2027 Chinese New Year Parade Application

Over 100 units will take part in the Chinese New Year Parade—a San Francisco tradition dating back to just after the Gold Rush. Year after year, the Parade continues to captivate hundreds of thousands of spectators, whether they line the streets or stream it on television.

The 2027 San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade (Year of the Ram) will take place on Saturday, February 20, 2027. Nowhere else in the world will you find a Lunar New Year parade filled with such intricate floats, dazzling costumes, thunderous firecrackers, and roaring lion dances. You’ll also see our newly crowned Miss Chinatown U.S.A. and her court, and of course, the show-stopping 288-foot Golden Dragon (“Gum Lung”), brought to life by more than 180 martial artists from the White Crane team.

We’re seeking colorful, creative, and entertaining groups to join our spectacular celebration. Don’t miss your chance—applications are due by Saturday, October 31, 2026.

Rain or shine, the Chinese New Year Parade is sure to warm your heart and electrify your senses.

GUIDELINES

2027 SF Chinese New Year Festival and Parade - Year of the Ram

When: Saturday, February 20, 2027 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm PST
Where: San Francisco Downtown/Union Square/Chinatown

Applications are due by Saturday, October 31, 2026, 11:59pm PST. 

NOTE: All applicants must submit a $350 nonrefundable application fee via ACH, debit/credit card or check.
Additional $350 late fee will be added for applications submitted after the due date (total $700).

For Payments by ACH or Debit/Credit Card: 

Payment will be due at the time of application submission, and a processing fee will be applied. 

For Payments by Check:

Enter code CNYPCHECK at checkout. Applications will only be reviewed once payment has been received. Payment must be received by October 31, 2026. 

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

SF Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Re: 2026 Parade Application Fee

730 Sacramento St.

San Francisco, CA 94108

NOTICE: This is NOT an automatic invitation to participate in the 2026 SF Chinese New Year Parade. This is an application to request participation and to provide the Parade Office with details about your group’s proposed involvement. All applications will be reviewed by the Parade Committee prior to approval. If your application is approved, you will receive an official invitation. Please note that the participation in the Parade is BY INVITATION ONLY.

Identifying Your Category:

• Bands: Includes all school/college 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: Nonprofit groups that provide services benefiting or enriching the community.
• Employee Resource Groups (ERG): Employee-led networks supported by a company or organization.
• Lion Dance Groups: Groups that provide dragon and/or lion dancing performances.
• Specialty Groups: Groups that present another form of art or entertainment that does not fit in any of the other categories listed above.

DO NOT submit this application if you fit into one of the categories below:

• Service Providers: Private, Government-owned entities or city departments, please contact sponsorship@chineseparade.com
• Corporate Sponsors: For information about our sponsorship packages, please contact sponsorship@chineseparade.com

Notification of invitations or declinations will be sent to applicants no later than Friday, November 20, 2026.

We strongly encourage applicants to submit photos with their application to support the reviewing process.

For more information or updates about the Chinese New Year Festival & Parade, please visit our website at chineseparade.com or email your inquiries to info@chineseparade.com. 

Visit Us: chineseparade.com

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The Parade welcomes a wide range of groups to participate, with the goal of educating, inspiring, and entertaining audiences through the vibrant pageantry of Chinese culture and tradition. To preserve the spirit and cultural character of the event, all performing units are asked to reflect a cultural theme. We are honored to celebrate alongside representatives from diverse Asian communities as part of our festivities.

If you wish to be considered for participation in the 2027 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, 2026. Letters of acceptance or denial will be sent by the end of November. Only applicants who are accepted will be invited to participate in the Parade. All applications fee are nonrefundable, regardless of whether your application is accepted, denied, or withdrawn. 

San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization. As such, Parade participants are not permitted to make any political endorsements or engage in political campaigning as part of their participation. Any political campaigning or endorsements included in your application will result in application rejection. Any political campaigning or endorsements during your participation in the Parade may result in a ban of up to three years.

Participating units may not invite, include, or bring another group or organization to participate as part of their unit. Each participating group must submit a separate application and receive approval from the Parade Office. Violation of this rule will result in removal from the Parade and may result in a three-year ban of future participation.

For more information, please visit our website at chineseparade.com or email your inquiries to info@chineseparade.com.