Celebrate the Year of the Snake with lively events in communities across the Bay Area. We’re most excited to watch the acrobatic lion dancers moving along to the sound of drums. Lunar New Year falls on a Wednesday (1/29) this year; so, a majority of celebrations are taking place the following weekend. Check out Off the Grid’s guide to the best Lunar New Year events going on in the Bay Area. Check out our guide to other holiday foods around the world.
San Francisco
Year of the Snake on Parade (Jan 18-Mar 2)
Chase Center and Union Square Plaza are hosting two large sculptures designed and painted by local artists. The designs are based on themes representing traditions of Lunar New Year.
‘Arm Day, Leg Day’ Art Pop-Up (Jan 25)
Bijun Liang is hosting an art show depicting Chinese guardian lions. The pop-up will also include interactive activities and giveaways.
Flower Market Fair (Jan 25-26)
This free event runs from 10 AM to 6 PM on Saturday and 9 AM to 6 PM on Sunday. Story by for a floral Lunar New Year celebration with fresh flowers, fruit, and candy. There will also be magicians, acrobats, lion dancers, opera, and over 120 vendors booths.
Lunar New Year at SF Botanical Garden (Feb 2)
From 11 AM to 2 PM, Golden Gate Part is hosting a free event in the Botanical Garden. The celebration includes festive performances, games for prizes, calligraphy, origami, crafts, and more.
Oakland
Children’s Fairyland Lunar New Year (Jan 24-26)
This three-day Lunar New Year celebration doubles as the 75th anniversary of Fairyland. Small children will love the Lunar New Year themed arts and crafts, lion dance performances, and sweet treats. Tickets start at $18.
Jack London Square Lunar New Year Celebration (Feb 1)
From 1 to 3pm, Jack London Square is hosting a Year of the Snake celebration with a selfie photo op, martial art performances, kids crafts, and lion dancers.
Neo Lunar: Lunar New Year Reimagined (Feb 1)
Baba’s House, The Laughing Gems, and Yang Sheng are putting together a multigenerational fashion show hosted by King Lotus Boy and music by DJ Mish. The free event starts at 3 PM and includes natural wines, cocktails, mahjong, retail vendors, and workshops.
OMCA Lunar New Year Celebration (Feb 8)
The Oakland Museum of California is hosting a family-friendly celebration with live cultural performances, lion dancers, story time, crafts, a tea workshop, and food vendors. The event runs from 11 AM to 4 PM. Tickets are $10, but ages 13 and under are free.
Oakland Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade (Feb 22)
From 10 AM to 4 PM, Oakland’s Chinatown is hosting its 3rd annual Lunar New Year parade. It starts and ends at Wilma Chan Park. It also runs along the length of Lincoln Square Park and the Pacific Renaissance Plaza.
San Jose
Lunar New Year Community Day at San Jose Museum of Art (Jan 25)
This multicultural celebration will showcase live performances, cultural demonstrations, and hands-on art activities. The free event starts at 11 AM and ends at 4 PM.
Lunar New Year at Grand Century Mall (Jan 25 & 26)
One of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations in the South Bay takes place in San Jose’s Little Saigon. The center will be packed with vendors, performance stages, and multiple parades. The free event runs from noon to 8 PM.
Lunar New Year on Santana Row (Feb 1)
NBC Bay Area is hosting this exciting celebration from 11AM to 1 PM. The entertainment line up is stacked with martial arts performances, lion dancing, surprise red envelopes, and more.
Westfield Valley Fair’s Lunar New Year Celebration (Feb 2)
This free event kicks off at noon and runs until 4 PM. Stop by for traditional lion dancing performances, ribbon dancers, folk dance, red envelopes filled with chocolate coins, and DJs.
San Jose Lunar New Year Tet & Moon Festival (Feb 7-9)
Eastridge Mall is hosting a full-scale celebration complete with live music, entertainment, carnival rides, lion dancing, retail vendors, and food. The event runs from 3-11PM on the 7th and 11 AM – 11 PM on the 8th and 9th. Admission is free.
