(And for some fun further reading, take a look at how Harry Potter’s Draco Malfoy character has somehow become a Year of the Horse meme mascot for 2026.)
This year’s Parade Grand Marshall will be San Francisco-born Eileen Gu, an Olympic gold medalist and freestyle skier. The parade is always free, so you should expect large crowds.
Keep reading for what to know about the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade in March, including the parade route map and street closures that day.
For timely updates, you can follow the Chinese New Year Festival and Parade’s official social media pages and website.
Jump straight to:
What is the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade route?
The parade starts at 5:15 p.m. on March 7, which is a Saturday.
The route begins at Second and Market streets, goes around Union Square and ends at Kearny Street and Columbus Avenue. The total route is around 1.3 miles long.
Do I need tickets to the San Francisco Chinese New Year parade?
The parade is a free event. However, if you want to sit on the bleachers, you’ll need paid tickets to be assigned a specific section (but not a specific seat).
There are four bleacher sections, each on:
- Washington and Jackson streets
- California and Sacramento streets
- Kearny and Grant streets
- Stockton and Powell streets
Tickets range from $45 to $75, and can be bought online for email delivery. The more expensive options include a gift bag. Bleacher seating is free for children under two, as long as they are sitting on the lap of a caregiver.
Organizers suggest that if you buy tickets, you’ll need to check in and be seated early on March 7, close to 4 p.m., to be ready for the start of the parade.
All sections of the bleachers will have wheelchair seating, but you will need a ticket regardless.
If you need accessible spaces, you will also need a ticket. Portable restrooms will be available near the bleachers.
How can I get to the San Francisco Chinese New Year parade? Are there street closures?
Chinese New Year Parade organizers strongly encourage public transportation.
The SF Muni bus system has not yet released its 2026 guidance on transportation, street closures and reroutes during the parade.
