San Francisco Prepares Dazzling Floats for Chinese New Year Parade

Parade organizers overcome budget challenges to deliver stunning displays for weekend festivities

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade is set to take place this weekend, and the organizers behind the event have been working tirelessly to prepare the elaborate floats that will be showcased. Stephanie Mufson, the owner of The Parade Guys, oversees a crew of nearly 30 people who have been designing and constructing the 16 shimmering floats since November. Despite facing budget constraints due to rising costs and tariffs, the team has managed to maintain the high-quality standards that the parade is known for.

Why it matters

The San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade is a beloved annual tradition that celebrates the city's vibrant Asian American community. The parade attracts thousands of spectators and is a significant cultural event that showcases the creativity and artistry of the organizers. The challenges faced by the parade organizers in maintaining the parade's quality and grandeur despite budget constraints highlight the ongoing efforts required to preserve and celebrate the city's diverse cultural heritage.

The details

The design process for the floats began in November, with the team working to incorporate elements that reflect the year of the fire horse. The floats feature stunning floral displays, shimmering decorations, and beautiful horses. Despite the budget challenges posed by rising costs and tariffs, the organizers have managed to maintain the high-quality standards that the parade is known for.

  • The design process for the floats began in November 2025.
  • The San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade is scheduled for this weekend (March 8-9, 2026).

The players

Stephanie Mufson

The owner of The Parade Guys, who oversees the team of nearly 30 people responsible for designing and constructing the parade floats.

Abeje Maoled

A long-time member of The Parade Guys team, who appreciates the creativity and hard work that goes into creating the parade's stunning displays.

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What they’re saying

“It's the year of the fire horse, and so we really wanted to have one or two floats that really leaned into fire. So, we got this beautiful floral fire.”

— Stephanie Mufson, Owner, The Parade Guys (cbsnews.com)

“The creativity. Of course, the glitter, and it's a lot of work. And a lot of chaos sometimes, but the end products are really beautiful and seeing the crowd when you go out to parade day, everybody's always appreciative of the hard work.”

— Abeje Maoled, Parade Crew Member (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade is scheduled to take place this weekend, with thousands of spectators expected to attend and enjoy the dazzling floats and performances.

The takeaway

The San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade is a testament to the city's vibrant Asian American community and the dedication of the organizers who work tirelessly to preserve this beloved annual tradition. Despite facing budget challenges, the parade team has managed to create stunning displays that will captivate and delight the crowds, showcasing the creativity, artistry, and resilience of the local community.