The Lunar New Year lands on Sunday, Jan. 22, which also marks the year of the rabbit according to the Chinese zodiac. Los Angeles is marking the new year with family-friendly parades, festivals and performances all around town.
Westside
Santa Monica Place’s Lunar New Year celebration returns Jan. 28 with traditional Chinese lion dance performances, balloon and dough artists and cherry blossom Wishing Trees. The Center Plaza will be decorated with overhead red and gold lanterns. Everyone who attends the celebration will receive red envelopes with special deals from participating shops and restaurants. FREE. santamonicaplace.com
Join the festivities at Caruso properties where The Grove and The Americana at Brand are celebrating Lunar New Year! From Jan. 17 – 31, guests visiting the properties can ring in the Year of the Rabbit through dazzling décor, special festivities and store promotions that carry the storied meaning, traditions and symbolism behind the celebration.
- Pick up a traditional lucky red envelope at Caruso Concierge to receive exclusive offers from stores and restaurants.
- Enjoy a New Year parade featuring traditional lion and dragon performances at The Americana at Brand from 2-5 p.m. Jan. 29.
- Visit Sprinkles at The Grove for a limited edition Lunar New Year Gold Bunny cupcake.
- Visit Sur La Table at The Americana at Brand for a Lunar New Year collection of festive serving trays, dishes, utensils and more.
- Head to Tory Burch to shop its exclusive Lunar New Year collection, including carrot key chains, bunny wallets and vibrant coin pouches.
- Enjoy 20% off your next food or beverage experience at Nordstrom Bar Verde.
Downtown
The 45th Annual L.A. Chinatown Firecracker, one of the largest and oldest Lunar New Year run/walk events, returns to Chinatown Feb. 18-19. The annual 5K/10K/Kiddie/PAW’er Dog Run/Walk & Bike Ride features a special Kiddie Run. All kiddie run participants receive a goodie bag, medal and lucky red envelope. $30-$50 firecracker10k.org
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles presents the 124th Annual Golden Dragon Parade on Jan. 28. The colorful celebration will start at Broadway in Chinatown and end at Hill St. FREE. culturela.org
San Gabriel Valley
Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with rabbit-themed crafts and story times at the Arroyo Seco Regional Library in Highland Park on Jan. 23. FREE. lapl.org
Join the City of Monterey Park for their annual Lunar New Year Festival Jan. 21-22. The weekend-long event, held on Garvey Ave. between Garfield and Alhambra Avenues, will feature a carnival fun zone, traditional New Year lion and dragon dancers, food and more. FREE. montereypark.ca.gov
Alhambra’s Lunar New Year Festival on Jan. 29 will be part of the Alhambra Farmers Market. Catch lion dancers, live candy sculpting and live Chinese character demonstrations on the main stage and enjoy food, crafts and more at the Farmers Market. FREE. alhambralunarnewyear.com
The Huntington will celebrate Lunar New Year with their own weekend-long festival Feb. 4-5. The family-friendly event features lion dancers, a mask-changing artist, martial arts demonstrations, music, art and craft demonstrations, Chinese floral arts displays, food trucks and more. Festivities will take place in and around the Chinese Garden and other performance spaces. $24 – $29; $13 for ages 4-11; free for ages 0-4. huntington.org
South Bay
South Coast Botanic Garden hosts their first-ever Lunar New Year Celebration on Jan. 28-29 to welcome the year of the rabbit. Decorate paper lanterns, enjoy a Chinese calligraphy artist demonstration and storytelling, play games, watch performances by lion dancers, fan dancers and drummers and more. Included with admission. southcoastbotanicgarden.org
The 9th Annual Port of Los Angeles Lunar New Year Festival will celebrate the Year of the Rabbit on Jan. 21. The free event will feature lion dancers, crafts, food and a festive finale. FREE. portoflosangeles.org
Orange County
Disney California Adventure Park will celebrate the Lunar New Year from Jan. 20 through Feb. 15 to play tribute to Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures. The Lunar New Year celebration features “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession,” Mickey and Minnie in their festive attire, kid-friendly crafts, a Sip and Savor pass for Lunar New Year Marketplaces and more. Included with admission. disneyland.disney.go.com
Segerstrom Center for the Arts hosts their annual Lunar New Year celebration on Jan. 28. The performance will include music and dance in a fusion of musical traditions from East and West. $35 – $139. scfta.org
