2024 CNY Parade Application (Payments via Check Only)

Named one of the top ten Parades in the world by the International Festivals & Events Association, the San Francisco's Chinese New Year Parade is one of the few remaining night illuminated Parades in North America and the biggest parade celebrating the lunar new year outside of Asia. Started in the 1860's by the Chinese in San Francisco as a means to educate the community about their culture, the Chinese New Year Festival & Parade have grown to be the largest celebration of Asian culture outside of Asia. Since 1958, the parade has been under the direction of the SF Chinese Chamber of Commerce. For more info about the parade, please go to: https://chineseparade.com/history/

Over 100 units will participate in the Chinese New Year Parade. A San Francisco tradition since just after the Gold Rush, the parade continues to delight and entertain the many hundreds of thousands of people who come to watch it on the street, tune in to watch it on television or on your mobile phone through our Live-stream on our Facebook page. The 2024 Alaska Airlines® Chinese New Year Parade (Year of the Dragon) will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024.

Nowhere in the world will you see a lunar new year parade with more gorgeous floats, elaborate costumes, ferocious lions, exploding firecrackers, and of course the newly crowned Miss Chinatown U.S.A. and her court. A crowd favorite is the spectacular 288' Golden Dragon ("Gum Lung"). It takes a team of over 180 men and women from the martial arts group, White Crane, to carry the Golden Dragon through the streets of San Francisco.   We are looking for colorful, fun, creative, and entertaining groups to be part of this exciting parade. Come join us by submitting your application no later than  Tuesday, October 31st, 2023. 
This year's Chinese New Year Parade promises to warm your heart and electrify your senses, come rain or stars.

 

GUIDELINES

2024 Alaska Airlines® Chinese New Year Festival and Parade - Year of the Dragon

When: Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm PST
Where: San Francisco Downtown/Union Square/Chinatown

Applications are due by October 31, 2023.
NOTICE: All applicants must submit a $300 non-refundable application fee.
Additional $300 late fee will be added for applications submitted after the due date (Total $600).

Please make check payable to "SF Chinese Chamber of Commerce" and mail it to:

SF Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Re: 2024 Parade Application Fee

730 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA 94108

 

This is not an invitation to participate in the 2024 Alaska Airlines® Chinese New Year Parade. This is an application for participation and is designed to provide the Parade Office with information about your group’s proposed involvement in the Parade. All applications will be reviewed by our Parade Committee prior of being accepted. Once accepted, you will receive an invitation. Participation in the Parade is by INVITATION ONLY.

Understand your category:

• Bands: Includes all marching bands, drill teams, drum & bell or drum & bugle corps.
• Schools: All schools, public or private, from elementary to high school, alternative, charter or language immersion.
• Community Organizations: Nonprofits providing services that the community can benefit or enjoy.
• Specialty Groups: Groups that present another form of art or entertainment that does not fit in other categories.
• Lion Dance Groups: Groups that provide dragon and/or lion dancing performances.
• Public Service Providers: Private or Government-owned entities, please contact Luciana Ng at luciana.ng@chineseparade.com or at (415) 889-8823
• Corporate Sponsors: Please contact Christina Hoang at emailme@christinahoang.com or at (703) 963-5904

Important notes:

• All marching units, except for school marching bands, are limited to 50 people only.
• 30-second repeatable routine is suggested for all groups. 
• Forward motion only. Groups that have a performance that walk backwards or stop during the parade will be banned from participation to the parade for up to 3 years.
• All groups (except for Lion Dance Groups) will be judged in several categories and the top 3 highest scored groups will be awarded in the Parade Awards Ceremony during our Annual Spring Banquet Event in April.
• Additional instructions will be sent to all units invited to participate in the parade. Violators will have points deducted and/or banned from participation to the parade for up to 3 years. 

Invitations or declines to applicants will be notified by Friday, November 10, 2023.

We highly recommend that you submit photos with your application to facilitate our reviewing process.

For information about festival events, call the SF Chinese Chamber of Commerce at 415 982-3000. Inquiries about the Chinese New Year Parade may be directed to 415 889-8823. Visit our website at chineseparade.com for more information and updates.

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The Parade welcomes a variety of groups to join in the march in hopes to educate, enrich and entertain its audience with the colorful pageantry of Chinese culture and tradition. In order to retain the integrity of the Parade, participants are asked to tie their float or specialty unit to a Chinese cultural theme. We are honored and delighted to have representatives from all Asian cultures participating in this year’s festivities.

 

If your school or community organization wishes to be considered for participation in the 2024 San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade, you must submit an application online. Paper applications are no longer accepted. 

 

The deadline to submit the application is by October 31, 2023. Letters of acceptance or denial will be sent in mid November. Only applicants who are accepted will be invited to participate in the parade.

 

For corporate sponsorship, please complete the interest form titled "Corporate Sponsors"

 

For more information, please visit our website at chineseparade.com. You can also contact the Parade Office at (415) 889-8823 or at info@chineseparade.com.