Lunar New Year is one of the biggest holidays celebrated in many Asian communities. Diverse San Franciscan communities including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese people have long celebrated this festive occasion. For many, the Lunar New Year brings a fresh mindset and resolutions for happiness and health. A zodiac animal with specific traits represents each year in the repeating zodiac cycle of 12 years. 2022 is the Year of the Tiger, the third animal in the zodiac. The tiger is considered courageous and adventurous.
The holiday follows the moon's cycles and usually begins in late January or early February. This year Lunar New Year begins February 1.
Fun Fact: In the lunar calendar, the Vietnamese zodiac and the Chinese zodiac are similar, but the Vietnamese zodiac includes a cat while the Chinese zodiac includes a rabbit.
As we enter the Year of the Tiger, join SFMTA in supporting Asian heritage events throughout January and February:
Local Lunar New Year events:
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January 9: Japantown's Oshogatsu (New Year's Festival) virtual recording
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January 17- February 19: Year of the Tiger public art project
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January 29: Vietnamese cooking class with Banh Chung Collective Virtual
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January 30: Flower Market Fair 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Chinatown, San Francisco
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January 30: Lunar New Year Storytelling Virtual at 11 a.m. - SF Asian Art Museum
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February 19: Chinese New Year Parade 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Chinatown, San Francisco
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February 24: Dumpling Adventure with Kristina Cho 6:30 p.m. - SF Asian Art Museum