2026 Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration

Photo courtesy of Portland Chinese Museum

The Portland Chinese Museum is hosting its annual Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration in Downtown Portland.

Opened in December 2018, the Portland Chinatown Museum is Oregon’s first museum about to Chinese American history, art and culture. The museum is dedicated to honoring Portland’s Chinatown as well as hosting gallery space for contemporary Asian American artists in all media.

The museum also hosts an annual Lunar New Year celebration complete with a dragon dance parade. 

2026 Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration

On Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., attend the 10th annual Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration. Celebrate the Year of the Horse with a special parade through Portland.

At the parade, a 150-foot dragon is accompanied by lion dancers, performers and a lively community parade through Old Town, Downtown, and ending at the Oregon Historical Society Park Plaza.

Parade Schedule

From 10-11 a.m., the celebration kicks off at NW Third St. and Davis St. with the 150-foot dragon passing through the China Gate followed by lion dancers and performers.

From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the parade will make its way around Old Town Chinatown. The lion dance troupes perform plucking of the greens at select locations. This performance is a quest by the lion to pluck vegetables in a display of dance and cat-like curiosity. The dance is believed to bring good luck and fortune to the business.

Along the way, volunteers pass out traditional red envelopes to the crowd. 

During the hour, the parade proceeds down SW Third Ave. toward SW Jefferson St. and Park Ave.

From 12:30-1 p.m., the parade will reach its final destination at the Oregon Historical Society Park Plaza.

Parade Route

The parade route starts at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, loops around several blocks and makes stops at businesses in Old Town and then marches down SW 3rd Ave. ending at Oregon Historical Society. 

The 2026 route map has not been announce yet. I’ll post it as soon as it is available. 

This event is free to attend. For more information about the dragon dance parade and celebration, visit Portland Chinese Museum’s website.

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