Image Credit: maywong_photos via Flickr
Lunar New Years celebrations are still ongoing. Traditionally, the festivities run through the Lantern Festival, which marks the first full moon of the spring (February 15, this year). Looking for family-friendly Chinese New Year festivities in the Bay Area? Here are some events:
San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade
Saturday, February 15
Festival: 10am-4:30pm
Parade: 6pm-8pm
The San Francisco Chinatown parade is one of the major Lunar New Year events in the country. The festival continues all day on Sunday, February 16 from 9am-5pm. The parade is one of the liveliest events I’ve been to, but can be crowded and overwhelming for very young children. Parking can be very limited, so get there early or ride BART. For more information about the route, parking and public transportation, visit the Chinese parade website.
Santana Row, San Jose
Saturday, Feb. 22, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The celebration begins at 1 p.m. with exciting drumbeats and crashing cymbals of the Lion and Dragon dances in Santana Row Park, located across from Left Bank Brassierie.
New this year, traditional red envelopes will be distributed to guests, with one lucky winner finding a $1,000 Santana Row gift card inside. Every envelope will contain discount coupons for shopping at stores and complimentary two-week passes to Club One Fitness.
The afternoon is filled with a lineup of traditional live performances celebrating the start of a new year, including martial arts demonstrations, fashion presentations, music, singing and dancing.