Best of Orange County
Where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Orange County (2025)
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 2025, Lunar New Year begins on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, 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 Celebrations at Anaheim Libraries
Visit a local Anaheim library to enjoy of their Lunar New Year events:
- January 26, 2025, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM at Anaheim Public Library: Haskett Branch
- January 27, 2025, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM at Anaheim Public Library: Canyon Hills Branch
- January 28, 2025, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM at Anaheim Public Library: Sunkist Branch
- January 29, 2025, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM at Anaheim Public Library: East Anaheim Branch
- January 31, 2025, 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM at Anaheim Public Library: Euclid Branch
- February 12, 2025, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM at Anaheim Public Library: Sunkist Branch
Disneyland Resort
January 17 – February 16, 2025
Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park ushers in a joyous tribute to Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean cultures.
Event highlights include:
- Innovative marketplace menus celebrating delicious Asian cuisine
- Exciting festival decor
- Special appearances by some popular Disney Characters—including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse—dressed in all-new colourful Korean attire
- Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession, on selected days
- Hurry Home – A Lunar New Year Celebration pre-show, in front of World of Color – ONE presented by PANDORA Jewelry
- Kid-friendly crafts and activities
- Commemorative festive merchandise
Lunar New Year events in Costa Mesa
Segerstrom Concert Center Hall
February 1, 2025 | 8:00pm
Join Pacific Symphony for their annual festivities honoring Lunar New Year! Celebrating the Year of the Snake, 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.
South Coast Plaza
January 23 – February 9, 2025 (Saturday & Sunday) | 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Exclusive Year of the Snake paper lantern craft kits will be on sale at Carousel Court.
While supplies last. $8
Lunar New Year events in Fountain Valley
Fountain Valley Recreation Center
January 25, 2025 | 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
Lunar New Year Family Night at Garden Grove Chapman Library
January 22, 2025 | 5:00pm – 6:00pm
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
UVSA Tết Festival at Garden Grove Park
January 31 – February 2, 2025 | Times Vary
$9/ticket This year, the UVSA Tết Festival theme is “A Spring of Remembrance” or “Xuân Hoài Niệm”, to honor the efforts of the Vietnamese community in building a home abroad. UVSA is thrilled to welcome back over 50,000 guests to celebrate the Year of the Snake, as well as to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Black April, otherwise known as the Fall of Saigon. UVSA Tết Festival is proud to serve as a bridge that brings people closer through vibrant activities that highlight our Vietnamese heritage, such as: Vietnamese cultural village, live entertainment, the Miss Vietnam of Southern California pageant, festive games and rides, a variety of local food vendors, and a dazzling firecracker show celebrating the new year.
Lunar New Year events in Irvine
Pretend City
January 26, 2025 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Welcome the Year of the Snake! 🐍 Celebrate Lunar New Year with colorful traditions, cultural movement, and fun for the whole family!
At 11:00am Enjoy a performance by the Kishin Daiko Drummers and experience the powerful energy, spirit, and heart of Japanese percussive-style drumming. At 2:30pm Ane Thanh Lion Dance will be performing traditional Asian dancing including acrobatics and a live instrumental troupe to bring good luck into the new year.
UC Irvine (UCI Student Center and The Irvine Barclay Theatre)
January 21, 2025 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
FREE From the vibrant rhythms of UCI Hansori to the breathtaking spectacle of the Dragon Dance and the mesmerizing Feeding of the Lions, UCI’s Lunar New Year celebration beautifully intertwines timeless traditions with modern artistry. This extraordinary event bridges generations, fostering unity and renewal.
Come and immerse yourselves in captivating performances that embody the spirit of the Lunar New Year. At the Wishing Tree, you can make heartfelt wishes for health, prosperity, and good fortune, creating a dazzling display of collective hopes. Each moment is filled with joy and cultural richness, leaving a lasting impression that extends well beyond the celebration.
Lunar New Year events in La Palma
La Palma Library
January 30, 2025 | 3:30pm – 4:30pm
FREE It’s the Year of the Snake! 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
Outlets at San Clementea
February 1, 2025 | 11:30am – 3:30pm
FREE We’re kicking off the celebrations with live entertainment, featuring our local Mandarin Immersion Program student performers, and spectacular Dragon Dances and Lion Dances that are sure to dazzle. These traditional performances are filled with energy, vibrant colors, and the magic of ancient customs. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness these captivating dances that bring luck and prosperity for the year ahead!
But that’s not all—there will be a variety of family-friendly activities to keep everyone entertained. From getting your face painted with festive designs to participating in festive activities, there’s something for every age. It’s the perfect way to bond with loved ones while ringing in a brand new year full of possibilities.
Casa Romantica
February 2, 2025 | 10:00am – 2:00pm
FREE Enjoy FREE admission to Casa Romantica with our annual Lunar New Year Celebration. Featuring a lion dance performance at 11 AM and arts and crafts for kids.
Lunar New Year events in Santa Ana
Main Place Mall
February 15, 2025 | 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).
Santa Ana Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival | Centennial Park (3000 W. Edinger Ave.)
January 25, 2025 | 1:00pm – 6:00pm
FREE This exciting celebration honors the City’s amazing Vietnamese community. Enjoy:
🎤Live performances
🍜Food vendors and local exhibitors
🧧Cultural exhibits
📚A Library Lane with story time and resources
🛝A fun kids zone with inflatables
🎇And a fireworks show at 5:45 p.m.
Lunar New Year events in Tustin
FREE Lunar New Year Celebration | The District – near RAKKAN Ramen
February 10, 2025 | 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Celebrate The Year of the Snake at The District! 🧧 Our Lunar New Year celebration is Saturday, January 25 from Noon to 2 p.m. This is a free, family friendly event with Lion Dance performances, martial arts shows, Chinese Musical Orchestra, Lunar New Year-themed kid’s crafts, and a live DJ. ✨Make plans to arrive early – the first 500 attendees will receive a Lucky Red Envelope with a $2 bill inside!✨
Our Lunar New Year event will take place in The District Courtyard, near RAKKAN Ramen.
Lunar New Year events in Villa Park
FREE Lunar New Year Celebration | Villa Park City Hall
February 8, 2025 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
Student performances, snacks crafts, glove puppetry display, calligraphy and red envelopes.
Lunar New Year events in Westminster
FREE 2025 Tet Parade | Bolsa Avenue and Magnolia Street
February 1, 2025 | 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.
Related articles:
Originally published on January 19, 2025. Last Updated on January 19, 2025 by Pattie Cordova
1 Comment