Did you know that 140 countries celebrate CNY? I have selected 3 locations and created this special series to show you how they enjoy the Lunar New Year!

The festivities started in San Francisco in the mid-1800s during the Gold Rush, when many Chinese immigrants went to the U.S. looking for work. As they tried to educate the community about their culture, the SF Parade and Festival have grown to be the largest celebration of Asian culture outside Asia.

San Francisco welcomes the year of the Monkey with a celebration that includes the Chinese New Year Flower Fair, the Chinatown Community Street Fair and its traditional parade. The Flower Fair always take place a weekend before the Lunar New Year (this year, 30 and 31st of January) so families can purchase traditional plants, flowers and fruits – all while enjoying Chinese Dance, music and art.

From 5 to 13th of February, the Public Library offers CNY crafts workshops where anyone can join for free (registration required) and learn how to create decorations such as lanterns and animal shapes out of red envelopes. On February 7, the Asian Art Museum – which has the biggest Asian art collection outside Asia – will hold a “Family Fun Day” to teach kids about CNY symbols with an art project inspired by flowers and plants.

The Chinatown Street Fair will happen for the 27th time, on 20 and 21st of February, with Chinese dance, opera, drumming and over than 80 booths selling different Chinese artifacts. On February 20, from 6 to 8 P.M. the parade is expected to entertain the crowd. Expect to see martial art group, Chinese acrobats, marching bands and the Golden Dragon (almost 19 meters long) – all accompanied by over 600.000 fireworks.

To find more info on the San Francisco Chinese New Year, go here!