Eileen Gu Leads San Francisco's Chinese New Year Parade

Olympic champion skier serves as grand marshal for annual celebration of Chinese American culture.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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San Francisco celebrated the Lunar New Year with its annual Chinese New Year parade, featuring thousands of revelers cheering on hometown hero and Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu as the grand marshal. The procession included traditional Chinese cultural performances and displays, with Gu riding in a red convertible adorned with flowers as a symbol of good fortune.

Why it matters

The Chinese New Year parade is one of the largest celebrations of its kind outside of Asia, showcasing the vibrant Chinese American community in San Francisco. Gu's participation as grand marshal highlights her status as a local hero and role model, representing the cultural fusion of her Chinese heritage and American upbringing.

The details

The parade featured traditional Chinese elements like drums, dancing, and lion dancers, as well as floats and children marching in inflatable horse costumes. Gu, who won multiple medals at the 2025 Winter Olympics, rode in a red convertible and waved to the enthusiastic crowd.

  • The parade took place on Saturday evening, March 8, 2026 to ring in the Year of the Fire Horse.
  • Gu was selected as the grand marshal by the middle of 2025, before her Olympic success.

The players

Eileen Gu

An Olympic champion freestyle skier who was born and raised in San Francisco, representing both her Chinese and American heritage.

Wiliam Gee

The organizer of the annual Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco.

Vanessa Chan

A resident of neighboring South San Francisco who praised Gu as a positive representation of cultural infusion.

Megan Chin

A South San Francisco resident who defended Gu's decision to compete for China, saying it's great to celebrate both heritages.

Calvin Lui

A San Francisco resident who attended the parade with his young son and celebrated Gu's representation of both her Chinese and American identities.

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What they’re saying

“She's really wonderful. … She's funny, sunny, and she represents positivity.”

— Vanessa Chan, South San Francisco resident (kob.com)

“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. I am proud of her.”

— Megan Chin, South San Francisco resident (kob.com)

“That's her identity, both countries — so she gets the best of both worlds.”

— Calvin Lui, San Francisco resident (kob.com)

What’s next

Gu is expected to continue her role as a cultural ambassador, representing both her Chinese and American identities, in future events and celebrations.

The takeaway

Eileen Gu's participation as grand marshal of San Francisco's Chinese New Year parade highlights her status as a local hero who embodies the cultural fusion of her Chinese heritage and American upbringing, inspiring pride and celebration within the diverse Chinese American community.