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San Francisco celebrated the Year of the Fire Horse with its vibrant annual Chinese New Year parade on Saturday evening. The streets were filled with thousands of enthusiastic revelers, all eager to catch a glimpse of hometown hero and Olympic champion, Eileen Gu, who served as the grand marshal.
This lively procession included the rhythmic beats of drums, energetic dancing, and intricately designed floats, all highlighting the rich culture of the Chinese American community. The parade, renowned as the oldest of its kind outside Asia and one of the largest, truly showcased the community’s vibrancy.
As civic leaders and performers made their way from downtown to the heart of Chinatown, the air was alive with the crackling sounds of firecrackers. Children’s faces lit up as they marched along wearing inflatable horses, while lion dancers and martial artists dazzled the crowd with their performances.
The origins of this cherished event date back to the 1860s, when Chinese immigrants, who had arrived during the California Gold Rush, organized the parade. They sought to share their rich cultural heritage through a quintessentially American tradition—the parade—as noted on the event’s official website.
While the celebration reliably attracts large crowds each year, this time, the presence of Eileen Gu added an extra layer of excitement. The Olympic champion was met with enthusiastic cheers from the jubilant attendees.
Vanessa Chan of neighboring South San Francisco said she represents “cultural infusion.”
“She’s really wonderful. … She’s funny, sunny, and she represents positivity,” Chan said.
Gu appeared partway through the parade in a red dress, sitting in a red convertible adorned with flowers. The color is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity for the Chinese holiday.
Parade organizer Wiliam Gee said Gu was picked for the role by the middle of last year — before she competed in the 2025 Milan-Cortino Winter Games, where she won two silver medals and one gold, making her the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history.
“The year of the horse brings a lot of new life and energy,” Gee said. “She definitely represents Chinese heritage and definitely is an icon.”
Gu has come under scrutiny for her decision to represent China in competition, and Megan Chin, also of South San Francisco, said she felt the Olympian was attacked unfairly.
“When you’re multicultural and you want to celebrate both heritages, it’s great to be happy for someone if they want to celebrate their other heritage as well,” Chin said. “I am proud of her.”
Calvin Lui, who attended with his young son, said he loved Gu’s representation of the city where she was born and raised as well as her Chinese heritage.
“That’s her identity, both countries — so she gets the best of both worlds,” Lui said.