On February 16, 2018, we celebrate Chinese New Year and welcome in the Year of the Dog. Here are some of our favorite family-friendly events happening around town. Know of something else we should add to our list? Comment below or send us an email: info@sanfranciscomomsblog.com.
January 25
Lunar New Year with KQED and Friends
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Westfield San Francisco Centre
865 Market St, Level 4 Under the Dome
Kick off the Year of the Dog with Chef Martin Yan, Chef Matthew Dolan, Cy Musiker and our friends at KQED. Featuring traditional menus from M.Y. China, TAP [415], Yao Ming Family Wines, live entertainment and a silent auction benefiting our partners at KQED. Tickets $35 for members, $40 non-members.
February 1 – 16
Lunar New Year Gift with Purchase at Westfield San Francisco Centre
865 Market St
Check out the zodiac display on Level 1 and plan your shopping. When you spend $250+ at Westfield San Francisco Centre restaurants and retailers between February 1 -16, you’re eligible to receive a Free Red Envelope Gift with Purchase. Gifts include Westfield gift cards, JNBY USA gift cards, appetizers from M.Y. China, D.O.P. Olive Oil from Sur La Table, sweet treats from Nordstrom San Francisco Centre , and a limited-edition Year of the Dog Tote from Bloomingdale’s. Visit Concierge on Level 1 for more details.
February 3 – March 1
SF Public Library Year of the Dog Exhibit & Events
SF Public Library, Main Branch Atrium (exhibit) and classes (various branches)
100 Larkin Street
The main branch of the library will offer an exhibit on the Year of the Dog, and the branches will offer coordinating classes and events, as well. Check the library’s main page for details.
February 10
Southwest Airlines Mini Procession and Ribbon Cutting
10:15 AM
Grant Ave. between California and Pacific
Kick off the new year with a procession that gives a taste of what the larger Lunar New Year parade will bring. The procession begins at historic St. Mary’s Square, follows the original parade route down Grant Ave. and proceeds to the Flower Fair’s main stage on Washington St. below Grant. Free.
February 10 -11
Chinese New Year Flower Market Fair
Saturday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Grant Avenue from Clay to Broadway; Washington, Jackson & Pacific between Stockton & Kearny
Oranges, tangerines, flowers, plants, and a variety of auspicious foods are just a few of the many new year items for sale at the Flower Market Fair. Free.
February 16
Chinese New Year’s Day Golden Dragon Unveiling and Dotted Eye Ceremony
Portsmouth Square
Check Southwest Airline’s Chinese New Year calendar of events for time and details.
February 17
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Betty Ann Ong Chinese Recreation Center
Mason & Washington Street, San Francisco
This is the 25th year of the youth basketball event. Six games will be played throughout the day.
Chinese Culture Center Spring Festival
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
750 Kearny Street, 3rd Floor
Usher in the Year of the Dog with an extravaganza of performances – dance, martial arts, and family friendly activities. Free.
February 18
Asian Art Museum Lunar New Year Celebration
10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
200 Larkin St
Roll in the Year of the Dog with talented dancers, musicians and storytellers at the Asian Art Museum’s annual Lunar New Year Celebration. Visit their website for a full schedule of the day’s activities. Admission for children $12 and under is always free.
February 19
Bay Area Discovery Museum Chinese New Year Celebration
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fort Baker
557 McReynolds Road
Sausalito, CA 94965
While the BADM isn’t technically in SF, it’s a staple activity for many SF families. Experience the vibrant traditions of Chinese New Year with a full schedule of programming today, included with price of admission.
February 22
7:30 PM
War Memorial Herbst Theater
401 Van Ness
For nearly 60 years, lovely and talented young women from throughout the United States have come to San Francisco to compete in the annual Miss Chinatown U.S.A. Pageant. The new Queen and her Court will become goodwill ambassadors for the Chinese community throughout the new year.
February 24
Chinese Historical Society of America Celebration
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
965 Clay Street
Enjoy a full day of interactive events before the Chinese New Year parade with free admission to the museum.
San Francisco Symphony, Chinese New Year Celebration and Dinner
2:00 PM
Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Avenue
Arrive at 2:00 PM for the activity-filled Festival Reception with Chinese instruments, lion dancing, “lucky” red envelopes, entertainment, tea bars, sweet and savory bites, and more. Then, enjoy the concert celebration at 3:00 PM. Continue the festivities after the concert by purchasing a ticket to the dramatic and exciting Imperial Dinner.
5:15 – 8:00 PM
Market and 2nd Street to Kearny and Jackson
Named one of the top ten Parades in the world by the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA), the Southwest Airlines® Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the grandest night illuminated Parades in the country. If you can’t watch the Parade in person, be sure to watch the live broadcast on KTVU Fox 2 or KTSF 26 (Chinese broadcast) on Saturday, February 24th, 6-8pm. Free (bleacher seat tickets available, $35)
Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt
Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center Gym
555 Chestnut St
4:00 – 8:00 PM
Teams of 4 to 6 people will solve a series of clues or puzzles leading to unique locations in and around Chinatown, North Beach and Telegraph Hill, amid the excitement and spectacle of the annual Chinese New Year Parade. $54.50 February 1 – February 21; $60 February 22 – 24; $25 Kids 14 – 17 (must be accompanied by an adult); $15 Kids under 14 (must be accompanied by an adult)
February 24 – 25
SF Zoo Lunar New Year Celebration
Sloat Blvd @ Great Highway
Soak up the ambiance of the occasion and marvel at traditional Chinese lion and folk dance performances at 11:00 and 1:30. Go on a Zodiac Scavenger Hunt through the Zoo to learn fun facts about the animals found on the Chinese calendar. Stop by Wolf Canyon to see our wolves to celebrate the Year of the Dog!
Saturday 10am-4:30pm
Sunday 9am-5pm
Grant Avenue from California to Broadway St.
Washington, Jackson & Pacific between Stockton & Kearny
You’ll find over 120 booths and concessions at the fair, making this a shopper’s paradise. The SF Chinese Chamber of Commerce has planned activities and entertainment for all ages. Enjoy Chinese folk dancing, opera, drumming and much more at the entertainment stage on Washington St. below Grant. Make sure you get a family photo with the giant puppets and other memorable artifacts from the Parade.
March 4
Chinese New Year 10K/ 5K Run/Walk
8:00 AM (Registration at 7:00 AM)
Chinatown YMCA
855 Sacramento Street
The Chinatown YMCA will hold their 40th annual “Chinese New Year Run” on Sunday, March 4th at 8am. Presented by the SF Chinese Chamber of Commerce, this scenic route starts at Sacramento and Grant, winds its way through Chinatown, North Beach, The Embarcadero and Downtown and finishes on Kearny between California and Sacramento.
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