If Jan. 1 flew by and you feel like you missed your chance to celebrate the start of 2026, don’t worry—you get a second one. Many cultures follow the lunisolar calendar and celebrate Lunar New Year as the official start of the year. February 17, 2026 is the start of the Year of the Fire Horse, but you can find Lunar New Year celebrations happening throughout L.A. in January and much of February.
Family Fest: Lunar New Year
Sat., Jan. 17 | The Wallis
Celebrate the lunar new year and the year of the horse with performances, arts and crafts, music and more at The Wallis’ annual Family Fest. Free and open to all. More info.
Lunar 2026 K*Popalooza
2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Sun., Jan. 18 | Concert Park
Join the City of Los Angeles for K*Popalooza – Lunar New Year 2026, a high-energy, family-friendly celebration honoring Lunar New Year through the exciting world of K-Pop Demon Hunters.
Enjoy live performances by K8 Culture Company, interactive K-pop dance lessons led by Kate Mina Lin, and a K-Pop Demon Hunter Costume Contest for fans of all ages. The party continues with music by DJ Peter Rocks, plus food trucks, activities, and experiences designed for the whole family to enjoy. More info.
Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park
Jan. 23 – Feb. 22 | Disney California Adventure Park
Disney California Adventure Park welcomes the Year of the Horse with food, festivities and joyous tributes to Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures from Jan. 23 through Feb. 22.
Highlights include Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession, special appearances by some popular Disney Characters dressed in outfits inspired by traditional cultural attire and more. More info.
2026 Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival
10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 31 – Feb. 1 | Downtown Monterey Park
Monterey Park’s Lunar New Year Festival has been a beloved community tradition since 2008. Celebrate the Year of the Horse in downtown Monterey Park with 5 street block of fun, along Garvey Ave. This 2-day open street festival features live performances, a wishing tree, calligraphy art, games, lion dances, shopping and plenty of delicious food. More info.
Lunar New Year at Plaza West Covina
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Sat., Jan. 31 | Plaza West Covina
Join Plaza West Covina, the premier shopping center in the San Gabriel Valley, to ring in the Lunar New Year with live performances, music and more! This celebration is open to all ages and is fun for the whole family.
Guests can watch rich cultural performances featuring traditional lion dances and a martial arts demonstration, as well as receive a complimentary face painting. The event will take place in Plaza West Covina’s Center Court. More info.
Lunar New Year Celebration at South Coast Botanic Garden
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.., Feb. 7 – 8, 14 – 15, 21 – 22 | South Coast Botanic Garden
Celebrate the Year of the Horse at South Coast Botanic Garden with Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean traditions set among the Garden’s winter blooms and lush greenery!
Included with General Garden Admission, guests can enjoy interactive stations like handkerchief dancing, Mahjong, Korean Yutnori, the Vietnamese game Bầu Cua Cá Cọp, a Wishing Tree, Zodiac Stroll, a new dragon walk, morning tai chi, specialty foods, cocktails and a festive photo moment.
See live performances featuring lion dancers, martial artists, folk dancers and drummers at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day for a modest additional fee. More info.
Lunar New Year at Pretend City
11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. Sun., Feb. 15 | Pretend City Children’s Museum
Welcome to the Year of the Horse! Celebrate Lunar New Year with colorful traditions, cultural movement, and fun for the whole family! More info.
Lunar New Year at One Colorado
1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Sun., Feb. 15 | One Colorado
Celebrate Lunar New Year at One Colorado with live music, traditional Lion Dance, treats, and lucky red envelopes!
Welcome the Year of the Horse with an afternoon of festive traditions. Enjoy a live musical performance, a traditional Lion Dance, and complimentary treats including mochi and mini bites from Champion’s Curry.
Guests who spend $75 or more at any One Colorado shop or restaurant and present their receipt will receive a Lucky Red Envelope containing a surprise $5 gift card and additional special offers—while supplies last. More info.
Lunar New Year at the L.A. Zoo
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sat., Feb. 21 – 22 | Los Angeles Zoo
The Los Angeles Zoo hosts special activities and performances in honor of Lunar New Year. Celebrate the Year of the Horse with traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese dance performances, special animal feedings, photo op, “Zoo-diac Tour” and more. More info.
Lunar New Year Festival
10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Feb 21 – 22 | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
This family-friendly event features lion dancers, a mask-changing artist, martial arts demonstrations, contemporary dance, floral arts, music and more. More info.
Tam Tran Goes to Washington
11 a.m. Sat., Feb. 21 | Sierra Madre Playhouse
Sierra Madre Playhouse’s multi-week Lunar New Year series continues with the East West Players’ production of Tam Tran Goes to Washington, a family-friendly play written by Elizabeth Wong and directed by Rona Par.
Tam Tran is a UCLA senior who prefers life behind the camera. When her undocumented status becomes part of the spotlight she never sought, her best friend Cinthya steps in—and together they find themselves drawn into the national conversation on immigration. Tam is invited to testify before Congress in Washington, D.C., on behalf of the DREAM Act. Suddenly, the quiet student becomes a public figure, forced to confront her fears, her identity, and the weight of what it means to belong. This compact yet potent work – with a focus on young Asian American voices, immigrant experiences, and the complexities of undocumented life – weaves together activism and personal narrative, and touches on themes of fear, courage, friendship, and public responsibility. East West Players is the nation’s longest-running Asian American theater company and the largest producer of Asian American theatrical works. More info.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Broxton Plaza
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sat., Feb. 21 | Broxton Plaza
Join Broxton Plaza for a joyful afternoon filled with cultural performances, interactive activities, and vibrant décor as we welcome the new year together. This free community event is open to all ages and is a wonderful way to celebrate tradition, good fortune, and togetherness in the heart of Westwood Village.
Event highlights include traditional Lion Dance performance, zodiac-themed photo moment, red envelope giveaways and kids’ crafts & hands-on activities. Complimentary items available while supplies last. More info.
127th Annual Golden Dragon Parade
1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Sat., Feb. 21 | Chinatown
Celebrate the Chinese New Year with 127th Annual Golden Dragon Parade, featuring dragon and lion dancers, floats, celebrities, high school bands and more.
The parade begins at North Hill St. & Ord St. heading north on Hill. Right on Bernard, Right on Broadway, ending at Cesar Chavez. The parade is free to attend, but for optimal viewing, Grandstand tickets are available. More info.
Lunar New Year at The Point
2 p.m.- 4 p.m. Sun., Feb. 22 | The Point
The Point welcomes the year of the Horse with Lunar New Year festivities for the whole family. Join The Point on the lawn for lion dances, cultural performances, arts & crafts, photo opportunities, surprise red envelopes and more. More info.
L.A. Chinatown Firecracker 5K/10K Runs/Walk, 1K Kiddie Run, 2K PAW’er Dog Walk & 18th Annual 20/50-Mile Bike Rides
7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m, Feb. 28 – March 1 | Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza
Celebrating 48 years, the L.A. Chinatown Firecracker is one of the largest and oldest running races in the U.S. with its upcoming Lunar New Year run, walk, cycling and dog walk events takes place over the weekend of Feb. 28-March 1, 2026, from the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza.
Each registered participant receives a commemorative 2026 Firecracker race bib, exclusive collectible finisher’s medal, commemorative t-shirt (even for registered kids and dogs), goodie bag, and much more. In addition, participants and their guests will enjoy the Lunar New Year Celebration in the heart of historic Chinatown with an opening ceremony filled with lion dancers and the traditional lighting of 100,000 firecrackers.
The Firecracker post events festival is a FREE two-day expo including exhibitors, beer garden, vendors, activities for children, plenty of live entertainment, and free to the public.
The 5K run/walk is an out and back course that takes participants past the main entrance to Dodger Stadium. The 10K course is a challenging run through the hills of Elysian Park. From N. Broadway, the course climbs up into the park to higher elevations. The course winds high over the Figueroa Tunnels above the 110 freeway, through tree-lined rolling hills providing a spectacular 180-degree view of the city. The 48th Annual Firecracker runs are approved 2026 USATF Sanctioned Events.
The 48th Annual L.A. Chinatown Firecracker is produced by the nonprofit L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Run Committee (LACFRC), a group of volunteers who donate their time and energy to organize and stage events and programs promoting healthy lifestyles, fitness, cultural awareness, supports education and encourages community participation. LACFRC continues to give back with proceeds reinvested in the community providing service and programs benefiting elementary schools and local nonprofit organizations. More info.
The Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sat., Feb. 28 | Downtown Alhambra
Celebrate the Year of the Horse at the Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival, an immersive, all-day experience highlighting Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage.The annual celebration features cultural performances, live art, cooking demos and more. Shop handcrafted goods in Artist Alley and eat authentic cuisine from local vendors. More info.
Garden of Good Fortune
12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Sat., Feb. 28 | Fashion Island
Featuring bespoke art installation, thoughtful crafting, traditional calligraphy, and ceremonial lion dance. More info.
A Festival of Tradition
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Sun., Mar. 1 | Irvine Spectrum Center
In partnership with the Chinese Irvine School, this annual celebration among the orange trees includes a multitude of live entertainment, including lion and dragon dancers, drum teams, chorale, martial arts demonstrations, and fun for the whole family including face painting and more. More info.
For more Lunar New Year events or family-friendly things to do in L.A., check out our L.A. Parent Calendar.
