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On Tap

This Weekend Celebrate the Year of the Monkey

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

While Lunar New Year festivities began two weeks ago, this weekend celebrations culminate in Chinatown with a two day community street fair and the traditional Chinese New Year Parade. By the thousands, fans of all ages will line the streets near Union Square to experience one of the region's most colorful and best known events.

Nighttime image of a red, orange and yellow Chinese dragon in the New Year Parade.
The golden dragon, Gum Lung, during the Chinese New Year Parade on March 7, 2015. Photo credit: vhines200/Flickr.

Chinese New Year Parade
Saturday, 5 p.m.
Union Square and Chinatown

A tradition dating back to the 1860s, the Chinese New Year Parade is one of the few remaining night time parades in the country and has been recognized as one of the world's top 10 parades by the International Festival & Events Association. This year’s festivities will feature hundreds of colorfully attired participants, illuminated and ornate floats, dancing lions, traditional firecrackers, and fan favorite “Gum Lung” the 268-foot long golden dragon.

Due to Muni service re-routes, street closures, and heavy pedestrian foot traffic, the downtown area will see congestion. Help ease any gridlock by using Muni Metro Subway service to Powell Station to visit the main viewing area at Union Square.

Muni service note: the F Market, 1 California, 2 Clement, 3 Jackson, 5 Fulton, 6 Haight/Parnassus, 7 Haight/Noriega, 8 Bayshore, 9 San Bruno, 10 Townsend, 12 Folsom/Pacific, 14 Mission, 14R Mission Rapid, 21 Hayes, 25 Treasure Island, 30 Stockton, 31 Balboa, 38 Geary, 38R Geary Rapid, 45 Union/Stockton, and 76X Marin Headlands Express routes as well as the Powell Hyde and Powell Mason Cable Car lines will be affected. The California Cable Car Line will have a bus substitution in place. There will be no Powell Cable Car Line service.

Chinese Community Street Fair
Saturday and Sunday, various times.
Chinatown

While the New Year Parade gets most of the attention, the Chinatown Community Street Fair will provide visitors plenty of time to soak up the local neighborhood flavor. Shoppers will have more than 80 different booths and concession stands to browse through, while enjoying the sights and sounds of Chinese folk dancing, opera, drumming, and much more.

Due to street closures and increased foot traffic, service on the 1 California, 8 Bayshore, 10 Townsend, 12 Folsom/Pacific, 30 Stockton, 45 Union/Stockton, and the California Cable Car Line may be your best options to get to Chinatown.

Muni service note: there will be re-routes on the 10 Townsend and 12 Folsom/Pacific routes.

Winter Storm Information:

The Department of Emergency Management has prepared a Comprehensive Guide to Everything El Niño in order to prepare and assist people on what to know and what to be aware of during the storms. We've been preparing for months and know you'll want to plan your trip before you head out into inclement weather. Sign up for Muni Alerts to get real-time service updates on your most used Muni routes and lines.

On Tap for next weekend: Little League Parade and Chinese New Year Run

“On Tap” gives you a heads up about the big events in town and what Muni routes and lines will get you to the party. Look for this feature to be posted usually on Wednesdays for a look ahead to the weekend.