advocate Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya on Lunar New Year to participate in a storytelling ritual and community event and be part of her upcoming project “Let the Future Speak.”
Jan 28
Basketball Jamboree
In-person: 7:30pm Chinatown -
This basketball tournament showcases the adult alumni who lend their support and volunteer their time as referees and provide support to this next generation of our youth.
Jan 28
Lunar New Year Music Concert
In-person: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Chinatown -
Guqin is a Chinese 7-string zither. It has a long history dating back 3000 years. It is a spiritual and meditative instrument and is often used to accompany poets. David Wong of Tranquil Resonance Studio will perform in this concert with poet Clara Hsu. David Wong’s students will also play.
Jan 30
City of SF Celebration
In-person: 25:30 p.m.
City Hall Rotunda, 1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Feb 4-5
Community Street Fair
In-person: 10am – 4:30pm Chinatown -
The SF Chinese Chamber of Commerce has activities and entertainment for all ages. Enjoy Chinese folk dancing, opera, drumming and much more at the entertainment stage in the heart of San Francisco Chinatown.
Feb 4
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 Alaska Airlines 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 4
Chinese New Year Parade Viewing Party 2023
In-person: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM Chinese Culture Center.
You will experience an unforgettable night of food, music, art embraced by Asian American artists, chefs and DJs. Be the first to visit the “How I Keep Looking Up” Exhibition at the Chinese Culture Center and cheer on the 16 immigrant women artists as they march in the parade!
Feb 5
Year of the Rabbit Family Fun Day and Storytelling
In-person: 11 AM–2:30 PM - Asian Art Museum
Family Fun Day happens on the first Sunday of every month, when general admission to the museum is free. Themes and projects change regularly, so visit again and again. Join us every month for this fun and engaging program!
Feb 11
Celebrate LNY on Ocean Ave
In-person: 12:10 PM - 3:00 PM
Unity Plaza, 1002-1040 Ocean Avenue, SF
Usher in the Year of the Rabbit on Ocean Avenue with games, activities, and entertainment for the entire family to enjoy.
Mar 5
Chinatown YMCA Run/Walk
In-person: 8AM - Chinatown
The Chinatown YMCA, in San Francisco’s historic Chinatown, is holding its 45th annual “Chinese New Year Run” in 2023.
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.
Sponsors and Partners
Your support of the APA Heritage Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, makes this celebration possible. For 2023 sponsorship information, please contact Claudine Cheng at Claudine@apasf.org
Heritage Champions – Celebration Co-Presenters
Heritage Captain
Heritage Patron
Heritage Partners
Heritage Friends
Community Sponsors
- Asian American Donors Program
- Asian Firefighters Association
- Chinese American Citizens Alliance San Francisco Lodge
- Center for Asian American Media
- Hep B Free – Bay Area
- Japan Society of Northern California
- Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California
- Japantown Community Benefit District
- Nihonmachi Street Fair, Inc.
- Northeast Medical Services
- OCA San Francisco Bay Chapter
- Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition
- San Francisco Community Health Center
- San Francisco – Ho Chi Minh City 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
- YMCA of San Francisco
Media Sponsors
Special Acknowledgements
MUNI ad sponsor
Hotel Partner
Winery Partner
Airline Partner
