Lunar New Year in Los Angeles

Curated by Bad Asians, this year's Lunar New Year Short Film Festival takes place at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre on Saturday, February 7. Doors are at 1 p.m., with a free matcha or milk tea for the first 100 guests. The screening runs from 2- 4 p.m. with a reception to follow. Parental guidance is recommended. 

Ring in the Year of the Horse during the annual Lunar New Year Celebration at Citadel Outlets, located minutes from Downtown LA and well-known for selling premium brands at deep discounts. Be on the lookout for traditional dancers and artists, who will be performing between noon and 3 p.m. on both days. 

Celebrate Lunar New Year on Saturday, February 14, when the Vietnamese Association of San Fernando Valley hosts at Têt Festival in Winnetka with food, lion dancing and music and for all ages.

Founded in 1971, the USC Pacific Asia Museum is one of the few U.S. institutions dedicated to the arts and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands.

This year, the museum's annual Lunar New Year Festival takes place on Sunday, February 15. The family-friendly event includes lion dances, storytelling and crafts, as well as free admission to the museum. Be sure to check out new exhibition, Mythical Creatures: The Stories We Carry from LA-based artist Dave Young Kim, which opens at USC Pacific Asia Museum the same weekend. 

The highlight of Chinatown's Lunar New Year festivities, the 127th annual Golden Dragon Parade is taking place on Saturday, February 21. For generations, tens of thousands of spectators have lined the route to view the parade, which features floats, marching bands, entertainers, local business leaders and cultural groups. Previous Grand Marshals include everyone from martial arts legend Bruce Lee to Garrett Wang of Star Trek fame. The Golden Dragon Parade starts at 1 p.m. and admission is free.  

Celebrate the Year of the Horse at Los Angeles Zoo on February 21 and 22. This year, guests can head to the Treetop Terrace to see traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese dance, visit the Wall of Well Wishes or learn calligraphy and Chinese fan decorating. Don't forget to take the Zoo-diac tour, where you'll find animals associated with the Chinese Zodiac, and pose for your Year of the Horse photo op. 

The Port of Los Angeles presents its 12th annual Lunar New Year Festival on Saturday, February 21, at Crafted. All ages are welcome to the event, which runs from 3-7 p.m. and includes live performances, a wishing wall and a petting zoo. Free parking is available at 22nd and Miner Streets and the San Pedro Red Trolley is offering free rides to the event between 2-8 p.m.

Echo Park restaurant and tea lounge Men & Beasts hosts Lumineve, a Lunar Near Year festival, on Saturday, February 21. Guests will enjoy a buffet meal and tea tasting, as well as arts and entertainment from 3 - 8 p.m. Space is limited for activities like a tea ceremony, dumpling-making classes and guzheng performances. 

Taking place at The Huntington Library on February 21, the family-friendly Lunar New Year Festival features lion dancers, a mask-changing artist, martial arts demonstrations, contemporary dance, floral arts, music and more.

Celebrate the Year of the Horse at Santa Monica Place! Stop by the Center Plaza between noon and 5 p.m. on February 21 for lion dancers, martial arts demonstrations and live music, plus arts and crafts as well as special offers from participating retailers. 

Now in its 33rd year, the Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival is taking place on Main Street from 9am to 5pm on Saturday, February 28. Enjoy cultural performances, shop the Artist Alley, watch cooking demos and nosh on authentic cuisine from local vendors. 

Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Family Village Celebration in Northridge Park on Saturday, February 28, where live performances, storytelling and art activities will be part of the early afternoon festivities. The event also includes a marketplace, where guests can shop for handmade and cultural items. 

Launched in 1978, The Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker is the largest and longest-running Lunar New Year charity run in the United States. This year's two-day event takes place on Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1. 

Events include the flagship 5/10K Run/Walk on March 1; 20/50 mi Bike Ride (Feb. 28), Kiddie Run (March 1) and PAW’er Dog Walk (Feb. 28). Proceeds from L.A. Chinatown Firecracker are donated to local elementary schools and non-profit organizations.

Registration is now open for all ages and includes an opening ceremony with lion dancers and traditional lighting of 100,000 firecrackers; t-shirt for your selected event; custom finisher medal; and a goodie bag.

On March 26, Level 8 at AC/Moxy is hosting the Lunar New Year All-You-Can-Eat Night Market in collaboration with Chef Jasper Lynn, founder of Rosalynn Supper Club. Each Level 8 venue will spotlight a different dish, as well as vendors and activations throughout the spaces. General admission for the 21+ is $105.