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Best Lunar New Year Events in Los Angeles for Kids

Enjoy Lunar New Year lion dances, crafts, and more in the middle of Santa Monica. Photo courtesy of Santa Monica Place
Enjoy Lunar New Year lion dances, crafts, and more in the middle of Santa Monica. Photo courtesy of Santa Monica Place
2/2/24 - By Toby B

Lunar New Year in Los Angeles is a vibrant celebration that reflects the city's rich cultural diversity. From Chinatown to Little Tokyo and beyond, the streets come alive with colorful decorations, lively parades, and traditional performances. 

Celebrate in the serene setting of the Huntington Library's Chinese Garden, the exuberant procession of Chinatown's Golden Dragon Parade, or Lunar New Year at Disneyland with Mulan and Turning Red's Mei. Los Angeles bursts with lion dances, brightly glowing lanterns, and plenty of red envelopes. 

Keep reading below for more Lunar New Year events for kids in Los Angeles, and check our Los Angeles Events Calendar as more events are added every day. 

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Race into Lunar New Year at this annual Chinatown run and walk. L.A. Photo by Bak Jong, courtesy of L.A. Chinatown Firecracker
Race into Lunar New Year at this annual Chinatown run and walk. L.A. Photo by Bak Jong, courtesy of L.A. Chinatown Firecracker

Best Lunar New Year Celebrations in Los Angeles for Kids

Lunar New Year at Disneyland

Anaheim
Daily, January 23 - February 18, 2024
The Mouse celebrates Year of the Dragon, as Disneyland Resort puts its trademark spin on Lunar New Year festivities. New this year: a touch of red panda!  Guests can meet Meilin Lee and her mom Ming Lee from Turning Red on San Francisco Street. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration (Americana)

Glendale - FREE
Saturday, February 3, 2024
The Americana at Brand ushers in the Year of the Dragon with a Lunar New Year celebration, featuring a festive parade of lion and dragon dances. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration at Cerritos Towne Center

Cerritos - FREE
Saturday, February 3, 2024
Cerritos Towne Center rings in the Year of the Dragon at its annual Lunar New Year event. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Storytime with Oliver Chin

Pasadena - FREE
Saturday, February 3, 2024
In honor of Lunar New Year, author Oliver Chin reads his book The Year of the Dragon​: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac. READ MORE

10th Annual Lunar New Year Festival (LA Waterfront)

Wilmington - FREE
Saturday, February 3, 2024
This year's Lunar New Year Festival at the LA Waterfront is held at the newly opened Wilmington Waterfront Promenade.  (The Promenade's Grand Opening celebration is earlier the same day!) This free community event celebrates Year of the Dragon with cultural entertainment and crafts.  Event highlights include a petting zoo and fireworks finale (weather permitting). READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration at South Coast Botanic Garden

Palos Verdes
Saturdays & Sundays, February 3 - 25, 2024
South Coast Botanic Garden invites guests to celebrate the Year of the Dragon at its second annual Lunar New Year Celebration, with activities every weekend in February. Live performances take place at 11am and 3pm every Saturday and Sunday, including lion dancers, folk dancers and drummers.  READ MORE

Lunar New Year Festival at the Bowers Museum

Santa Ana - FREE
Sunday, February 4, 2024
It's on: Lunar New Year Festival: Happening rain or shine! As rain is currently predicted on Sunday, the festival will be held indoors. 2024 is the Year of the Dragon. The Bowers welcomes a year of strength, confidence, and luck with a lively Lunar New Year Festival. Festivities include free art activities, face painting, and exhilarating dance and music performances. The free festivals always include treats: this month it's eggrolls! READ MORE

Lunar New Year at One Colorado (New Date)

Pasadena - FREE
Sunday, February 4, 2024
One Colorado celebrates the Year of the Dragon. The free Lunar New Year event features traditional music, cultural dance performances, and a DJ.  Guests receive red envelopes containing special promotions. The wishing tree is up at One Colorado throughout the month of February. READ MORE

Commerce Lunar Festival

Commerce - FREE
Thursday & Friday, February 8 & 9, 2024
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with food, shopping, and cultural performances. The Commerce Casino Hotel Event Pavilion comes alive with street vendors, a kids zone, an artisan market, and live entertainment. Admission and parking are both free.  READ MORE

2024 Orange County Lunar New Year Tet Festival

Fountain Valley - FREE
Friday - Sunday, February 9 - 11, 2024
2024 is the Year of the Dragon, a powerful and auspicious symbol in the Vietnamese culture that represents strength, courage, and wisdom. The 3-day Orange County Lunar New Year Tet Festival rings in the new year with a variety of Vietnamese food, live entertainment, and carnival rides. Highlights include the Vietnam Cultural Village, a firecracker ceremony, and cultural perfomances, including Lion Dances. READ MORE

UVSA Tet Festival

Costa Mesa
Friday - Sunday, February 9 - 11, 2024
Each year, those of Vietnamese descent celebrate the coming lunar year with Tet Nguyen Dan. It celebrates the Lunar New Year, the beginning of spring, and a way to start fresh.  In 2023, the UVSA Tết Festival theme is Long Vân Hội Ngộ, which depicts the story and idea of the dragon and the clouds meeting. Their meeting symbolizes luck, prosperity, and our biggest hopes and dreams coming to life. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Festival (USC Pacific Asia Museum)

Pasadena - FREE
Saturday, February 10, 2024
USC Pacific Asia Museum's annual Lunar New Year festival celebrates the Year of the Dragon. Guests can enjoy a traditional lion dance, storytelling, calligraphy and crafts, food trucks, free admission to the museum, and a final chance to view the special exhibition, Another Beautiful Country. READ MORE

Cayton Winter Lunar New Year Festival

Santa Monica
Saturday, February 10, 2024
The Cayton’s Lunar New Year Festival celebrates the Year of the Dragon with performances and activities. Special guests UCLA’s ACA Lion Dance troupe perform and lead a lively parade through the museum. Other hands-on activities include lion puppet making, lantern decorating and Chinese pellet drum crafting.   READ MORE

2024 Tet Parade

Westminster - FREE
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Little Saigon is home to the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam. More than 15,000 spectators are expected for the annual Little Saigon Tet Parade, the largest and most watched event of its kind in the US. The parade celebrates Year of the Dragon and the Vietnamese-American community of Orange County centered in Little Saigon.  READ MORE

Lunar New Year (Pacific Symphony)

Costa Mesa
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Pacific Symphony’s annual festivities honoring the Lunar New Year celebrate the Year of the Dragon in a colorful presentation of Eastern and Western music and dance. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration (Fashion Island)

Newport Beach - FREE
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Fashion Island celebrates the Lunar New Year on February 10 at its Wood Dragon Garden, located near Nordstrom, with a live calligraphy demonstration, kite painting, and other exciting surprises. READ MORE

Annual Lunar New Year Celebration (The District)

Tustin - FREE
Saturday, February 10 , 2024
The District at Tustin Legacy hosts its annual Lunar New Year event to kick off the Year of the Dragon.  The first 500 guests receive a lucky red envelope (containing a crisp $2 bill!) READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration (The Shops at Santa Anita)

Arcadia - FREE
Saturday, February 10, 2024
The Shops at Santa Anita celebrate the rich traditions and vibrant festivities of the Lunar New Year with a day of activities for the whole family.  Guests can watch demonstrations from Shinobu the Candy Man, balloon twisters, sugar painters, and artists who craft figurines out of dough. Other highlights include face painters and an arts & crafts corner for take home souvenirs. READ MORE

Lunar New Year (Irvine Spectrum Center)

Irvine - FREE
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Irvine Spectrum Center celebrates Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon with a traditional Lion Dance, martial arts demonstrations, instrumental performances, and more. READ MORE

Lunar New Year at Outlets at San Clemente

San Clemente - FREE
Saturday, February 10, 2024
The Outlets at San Clemente celebrates the Lunar New Year. The free, family-friendly event includes free face painting, balloon, twisting, and arts & craft at the center court READ MORE

Chinese New Year Festival 2024

San Marino
Saturday & Sunday, February 10 & 11, 2024
Visitors can experience the beauty of Chinese music, dance, and culture as the Year of the Dragon, set against the stunning backdrop of the The Huntington’s Chinese Garden. READ MORE

Annual Lunar New Year Celebration (The Citadel)

Commerce - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, February 10 & 11, 2024
The Citadel presents its annual Lunar New Year celebration. Year of the Wood Dragon is celebrated with Lunar New Year inspired entertainment taking place throughout the center and in Center Court. READ MORE

Chinatown Chinese New Year Festival at Central Plaza

Chinatown - FREE
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Chinatown's Chinese New Year Festival is more than just the fabulous Golden Dragon Parade; the celebration goes on all day (with the parade as the highlight). READ MORE

Golden Dragon Lunar New Year Parade

Chinatown - FREE
Saturday, February 17, 2024
LA's Chinatown rings in the Year of the Dragon at the 125th annual Golden Dragon Parade. The colorful celebration of the first day of the lunar new year steps off at Hill Street at Temple. READ MORE

Lunar New Year (Santa Monica Place)

Santa Monica - FREE
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Santa Monica Place’s Lunar New Year celebration returns with traditional Chinese lion dance performances, crafts for kids, and a Chinese dough artist. READ MORE

San Gabriel Lunar New Year Festival

San Gabriel - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, February 17 & 18, 2024
The City of San Gabriel presents its annual Lunar New Year Festival in the historic Mission District between Broadway and Santa Anita Blvd. Radio and tv stars are in attendance at the two-day event, which also includes a Kids Zone where kids can get free lanterns (while supplies last). READ MORE

Lunar New Year at the LA Zoo

Griffith Park
Saturday & Sunday, February 17 & 18, 2024
It's the Year of the Dragon (and a whole lotta other creatures) at the LA Zoo. In Chinese astrology, the dragon symbolizes strength, power, wisdom, nobility, good fortune, and success.  READ MORE

Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival

Alhambra - FREE
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Alhambra celebrates Lunar New Year with an annual festival. The free, multi-block festival is held on Main Street from Garfield to 2nd Street, with two stages of entertainment and more than 100 booths providing giveaways and activities. READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration at The Shops at Montebello

Montebello - FREE
Sunday, February 18, 2024
The Shops at Montebello celebrates Lunar New Year with a wide range of cultural performances. Red envelopes and plush dragons are distributed while supplies last The Year of the Dragon celebrations in Center Court include traditional Chinese gong, traditional Lion and Dragon dances, cultural dance performances, and instrumental performances. READ MORE

Chinatown Firecracker 5K/10K Run and Walk

Chinatown
Saturday & Sunday, February 24 & 25, 2024
Celebrating 46 years, the L.A. Chinatown Firecracker is one of the largest and oldest running races in the U.S. The Lunar New Year run, walk, cycling, and dog walk events are held at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza, with a choice to participate in-person or virtually.   READ MORE

Lunar New Year at Kidspace

Pasadena
Saturday & Sunday, February 24 & 25, 2024
Kidspace celebrates Year of the Dragon with Lunar New Year festivities. Activities include dragon dancers, storytelling, art and music READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration (Runway) (New Date)

Playa Vista - FREE
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Runway Playa Vista celebrates the Year of the Dragon with a free Lunar New Year Festival. The festivities include traditional Chinese arts & crafts, games and activities, live performances and raffle prizes. READ MORE

Downtown Arcadia Lunar New Year Festival

Arcadia - FREE
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Downtown Arcadia rings in the Lunar New Year with a community celebration. Opening ceremonies begin at 11:30am. Performances throughout the afternoon include Dragon and Lion Dances from Northern Shaolim Kung Fu Association, the The Arcadia High School Chinese Parents Booster Club Singers, and Fong's Kung Fu Lesson with Downtown Arcadia's Mascot Perdy Peacock. READ MORE

OC Lantern Festival 2024

Costa Mesa - FREE
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Pacific Symphony’s annual Lantern Festival celebrates the Year of the Dragon. The Lantern Festival marks the return of spring and the reunion of family. The act of lighting and appreciating lanterns is a way for people to let go of the burdens of their old selves and express their best wishes for themselves and their families for the future. The festivities include music, dance, art making, riddles, and food. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Disney California Adventure Park
Wilmington Waterfront Promenade
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
San Gabriel Mission District
Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza
Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts