As the Lunar New Year celebrations sweep across Asia and diaspora communities worldwide, San Francisco has emerged as a vibrant hub for Spring Festival traditions in 2026. The city’s historic flower market, now in full swing along Grant Avenue, transforms into a kaleidoscope of peach blossoms, chrysanthemums, and mandarin trees this week – a living bridge between Asian cultural heritage and American multiculturalism.
This year’s event features over 150 vendors offering traditional Lunar New Year plants alongside contemporary floral arrangements, drawing both local residents and international visitors. Market organizers note a 20% increase in specialty orchid varieties compared to previous years, reflecting growing interest in botanical symbolism among younger attendees.
The fair serves as an economic bright spot for Bay Area businesses, with florists reporting record pre-orders from tech companies decorating offices for the holiday. Cultural performances scheduled through February 21 include lion dances and calligraphy demonstrations, while food stalls showcase regional specialties from Fujianese rice cakes to Korean tteokguk.
For Asian diaspora communities, the market provides a tangible connection to homeland traditions. “Seeing my children choose their own lucky bamboo plants here feels like passing on our roots,” shared San Jose resident Lin Wei, visiting with family from the Chinese mainland.
