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2w ago

San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Parade Sets Saturday Showcase With First-Ever Drone Finale

Builders finished 16 Fire Horse–themed floats under tighter budgets after tariff-driven cost increases.

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The costs of parade floats materials has skyrocketed, likely due to Chinese tariffs, the lead float designer said.   
Parade floats at Pier 19 in San Francisco that will be featured in the upcoming Chinese New Year Parade.
Becket Schroeder works on parade floats at Pier 19.

Overview

  • The parade is scheduled for Saturday evening, March 7, on a 1.3‑mile route from Second and Market around Union Square to Kearny Street and Columbus Avenue.
  • A coordinated waterfront display of about 500 drones will replace the traditional fireworks for the first time.
  • Sixteen floats built by The Parade Guys spotlight the Year of the Fire Horse with gravity‑defying rearing horse sculptures and pan‑Asian motifs.
  • Float builders report material costs have surged due to U.S. tariffs, shrinking crews and budgets even after most tariffs were struck down last month, with a 10% levy still in place.
  • SFMTA has posted afternoon Financial District street closures with streets expected to reopen around 9:30 p.m.; the event is free with $45–$75 bleacher seating available and ABC7 providing live coverage.