Where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Los Angeles

Ring in the Lunar New Year in the heart of L.A.’s Chinese community at this annual two-day Monterey Park festival. This street fair takes over five blocks of downtown Monterey Park with folk art, delectable bites and a carnival zone. The action typically kicks off Saturday morning with traditional New Year dragon and lion dancers. Past fests have brought in over 100,000 people over, so plan ahead; the city suggests utilizing the free parking and shuttles at Mark Keppel High School (501 E Hellman Ave), Barnes Park (350 S McPherrin Ave), Ynez Elementary School (120 S Ynez Ave) and Repetto Elementary School (650 Grandridge Ave).

RECOMMENDED: Chinese New Year in Los Angeles

The shopping center welcomes the Year of the Snake in its Grand Court with a festive afternoon of lion dance performances, live beats, Chinese calligraphy and more. Snack on bites from Yardbird, AB Steak and Tangtastic, and pair with Chinese tea cocktails or a traditional tea service from Steep LA. In its own take on the holiday tradition, the mall is giving each guest a red envelope containing a Beverly Center gift card ranging from $10 to $500. Tickets are $30, but the center is donating and matching 100% of the proceeds from the event to support the LAFD Foundation.

Pasadena’s Pacific Asia Museum museum rings in the Lunar New Year with a free afternoon of pan-Asian activities. You’ll find traditional performances in the museum’s courtyard (think: lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, Korean classical music, opera and storytimes), plus art activities, food trucks and, most importantly, free admission to the galleries. Don’t miss PAM’s PST ART installation, Cai Guo-Qiang: A Material Odyssey. 

Scope out dozens food and craft booths while dragon dances, kung fu demonstrations, live candy sculpting and other entertainment plays out across a street festival. For those new to celebrating the holiday, the fest’s “cultural passport” experience teaches you how different regions celebrate Lunar New Year. This annual event takes place just on Alhambra’s Main Street and celebrates the diversity of the San Gabriel Valley.

Close out the Lunar New Year with this pan-Asian celebration of the flavors, sights and sounds of Asia. The expo, established more than four decades ago, will take over multiple stages and exhibition halls at Fairplex in Pomona. Hundreds of vendors, live entertainment and multiple food courts share the space with additional celebrations devoted to K-pop, anime and more.

The 2025 event has been postponed until further notice.

Join in one of L.A.’s oldest traditions at the 126th annual Chinese New Year parade and festival in Chinatown. The main attraction here is the yearly Golden Dragon Parade, which follows its route (kicking off at Hill and Temple Streets, and concluding at Broadway and Temple) on Saturday, February 8, from 1 to 3:30pm. The parade coincides with a free festival in the Central Plaza, as well, which starts at noon.

RECOMMENDED: Lunar New Year in Los Angeles

The 2025 event has been postponed until further notice.

Participate in a 5K or 10K run or walk, a one-mile dog walk as well as a 20- or 50-mile bike ride during this Chinatown tradition. All courses start and end at Chinatown Central Plaza, which will host a concurrent family-friendly festival.

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with this free family day at the Japanese American National Museum, complete with crafts, games and cultural activities and performances. Kids can embark on a scavenger hunt, make snake-inspired crafts and origami, and enjoy interactive storytelling, while all ages can enjoy rice-pounding rituals and candy sculpture demonstrations. Museum admission is also free all day, so check out the “Giant Robot Biennale 5” exhibition before it closes Sunday evening.