San Francisco, California has the largest Chinatown (outside of China itself) in the world. Starting in the mid 1800’s the 5,000 year old traditions of the Lantern Festival, along with a fantastic parade, have been the focal point of the Chinese New Years celebration in San Francisco’s Chinatown. The tradition was begun in part as a way of introducing Chinese culture to the San Francisco community. You’ll see floats, the newly crowned Miss Chinatown USA, lanterns and, of course, dragons! Watch for the Golden Dragon which is controlled by over 100 men and women who are trained in the martial arts. Fireworks are a big part of the celebration as they are used to scare away the evil spirit Shan-Sau. This parade draws the most TV viewers of any in the world. This is the largest celebration of Chinese New Year outside of China.
Year of the Tiger
February 6 – February 28, 2010
Lunar Year 4708
February 6
Saturday 10:30 am
Southwest Airlines Mini-Procession & Ribbon Cutting
Grant Avenue from California to Pacific Avenue.
FREE
February 6 - 7
Saturday 10:00am-8:00pm
Sunday 9:00am-6:00pm
Chinese New Year Flower Fair
Grant Avenue from Clay to Broadway Pacific Avenue from Kearny to Stockton Jackson & Washington Streets from Kearny to Stockton
FREE
February 14
Sunday
Chinese New Year Day
(No events scheduled on this day)
February 20
Saturday 10am-4pm
Chinese New Year Basketball Jamboree
Chinese Recreation Center
1199 Mason Street, SF
February 20
Saturday 7:30 pm
Miss Chinatown U.S.A. Pageant $30, $40, $60
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
3301 Lyon Street @ Bay, SF
Tickets available at:
Chinese Chamber of Commerce
730 Sacramento Street, SF (415) 982-3000
United Commercial Bank
900 Kearny Street, SF (415) 397-8988 (Mon-Sat)
Ling Ling Chinese Dress
63 Walter U. Lum Place, SF (415) 981-5608 (Mon-Sat)
February 21
Sunday
Chinese Chamber of Commerce/Chinatown Run 10K/5K Run/Walk
YMCA Chinatown
Contact: Lara Hitchcock at 415 576-9622
7:00am Pre-Registration at Portsmouth Square
8:00am Race begins at Grant and Sacramento
February 26
Friday
6:00pm No Host Cocktails
7:00pm Dinner
Dancing until midnight
Harrah’s Miss Chinatown U.S.A. Coronation Ball
San Francisco Hilton & Towers
333 O’Farrell Street, San Francisco
Tickets: 415 982-3000
$120
February 27
Saturday 5:15pm-8:00pm
Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade
Market and Second Street to Kearny and Jackson
Location of bleachers: Kearny Street (between Sacramento & California and between Pine & Bush)
415 986-1370 or 415 982-3071
Free/$30 for bleacher tickets
February 27 - 28
Saturday 10:00am-4:30pm
Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm
Chinese New Year Community Street Fair
Grant Avenue from California to Pacific
Pacific Avenue from Kearny to Stockton
Washington and Jackson Streets from Kearny to Stockton
Free
February 27 - 28
Saturday/Sunday
11:00am-4:00pm
Chinese Culture Center Spring Festival
750 Kearny Street, 3rd Floor (Hilton SF/Financial District)
Information: 415 986-1822
Free

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