Lunar New Year & Tết 2027 in Southern California

Irvine · Children's museum event

A Lunar New Year day at the hands-on children's museum, with cultural traditions and movement activities for young kids. Best for toddlers through early elementary. Members got no early entry on the 2026 event day, and the Toddler Town session sold out, so book ahead.

🗓️ 2026: Sun, Feb 15, 10am–4pm. 2027 TBA, usually a weekend near LNY

💵 Museum admission

Irvine · Parade & festival

Irvine's first Lunar New Year parade (2026) had local marching bands, schools and community groups. A festival followed with performances, lion dances, a family zone and games like Feed the Dragon. The City of Irvine supports it and the Asian American Museum at Great Park coordinates it.

🗓️ 2026 (inaugural): Sat, Feb 7, from 11am. 2027 TBA

💵 Parade and parking free; festival $2 (2026), kids 3 and under free

Costa Mesa

The mall puts up a large Year-of-the-animal centerpiece and a photo exhibit. In 2026 kids could make a paper lantern at Carousel Court on select weekend afternoons, either on site or as a kit to take home. It's an easy indoor stop on a rainy day.

🗓️ 2026: Feb 12–Mar 1 (lantern craft select weekends 12–5pm). 2027 TBA

Santa Ana

This free event in the Key Courtyard has lion and dragon dances plus Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese music and dance. The 2026 edition added face painting, art projects and free Vietnamese egg rolls. It's short (about four hours) and easy to manage with little kids.

🗓️ 2026: Sun, Feb 1, 11am–3pm. 2027 TBA; held as the museum's free first-Sunday family festival around LNY

Anaheim · Theme park celebration

Highlights include Mulan's Lunar New Year Procession, Lunar New Year marketplaces with festival food, and Mickey and friends in Korean-, Vietnamese- and Chinese-inspired outfits. There's no separate ticket, but you do need a park reservation and admission.

🗓️ 2026: Jan 23–Feb 22. 2027 dates TBA (Disney says it usually runs late Jan to mid/late Feb)

💵 Included with Disney California Adventure admission

Westminster

The city-run parade goes east on Bolsa Ave from Magnolia St, turns south on Bushard St and ends at Bishop Place, passing through the heart of Little Saigon. Expect floats, marching bands, lion dances, scout troops and community groups; the city says over 15,000 people attend, so arrive early to get a curbside spot.

🗓️ Sat, Feb 6, 2027: opening ceremony 8:30am, parade 9:30am

Westminster

Thiên Ân Performing Arts performs lion dances and drumming, and there are crafts for all ages, light refreshments and lucky red envelopes while supplies last. Traditional dress is encouraged but not required. OCPL says to check your local branch for more February programs.

🗓️ 2026: Sat, Feb 7, 10:30am. 2027 TBA; other OCPL branches hold programs through February

Huntington Beach · Tết festival

Billed as the largest Vietnamese Lunar New Year festival in the country, it has a Vietnamese cultural village, live entertainment, festive games and food vendors; organizers expect over 30,000 guests. A hand stamp allows re-entry. There's no stroller storage or childcare, and the gates take cash and card.

🗓️ Fri–Sun, Feb 5–7, 2027 at Golden West College

💵 $10 general admission; kids 2 and under free

Hsi Lai Temple Spring Festival & Peace Lantern Festival

Hacienda Heights

One of the largest Buddhist temples in the Western Hemisphere stays open extended hours over the New Year holiday. The 2026 Lantern Festival day had lantern viewing, a wish tree, cultural performances, vegetarian food and an art exhibit. On the busiest days in 2026 visitors parked at Puente Hills Mall and took a free shuttle, so dress modestly and expect crowds.

🗓️ 2026: Feb 17–Mar 3 (LNY through the Lantern Festival). 2027 likely Feb 6–20; TBA

San Pedro

A free, family-friendly waterfront festival at CRAFTED in San Pedro. The 2026 edition had performances, cultural demonstrations, a petting zoo, a firecracker display and a first-ever drone show (weather permitting). The late-afternoon timing works for a sunset visit.

🗓️ 2026 (12th annual): Sat, Feb 21, 3–7pm. 2027 TBA

LA County Library Lunar New Year Programs (branches)

Rosemead

In 2026 branches across the county ran Lunar New Year storytimes and crafts, mostly for ages 5–12 with a caregiver. Examples include Vietnamese star lanterns at Rosemead Library, red envelopes in Florence and kite-making in Stevenson Ranch. Some programs cap registration, so sign up early.

🗓️ 2026: dozens of branch programs ~Feb 10–20. 2027 TBA; check the events calendar in January

Monterey Park

Garvey Ave closes between Garfield and Alhambra Aves for food and gift vendors, entertainment and family activities to welcome the Year of the Goat. Parking is free at Barnes Park, with a free shuttle Sat–Sun 10am–6pm, and at Langley Center (no shuttle). It falls two weeks before Lunar New Year, so it's one of the region's first festivals.

🗓️ Sat, Jan 23, 2027 10am–9pm; Sun, Jan 24, 2027 10am–7pm (two weeks before LNY)

Rolling Hills Estates · Garden celebration

Interactive stations teach Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean traditions, such as the handkerchief dance, Yutnori, Bầu Cua Cá Cọp and mahjong. There's also a wishing tree, a Zodiac Stroll and a dragon walk. Lion dance, martial arts and drum shows run at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on weekends for an extra fee.

🗓️ 2026: three weekends, Feb 7–8, 14–15, 21–22. 2027 TBA

💵 Up to $18 non-members (free for members); +show up to $27

San Gabriel

The City of San Gabriel's Lunar New Year festival in the historic Mission District, branded as a Lunar Lantern Festival since 2024. It has lantern displays inspired by Taiwan's lantern festival, food, crafts and games. City council records confirm it as a city event; check the city site for 2027 dates, because the timing moves.

🗓️ Timing varies: 2025 was Feb 1–2 and 2026 was Mar 21–22. 2027 TBA

Alhambra

A one-day street festival on Main Street in downtown Alhambra. The 2026 edition ran 9am–5pm with cultural performances, food, an artist alley and a Kid Zone. 2027 celebrates the Year of the Goat.

🗓️ Sat, Feb 13, 2027 (33rd annual), daytime on Main St

Arcadia · Garden celebration

There's a red-envelope seed giveaway, a cabbage-planting station and Year-of-the-animal family crafts. Fong's Kung Fu does lion dance and kung fu demonstrations (11am and 1pm in 2026), and food trucks are on site. In 2026 a rescue group also brought miniature horses.

🗓️ 2026 (3rd annual): Sat, Feb 28, 9am–2pm. 2027 TBA

💵 Arboretum admission (advance reservations recommended)

Lunar New Year Festival at The Huntington

San Marino · Museum & garden festival

The festival centers on the Chinese Garden (Liu Fang Yuan), with lion dancers, a mask-changing artist, martial arts, dance, floral arts and music. The 2026 edition had a Family Activities Corner, story time and crafts, and it sold out. Book as soon as tickets drop in January.

🗓️ Sat–Sun, Feb 6–7, 2027, 10am–5pm (tickets available January 2027)

💵 Garden admission; reservations required for all visitors and members

Los Angeles

CAM and El Pueblo de Los Angeles celebrate the zodiac year with multicultural performances and kids' crafts. The 2026 crafts included red-envelope lanterns, paper lanterns and paper dragons. Note that it's held in late April to kick off AAPI Heritage Month, not during Lunar New Year itself.

🗓️ 2026: Sat, Apr 25, 12–5pm (held in spring, not at LNY). 2027 TBA

Los Angeles

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of LA runs this parade, now in its 128th year, with floats, lion and dragon dancers and performers winding through Chinatown around Central Plaza. Metro's Chinatown station (A Line) is the easiest way in, since streets close. Firecrackers and drums are loud, so bring ear protection for little ones.

🗓️ Sat, Feb 13, 2027, 1–4pm (128th annual)

Los Angeles · Fun run

The Kiddie Run is open to ages 12 and under. Registered participants get a Lunar New Year T-shirt and a finisher medal. A free chow mein carbo-load runs Saturday, Feb 20, 10am–2pm. The weekend also has 5K/10K runs, a dog walk and 20/50-mile bike rides that start in Chinatown.

🗓️ Sat–Sun, Feb 20–21, 2027; Kiddie Run Sun, Feb 21, 9:45am–12pm

💵 Kiddie Run $42 incl. fee (price rises after Dec 12, 2026)

Los Angeles

Family cultural programs at the downtown Central Library celebrating Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese New Year traditions. The 2026 edition included a kids' dance session in the Children's Literature department. Branches also hold their own programs.

🗓️ 2026: Sat, Feb 7, 2–4pm. 2027 TBA

Pasadena

USC PAM has run this festival for over a decade, with live performances, art-making and food trucks; admission to both the festival and the galleries is always free. The museum's free days also include Lunar New Year week. It's a compact courtyard event that works well for preschool and elementary ages.

🗓️ 2026: Sun, Feb 15, 11am–5pm. 2027 TBA, usually a weekend near LNY

Los Angeles

Part of the City of LA's Lunar New Year series: a Korean hanbok show, taekwondo demos, a Chinese lion dance and a Vietnamese áo dài fashion show. Workshops cover New Year traditions, and there's complimentary food from local AAPI businesses. The city lists it as all-ages.

🗓️ 2026: Sat, Jan 31, 4–7pm. 2027 TBA

Los Angeles

A North Hollywood street party with food, arts and crafts, performing arts and artisans celebrating Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese cultures. MAUM and the City of LA Dept. of Cultural Affairs co-produce it. It's an easy Metro B Line trip (North Hollywood station).

🗓️ 2026 (4th annual): Sat, Jan 24, 11am–4pm. 2027 TBA

San Diego

The Convoy District's first Lunar New Year kickoff took place on the Vickers Street cul-de-sac off Convoy Street. Lion dance groups performed, there were cultural showcases, and food and artisan vendors set up. Convoy is San Diego's main Asian dining district, so it's easy to make it a dinner outing.

🗓️ 2026 (first year): Sun, Feb 8, 3–8pm. 2027 TBA

San Diego · Theme park celebration

La Jolla Taiko drumming and lion and dragon dancing by Three Treasures Cultural Arts Society, plus seasonal Asian festival food. Red envelopes are handed out between performances at Garden Gate Plaza. Times can change, so check the day's schedule.

🗓️ 2026: weekends Jan 31–Feb 16 plus Fri Feb 13 and Mon Feb 16. 2027 TBA

💵 Included with park admission

San Diego

The city calls it the largest Lunar New Year event in San Diego County. In 2026 it had lion dancing, a petting zoo, carnival rides, a trading-card show, a Kids' Spotlight talent contest and the Miss Vietnam San Diego pageant. The 2026 hours ran Friday evening and all day Saturday–Sunday.

🗓️ Fri–Sun, Feb 5–7, 2027 (venue TBA; 2026 was NTC Park at Liberty Station)

San Diego

The House of China runs this fair around the International Cottages and Pan American Lawn, with traditional Chinese music, dance, food and educational exhibits. The city's permit calendar lists it as family-friendly and free. You can pair it with the playgrounds and museums nearby in Balboa Park.

🗓️ 2026: Sat–Sun, Feb 21–22, 11am–5pm. 2027 TBA

San Diego

A three-day festival in Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, next to the City Heights/Weingart Library. It has lion dances, firecrackers, performances, Asian food and a Southeast Asian cultural village. The city lists it as free and for all ages.

🗓️ 2026: Feb 13–15 (Fri 5–10pm, Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 11am–8pm). 2027 TBA, usually the weekend before or of LNY

Los Angeles

The Vietnamese Association of San Fernando Valley hosts Tết in Winnetka with festive meals, lion dances and music. It's the Valley's main Tết gathering. It runs into the evening, so it suits older kids best.

🗓️ 2026 (4th annual): Sat, Feb 14, 5–11pm. 2027 TBA

San Diego

The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association has held this downtown fair on Third Avenue in the Asian Pacific Historic District since 1983. Expect performances, vendors and a scavenger hunt. It's on the same block as the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum.

🗓️ 2026: Sat–Sun, Feb 28–Mar 1, 10am–5pm. 2027 TBA, usually 1–2 weeks after LNY

San Diego · Museum

This small museum is on the same Third Avenue block as the Chinese New Year Fair and covers the history of San Diego's Chinese community. Children 12 and under get in free. It's open weekend afternoons only, so it fits well with a fair visit.

🗓️ Sat–Sun 12–4pm (visit during Chinese New Year Fair weekend)

💵 $8 adults; kids 12 and under free

San Diego

In 2026 SDPL hosted lion dances at about nine branches, including Scripps Miramar Ranch, Linda Vista, Balboa and North Park. There were also a Lunar New Year storytime at Mira Mesa, dragon puppets and paper crafts for ages 5–12, and a free fortune-cookie craft in the Central Library IDEA Lab. Check the library's annual Lunar New Year page in January for the 2027 schedule.

🗓️ 2026: Feb 2–Mar 7 across branches. 2027 TBA; the library posts a schedule each year

Los Angeles

A City of LA Cultural Affairs event in the San Fernando Valley built around families. It has live Asian cultural performances, hands-on art for kids, public-library storytelling and an artisan market. It's a smaller-scale alternative to the big SGV festivals.

🗓️ 2026: Sat, Feb 28, 11am–2pm. 2027 TBA

Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara Chinese School and Santa Barbara Public Library run this all-ages festival with crafts, snacks, prizes, a Chinese book exchange, a library scavenger hunt and student music performances. In 2026 the first 75 minutes of parking were free in City Lots 6 and 7.

🗓️ 2026 (2nd year): Sun, Feb 22, 1–4pm. 2027 TBA