Skip to main content
News

Despite pouring rain, big crowds celebrated the Year of the Rabbit in Chinatown

San Francisco’s iconic Lunar New Year Parade brought fireworks, lion dancers and renewed hope to a community still reeling from two mass shootings.

Source: Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard

Drizzly weather couldn’t stop throngs of people from filling Chinatown’s streets and sidewalks Saturday night, celebrating the Year of the Rabbit at the annual Lunar New Year Parade.

From Downtown to Chinatown, thousands of attendees held umbrellas and gathered on both sides of the parade route to watch colorful floats pass by, as well as firecrackers, lion and dragon dancers and other performances.

The Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco took place on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, despite a rainstorm that drenched both participants and spectators. | Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard | Source: Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard

Hollywood actor Rich Ting and celebrity chef Martin Yan served as the parade’s grand marshals. Other notable guests included state Attorney General Rob Bonta and Mayor London Breed, plus dozens of local elected officials.

“I want to thank all of you who came out here and braved the weather to celebrate with us,” said Breed. “I am looking forward to 2023 where there’s more kindness in the world.”

Fireworks are seen over Jackson Street in San Francisco on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. | Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard | Source: Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard

Following mass shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay that rocked the nation’s Asian American communities, San Francisco’s law enforcement doubled down on its promise to keep the city safe during the Lunar New Year time of celebration.

San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, Police Chief Bill Scott and other top law enforcement leaders also walked in the parade.

A group of people wearing yellow pants, black shirts, white masks, and clear ponchos march at night holding large red flags reading "Community Youth Center."
The Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco took place on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, despite a rainstorm which drenched both participants and spectators. | Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard | Source: Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard

Earlier in the day, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce also hosted a street fair throughout Chinatown with more than 100 vendor booths to attract locals and tourists.

The parade has a history of more than a century, dating back to when early Chinese immigrants landed in the Bay.

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce began hosting the event in 1958, and it has since grown to become Chinatown’s largest and the most iconic celebration.

More Photos of the Parade

Young girls in colorful traditional attire perform a dance with flowing fabric ribbons on a city street during a festive event.
Chinese New Year Parade participants prepare for the parade despite the rain in San Francisco on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. | Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard | Source: Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard
Robert and Carolyn Harada arrived at 4:40 p.m. and easily found a spot to watch the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. | Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard | Source: Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard
Children in festive costumes and rain ponchos stand on a wet city street during a parade featuring performers holding a red dragon.
Cassi and Ariel from Huaxing Art School get ready to perform at the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. | Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard | Source: Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard
Chi Energy poses for a portrait before the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco began on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. | Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard | Source: Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard
Spectators watch the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. | Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard | Source: Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard
Unable to render the image
Unable to render the image
The firecrackers go off at the end of the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. | Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard | Source: Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard
A crowd of people bundled in winter clothes stand tightly together, some holding phones up to capture or record something off-frame.
Spectators watch the firecrackers at the end of the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. | Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard | Source: Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard
People in colorful traditional clothing perform a dragon or lion dance on a wet street at night, surrounded by illuminated signs and onlookers.
A lion dancer holds a Leung's White Crane Dragon & Lion Dance Association flag on Jackson Street in San Francisco after the Chinese New Year Parade on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. | Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard | Source: Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard
Fireworks explode brightly in the night sky above a street sign that reads "GRANT" with Chinese characters below and a "1000" address marker.
Fireworks explode over Grant Avenue in San Francisco on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. | Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard | Source: Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard

Han Li can be reached at [email protected]