Best of Orange County
Where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Orange County (2024)
We’re lucky enough to live in SoCal where we’re exposed to different cultures and celebrations… and we have a great list of where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Orange County!
In 2024, Lunar New Year begins on Saturday, February 10, 2024, but you can enjoy celebrations in Orange County starting in January and running through February.
About Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is celebrated in Asian countries and people often go to the temple to honor their ancestors. This year, Lunar New Year is celebrating the year of the wood dragon.
When is Lunar new year?
Lunar new year celebrations begin with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, 15 days later.
What are the themes for Lunar new year?
Themes for Lunar New Year are the color red, which brings good luck, presents, fireworks, little red envelopes filled with money and red lanterns.
During this time, it is very common for people to give red envelopes with money to their loved ones – especially children!
How is Lunar new year celebrated?
During this time, many celebrations will have a dragon parade, lion dances and time is spent with family following traditions and enjoying a feast
It is a time to say goodbye to the old year and hope to have good luck in the new year. People also wear traditional clothing.
Another tradition done during this time is cleaning house. Like in other cultures, it is a tradition to clean your house for the Lunar New Year because a clean house will bring good luck.
Oranges are also a symbol for good luck so people try to eat them during Lunar New Year.
Lunar New Year events in Orange County
Lunar New Year in Orange County is celebrated at many different locations and we are excited to share some places where you can attend with family. Check out our list of Lunar New Year events in Orange County below (organized by city) and share with a friend using our share buttons above.
If we missed a favorite Lunar New Year celebrations of yours, let us know in the comments below!
Lunar New Year events in Anaheim
Lunar New Year Celebration at East Anaheim Branch
February 3, 2024 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Bring in the Year of the Dragon by celebrating Lunar New Year with SoCal Tokushima Aozora-ren Club at the library! This event features a Lunar New Year Scavenger Hunt, Lunar New Year Craft Stations, an “Under Blue Sky” Awa-odori Dance Demonstration + Presentation, and more!
Disneyland Resort
January 23 – February 18,2024
Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park ushers in a joyous tribute to Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean cultures.
Event highlights include:
- Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession
- Special appearances by some popular Disney Characters—including Mickey and Minnie—dressed in colorful attire.
- Innovative menus celebrating delicious Asian cuisine
- Live holiday entertainment
- Commemorative merchandise
- Kid-friendly crafts and activities
- Festive décor and more
Lunar New Year events in Costa Mesa
Segerstrom Concert Center Hall
February 10, 2024 | 8:00pm
Join Pacific Symphony for their annual festivities honoring Lunar New Year! Celebrating the Year of the Dragon, this performance is sure to sell out once again as audiences from across our communities come together to feast on a colorful presentation of Eastern and Western music and dance.
Artists
Carl St.Clair, conductor
Guest artists to be announced
Pacific Symphony
OC Fair & Event Center
February 9-11, 2024
As spring approaches, families and loved ones come together under and embrace the warmth of each other’s presence. UVSA Tết Festival wishes you and your family and loved ones a peaceful and prosperous year full of warmth and wellness.
The Year of the Dragon marks the 10th annual year anniversary that UVSA Tết Festival has been hosted at OC Fair & Event Center.
This year, UVSA Tết Festival proudly presents our theme, Hội Long Vân, 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. UVSA Tết Festival hopes that not only will families come together and celebrate the holiday together, but much like how the fish meets the water and the dragon meets the clouds, we will also meet one another in this space.
South Coast Plaza
February 8-25, 2024 (Saturday & Sunday) | 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Exclusive Year of the Dragon paper lantern craft kits will be on sale at Carousel Court.
While supplies last. $8
MIAN South Coast Plaza
February 8-12, 2024
Join our 5-day celebration featuring a red envelope lucky draw on 2/10 (Sat)! Each envelope hides a surprise fortune, including $1, $2, $3, $5, and $6 off coupons, omitting the number 4 for good luck.
In addition, we are running a dumpling promotion. During the 5 days we’ll add one dumpling for free to every dumpling order. Plus, hidden within one of these dumplings is a fiery surprise! If anyone finds the lucky dumpling, the person receives a complimentary Fai Chun/Chunlian.
In honor of our cultural roots, we’re offering complimentary Fai Chun/Chunlian (Chinese Couplet) with a twist! These traditional Lunar New Year decorations, featuring auspicious Chinese characters on red paper to fend off evil, are authentically sourced from China. Our special Miao Hong (“tracing red”) Fai Chun is faintly inked with the characters’ strokes. Pick up a brush and trace it over to make it uniquely yours.
Lunar New Year events in Fountain Valley
Fountain Valley Recreation Center
February 3, 2024 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
FREE As part of the event participants will engage in games, activities, crafts and history.
Lunar New Year events in Garden Grove
Garden Grove Historic Main Street
January 21-22, 2023 | TBD
FREE The inaugural Tet Flower Street on Historic Main Street community event will be part of Garden Grove’s Lunar New Year celebration, and Historic Main Street will be transformed with elaborate flower installations and unique artwork.
The event is free and will take place on Lunar New Year’s Eve and Lunar New Year, on Saturday, January 21, 2023, and Sunday, January 22, 2023. The event will feature lion dances, local musical performances, and vendors from the Garden Grove Farmers Market.
Tết Themed Storytime
February 6, 2023 | 10:30am – 11:30am
FREE Join us for a special dragon themed storytime to celebrate the new year! Dragon plushie craft to follow, generously funded by the Friends of the Garden Grove Libraries. Registration is required, starting January 22nd
Lunar New Year events in Huntington Beach
FREE Bella Terra (on the green located in front of Century Theaters)
February 3, 2024 | 11:00am – 5:00pm
Join us as we celebrate Lunar New Year with a Maker Market with @the714market.
Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important festival in China and a major event in some other East Asian countries.
Chinese New Year is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. It was traditionally a time to honor deities and ancestors, and it has also become a time to feast and visit family members.
- 30+ small business vendors
- Chinese musical performance by Galaxy Arts Center
- Cultural Characters
- Kids Games and Activities
- Eats + Brews from Bella Terra’s many establishments.
Lunar New Year events in Irvine
Pretend City
February 10-11, 2024 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Year of the Dragon Happy Lunar New Year!!!
Join us in celebrating the beginning of spring into the new year. At 11AM join us for a Kishin Daiko Drummers performance that embodies the translation of Kishin which is energy, spirit, and heart. At 2:30PM Ane Thanh Lion Dance will be performing traditional lion dancing with acrobatics and a live instrumental troupe to bring good luck into the new year.
Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve
February 10, 2024 | 9:00am – 12:00pm
FREE Discover unique historical tales about the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks as we celebrate different cultures together! Each month, a different culture and celebration will be highlighted, with the possibility of the program presented in multiple languages which will allow for everyone to fully enjoy the beauty of the land.
This month we will focus on the Chinese Lunar New Year. Come explore how people who are born in the Year of the Rabbit are believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious, just like those who enjoy the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks!
UC Irvine (UCI Student Center and The Irvine Barclay Theatre)
February 5, 2024 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
FREE From the dynamic rhythms of UCI Hansori to the thrill and spectacle of the Dragon and mesmerizing Feeding of the Lions, UCI’s Lunar New Year celebration intertwines age-old customs and contemporary expressions, bridging generations and kindling hope. Guests are immersed in captivating performances that embody the spirit of the Lunar New Year while making wishes for health, prosperity, and good fortune for the coming year at the Wishing Tree. Every moment is infused with the spirit of the Lunar New Year, creating an extraordinary atmosphere that lingers long after the celebration ends.
Lunar New Year events in La Palma
La Palma Library
February 8, 2024 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm
FREE Let’s celebrate Lunar New Year at La Palma Library with stories, lucky treats and fun
crafts. ALL AGES WELCOME
Lunar New Year events in San Clemente
Casa Romantica
February 4, 2024 | 10:00am – 2:00pm
FREE Enjoy free admission to Casa Romantica and celebrate the year of the Dragon in the upcoming Lunar New Year! Featuring lucky envelopes with fortunes (some including prizes!), and a performance with lion dancers with a martial arts demonstration.
Lunar New Year events in Santa Ana
Main Place Mall
February 17, 2024 | 12:00PM-3:00PM
FREE Ring in the Year of the Dragon with an extra-special Lunar New Year celebration. The event will feature an array of cultural activities and performances that will educate and entertain guests. On the Lower Level, in Macy’s Court, attendees will enjoy traditional lion and dragon dances as well as other cultural dances and instrumental performances. Guests will be invited to ring in the new year with a traditional Chinese gong. During the event, in Center Court, there will also be Asian-themed stilt walkers in traditional costume, a face painter, balloon twister, and kids crafts. For those who drop by the welcome table in Center Court, there will be lucky red envelopes with $2 bills, plush dragons and fortune cookies (each while supplies last). And for MyPerks loyalty program members only, there will also be free bamboo plants available from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the MyPerks Lounge (while supplies last).
Bowers Museum
February 4, 2024 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
FREE Celebrate with the Bowers Museum during our free family festivals held ever first Sunday of the month in the Museum’s beautiful Key Courtyard. Enjoy live performances, art making, face painting and complimentary treats at every festival. Free Family Festivals are made possible with generous support from the Nicholas Endowment.
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with a lively Chinese New Year Festival! Enjoy free art activities, face painting, and exhilarating dance and music performances. Join us in welcoming a year of strength, confidence, and luck!
Santa Ana Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival
February 3, 2024 | 2:00pm – 7:00pm
FREE Guests of this event can look forward to:
•Cultural performances and traditional art
•Live entertainment including drum performances, a lion dance and dragon dance
•Food vendors
•Library lane complete with storytime and resources
•Kids zone and inflatables
•And a fireworks show at 6:45pm!
Lunar New Year events in Tustin
FREE Lunar New Year Celebration | The District – near RAKKAN Ramen
February 10, 2024 | 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Celebrate The Year of the Dragon at The District! This is a free, family friendly event with Lion Dance performances, martial arts shows, Chinese fan dancers, glitter tattoos, Lunar New Year-themed kid’s crafts, and a live DJ. ✨ Make plans to arrive early — the first 500 attendees will receive a Red Lucky Envelope with a $2 bill and tenant offers inside!
Lunar New Year events in Villa Park
FREE Lunar New Year Celebration | Villa Park City Hall
February 10, 2024 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
Student performances, snacks crafts, glove puppetry display, calligraphy and red envelopes.
Lunar New Year events in Villa Park
FREE 2024 Tet Parade | Bolsa Avenue and Magnolia Street
February 10, 2024 | Opening Ceremony begins at 8:30 AM; parade begins at 9:30 AM
The Tet Parade is a grandiose event that has celebrated the Lunar New Year in Little Saigon for over two decades. Every year Vietnamese communities across the globe tune in to watch the event broadcasted by local TV stations and social media platforms. The Tet Parade features floats, marching bands, lion dances, color guards, veterans and youth organizations, martial arts, multi-cultural attires, elected officials, scout organizations, community organizations, and an array of local and international businesses.
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Originally published on January 8, 2024. Last Updated on February 9, 2024 by Pattie Cordova
