Saturday, Feb. 10, rings in Lunar New Year, a holiday honored and celebrated by Asian people worldwide. The date of the lunar new year changes each year based on the first new moon of the lunar calendar. The new moon begins approximately at 11 p.m. on Feb. 9, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory.
Asian restaurants will be more crowded than usual this weekend, so be sure to call in advance for reservations. Au Lac, a Vietnamese restaurant in Fountain Valley, is already fully booked for New Year’s Day, a host told California Insider. Happy Family Restaurant in Rowland Heights expects to be packed on New Year’s, with at least an hour’s wait, a hostess said.
The new year, 2024, is the year of the dragon in the Chinese zodiac. The dragon is an auspicious mythical creature associated with water in Chinese culture.
30th Annual Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival
This festival will feature performances, food, crafts, a wellness pavilion, and a dragon dance.Main Street between First and Third Streets, Alhambra. Sunday, Feb. 18, from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please visit: www.alhambralunarnewyear.com/street-festival/
2024 San Gabriel Lunar Lantern Festival
The 2024 San Gabriel Lunar Lantern Festival will feature Chinese live shows, street food, market offerings, and music.San Gabriel Mission District at 320 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel. Saturday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, please visit: www.sangabrielcity.com/1517/Lunar-New-Year
The 125th Golden Dragon Parade in Los Angeles
This annual parade is presented by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles. The event is free, but prime seating at the Grandstand can be purchased at eventbrite.com.The parade starts at the intersection of Hill Street and Ord Street on Feb. 17, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please visit: www.lachinesechamber.org/125th-gdp
Lunar New Year Celebration at USC Pacific Asia Museum
This event features live performances and art activities, including a traditional lion dance, calligraphy, crafts, and food. Admission is free to the event and to the museum.46 N. Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena. Saturday, Feb. 10, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please visit: https://calendar.usc.edu/event/lunar_new_yearpam?
Huntington Library Lunar New Year Festival
Unfortunately, the Lunar New Year festival at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, to be held Feb. 10 to 11, is sold out. For more information, please visit: https://huntington.org/event/chinese-new-year-festival42nd Annual UVSA Tết Festival
This is the 10th year this event has been held at the OC Fair & Event Center. Recognized as the nation’s largest Vietnamese Lunar New Year Festival, it will feature Vietnamese culture, food, and entertainment.88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa. Feb. 9 to 11. For more information, please visit: https://tetfestival.org/
Lunar New Year Celebration at South Coast Botanic Garden
According to the garden’s website, “Every Saturday and Sunday in February, the Garden will host two 30-minute live performances—at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Both shows will feature the same types of performances including lion dancers, folk dancers and drummers. There will also be all-day activity stations taking place on the Lower Meadow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as well as classes that can be purchased for an additional fee.”26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula. For more information, please visit: https://southcoastbotanicgarden.org/lunar-new-year-celebration-at-south-coast-botanic-garden/
2024 San Diego Lunar New Year Festival
This festival features traditional Asian performances, exhibitions, lion dances, and Asian food. Free admission.Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, 4455 Wightman Street, San Diego. Feb. 10 to 11, from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. For more information, please visit: www.sandiego.gov/event/2024-sd-lunar-new-year-festival-1
Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco
The Alaska Airlines Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the biggest Lunar New Year parades in the United States. The parade starts at Second and Market Streets, San Francisco. Feb. 24, from 5:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.There will also be a community street fair in the heart of Chinatown on Grant Ave from California to Broadway; and on Washington, Jackson, and Pacific between Stockton and Kearny; on Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, please visit: https://chineseparade.com/
