Lunar New Year Events Orange County

Welcome to the Year of the Snake! 

Beginning this year on January 29th, 2025, Lunar New Year is a 15-day multicultural celebration that marks the beginning of a new year based on the moon’s cycles. 

Orange County, with large Vietnamese, Chinese, and Korean populations, hosts some of the country’s biggest and most colorful Lunar New Year events. 

Learn all about the year of the snake, then check out some of the best Lunar New Year events in Orange County! 

How Is Lunar New Year Celebrated? 

Lunar New Year is celebrated in many Asian countries. In Korea, the holiday is known as Seollal. A traditional meal includes tteokguk, a rice cake soup believed to grant an additional year of life when eaten. 

In China, the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is a time for family reunions, lantern festivals, lion dance performances, and fireworks. One of the most well-known customs is giving red envelopes containing money, which symbolizes good luck and wards off evil spirits.

In Vietnam, the Lunar New Year is called Tết Nguyên Đán, or simply Tết. Preparations begin well in advance, with families cleaning their homes and cooking special holiday foods.  

Year of the Snake Facts

2025 is the Year of the Wood Snake, symbolizing transformation, wisdom, and personal growth. The snake is the sixth animal in the twelve-year zodiac cycle. Those born in the year of the snake are said to be enigmatic, intelligent, and wise. Here are some more facts about the year of the snake. 

Birth Years

Those born in January or February should consult a zodiac calendar, as they might be counted in the previous year. These are the birth years of the year of the snake: 

• 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025

Lucky Numbers 

• 2, 8, and 9

Lucky Colors

• Red, black and yellow

Lucky Flowers 

• Camelia, orchid, and cactus

Famous People Born in the Year of the Snake

• Taylor Swift, Audrey Hepburn, Muhammed Ali, Bob Dylan

Top Events & Cultural Performances in Orange County 

There is no shortage of events, big and small, in Orange County. Many events are family-friendly and free of charge. Check out some of the most exciting ones below! 

1. Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park

Dates: January 17th – February 16th, 2025

Location: California Adventure Park, Anaheim 

Celebrate Lunar New Year at Disney’s California Adventure!

Fans of the movie “Mulan” will love Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession, which travels from Hollywood Land to Paradise Gardens. Disney goers can also enjoy a dazzling water pre-show, live entertainment, special sip-and-savor passes, festive decor, commemorative merchandise, and crafts and activities for the kids.

Don’t leave the park without visiting the Wishing Wall in Paradise Gardens Park, where you can add a special message for the upcoming year. 

2. UVSA Tet Festival

Dates: January 31st – February 2nd, 2025

Location: Garden Grove Park, 9301 Westminster Blvd, Garden Grove

The UVSA Tết Festival is the largest Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration in the United States, now in its 43rd year. This year, the theme is “A Spring of Remembrance” to honor the 50th anniversary of Black April, otherwise known as the Fall of Saigon. 

Enjoy cultural performances, authentic Vietnamese cuisine, a traditional village, the Miss Vietnam of Southern California pageant, games, rides, and more. 

While admission is $9, those wearing traditional outfits will get in free on Saturday, February 1st.

3. 2025 Tet Parade 

Date: February 1st, 2025

Time: 8:30 AM

Location: Little Saigon, Westminster

Little Saigon in Westminster is home to one of the largest populations of Vietnamese communities outside of Vietnam. The annual Tết Parade in Westminster celebrates and honors local Vietnamese culture with floats, marching bands, lion dances, and color guards. 

The parade route will proceed along Bolsa Avenue, beginning at Magnolia Street and ending at Bishop Place. Arrive early to reserve a front-row spot!

4. Pacific Symphony’s Lunar New Year Concert 

Date: February 1st, 2025 

Time: 8:00 PM

Location: Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa 

Bringing together world-renowned pianists, singers, and dancers of the Pacific Symphony, the Lunar New Year performance at Segerstrom Concert Hall is sure to sell out, so score your tickets before it’s too late! Expect a vibrant display of music and dance ushering in the new year. 

If you are unable to attend the concert, the Segerstrom Center is also hosting a Lantern Festival on February 22nd to commemorate the first full moon in the lunar calendar. Decorate your very own lantern, enjoy music and dance performances, food vendors, and more. 

5. Lunar New Year at South Coast Plaza 

Dates: January 23rd – February 9th, 2025

Location: South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St, Costa Mesa

South Coast Plaza boasts a dazzling Lunar New Year display in the Jewel Court for all to enjoy. Crafted using various natural materials, the symbolic snake is wrapped around a money tree with a cascade of gold coins. 

On the second level in the Nordstrom wing, visitors can also view a photo exhibit co-organized by the Chinese Consulate General. The photos on display capture the vividness and local celebrations of Guangdong, China. 

6. Irvine Spectrum Lunar New Year Celebration

Date: February 9th, 2025

Time: 12 PM – 3 PM

Location: Irvine Spectrum Center, 670 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine

Irvine Spectrum Center comes alive on Sunday, February 9th, with its Lunar New Year festival. Experience an exhilarating afternoon featuring traditional lion dances, mesmerizing martial arts demonstrations, live instrumental music, and more—proudly hosted by the Irvine Chinese School.

Visitors can also experience and take photos of the Wood Snake Sculpture near Regal Theater until February 12th. 

7. Santa Ana MainPlace Lunar New Year Celebration

Date: February 15th, 2025

Time: 12 PM – 3 PM

Location: MainPlace Mall, 2800 N Main St, Santa Ana

This family-friendly event offers a rich cultural experience with a variety of activities. Enjoy traditional lion and dragon dances throughout the lower level, live entertainment in Macy’s Court featuring orchestra and zither performances, and additional captivating dance showcases.

Attendees can also receive exclusive giveaways at the Welcome Table in Center Court, including lucky red envelopes with $2 bills, fortune cookies, and Year of the Snake plush toys. 

8. Pretend City Lunar New Year

Date: February 10th, 2025

Location: Pretend City, 29 Hubble, Irvine

Kids can celebrate the Lunar New Year at Pretend City, a children’s museum in Irvine. At 11 a.m., they can enjoy a Kishin Daiko drummer performance based on traditional Japanese taiko performances. At 2:30 p.m., Ane Thanh Lion Dance will perform vibrant lion dances with acrobatics and live music.

From all of us at The Law Offices of Daniel Kim, we wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!