SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Preparations are underway for Saturday’s Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco.

Union Square was buzzing with activity Friday as crews set up the bleacher seats, live broadcast center and barricades.

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to flock to the city to celebrate the year of the horse.

Parade Director Tony Lau said there will be 17 floats and 100 groups in the parade, including nonprofits.

“I think it’s going to be packed for the parade,” Lau said. “Everybody should join us for the parade. We are going to have some special guests. We have our Grand Marshall Eileen Gu. We’re going to have a couple of the floats coming in with our DJ Zhu. It’s going to be amazing.”

WATCH SATURDAY: SF Chinese New Year Parade 2026 on ABC7

There will be road closures for the 1.3 mile-long parade and the San Francisco Police Department said security will be tight.

“We don’t give specific numbers but we will have additional officers working that day to facilitate the parade, as well as ensure the safety of all those who are coming to visit and enjoy the parade,” said Officer Robert Rueca, of the San Francisco Police Department.

San Francisco Supervisor Danny Sauter said the celebration will be a big boost for local businesses. And he said it’s one of the best events in the city.

“Anyone who sees it, whether in person or watches it online or on TV, I think they immediately feel it,” Supervisor Sauter said. “They see the vibrancy, the spirit, the color, the performances. It’s truly one of my favorite days in San Francisco all year.”

Restaurants in the area see significant boosts in sales and reservations the whole week from visitors coming in for the festival, and staying after the celebrations, said Hollie Chiao, of the Union Square Alliance. She added that the parade doesn’t just create a few hours of excitement-it drives an entire week of dining, shopping, and overnight stays that support the local hospitality economy.

MORE: Floats for San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade get finishing touches

The parade starts at 5:15 p.m. at 2nd and Market Street.

It is free.

If you have tickets for the bleacher seats, you’re urged to go there by 4 p.m.

If you don’t have tickets, of course, you can sit anywhere along the parade route and watch the parade.

Here’s how you can watch the parade on ABC7 Eyewitness News on Saturday, March 7.

Coverage starts at 5 p.m. wherever you stream ABC7.

SF Chinese New Year Parade 2026: How to watch ABC7 Eyewitness News live coverage

If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live