Lunar New Year is a traditional celebration found worldwide and is honored here in Los Angeles by locals and Angelenos of East Asian descent across the city. This 2024 marks the Year of the Dragon, which symbolizes power, confidence, and charisma. With that significance in mind, you can expect incredible festivities, delicious food, cultural appreciation throughout Los Angeles below.
1. 125th annual Chinese New Year festival in Chinatown
One of L.A.’s oldest traditions, Chinatown’s annual Chinese New Year Festival returns and will be honoring the year of the dragon with an incredible Golden Dragon Parade on February 17, 2024, from 1 to 5 p.m. Get the full info here!
🐉 When: February 17, 2024, from 1 to 5 p.m.
📍 Location: Chinatown, Starting at Broadway and ending at Hill St
2. Monterey Park
On January 27 and January 28, 2024 — Monterey Park is putting together an incredible Lunar New Year festival featuring local vendors offering unique gifts and specialty items, food booths with various types of delectable items, amusement rides, and lots of live cultural entertainment. Get the full info here.
🐉 When: January 27 and January 28, 2024
📍 Location: Garvey Avenue on Monterey Park
3. South Coast Botanic Garden
The South Coast Botanic Garden is putting together the first-of-its-kind Lunar New Year Celebration all through February. You can expect a weekend full of incredible demonstrations and storytelling. Their event will include Chinese zodiac scroll making, paper lantern decorating, Chinese paper cutting, Chinese game booths, and Chinese calligraphy. All activities are included in a general admission pass, more info here!
🐉 When: Every weekend through February
📍 Location: 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
4. Sprinkles Cupcakes
Sprinkles Cupcakes is making this Lunar New Year extra sweet with their Gold Dragon Bruce Lee Cupcake. In partnership with the Bruce Lee Foundation and Gold House, this cupcake features the Sprinkles iconic red velvet cake swirled with almond slivers on an almond cookie crust, topped with a delicious almond cream cheese frosting and a custom Bruce Lee Dragon topper. Grab your cupcake here!
📍 Location: Find your closest Sprinkles location here.
5. The Americana at Brand
The Americana at Brand is celebrating Lunar New Year on February 3, 2024 a parade of lion and dragon dances along with other festive performances. Guests are also welcome to ring in the Year of the Dragon through their dazzling décor and exclusive store promotions now through February 11, 2024. Get the full info here.
🐉 When: February 3, 2024 from 1 to 4 p.m.
📍 Location: 889 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210
6. Enjoy dim sum from one of these Chinese restaurants
Los Angeles is home to some seriously delicious Dim Sum — and what better way to celebrate Lunar New Year and culture than with food? 🥟 Check out some of our favorites below!
7. USC Pacific Asia Museum
USC’s annual Lunar New Year festival is back, and they’re welcoming Angelenos on campus to celebrate with a day full of performances and activities. Expect a traditional lion dance, cultural storytelling, calligraphy and crafts. Feast on food trucks and enjpu free admission to the museum. More info here!
🐉 When: February 10, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
📍Location: USC Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, California 9110
8. The Huntington
The Huntington is hosting their beloved Chinese New Year Festival on Saturday and Sunday, February 4 and 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Families can enjoy lion dancers, a mask-changing artist, martial arts demonstrations, music, art and craft demonstrations, and more. The festivities will take place in and around the Chinese Garden and other performance spaces.Full admission details here!
🐉 When: February 10 and 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (All visitors must have reservations, including those who plan to redeem guest passes.
📍Location: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
9. Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival & Farmers Market
On February 18, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the City of Alhambra is hosting their annual Lunar New Year Festival with the Alhambra Farmers Market featuring food, live performances, family-friendly activities, and more. More info here!
🐉 When: February 18, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
📍Location: The festival will take place along Alhambra’s Main Street. Get the map here.
10. LA Zoo and Lunar New Year
The Los Angeles Zoo is highlighting Lunar New Year through live performances. Catch demonstrations by Wushu Shaolin Entertainment, which spotlights animals of the Chinese zodiac, and you’ll also get the chance to add your hopes for the New Year to the Wall of Well Wishes. Find ticket information here!
🐉 When: February 17 and 18, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
📍Location: 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027
11. Citadel Outlets
On February 10 and 11, 2024, the Citadel Outlets is throwing the ultimate Lunar New Year Celebration. Guests are welcome to watch their exciting lion dances taking place throughout the center and in Center Court. You can also drop by their Customer Service booth to pick up a free red envelope from now to February 23, 2024. More info here!
🐉 When: February 10 and 11, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
📍Location: 100 Citadel Drive Los Angeles, CA 90040