Today, the San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade is the largest celebration of its kind in the world, attracting over three million spectators and television viewers throughout the U.S., Canada, and Asia with the help of both ABC 7 and KTSF, Channel 26 (Chinese broadcast). The last event held during the Chinese New Year is called the Lantern Festival, during which people hang glowing lanterns in temples or carry them during a nighttime parade. Since the dragon is a Chinese symbol of good fortune, a dragon dance highlights festival celebrations in many areas. The origin of the Chinese New Year Festival can be traced back to about 3,500 years ago. Chinese New Year has evolved over a long period of time and its customs have undergone a long development process. A Legend of the Origin of Chinese New Year. Like all traditional festivals in China, Chinese New Year is steeped with stories and myths. The date of Chinese New Year changes each year because it's based on the lunar calendar. While the western Gregorian calendar is based on the Earth’s orbit around the sun, the date of Chinese New Year is determined according to the moon’s orbit around the Earth. Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. In New York City, the Chinese New Year Parade stands as a dazzling testament to the resilience and cultural pride of Chinese Americans. This article delves into the ancient origins of Chinese New Year, its evolution through history, and the inaugural celebration of the NYC parade—a milestone that bridged traditions across continents. The traditions of Chinese New Year spread to these regions as a result of migration, trade, and cultural exchange over centuries. Vietnam, which was under Chinese rule for over a thousand years, celebrates Tết Nguyên Đán, which shares many customs with Chinese New Year such as ancestor worship, red envelopes, and lucky foods. Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival and the Lunar New Year, is an annual 15-day festival celebrated in China, East and Southeast Asia and by Chinese communities around the world. Known for its bright colours, music, gift-giving, socialising and festivities, Chinese New Year is a widely-enjoyed staple event in the Chinese calendar. The history of the Chinese New Year festival can be traced back to about 3,500 years ago. Chinese New Year has evolved over a long period of time and its customs have undergone a long developmental process. When is Chinese New Year? The date of the Chinese New Year is determined by the traditional Chinese calendar, a lunisolar calendar that San Francisco is home to America's oldest Chinatown, and although the Lunar New Year celebration is now an annual staple, it wasn't always a beloved tradition in the city. Why it matters: The parade, considered the largest of its kind outside Asia, was first organized in the mid-1800s in part to counteract racism. Chinese New Year Festival & Parade. Named one of the top ten Parades in the world by International Festivals & Events Association, the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the few remaining night illuminated Parades in North America and the biggest parade celebrating the lunar new year outside of Asia. The two-week Chinese New Year Festival and Parade, sponsored by Southwest Airlines in recent years, includes two fairs, the Chinese New Year Flower Fair and Chinatown Community Street Fair, the Miss Chinatown USA pageant, and concludes with the parade. Miss Chinatown USA is traditionally present at the parade, as is a Golden Dragon which is D.C.’s annual Lunar New Year parade this weekend will be chockful of traditional dances and garb, but will also come with some road closures along the parade route. The 2025 Annual Chinese Lunar Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China. Tied to the Chinese lunar calendar, it begins on the new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20. The holiday was Lunar New Year 2025 begins Wednesday, Jan 29, 2025. Learn about Chinese New Year traditions, history, dates and how long the Chinese New Year celebration is. Chinese New Year Festival & Parade. Named one of the top ten Parades in the world by International Festivals & Events Association, the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the few remaining night illuminated Parades in North America and the biggest parade celebrating the lunar new year outside of Asia. A Chinese dragon. Chinese New Year Dragon Dances. Dragon dances are an important part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Along with lion dances, they are often the highlight of Chinese New Year parades. From Chinese New Year's Day to the Lantern Festival, dragon dances can be seen in many places in China and Chinatowns around the world. They HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR IN THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE! The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) organizes and hosts the Chinese Lunar New Year Parade in partnership with The Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA) 2025 DATE: FEBRUARY 2, 2025 Parade website: www.dcparade.com FOR MORE INFORMATION or QUESTIONS ABOUT THE About us. Chinese New Year Parade. Named one of the top ten Parades in the world by International Festivals & Events Association and USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice award, the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the few remaining night illuminated Parades in North America and the biggest parade celebrating the lunar new year outside of Asia. The Chinese New Year Parade has a long history in San Francisco. It’s been named one of the top ten parades in the world by the International Festivals & Events Association and is the biggest Lunar New Year parade outside of Asia. Over 100 units usually take part, with elaborate floats and costumes, firecrackers, and the newly crowned Miss
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