San Francisco 2023

Happy Lunar New Year 新年快乐 新年快樂 Chúc mừng năm mới 새해 복 많이 받으세요 明けましておめでとうございます Шинэ жилийн мэнд хүргэе สวัสดีปีใหม่ ສະ ບາຍ ດີ ປີ ໃຫມ່ រីករាយ ឆ្នាំ ថ្មី Nyob Zoo Xyoo Tshiab हैप्पी न्यू ईयर

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

Alaska Airlines Chinese New Year Parade

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

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 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SFMTA

Hotel Partner

Winery Partner

Eco Terreno Wines & Vineyards

Airline Partner

Vietnam Airlines