The Lunar New Year may have already arrived, but that doesn’t mean the festivities are over. If you weren’t able to celebrate last weekend or the day-of, there’s still plenty of time to ring in the new year right. All over Southern California, you can catch events to commemorate the Year of the Tiger with good food, exciting performances and more.
Check out our list of five different Lunar New Year celebrations that are happening in SoCal!
1. Lunar New Year | Disney California Adventure Park, Jan. 21 – Feb. 13
Ring in the new year at the happiest place on earth. This multicultural celebration at Disney California Adventure will feature various events like Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession and appearances from fan-favorites like Raya from “Raya and the Last Dragon,” along with Mickey and Minnie and of course, Tigger. As no Lunar New Year celebration would be complete without great food, Disney will have various Asian-inspired dishes like Spicy Pork Dandan Noodles, Beef Bulgogi Short Rib and Mickey Purple Sweet Potato Macarons available throughout the park.
2. Lunar New Year Festival | Alhambra, Feb. 20
After a year of hiatus, the city of Alhambra is once again running its beloved Lunar New Year festival. The event will open at 8:30 a.m. and run in conjunction with the Alhambra Farmers Market. Festival-goers can watch traditional performances from dragon dancers, kung fu showcases and even cooking demonstrations! Not only will there be live performances and family-friendly activities, multiple vendors from the Farmers Market will also be present to sell Asian cuisine to attendees.
3. Chinese New Year Festival | The Huntington Library, Feb. 5 – 6
The Huntington Library is opening its doors for a two-day Lunar New Year celebration. From Feb. 5 to 6, guests can celebrate with multicultural performances and activities. Be sure to check out the live entertainment, like the Wushu Tai Chi performances from the Guo Jie Tai Chi Academy, calligraphy demonstrations with resident artist Tang Qingnian and many more. Visitors can enjoy goodies from food trucks like Dina’s Dumpling, Salt N’ Pepper Truck and Fluff Ice. Don’t forget to view the art, like the Chinese floral displays and Penjing work.
4. UVSA Tết Festival | O.C. Fair & Events Center, Feb 4 – 6
This year, the Union of the Vietnamese Student Associations’ Tết Festival focuses on a “spring of reunion,” a fitting phrase that signals the return of the largest student-run festival in the United States after a year away due to the pandemic. The festival, which celebrates Vietnamese heritage while ushering in the new year, will run from Feb. 4 to 6 and host a variety of events, like the Miss Vietnam of Southern California pageant and children’s pageant, live Vietnamese traditional performances, a milk tea-drinking contest and a pho-eating contest. The festival will also feature a Vietnamese cultural village exhibit, as well as games and fair rides.
5. USC PAM Lunar New Year Festival 2022 | Virtual, Feb 5.
For those who prefer to stay in this Lunar New Year, join the University of Southern California’s Pacific Asian Museum for a virtual celebration. This Saturday, the organization is hosting a free livestream with multiple artists and performers, from a traditional Korean music performance to a lion dance and martial arts demonstration. Be sure to register beforehand to enjoy the Zoom festivities!
