Okay, Westside parents, it's time to talk about one of LA's most vibrant, colorful, and delicious celebrations of the year. Lunar New Year 2026 officially lands on Monday, February 17, ushering in the Year of the Horse with lion dances, red envelopes, dumplings, and community gatherings across the entire city.

Whether your family has celebrated for generations or you're looking to introduce your kiddos to new traditions, LA is the place to be. From Chinatown to Venice, from Disneyland to your own kitchen table, there's something for everyone.

Here's something worth celebrating: Lunar New Year is officially recognized as a state holiday in California.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2596, officially recognizing Lunar New Year as a state holiday in California.

While it’s not a mandatory day off statewide, the bill allows state employees to observe the holiday and gives schools and agencies the option to recognize it — an important step toward honoring the millions of Californians with ties to Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other Asian heritage communities.

What does this mean practically? Schools and state agencies can now observe the day, and employees can take time off to celebrate with their families. It's a meaningful step toward honoring the diversity that makes California, and especially LA, so special.

The first official observance happened in 2023, and now it's woven into our state's cultural calendar. Pretty cool, right?

LA goes all out for Lunar New Year. Celebrations often begin in mid-January and continue for several weeks after the Lunar New Year itself, which falls on February 17 in 2026.

Here's your guide to what's happening and when:

Disneyland Lunar New Year Celebration
📅 January 23 – February 22
📍 Disney California Adventure Park
This is a full 31-day celebration featuring Mulan's Lunar New Year Procession, character appearances in traditional-inspired outfits, an Asian marketplace with special cuisine, calligraphy keepsakes, and a Lunar New Year Wishing Wall. If you just got a phat bonus and are planning a Disney trip anyway...

Port of Los Angeles Lunar New Year Festival
📅 Saturday, January 25
📍 San Pedro
The Port's annual festival is always a hit, lion dances, cultural performances, food vendors, and waterfront vibes. Mark this one for a weekend adventure.

Midnight Temple Ceremony at Thien Hau Temple
📅 January 28–29 | 10 p.m.–1 a.m.
📍 Chinatown
For families who want an immersive, spiritual experience, the Thien Hau Temple opens its doors for a midnight ceremony to welcome the new year. It's reverent, beautiful, and unforgettable.

LA Public Library Lunar New Year Festival
📅 Saturday, February 7 | 2–4 p.m.
📍 Central Library, Downtown LA
A family-oriented celebration honoring Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other Asian communities. Expect crafts, performances, and lots of kid-friendly programming, all free!

LA Philharmonic Chamber Music: Year of the Horse
📅 Monday, February 10 | 8 p.m.
📍 Walt Disney Concert Hall
Okay, this one's more of a date night vibe (complimentary wine reception at 6:30 p.m.!), but if you can swing a sitter, it's a beautiful way to celebrate.

Golden Dragon Parade – Chinatown
📅 February 21st
📍 Chinatown, Los Angeles
The Golden Dragon Parade is LA's signature Lunar New Year event, floats, marching bands, lion dancers, firecrackers, and the whole community out in force.

The Huntington Lunar New Year Festival
📅 February 21–22 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
📍 The Huntington Library, San Marino
Lion dancers, mask-changing artists, martial arts demonstrations, calligraphy, food trucks, and those gorgeous gardens as a backdrop. This is one of the most beautiful ways to celebrate.

Port of Los Angeles 12th Annual Lunar New Year Festival
📅 Saturday, February 21
📍 San Pedro
Another round of festivities at the Port, because one weekend isn't enough!

DragonSprouts Lunar New Year Celebration
📅 Saturday, February 28 | 1–4:30 p.m.
📍 Venice High School
This one's in our neighborhood! Lion dances, face-changing performances, arts and crafts, games, and student performances celebrating the Year of the Horse. Perfect for Westside families.

Culture LA: Lunar New Year Across the City
📅 January 18 – March 1
The City of LA coordinates Lunar New Year events, performances, markets, and parades across neighborhoods all season long. Check culture.la for the full calendar.

Pacific Asia Museum LNY Festival – February 15

Don't have time to hit every festival? No worries. Some of the best Lunar New Year memories happen right at home.

Red envelopes symbolize good luck and prosperity. Grab some red paper, gold markers, and let the kids decorate their own. Tuck in a few coins or small treats and share them with family and friends.

Dumplings represent wealth and togetherness. Making them as a family, folding, pinching, taste-testing, is half the fun. The Woks of Life has a great tutorial.

Cleaning and decluttering before Lunar New Year is a tradition meant to sweep away the old and make room for good luck.

String up some paper lanterns in the backyard or take a twilight stroll through the neighborhood.

Head to the library (or Village Well!) for picture books about Lunar New Year traditions.

Let the kids explore: sweet rice cakes, scallion pancakes, boba, and more. Lunar New Year festivals are basically one giant food tour — and a reminder that Asian food is so much bigger than your usual Din Tai Fung order. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider making a day trip to the San Gabriel Valley, where some of the best Chinese food in the country lives.

Can't make it to a parade? YouTube has amazing lion dance performances you can watch together. Talk about the symbolism: the lion chases away evil spirits and brings good fortune.

If your family is interested, visiting a local temple (like Thien Hau in Chinatown) during the holiday is a meaningful way to connect with the spiritual side of the celebration.

In the Chinese zodiac, the Horse is associated with energy, freedom, and adventure. People born in Horse years (2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978...) are said to be independent, enthusiastic, and always ready to gallop toward their next goal.

It's a great year to embrace new adventures as a family: try something new, take that trip, sign up for that class. The Horse energy is all about momentum.

Lunar New Year in LA is one of those beautiful reminders of how lucky we are to live in such a diverse, vibrant city.

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! 새해 복 많이 받으세요!

Happy Lunar New Year, LA. 🧧🐴

• Want to reach local parents? Advertise →

• A writer or community voice? Contribute →

• Hosting something fun? Submit your event →

• Forwarded this email? Subscribe here →