Where to celebrate Chinese New Year in Los Angeles

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with this free family day at the Japanese American National Museum, complete with crafts, games and cultural activities and performances. Kids can embark on a scavenger hunt and fold their own origami dragons, while all ages can enjoy rice pounding rituals and candy sculpture demonstrations.

Get an early start to the Lunar New Year at this pan-Asian celebration, with eight performances stages and just as many exhibition halls at Fairplex, plus multiple food courts and celebrations of sneakers, anime and more.

Ring in the Lunar New Year in the heart of L.A.’s Chinese community at this annual two-day Monterey Park festival. This street fair takes over five blocks of Downtown Monterey Park with folk art, delectable bites and a carnival zone. The action typically kicks off Saturday morning with firecrackers and dragon and lion dances. Past fests have brought in over 100,000 people over so plan ahead; the city suggests utilizing the free parking shuttles at Mark Keppel High School (501 E Hellman Ave) and El Repetto Elementary School (650 Grandridge Ave).

Pasadena’s Pacific Asia Museum museum rings in the Lunar New Year with a free afternoon of pan-Asian activities. You’ll find traditional performances in the museum’s courtyard (think: lion dances, martial arts demonstrations and classical music), plus art activities, food trucks and, most importantly, free admission to the galleries.

Join in one of L.A.’s oldest traditions at the 125th annual Chinese New Year parade and festival in Chinatown. As is fitting for the Year of the Dragon, the main attraction here is the yearly Golden Dragon Parade, which follows its route (kicking off at Hill and Ord Streets, and concluding at Broadway and Cesar Chavez) on Saturday, February 17 from 1 to 3:30pm. The parade coincides with a free festival in the Central Plaza, as well.

Scope out dozens food and craft booths while lion dances, kung fu demonstrations and other performances play out across a street fest and entertainment. This annual event takes place just off of Main Street, in front of Alhambra City Hall (100 S 2nd St).

Participate in a 5K or 10K run or walk, a one-mile dog walk as well as a 20 or 50-mile bike ride during this Chinatown tradition. All courses start and end at Chinatown Central Plaza, which will host a concurrent family-friendly festival.

What better spot to mark the Lunar New Year than “the happiest place on earth”? Disney California Adventure commemorates the Year of the Dragon with a month of multicultural celebrations. Kids can look forward to photo ops and parade processions with Mulan, Mushu, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse, while adults will find a tasty reprieve with treats from China, Korea and Vietnam.