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Sonoma Family Life Magazine

Year of the Pig

The biggest lunar new year parade outside of Asia happens in the North Bay’s backyard: San Francisco. The annual event is also one of the only illuminated nighttime parades held in North America. Revelers watch dancing lions, elaborately decorated floats, and costumed people fill the streets as firecrackers pop nonstop. One of the stars of the show is the 288-foot Golden Dragon, which more than 180 members of the martial arts group White Crane carry. The event, which has been going on since the 1860s, is set for February 23, 5–9 p.m. The parade will start at 2nd and Market Streets, go around Union Square, and end at Kearny Street and Columbus Avenue. Tickets for bleacher seating are $35, free for kids 2 and younger, and may be purchased at chineseparade.com/tickets. If you don’t want to face the crowds, you can watch the spectacle at 6–8 p.m. on KTVU Fox 2 or KTSF Channel 26.