Dragon Dance (Photo – City of San Gabriel)
Celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Dragon.
By Katlyn Ong
Here’s a comprehensive list of all the Lunar New Year events in the area:
– Alhambra
![[Updated] Local Lunar New Year Celebrations (2)](https://i0.wp.com/www.coloradoboulevard.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Lunar-new-year-Celebration-Photo-alhambranewyearfestival.com_..jpg "[Updated] Local Lunar New Year Celebrations (2)")
Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival (Photo – alhambranewyearfestival.com).
Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival
The Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival is a yearly tradition that celebrates the diversity of the SGV region hosted in “the gateway to the San Gabriel Valley.” The Alhambra LNY Festival is a celebration deeply rooted in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage and is accessible to everyone through an immersive all-day experience. Expect to be mesmerized by cultural performances, live art, cooking demonstrations, augmented reality, and more. You can also shop handcrafted goods in Artisan Alley and eat authentic cuisine to your heart’s content.
This festival provides an excellent opportunity to learn about its traditions through a new Cultural Passport experience that will guide you through how different regions celebrate the holiday. Learn more about what to expect at the festival and where it’s taking place here.
Alhambra Lunar New Year FestivalFebruary 18, 20249:00 am - 5:00 pmLocationMain StreetAlhambra, CA 91801
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– Arcadia
Lunar New Year at Santa Anita Park
Get in the spirit of the Lunar New Year and experience authentic Chinese cultural shows, musical acts, and more. Ever wanted to see a real Dragon & Lion Dance? How about grabbing a bite to eat from authentic Chinese food and drink vendors? Don’t miss out on this cultural celebration at The Great Race Place! Plus try your luck with the Wealth Tree: one lucky fan will win $5,000! Enter at the Information Booth near the stage. Best of all you can test your New Year luck with a full card of live racing. Tickets can be purchased for $5 until Wednesday, February 14. Tickets will be $10 starting February 15.
Lunar New Year at Santa Anita ParkFebruary 17 - 18, 202410:30 am - 5:30 pmLocationSanta Anita Park285 Huntington DriveArcadia, CA 91007
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Lunar New Year Celebration at The Shops at Santa Anita
Immerse yourself in the rich traditions and vibrant festivities of the Lunar New Year with a day full of exciting activities for the whole family. From intricate balloon twisting to delightful dough figurine crafting, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Balloon Twisting Extravaganza: Watch in awe as our skilled balloon artists transform simple balloons into whimsical creations. From adorable animals to festive shapes, let your imagination soar!
Shinobu the Candy Man: Indulge your sweet tooth with Shinobu’s magical candy creations. Witness the art of candy crafting and treat yourself to delicious, handcrafted sweets that are almost too beautiful to eat!
Arts & Crafts Corner: Unleash your creativity at our Arts & Crafts corner! Engage in hands-on activities that celebrate the Lunar New Year, and take home your masterpieces as cherished souvenirs.
Sugar Painting Spectacle: Experience the ancient art of sugar painting as skilled artisans bring color and life to edible canvases. Marvel at the intricate designs and savor the sweet taste of tradition.
Dough Figurine Delight: Watch the artists craft intricate shapes and characters from dough, adding a personal touch to your Lunar New Year celebration.
Face Painting Fantasy: Transform into your favorite Lunar New Year animal or bring your own creative ideas to life with our face-painting experts. Express yourself with festive and vibrant designs!
Lunar New Year Celebration at The Shops at Santa AnitaFebruary 10, 20241:00 pm - 4:00 pmLocationThe Shops at Santa Anita - Center Court, Level 1400 S Baldwin Ave.Arcadia, CA 91007
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– Monterey Park
Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival (File Photo – montereypark.ca.gov)
Lunar New Year Festival
Monterey Park’s Lunar New Year festival features vendors offering unique gifts and specialty items, food booths with various types of delectable treats, amusement rides, and lots of live entertainment. The traditional New Year lion and dragon dancers will kick off the festival Saturday morning. Various types of entertainment will be featured on both days. A carnival fun zone will be featured in parking lots at the corner of Garvey and Lincoln Avenues. Admission is free.
Lunar New Year FestivalJanuary 27, 2024: 10:00 am - 9:00 pmJanuary 28, 2024: 10:00 am - 7:00 pmLocationDowntown Monterey ParkOn Garvey Avenue between Garfield and Alhambra Avenues
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All Ages Lunar New Year Celebration
Ring in the Lunar New Year at the Library with a community celebration of activities and crafts on Tuesday, February 6, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm! Children, parents, teens and adults all welcome. For more information, call the Reference Desk on (626) 307-1368.
All Ages Lunar New Year CelebrationFeb. 65:30 - 7:30 pmLocationMonterey Park Bruggemeyer Library18 S Ramona Ave.Monterey Park626-307-1366
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– Pasadena
(Photo – OneColoradoOldPasadena)
Cultural Thursday: Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration
The dragon is the most powerful and auspicious symbol in Chinese culture. The Year of the Dragon will be ushered in at the Pasadena Senior Center with a traditional lion dance, martial arts demonstrations, and more to welcome strength, power, and success. The event will be overseen by master Ken Hui of the Northern Shaolim Kung Fu Association, presenter of the event. To register or for more information visit this websiteor call 626-795-4331.
Cultural Thursday: Chinese Lunar New Year CelebrationFebruary 29, 20242:00 pmLocationPasadena Senior Center85 E Holly St.Pasadena, CA 91103
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Lunar New Year Celebration
This event will feature a variety of activities and entertainment to make this Lunar New Year extra special. From traditional lion dances to arts and crafts, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Bring your kids along to experience the joy of this festive season. Let them immerse themselves in the vibrant colors, delicious food, and cultural traditions that make Lunar New Year so unique. Great for kids ages 0-5 years old. To RSVP, click here.
Lunar New Year CelebrationFebruary 10, 202410:00 am - 12:00 pmLocationKiddie Academy of Pasadena169 N Halstead St.Pasadena, CA 91107
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Lunar New Year at One Colorado
Dance along to live traditional music, and enjoy live lion and dragon dance performances. Red envelopes for guests contain special promotions. All month long, you can leave your wishes for the new year on the wishing tree at One Colorado.
Lunar New Year at One ColoradoFebruary 251:00 – 4:00 pmLocationOne Colorado Courtyard41 Hugus AlleyPasadena, CA 91103
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Lunar New Year at USC PAM
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with an afternoon of live performances and art activities for the whole family! Enjoy a traditional lion dance, storytelling, calligraphy, crafts, food trucks, and a chance to view the new special exhibition, Another Beautiful Country. This event is free and includes admission to the museum.
Lunar New Year at USC PAMFebruary 10, 202411:00 am - 5:00 pmLocationUSC Pacific Asia Museum46 North Los Robles AvenuePasadena, CA 91101
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Lunar New Year Talk: “Working Women in Ancient China”
The first in-person Lunar New Year celebration of WiBBE, learn something new about ancient China, and build our community to celebrate and support women in science. Light refreshments will be served between 2:30 pm and 2:45 pm.
WiBBE member Wen Chen has been a scientific curator for Caltech’s WormBase project since 2000 after she finished her Ph.D. from Sternberg Lab. As a staff scientist, Wen makes a living by annotating published biology articles while connecting the research community via webinars, posters, and talks at conferences. When she is off work, she applies the same skill to read Mandarin literature and craft presentations for the Caltech community about Chinese culture, history, and society. Each year, she crafts a new topic for the Lunar New Year. Her past topics include “The Science of Tea Making” (2023), “Chinese Medicine & Meditation” (2022), and “Traditional Chinese Attire” (2021).
Lunar New Year Talk: "Working Women in Ancient China"February 8, 20242:30 pm - 3:30 pmLocationCaltech - Chen 1301200 East California BoulevardPasadena, California 91125
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– San Gabriel
![[Updated] Local Lunar New Year Celebrations (5)](https://i0.wp.com/www.coloradoboulevard.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/San-Gabriel-Lunar-New-Year-Photo-sglunarnewyear.org_..jpg "[Updated] Local Lunar New Year Celebrations (5)")
San Gabriel Lunar New Year (Photo – sglunarnewyear.org).
San Gabriel Lunar Lantern Festival
A two-day-long extravaganza to celebrate the finale of Lunar New Year festivities.
Explore market offerings, meet your favorite radio and TV stars, enjoy the Kids Zone (free lanterns for children, while supplies last), rejoice in authentic Chinese live shows, indulge in delicious street food and drinks, collect souvenirs, and experience a historical walk.
> More information to come at the City’s website.
San Gabriel Lunar Lantern FestivalFebruary 17, 2024: 10:00 am - 9:00 pmFebruary 18, 2024: 10:00 am - 8:00 pmLocationSan Gabriel Mission District320 S. Mission DriveSan Gabriel, CA 91776
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– San Marino
Lunar New Year at The Huntington (Photo – Ann Hunnewell)
Chinese New Year Festival at The Huntington
Celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Dragon at The Huntington’s Chinese New Year Festival. This family-friendly event features lion dancers, a mask-changing artist, martial arts demonstrations, music, art and craft demonstrations, and more. Festivities take place in and around the Chinese Garden and other performance spaces. To purchase tickets, click here.
Chinese New Year Festival at The HuntingtonFebruary 10-11, 202410:00 am - 5:00 pmLocationThe Huntington1151 Oxford RoadSan Marino, CA 91108
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[Postponed]* San Marino Lunar New Year Festival
*Lunar New Year Festival has been postponed to March 3 due to rain.
Enjoy free admission to San Marino’s city-wide Lunar New Year Festival to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. The event will feature 60 booths to host family-friendly children’s games, activities, and food. They include calligraphy, lantern making, tea ceremony, dough sculpturing, and a diverse mix of ethnic American food. There will be performances on stage to showcase local performers from San Marino Schools, the Chinese School of San Marino, and residents of San Marino. In addition, there will be lion dancing which is classic entertainment for Lunar New Year.
San Marino Lunar New Year FestivalMarch 3, 202410:00 am - 3:00 pmLocationLacy Park1485 Virginia Rd.San Marino, CA 91108
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– South Pasadena
Lunar New Year Luncheon
Join the South Pasadena Chinese American Club and the South Pasadena Senior Center for a luncheon event in celebration of the Lunar New Year! To make a reservation or for more information, contact the Senior Center at (626) 403-7360. Shuttle service from the Senior Center to War Memorial Building is available with advanced reservations. If you need shuttle service, let staff know at the time of reservation. If you need a pick-up to get to the Senior Center for shuttle service, contact Dial-A-Ride directly at (626) 403-7368.
Lunar New Year LuncheonFebruary 7, 202411:45 amLocationWar Memorial Building435 Fair Oaks Ave.South Pasadena, CA 91030
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![[Updated] Local Lunar New Year Celebrations (2025)](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mP8/h8AAvMB+NzmkbcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)