San Francisco’s 2026 Chinese New Year Parade, celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse, will feature vibrant marching bands, cultural performances, and 16 elaborately crafted floats. The event will be broadcast live by KTVU FOX 2 on multiple platforms, with a live stream starting around 5 p.m. from 3rd and Market streets. Preparations have involved a dedicated team of artists from The Parade Guys, who are meticulously designing glittering, gravity-defying horse sculptures that highlight detailed differences in horse breeds, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity.
Despite challenges such as increased material costs and the complexity of creating rearing horse statues, the parade has nearly returned to its pre-pandemic scale. Artists like Derrick Shavers, who considers 2026 his lucky year, and lead sculptor Lacey Bryant have worked intensively to meet deadlines and bring the celebration to life. The team’s commitment to craftsmanship and creativity aims to deliver a magical and memorable experience for the community.
