A Groundbreaking Parade:
Lunar New Year ♡ Mardi Gras

Don't just watch—MARCH WITH US! Experience the magic when Vietnamese and Lunar New Year traditions collide with New Orleans Mardi Gras spirit in a parade where YOU are invited to join the celebration. Dance alongside majestic lion dancers, follow vibrant carnival marchers, and become part of the second line as we move through the park together. This February, don't witness history from the sidelines—make it WITH us!

All information on this page is subject to change.

Saturday, February 14, 2026 morning:
Lunar New Year Tết + Mardi Gras Parade
Sunday, February 15, 2026 morning:
Second Line Parade

Fees: None
Last day to register: Friday, January 23, 2026

Download waiver form.

Áo Dài Parade

Join the special parade unit featuring everyone wearing traditional Vietnamese áo dài attire on Saturday's parade! Everyone is welcome to join this group and help break into spring in colorful attire as we're aiming to break records in number of participants!

If you're interested in joining this unit, please email Parade@ElkGroveLunarNewYear.com and we'll connect you with the coordinator!

Join our Facebook Event for this unit as well!

Karaoke Parade

Join this unique parade unit coming for the first time where everyone is singing karaoke songs all in unison! This group will be part of Sunday's Second Line Parade.

If you're interested in joining this unit, please email Parade@ElkGroveLunarNewYear.com and we'll connect you with the coordinator!

Join our Facebook Event for this unit as well!

Participating parade groups

BTU Arts (marching band)

Bunny’s SacTown Barbie Krewe

Fancy Feet Dance Academy

Fortune Panthers Marching Band

Miss & Miss Teen Vietnam Northern California

NOLACAL Second Liners

Sacramento Zombies

Stonehearth Chapter of Amtgard

Z Krewe as KPop Demon Hunters

Zumba with Gloria & Friends as KPop Demon Hunters

Q&A

What's the difference between the parades on Saturday and Sunday?

Saturday is the "first line", and is what you typically think of a parade: parade walkers, marching bands, vehicles, floats, anything with wheels like electric scooters and golf carts. We'll be leading with lion dancers and Vietnamese cultural groups as the leading honorees, and then being trailed by... well... anything goes! It can be people dressed up in the mardi gras spirit, cosplayers and costumed units, community groups, businesses, and artists!

Sunday is the second line parade. A second line parade is a vibrant, street procession, rooted in traditional New Orleans culture, featuring a live brass band and a large crowd of dancing participants. The term "second line" specifically refers to the crowd of spectators who join in and follow the official "first line" of the parade. This is mainly a line of participants who are walking, rather than driving. They can be dressed up, or simply walking in casual attire as a community group. Join us on Sunday to help create a new world record for longest second line parade!

Parade route, arrival instructions

Note: Route is subject to change.

Setup: Parade participants will park in the Volunteers Parking Lot through Gate 7 from East Stockton Blvd, and then walk over to the Parade Staging lot where there will be registration tables. If you have vehicles as part of the parade, then enter through Gate 5 and on the first right is the Parade Staging lot.

Registration begins at 12:00 PM, and the parade will start marching at 1:00 PM. The parade will end no later than 2:00 PM.

Marching: The parade route is effectively from the Parade Staging Lot to just before the Carnival Rides Lot. The route is about a quarter mile.

Exit: Parade walkers will disperse at the crosswalk just before Carnival Rides Lot. Vehicles will continue forward to Park Way.