11 ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Southern California

The Lunar New Year kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 10 and this year marks the Year of the Dragon, which is associated with nobility, wisdom, wealth and luck in traditional Chinese culture.

Lunar New Year is observed by cultures across Asia and, of course, here in Southern California as well. Here are 11 ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year in 2024.

Chinese New Year Festival at The Huntington

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 10-11

Where: The Huntington, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino

Cost: $29

Information: huntington.org/event/chinese-new-year-festival

This event features lion dances by Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, mask making, martial arts demonstrations, music, Chinese floral arts displays and calligraphy demonstrations. Festivities take place in and around the Chinese Garden and other performance spaces.

Disney California Adventure

When: Through Feb. 18

Where: Paradise Gardens Park at Disney California Adventure Park, 1313 S. Harbor Blvd,. Anaheim

Cost: Park admission is required

Information: disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/lunar-new-year/

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with the world famous mouse and his friends. The celebration will include Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession, Disney characters dressed in special costumes, Asian food specials and a Wishing Wall made of ornamental lanterns.

Downtown Pomona Lunar New Year

When: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 10

Where: 197 W. Second Street, Pomona

Cost: Free

Information: downtownpomona.org/lunar-new-year

The city welcomes the Year of the Dragon with vendors, lion dances, a food court and even a karaoke and talent show.

Golden Dragon Lunar New Year Parade

When: 1 p.m. Feb. 17

Where: 943 North Broadway, Los Angeles

Cost: Free

Information: lachinesechamber.org

This is one of the biggest celebrations around with more than 100,000 spectators expected to line the parade route along North Broadway in Chinatown. The parade takes place from 1-4 p.m. and will include lion dancers, marching bands, dance troupes, music groups and more.

Historic Main Street in Garden Grove

When: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 10 and 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Feb. 11

Where: 12987 Main Street, Garden Grove

Cost: Free

Information: ggcity.org/events/flower-street-historic-main

To mark the Lunar New Year Historic Main Street in Garden Grove comes alive with vibrant floral displays as part of the Flower Street Festival. There will be live music, lion dances, folk games, a flower fashion show, and more activities.

L.A. Chinatown Firecracker 

When: 8 a.m. Feb. 24-25

Where: Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza, 943 N. Broadway, Los Angeles.

Cost: $38-$75 to register for races, free to attend festival

Information: firecracker10k.org/

Now in its 46th year, the L.A. Chinatown Firecracker is one of the largest and oldest-running races in the country. It includes the Lunar New Year run, walk, cycling and dog walk events happening on Feb.24-25. In addition to the race, the weekend includes a Lunar New Year festival in Chinatown that celebrates the new year with lion dancers and the traditional lighting of 100,000 firecrackers.

Lunar New Year at USC Pacific Asia Museum

When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 10

Where: USC Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena

Cost: Free

Information: pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu/

The USC Pacific Asia Museum celebration will include traditional lion dances, storytelling, calligraphy and food trucks.

Lunar New Year at Pacific Symphony

When: 8 p.m. Feb. 10

Where: Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

Cost: $72-$79

Information: pacificsymphony.org

The Pacific Symphony’s annual Lunar New Year concert includes musical performances, dancers, chorus singers and fusions of musical traditions from the East and West.

Lunar New Year of the Dragon

When: 3-4 p.m. Feb. 10

Where: Baldwin Park Library, 4181 Baldwin Park Blvd., Baldwin Park

Cost: Free

Information: visit.lacountylibrary.org

This celebration is aimed at the young dragons ages 5-11. Kids will learn about the origins of the dragon and will create their own lunar dragon. Advance registration is required.

San Gabriel Lunar Lantern Festival

When: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Feb. 17 and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 18

Where: San Gabriel Mission District, 320 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel

Cost: Free

Information: sangabrielcity.com/1517/Lunar-New-Year

Live music, a marketplace, kids zone and free lanterns for children make up this Lunar New Year celebration.

The Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival

When: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Feb 18

Where: Main Street between First and Third Streets.

Cost: Free

Information: alhambralunarnewyear.com/

The Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival includes vendors, kids zones, a Culinary Stage that showcases cooking demonstrations inspired by Asian cuisine and The Performance Stage for cultural performances that include Korean fan dancing, bands and a breakdance competition.