2025 - Year of the Snake
Celebrate Lunar New Year, a festival that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar (Jan. 29, 2025) and includes religious ceremonies, family gatherings, traditional dances, fireworks and more.
2025 Lunar New Year Events and Activities Around San Diego:
FREE Lunar New Year Celebration at Rancho Bernardo Library. Jan. 25, 2-5 pm. Make a snake craft, enjoy a maltose cracker, have your name written in calligraphy, take your photo with a Fortune God, and receive a red envelope with a special treat! All ages welcome. No registration necessary; while supplies last. 17110 Bernardo Ctr. Dr. www.facebook.com/RanchoBernardoBranchLibrary
Lunar New Year Celebration at Arrowood Golf Course. Feb. 15, 12-4 pm. Experience a day filled with cultural delights, featuring Asian-inspired craft vendors, food trucks and family-friendly activities. Stroll through a diverse marketplace showcasing handcrafted goods, traditional art and specialty items. 5201 Village Dr., Oceanside. www.arrowoodgolf.com/upcoming-events
FREE Lunar New Year Celebration at Pacific Highlands Ranch Library. Lion Dancers: Jan. 25, 2-3 pm. Asian Story Theater Presents "The Green Snake": Feb. 4, 6:30-7:30 pm. Word Wizards: Stay & Play Storytime "Chinese Lantern Festival":
Feb. 12, 10:30-11:45 am. Celebrate the end of Chinese New Year as we make mini Chinese lanterns! 12911 Pacific Pl. https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/lunar-new-year-celebration-lion-dance-413036
FREE Lunar New Year Celebration at Mission Valley Mall. Feb. 1, 11 am-1 pm. Mission Valley’s first-ever Lunar New Year celebration packed with fun activities for the whole family. Lion and Dragon Dance performance by Southern Sea Dragon and Lion, live performances, interactive crafts for kids and face painting. Learn about Chinese culture and traditions at SDSU’s Chinese Cultural Center booth, enjoy delicious samples and goodies from Panda Express and share your hopes for the year ahead on our Lunar New Year Wishing Tree. Nordstrom Rack Court, Mission Valley Mall. www.mission-valley.com/event/lunar-new-year-celebration/2146501580
FREE San Diego Tết Festival. The Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration, celebrating spring’s arrival. Jan. 31-Feb. 2. NTC Park, Liberty Station. www.sdtet.com
FREE San Diego Lunar New Year Festival. The festival will include folk and traditional performances, arts and cultural exhibitions, lion dances and firecrackers, and plenty of family fun activities for the kids. Jan. 24–26. Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, 4455 Wightman St. www.sdlunarnewyearfestival.com
FREE Chinese New Year Fair. Join The House of China at Balboa Park for a vibrant celebration of Chinese culture. Feb. 15-16, 11 am-5 pm. 2191 Pan American Rd., Balboa Park. https://chinesenewyearfair.com
FREE 42nd Annual Chinese New Year Fair. Third Ave. and J St., San Diego. Featuring traditional and cultural performances, Asian food and cultural displays, lantern parade, children's crafts and more. Feb. 8-9, 10 am-5 pm. https://chinesenewyearfairesandiego.godaddysites.com/
Lunar New Year at SeaWorld. Celebrate the Year of the Green Snake with us as we honor Lunar New Year over two festive weekends. More details to come. Select dates, Feb. 1-9. SeaWorld San Diego. 500 Sea World Dr. www.seaworld.com/san-diego/events
Lunar New Year Dumpling Party. Jan. 25, 1:30-4:30 pm. Celebrate the Year of the Snake with Taiwanese American Professionals San Diego! It will be a cozy and fun afternoon of dumpling making (including a vegan friendly option), games and raffle prizes (including bucket hats and a Made in Taiwan cookbook). Register at www.tap-sd.org. Early bird tickets end Jan. 17! Taiwanese American Community Center, 7838 Wilkerson Ct.
San Diego Zoo Lunar New Year. Join us for Lunar New Year and Wild Weekend: Asia at the San Diego Zoo on Feb. 1 and Feb. 2. Discover fun activities for the whole family and be inspired by the conservation work you make possible through our Asia Conservation Hub. 2920 Zoo Dr. https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/lunar-new-year
FREE Lunar New Year at The Salvation Army Kroc Center. Jan. 28, 4 pm. This night market-style event honors Asian and Southeast Asian cultures and traditions with stunning lion dance performances, family-friendly crafts and games, a vibrant showcase of Asian-owned businesses, delicious food and more! 6753 University Ave. www.facebook.com/kroccentersd
Just for Fun
Celebrate by making Chinese food at home. Here are delicious recipes for chicken lettuce wraps and fried rice.
2025 is The Year of the Snake. Learn how to make a paper snake like the one above at www.sandiegofamily.com/for-the-kids/crafts-for-kids/easy-paper-snake-craft.
Learn how to make a festive lion lantern for Chinese New Year!
Other Traditions
Firecrackers and fireworks are a traditional and important part of any New Year’s festival in China. The loud sounds of firecrackers are believed to scare away bad spirits, ensuring prosperity and good luck in the New Year. Similarly, the colorful lion and dragon dances are believed to frighten away the ferocious monster “Nian,” bringing peace and protection in the coming year.
Families and restaurants prepare a special menu to bring good fortune in the New Year. Fish signifies abundance, and chicken represents happiness and a long marriage. Sweets such as sesame balls and tangerines are served to bring prosperity. Making dumplings is a traditional New Year’s activity and these scrumptious treats symbolize wealth and good fortune.
Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy New Year!
Updated: January 2025
