Gridlock Expected in Downtown SF for Chinese New Year Parade; Free Muni Offered All Day

Major Disruptions: The 2026 Chinese New Year Parade

Commuters and visitors should prepare for significant travel disruptions today, Saturday, March 7, 2026, as San Francisco hosts its annual Chinese New Year Parade. While the procession officially steps off at 5:15 p.m. from the intersection of Market and 2nd Streets, road closures and staging activities will begin as early as 10:00 a.m. and intensify throughout the afternoon. Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to line the route, leading to heavy pedestrian traffic and gridlock in the SoMa, Financial District, and Chinatown neighborhoods.

Major Street Closures and Detours

The parade route follows Market Street to Geary, turns onto Powell, winds east on Post, and moves north on Kearny toward Columbus Avenue. Drivers are advised to avoid the downtown core entirely after 2:00 p.m. Key street closures include:

• 2nd Street: Closed between Market and Mission streets starting at 2:00 p.m.
• Market Street: Full closure between 2nd and Geary streets starting at 3:00 p.m.
• Union Square Perimeter: Geary (Market to Powell), Powell (Geary to Post), and Post (Kearny to Powell) will be closed from 3:00 p.m. until approximately 9:30 p.m.
• Main Street: Closed between Harrison and Market for float staging starting at 3:00 p.m.
• Kearny Street: Closed from Post to Columbus Avenue for the final leg of the parade.

To bypass the event, westbound traffic on Market Street is being diverted to Howard Street, while eastbound traffic is being sent to Folsom Street. Access to the Portsmouth Square Garage will be restricted, though one hour of free parking is available for those who arrive early.

Public Transit: Free Muni and Route Changes

To encourage the use of public transport and alleviate road congestion, the SFMTA has announced that Muni fares are free citywide all day today, with the exception of cable cars. However, riders should expect major service modifications. Most bus routes that typically run along Market Street, including the 5, 7, 9, 14, and 38 lines, will be rerouted to Mission Street for the duration of the event. Cable car service on the California, Powell-Mason, and Powell-Hyde lines will also be significantly impacted or suspended in the downtown area during the parade hours.

Regional Transit and Ongoing Roadworks

BART and Caltrain remain the most reliable options for entering the city today. Caltrain now operates on a 30-minute weekend frequency following its full electrification, providing a steady alternative to driving. BART reports no major track maintenance on the San Francisco lines today, though passengers should anticipate crowded trains near the Montgomery and Powell Street stations.

Beyond the parade, several long-term infrastructure projects continue to affect traffic. Lane reductions remain in place on Main Street between Market and Howard for ongoing sewage and pavement renovations. Additionally, the 19th Avenue (SR-1) rehabilitation project and work on the U.S. 101 Hospital Curve may cause minor delays for those traveling through the western and southern parts of the city.