We've put together some fun San Diego Lunar New Year events worth attending for those looking to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.
Lunar New Year (or Lunar New Year if you are of Chinese descent) is a holiday recognized by many immigrants around the world from China, Vietnam, Korea, Mongolia, Singapore, Tibet and Southeast Asian countries.
The date is based on the lunisolar calendar, which is February 10, 2024, and people born in this zodiac sign are said to be smart, lucky and confident by nature.
This holiday is very important in our house because we are proud that our daughter was born in Hong Kong in the Year of the Golden Pig. This festival is the most important celebration that lasts for 15 days, but usually only 3 of those days are public holidays. During that time, whole families often come together to celebrate Lunar New Year through events such as traditional performances and other fun activities.
Without further ado, here is a list of San Diego events for Lunar New Year. Get ready to discover fun activities you won't want to miss.
Jasmine Seafood's Lunar New Year Charity Gala
The San Diego United Lions Club's Lunar New Year Charity Gala is an annual event that many in San Diego look forward to. Proceeds support San Diego United Lions Club charity projects around the world.
- Friday, February 2, 2024
- Happy Hour: 5pm – 6pm; Program at 6pm, dinner at 6:30pm
- Buy tickets: $65 or $600 (10 tables)
Popular dim sum restaurants typically feature lion dances throughout the month, making it a family-friendly event. We bring laishi (traditional red envelopes containing dollar bills) for good luck and to support the Student Lion Troupe and its organizations.
Lion Dance by Jasmine Seafood
Popular Cantonese restaurants often feature lion dances during dim sum lunches and dinners. We did and it was pretty fun. However, please be prepared as food and beverage service will be suspended during the dance performance.
- The 2024 date and time are to be determined.
Annual San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Culture Fair
The annual San Diego Lunar New Year Fair, hosted by the China Consolidated Benevolent Association, lasts two days. It takes place at 3rd and J streets in downtown San Diego's old Chinatown.
Attendees shop for handicrafts, eat a variety of traditional foods, and enjoy live entertainment from acrobats to traditional Chinese music performances. You can also enjoy a lantern parade and children's crafts.
- Saturday, February 24th, Sunday, February 25th
- Saturday 10 AM – 7 PM, Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM
- Free admission
Annual San Diego Tet Festival
This annual Tet festival features several competitions, including the Miss Vietnam San Diego pageant, a pho-eating contest, a step-up dance contest and opportunities for children to share their knowledge of Vietnamese culture.
You can also enjoy Vietnamese food, carnival rides and games, fireworks, children's art competitions, Taiko drum performances, and lion dances. The location is Mira Mesa Community Park.
- February 16-18, 2024
- 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Friday), 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Saturday), 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM or 9:00 PM (Sunday)
- sdtet.com
- watch for free
Chinese New Year Festival and Dinner in China
Join the House of China, part of the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages in Balboa Park, for a Chinese New Year celebration featuring dancing lions, Chinese performances, Chinese food, crafts, calligraphy and more.
Jasmine Seafood will also be hosting a separate Chinese New Year dinner with live entertainment, including lion dancing and painting. Proceeds will be donated to House of China and San Diego Chinese School.
San Diego Lunar New Year Festival
Where else can you enjoy dragons, lion dances, fireworks, live music and performances, and arts and crafts in San Diego in February?
At the San Diego Lunar New Year Festival, of course. Hosted by the Little Saigon Foundation of San Diego, this free, family-friendly event returns this year to Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park and is ready to welcome the Lunar New Year in style. .
- February 9-11, 2024
- Friday February 9th 5pm – 10pm; Saturday, February 10th 11am – 10pm; Sunday, February 11th 11am – 8pm
Lunar New Year at San Diego Zoo and Safari Park
The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park welcome the whole family to celebrate the new year at the zoo. Make crafts, work with wildlife management experts, enjoy a taste of Asia, or take a behind-the-scenes tour to learn about iconic species like snow leopards and other amazing wildlife.
A visit to the San Diego Zoo is also an investment in future generations. Your visit supports groundbreaking conservation efforts for globally endangered wildlife, such as the orangutan family, and combats illegal trafficking of orchids and other endangered wildlife.
There is a lot of advice out there about buying San Diego Zoo discount tickets and San Diego Zoo Safari Park discount tickets, but the fastest way is to use my promo code.
Get your own San Diego Zoo promo code!
The final prices for San Diego Zoo tickets available to the general public without membership are the lowest. For this reason, we cannot post promo codes online, but we can send them by text or email. The discounted price is $66 for adults and $56 for children (ages 3-11). All taxes and fees are included! Save up to 11% off the gate price!
By texting the word *SDZOO to 1-833-490-0799, you agree to receive automatic promotional messages about ways to get more ticket savings and this consent is not a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply. 2 messages/month. To cancel, reply STOP. Read my full privacy policy.
San Diego Storytellers: “Year of the Dragon”
Head to the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum to hear storytellers Jim Dieckmann, Aunt Li-Anne, and Mindy Donner share dragon stories and other fascinating historical stories, including the fishing tradition that brought many Chinese to San Diego. Suitable for all ages.
- January 27, 2024
- 2-3 p.m.
- Admission is free for museum members, guests with a museum ticket, and children under 12 years old.
Library Lunar New Year Celebration
Many local libraries host their own Lunar New Year celebrations for the whole family. Some examples include (there are many more):
- Poway Library: Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with cultural performances, crafts, and balloon animals. Sunday, February 18, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- Del Mar Library: This is a performance by CK Lion Dancer. Friday, February 9, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- San Marcos Library: Lunar New Year crafts for the family. Tuesday, February 6, 5-6 p.m.
- Carmel Valley Library: Celebrate Lunar New Year with crafts, refreshments, and lion dance performances. Saturday, February 3, 2024.
- Point Loma/Hervey Library: Read “Welcoming the New Year” by Grace Lin and “Lanterns and Firecrackers” by Jonny Zucker and enjoy crafts. All are aimed at ages 3 to 5. Thursday, February 8, 10:30-11:30 AM
Check out the San Diego City Library Events Page and the San Diego County Library Events Page for more options.
Restaurant celebrating Lunar New Year
How about enjoying delicious Asian cuisine during the Lunar New Year? In addition to Jasmine Seafood already mentioned above, here are a few San Diego restaurants to consider.
- Emerald Chinese Cuisine: Typically has a special Lunar New Year menu for a la carte ordering or a set menu for groups. And don't forget the karaoke rooms, which can be booked for small groups.
- Haidilao San Diego: Head to Haidilao, a famous Chinese hotpot restaurant in Sichuan Province. When we went for Lunar New Year last year, performers were handing out lye se (like traditional face changes) to guests.
- Golden Island Dim Sum: This Mira Mesa hotspot is also popular during Chinese New Year in San Diego because it typically features a lion dance.
Celebrate Lunar New Year at home
Lunar New Year is an important holiday in our house. In fact, I'm heading to 99 Ranch to stock up on candy and dried fruit that are part of the traditional eight-part accompanying tray to snack on throughout the season. We'll share more details about what we'll include soon.
You can also celebrate with crafts at home. In addition to the resources provided in the Japanese Friendship Garden link above, we have easy instructions on how to make paper lanterns and a list of free Chinese New Year printables.
You can also use the opportunity to place a bowl of citrus fruits on the table for your family to eat from, or place Chinese New Year citrus trees on either side of your doorstep.
It's also fun to collect Chinese New Year red envelopes for the kids in your life. You can order red bags from Amazon or find them at markets like 99 Ranch.
Hey Fat Choiyeon!
How do you celebrate Lunar New Year in San Diego? If there are any activities I missed, please leave a comment.