On the evening of February 4, 2026, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie celebrated his 49th birthday at a street party in Chinatown, pushing the festive atmosphere of Chinese New Year and the 60th edition of the Super Bowl XL to its peak.
The night was filled with the sound of drums in Chinatown, adorned with vibrant red lanterns. A series of song and dance performances, food stalls, and street activities unfolded in a joyous atmosphere, attracting a large crowd of locals and tourists to come together.
Around 7 pm, Mayor Lurie took the stage with his wife, Becca Prowda.
Addressing the enthusiastic crowd below, Prowda said, “As the Mayor often says, the rise and fall of Chinatown determine the rise and fall of San Francisco. So, I believe you all have an important responsibility tonight: to enjoy yourselves, show your vitality, passion, and the unique spirit of San Francisco!”
She then introduced her husband on stage, saying, “Next, I’d like to introduce my husband, who is celebrating his 49th birthday today. Honey, happy birthday!” With cheers from the audience, Mayor Lurie took the stage and humorously responded, “We have the best First Lady in the country! Thank you, Becca!”
After the speeches, the hosts intercepted the couple on stage as a birthday cake was brought out by the organizers. The entire audience, along with the hosts and guests on stage, cheered and sang “Happy Birthday,” becoming the most shining and heartwarming moment of the night.
Following that, the guests on stage danced together, and with the host’s encouragement, the usually reserved Mayor couldn’t help but shyly join in a few “Lurie dance steps.” After the dance, the host praised the moves as “pretty good,” to which Lurie humbly replied, “I only know one move, and I just keep repeating it.”
When asked how it feels to be 49, Mayor Lurie said, “It’s better than the other options, and better than next year. So, I want to enjoy this moment.” He cleverly mentioned the San Francisco 49ers team closely associated with the city, even though they were not competing this year, drawing laughter and cheers from the audience.
Mayor Lurie emphasized the importance of San Francisco’s Chinatown, stating, “We have the best Chinatown in North America, without a doubt! We have the greatest city in the world, without a doubt! We will showcase all of this during Super Bowl week!”
He expressed gratitude to the organizers for providing the opportunity to showcase the essence of the Asian and Chinese community, encouraging everyone to invite friends and family to come to San Francisco, and enjoy the fantastic Super Bowl week.
District 3 (including Chinatown) Councilman Danny Sauter also took the stage to address the event, saying, “When the world comes to San Francisco, they need to see our best side, they need to see Chinatown. This is what you are seeing now.”
He expressed his joy in seeing all the guests enjoying their time there, “They see the stunning beauty of San Francisco on these streets. This is a unique community and a unique city.”
He encouraged fans and visitors to enjoy the night market, shopping, and experiencing the charm of San Francisco.
The street party, organized by the BeChinatown Night Market team, aimed to celebrate Chinese New Year and Super Bowl week.
The event lasted from 5 pm to 9 pm and took place in five blocks near Grant Ave and Jackson St, featuring traditional lion dances, performances by Asian artists, chef competitions, food stalls, and panel discussions.
Michelin-starred chef Brandon Jew, Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, former San Francisco 49ers player Jesse Sapolu, Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase, San Francisco 49ers official DJ DJ E-Rock, and rapper Rudy Ibarra were among the invited guests.
The event was hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Dion Lim, with guest appearances from Golden State Warriors host Bonta Hill and California Assemblymember Matt Haney. The entire party was filled with stars, exuding a joyful and festive atmosphere. ◇