Bay Area Rings in the Year of the Dragon with Vibrant Lunar New Year Celebrations
The Bay Area is poised to welcome the Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Dragon with a series of festivities over the coming weeks. From traditional Tet festivals to dazzling parades, the region offers a diverse range of cultural experiences culminating in San Francisco’s renowned Chinese New Year parade – the largest such celebration outside of Asia, and one of the few illuminated nighttime parades globally.
A Month of Festivities Across the Region
The celebrations kick off with a diverse array of events, offering something for everyone. Here’s a chronological guide to the highlights:
San Leandro’s Lunar New Year Debut – February 13
Downtown San Leandro will transform its popular Second Friday event into a Lunar New Year party on February 13, running from 4 to 9 p.m. at 1446 Washington Ave., near the butterfly mural. The event will feature performances by the UC Berkeley CAL VSA Lion Dancers and Gaga Dancers, alongside an artisan market curated by West Coast Makers and a variety of food and drink booths. Admission is free; details can be found at downtownsanleandro.com.
Millbrae’s Two-Day Festival – February 14-15
A two-day Lunar New Year Festival will take place in downtown Millbrae, February 14-15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Broadway near Victoria Avenue. Attendees can expect lion dances, a multicultural performance stage, a firecracker display, family-friendly activities, and over 200 vendors offering food, beverages, and holiday goods. Admission is free; more information is available at eventsomg.com.
Sunnyvale Library Concert – February 14
The Firebird Youth Chinese Orchestra will present a celebratory concert for the Lunar New Year on Saturday, February 14, at 2 p.m. at the Sunnyvale Public Library (665 W. Olive Ave.). Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to arrive early due to limited seating. Further details can be found at library.sunnyvale.ca.gov.
San Jose Tet Festival – February 20-22
The region’s largest Vietnamese Tet festival will unfold over three days, February 20-22, from 3 to 10 p.m. (Feb. 20), and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Feb. 21 & 22) outdoors at Eastridge Mall. Presented by UStar Productions, the festival promises live music, entertainment, competitions like Little Miss Vietnam California and Miss Áo Dài, lion dancing, carnival rides, and a wide selection of Asian retail, food, and drink vendors. Admission is free; parking is available at Tully and Quimby roads. More information can be found on their Facebook page: facebook.com/UStarProductions.
Cultural Immersion in San Jose – February 21
February 21 offers a trio of cultural experiences in San Jose. The San Jose Museum of Art will welcome the Year of the Dragon with art-making activities, cultural demonstrations, and live performances from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 110 S. Market St., with free admission all day, including access to the galleries (sjmusart.org). Santana Row will host its own celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Santana Row Park, featuring lion dances, taiko drums, and arts and crafts, alongside the distribution of surprise red envelopes (santanarow.com).
Oakland and Livermore Celebrations – February 21-22
Jack London Square in Oakland will host a Lunar New Year celebration from 1 to 3 p.m. on February 21, featuring lion dancing, martial arts demonstrations, and photo opportunities (jacklondonsquare.com). Livermore Valley Arts will present its own event on Sunday, February 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bankhead Plaza, with performances by XiaoPei Dance and Kung Fu Dragon, lantern-making, and educational games (livermorearts.org).
San Ramon and Redwood City – February 22 & 28
City Center Bishop Ranch will host a Lunar New Year event on February 22 from 2 to 3 p.m., featuring traditional cultural performances and a kung fu demonstration (citycenterbishopranch.com/events). Redwood City’s 15th annual Lunar New Year celebration will take place on February 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Courthouse Square, offering lion dancers, martial artists, taiko drummers, and free admission to the San Mateo County History Museum (redwoodcity.org/residents/redwood-city-events/cultural/lunar-new-year).
Parades in Oakland and Berkeley – February 28
The Year of the Horse will be celebrated with a parade in Oakland’s Chinatown on February 28, starting at 11 a.m. at Wilma Chan Park, followed by a street festival at noon featuring live music from Midnight Vignette and Mark Pelli of MAGIC! (ocic-ca.org/2025-parade). A Lunar New Year festival will also take place on Fourth Street in Berkeley from noon to 4 p.m. on February 28, featuring martial arts demonstrations and a shop blessing parade (visitberkeley.com).
San Francisco’s Grand Finale – March 7
The season culminates with the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade on March 7 at 6 p.m., traveling from Second and Market streets to Kearny and Columbus. Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu will serve as the grand marshal, leading a procession featuring a 300-foot-long Golden Dragon, floats, dance troupes, and musicians, culminating in a drone show. Admission is free, with reserved seating available for purchase at chineseparade.com.
The Bay Area’s diverse and vibrant Lunar New Year celebrations promise a memorable experience for all, honoring tradition and welcoming the Year of the Dragon with open arms.
