Chinese New Year 2026: Olympian Eileen Gu Heads Up Parade In Her Native San Francisco

San Francisco rang in the Year of the Fire Horse with its annual Chinese New Year parade Saturday evening, with thousands of revelers cheering on hometown hero and Olympic champion Eileen Gu as its grand marshal. The procession featured drums, dancing and floats celebrating the vibrancy of the Chinese American community in the oldest celebration of its kind outside Asia and one of the largest. Civic leaders and performers paraded from downtown to Chinatown through popping firecrackers. Children marched wearing inflatable horses while lion dancers and martial artists waved to the crowd.

Olympic gold medalist and Grand Marhsal Eileen Gu waves during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco. | Photo: AP/Jeff Chiu

Olympic gold medalist and Grand Marhsal Eileen Gu waves during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco. | Photo: AP/Jeff Chiu

Olympic gold medalist and Grand Marhsal Eileen Gu, bottom middle, waves during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco. | Photo: AP/Jeff Chiu

Olympic gold medalist and Grand Marhsal Eileen Gu gestures during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco. | Photo: AP/Jeff Chiu

Olympic gold medalist and Grand Marhsal Eileen Gu smiles during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco. | Photo: AP/Jeff Chiu

Olympic gold medalist and Grand Marhsal Eileen Gu, middle left, gestures during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco. | Photo: AP/Jeff ChiuJeff Chiu

Olympic gold medalist and Grand Marhsal Eileen Gu waves during the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco. | Photo: AP/Jeff Chiu