SF's Chinese New Year Parade Kicks Off

Dating back to the 1860s, the parade was started by Chinese immigrants during the Gold Rush who blended their cultural traditions with the American format of a parade to share their heritage. The modern version, organized by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, began in 1953 to foster greater cultural understanding and showcase the community. The parade is one of the largest of its kind outside of Asia, attracting an estimated three million viewers in-person and via broadcast. Over 100 groups participate in the 1.3-mile route, which concludes with a volley of more than 600,000 firecrackers. A major highlight is the grand finale, featuring the 288-foot-long Golden Dragon, "Gum Lung." It takes a team of over 180 members from the White Crane martial arts group to carry the intricately designed dragon through the city streets. The event also incorporates modern technology. The 2025 parade, for instance, featured a grand finale with a choreographed show of 500 LED-lit drones forming Lunar New Year images high above the Embarcadero, visible from miles away. The parade is a significant economic event with a budget exceeding $1 million, supported by major corporate sponsors like Alaska Airlines and Comcast. This blend of cultural heritage and corporate partnership is a long-standing feature of the event, with Bank of America becoming the first major sponsor in the late 1950s.