Get ready to ring in the Year Of The Tiger with the 2010 Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco Chinatown. The parade features floats, firecrackers, extravagant costumes, and local color on the streets. The dramatic 201 ft long Golden Dragon at the end of the parade to the sound of 600,000 firecrackers is a big hit.

Named one of the world’s top ten parades, Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is the largest celebration of its kind outside of Asia.

“The tiger is the third animal in the twelve animal cycle of the Chinese New Year. People born in the Year Of The Tiger (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010) are characterized as sensitive, emotional, aggressive and sincere. They tend to be self-righteous and are quick tempered with their critics. All the same it is difficult to resist him, for he is a magnetic character. People automatically respect him – even those working against him.”

Along with the parade, you’ll find tons of Chinese New Year activities all over the city, many of them free, including: Southwest Airlines Mini-Procession & Ribbon Cutting (Feb. 6); Chinese New Year Flower Fair (Feb. 6-7); the Chinese New Year Community Street Fair (Feb. 27-28); and the Chinese Culture Center Spring Festival (Feb. 27-28).

WHAT’S THE DEAL: The 2010 Chinese New Year Festival and Parade and several other Chinese New Year events in San Francisco are Free.

WHEN: The parade is Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 5:15 pm. The Chinese New Year Community Street Fair is Feb. 28. See this calendar of events for specifics.

WHERE: The parade starts on 2nd & Market Street, goes up Geary, down Post and ends on Kearny at Columbus, San Francisco.

CHEAP TIP: Want to skip the crowds?  Tune in to watch the event on television on KTVU Fox 2 or KTSF Channel 26, 6-8 pm.

CHEAP TRIVIA: Chinese New Year Day is Sunday, February 14, 2010. (No events scheduled on this day.)