Over 100,000 Attend Annual Golden Dragon Parade in LA Chinatown

Celebration of Lunar New Year features dragon dance, cultural performances, and community leaders.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles presented its 127th Annual Golden Dragon Parade on Saturday in Chinatown, celebrating the Lunar New Year. The event included marching bands, local businesses, cultural groups, entertainers, floats, the Miss Chinatown pageant, and government officials. The chamber estimated over 100,000 spectators attended the parade, which featured the traditional dragon dance as a highlight.

Why it matters

The Golden Dragon Parade is a longstanding tradition that brings the diverse Chinatown community together to celebrate the Lunar New Year. It showcases the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Chinese-American community in Los Angeles, which has faced challenges of gentrification and changing demographics in recent years.

The details

The parade's theme was 'Unity in the Community.' Notable attendees included Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Chinese Chamber of Commerce President Chester Chong, and Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who served as the honorary grand marshal. The dragon dance, a symbolic performance featuring a colorful dragon figure manipulated by a skilled dance team, was a highlight of the annual event.

  • The 127th Annual Golden Dragon Parade took place on Saturday, February 22, 2026.
  • The parade celebrated the Lunar New Year, marking the Year of the Horse.

The players

Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles

The organization that has presented the Annual Golden Dragon Parade in Chinatown for 127 years, celebrating the Lunar New Year and Chinese-American culture in Los Angeles.

Karen Bass

The Mayor of Los Angeles who attended the parade.

Chester Chong

The President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles.

Nathan Hochman

The Los Angeles District Attorney who was named the honorary grand marshal of the parade.

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The takeaway

The Annual Golden Dragon Parade in Los Angeles Chinatown remains an important cultural celebration that preserves the traditions and community spirit of the Chinese-American population, even as the neighborhood faces demographic changes.