10 Lunar New Year Things to Do in San Diego [2025] & New Year Activities

We’ve put together a list of fun Lunar New Year events in San Diego that are worth attending for those who want to celebrate the Year of the Snake.

Lunar New Year (or Lunar New Year if you’re of Chinese descent) is an important holiday in many Asian cultures. This holiday is celebrated by people from China, Vietnam, Korea, Mongolia, Singapore and Tibet as well as many immigrants from these Southeast Asian countries around the world.

According to the lunisolar calendar, this year’s celebration is on January 29, 2025. According to Chinese astrology, children born in the Year of the Snake are intelligent, intuitive, and naturally charming.

A personal connection to Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year has special meaning in our family. My daughter was born in Hong Kong in the Year of the Golden Pig. It is by far the most important cultural celebration, lasting 15 days and filled with family gatherings, traditional performances and delicious food.

This is a time to reflect, be grateful and create happy memories.

Must-See Lunar New Year Events in San Diego

From lively lion dances to cultural exhibits and handmade crafts, San Diego offers plenty of ways to get into the spirit of the Lunar New Year.

Whether you’re on your own or exploring family entertainment while celebrating the Chinese New Year, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. This is your ultimate guide.

1. Lion Dance and Gala Party at Jasmine Seafood Restaurant

The popular Cantonese restaurant also offers dim sum lunch and dinner service on multiple days, allowing diners to enjoy a lion dance performance. We’ve been and it’s been a lot of fun. However, food and drink service will be discontinued during the dance, so please be prepared. people also brought Red envelope To the dancers.

The 2025 Lunar New Year Charity Gala will raise funds for Southern California wildlife firefighting efforts and other community projects of Lions Clubs International Foundation. This is an 8-course dinner with live entertainment, chance raffles and a silent auction.

• Date and time: Sunday, February 2, 5-8:30 p.m.
• price:$65 per person or $600 for a table of 10.

The restaurant will also host a Lucky Lion show performed by various local groups. I attended one of the dinners and it was great fun. The date is:

• Tuesday, January 28, 6:30 pm
• Wednesday, January 29, 6:30 pm
• Saturday, February 1, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Sunday, February 2nd at 10:30am
• Saturday, February 8, 10:30 a.m.
• Sunday, February 9, 10:30 a.m.

Visit Jasmine Seafood online Learn more.

2. Annual San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Culture Expo

Celebrating Chinese New Year Annual San Diego Chinese New Year Expohosted by China Charity Federation. This family-friendly event takes place in historic Chinatown at Third Avenue and J Street in downtown San Diego.

Visitors can enjoy a weekend of cultural festivities including live music, traditional performances, delicious food and activities for all ages. Highlights include a vibrant lantern parade, unique arts and crafts and engaging children’s crafts.

• date: February 8-9, 2025
• frequency: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Place: Third Avenue and J Street
• Admission fee: free

Mark your calendar for this vibrant celebration of culture and community!

3. Annual San Diego Spring Festival

Celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake during Tet in San Diego with competitions such as the Miss Vietnam San Diego beauty pageant, a dance competition, and the Children’s Spotlight Talent Contest.

Enjoy live music, lion dances, taiko drum performances, carnival rides, cultural village and petting zoo. Displays of Vietnamese food and traditions added to the festive atmosphere.

Experience Vietnamese culture with lion dances, carnival rides, cultural villages and live music competitions.

• date: January 31 to February 2, 2025
• frequency:
  • Friday: 5pm to 10pm
  • Saturday: 11am to 10pm
  • Sunday: 11am to 6pm
• Place: NTC Park, Liberty Station
• Admission fee: free

You can visit sdtet.com Learn more.

4. China House New Year Dinner and Expo

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with everyone China Housepart of Pacific Relations International Villas in Balboa Park. The festival includes an elegant banquet and a lively cultural festival full of performances, food and fun.

New Year Dinner

Kick off the Lunar New Year with a formal dinner featuring live entertainment, including a lion dance and a raffle. Proceeds will be donated to China House and San Diego Chinese School.

• date: January 25, 2025
• time: 5:30 pm
• Place: diamond palace
  3993 54th St, San Diego, CA
• cost: $100 per person, $1,000 for a table of 10
• clothing: Asian dress encouraged
• detail: access China Home Network

Chinese New Year Festival

Continue the festivities with a free, family-friendly cultural festival featuring lion dance, ethnic Chinese cuisine, crafts, calligraphy and performances.

• date: February 15-16, 2025
• frequency: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Place: Balboa Park International Lodge
  2191 Pan American Rd W, San Diego, CA
• Admission fee: free
• detail: access Chinese New Year Expo

Don’t miss these exciting events filled with tradition, culture and entertainment!

5. San Diego Lunar New Year Festival

Where else is it? San Diego in February Can you find dragon and lion dances, firecrackers, live music and performances, crafts and more?

in san diego lunar new yearcertainly. Celebrate the Year of the Snake with three days of action-packed events packed with cultural traditions, performances and family-friendly activities.

Event highlights:

• Cultural Village: Experience the traditional lifestyle of Southeast Asian villagers.
• Performances and activities: Enjoy folk and traditional performances, arts and crafts, games and skipping activities for children.

Event details:

• date: January 24-26, 2025 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
• Place: Officer J. Henwood Memorial Park, 4455 Wightman St, San Diego, CA 92105
• Admission fee: free

Don’t miss this inclusive celebration filled with cultural traditions, entertainment, and activities for all ages! For directions and details, visit festival website.

6. San Diego Zoo and Wildlife Park Lunar New Year

this San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park The whole family is welcome to celebrate the auspicious New Year at the zoo. Experience handicrafts, work with wildlife conservation experts for a taste of Asia, or take a behind-the-scenes tour to learn about iconic species like snow leopards and other incredible wildlife.

A visit to the San Diego Zoo is also an investment in future generations. Your visit will support groundbreaking conservation efforts for globally endangered wildlife, such as the orangutan family, and combat illegal trafficking of orchids and other endangered wildlife.

• Date and time: February 1-2.

I have many buying suggestions San Diego Zoo Discount Tickets and San Diego Zoo Safari Discount Ticketsbut the fastest way is to use my promo code.

7. Lunar New Year at SeaWorld San Diego

The two-week festivities include cultural performances at Wild North Pole Square and Asian-inspired holiday favorites like pork belly buns, chow mein, roast beef, wonton soup, brick toast and more.

• Dates: February 1-2 and February 8-9
• cost: Included in admission (festival food and drinks extra)

8. Library Lunar New Year Celebration

Local libraries across San Diego are hosting exciting Lunar New Year events for people of all ages. Here are some festivities and events you can attend:

• Delmar Library: Lunar New Year Scavenger Hunt. Find nine Chinese New Year symbols and win prizes! January 2 to 31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Carmel Valley Library: Chinese New Year celebration. Craft stations and Chinese dance performances. Saturday, January 25, 12 to 1:30 p.m.
• Balboa Library: Lunar New Year lion dance event hosted by San Diego Legends Lion Dance Association. Saturday, January 25, 1:30 to 1:30 p.m.
• Linda Vista Library: Chinese New Year lion dance. Saturday, January 25, 4:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• Mount Carmel Ranch Library: Nature Story Time – A Chinese New Year story about snakes. Wednesday, January 29, 10am to 10:30am
• Central Library: Youth Center Lunar New Year Celebration. Crafts, food and fun for kids ages 12-18. Wednesday, January 29, 4 to 5 p.m.

examine San Diego City Library Events Page and San Diego County Library Events Page for more events.

9. Restaurants to celebrate Chinese New Year

Why not celebrate Chinese New Year with delicious Asian cuisine? In addition to the Jasmine Seafood restaurant mentioned above, here are a few San Diego restaurants worth considering.

• Jade Chinese Food: They usually have a special Chinese New Year menu available a la carte or as a set meal for groups. Don’t forget you can also book a karaoke room for small groups.
• Haidilao San Diego: Go to the famous Haidilao Chinese hot pot Restaurant from Sichuan Province. During last year’s Lunar New Year, performers, such as traditional face-changing performers, handed out laisi to guests.
• Jindao Dim Sum: The Mira Mesa hotspot is also popular during San Diego’s Lunar New Year as they often host lion dances.

10. Celebrate the Chinese New Year at home

Chinese New Year is an important holiday in our family. In fact, I was on my way to 99 Ranch to pick up our usual stash of candy and dried fruit as part of a traditional eight-part reunion tray for snacks all season long (I’ll be sharing details on what’s included soon). You can also celebrate with crafts at home.

You can also take the opportunity to leave a bowl of citrus on the table for your family to enjoy, or even leave it on the table Chinese New Year Citrus Tree On each side of your doorstep.

It’s also fun to put together Lunar New Year Red Envelope For the children in your life. You can order red envelopes on Amazon or find them at marketplaces like 99 Ranch.

Congratulations to Fa Tsai!

How do you celebrate Chinese New Year in San Diego? If there are any events I missed, please leave them in the comments.