Here’s how to usher in the Year of the Fire Horse in San Diego
From bilingual story times to a multicultural night market in Convoy, San Diegans can celebrate the Lunar New Year all month long.
Written by Maya Srikrishnan, Edited by Lauren J. Mapp
Lunar New Year is fast approaching on Feb. 17, but in San Diego the celebrations start at the beginning of February and continue throughout the month.
San Diego is home to several communities that celebrate the Lunar New Year, including Chinese and Vietnamese, which allows San Diegans to experience different kinds of festivities and foods.
Whether you’re looking to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse on Feb. 17 or all month long, here’s everything you need to know about attending big festivals and low-key events for Lunar New Year.
Feb. 3
Make It! Fabric Fortune Cookies: During the Central Library’s IDEA Lab's open hours, you can make a fabric fortune cookie at the Fabric Fortune Cookie Making Station to celebrate Lunar New Year. Feb. 2-14, Monday through Saturday, 1 - 5 p.m., Central Library IDEA Lab (Fourth floor), 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 9210
Feb. 7
BleCanto Ensemble Concert: The Bel Canto Performance Foundation is holding its 10th anniversary where up and coming musicians and vocalists from throughout the U.S. and Frankfurt, Germany will perform Chinese and classical music. Tickets are $30. Contact 858 952-4993 for more details and to reserve tickets. 7 p.m. Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, David & Dorothea Garfield Theater, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037
Lunar New Year at SeaWorld: Celebrate the Year of the Horse at SeaWorld San Diego with eight days of festive performances of taiko drummers and lion dancers, and traditional Korean and Chinese foods. Saturdays and Sundays from Jan. 31- Feb. 16, 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
Lion Dances at SDPL Various Branches: View traditional Lunar New Year performances that welcome good luck and fortune at various public library branches throughout the city during the month of February. See schedule to find locations and dates.
Feb. 8
Convoy Rising: The Doan Foundation, Social Artistry and Up2You Cafe are hosting the first large-scale Lunar New Year celebration ever held in the Convoy District, including lion dancers, food, gifts and cultural performances. 3 - 8 p.m., Convoy & Vickers Streets, San Diego, CA 92111
Feb. 10
Celebrate Lunar New Year at SDPL: Public library branches across the city will be celebrating Lunar New Year with crafts and family-friendly activities. Details vary by location.
Feb. 13
SD Lunar New Year Festival at City Heights: This three-day celebration features festive decor, a lineup of cultural performances, exhibitions, lion dances, firecrackers and activities for guests of all ages. Feb. 13, 5 - 10 p.m.; Feb. 14 ,11 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Feb. 15, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, next to the City Heights/Weingart Library, 3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Feb. 14
San Diego Chinese Women’s Association Dinner: The San Diego Chinese Women’s Association Lunar New Year dinner at Diamond Palace will help raise funds for scholarships and philanthropy. Tickets are $95 and you can make a reservation online. 6 - 9 p.m. Diamond Palace, 3993 54th St., San Diego, CA 92105
Bilingual Vietnamese/English Storytime - Lunar New Year: The San Diego Library Mira Mesa location is lead ing a bilingual Vietnamese-English story time, including music and play for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and elementary school-age children. 10 - 10:45 a.m. Mira Mesa Library, 8405 New Salem St., San Diego, CA 92126
Feb. 17
Lunar New Year Grand Reopening: This year marks 71 years since the Golden Dragon first opened its doors. The Asian Bistro family will celebrate Tết with a free public celebration. To honor this milestone and the spirit of a fresh start, they will host a lion dance and guests will receive red envelopes. 7 p.m., Golden Dragon, 414 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
QAPIMEDA & San Diego LGBT Center – Lunar New Year Event: QAPIMEDA is hosting a Lunar New Year Social, in collaboration with The San Diego LGBT Center, for a night of culture and celebration. The free event centers those living on the intersection of being LGBTQ+, Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern and Desi. 5 - 7 p.m., The San Diego LGBT Community Center Auditorium, 3909 Centre St., San Diego, CA 92103
Feb. 18
Chinese New Year Craft!: Celebrate Chinese New Year by making a hanging decoration for good luck at the Central Library. Registration is recommended, and the first 20 guests who reserve their entry will receive a free copy of "Lunar New Year" by Hannah Eliot and Alina Chau. 3 - 4 p.m., Central Library First floor, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Feb. 20
San Diego Tết Festival: The Vietnamese American Youth Alliance is hosting its 21st annual festival to celebrate Tết Nguyên Đán (Vietnamese New Year). The three-day festival includes live performances by headliners Thái Tài and Bảo Hân, taiko drumming, a freestyle dance battle, petting zoo, cultural village, carnival rides and a Miss Vietnam San Diego pageant. See the full schedule online. Feb. 20-22, Naval Training Center Park, 2455 Cushing Road, San Diego, CA 92106
Feb. 21
Balboa Park San Diego Chinese New Year Fair: The House of China is hosting a Chinese New Year fair in Balboa Park at the International Cottages with lion dances, cultural food, crafts and Chinese calligraphy. The two-day celebration includes performances by Naruwan Taiko, Xingjian Dance Studios and Youth of We Chinese in America, as well as a variety of food and small business vendors. Feb. 21-22, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., 2191 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
“Heart to Heart, Hand in Hand”: The 17th annual Lunar New Year gala hosted by the American Chinese Culture and Education Foundation will feature more than 18 performances of Chinese dance, martial arts, folk music and an orchestra. Tickets range from $35 to $125 and can be purchased online. 6:30 p.m., Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 5498 Espola Road, Poway, 92064
Jasmine Seafood Restaurant Lion Dance Performances: Watch lion dance and taiko drummers while enjoying dim sum. Feb. 21, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m; Feb. 22 10:20 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Feb. 28, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; March 1, 10:30 a.m., 4609 Convoy St., Suite A, San Diego, CA 92111
Feb. 22
Diamond Palace Lion Dance Performances: Watch lion dance performances while enjoying authentic Chinese cuisine. Feb 22 at 10 a.m., 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; and March 1 at 11 a.m., 3993 54th St., San Diego, CA 92105
Feb. 28
San Diego Chinese New Year Fair: The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association is hosting its annual Chinese New Year Fair downtown that will include lion dance and martial arts performances, live music, food and other activities. Feb. 28 and March 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., CCBA Senior Garden, 438 Third Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
