East Asian countries and people across the world ring in the new year in mid-January or mid-February each year with celebrations referred to as Lunar New Year, Chinese New Year, Spring Festival, Tet and Seollal.
In San Diego County, this year’s festivities take place from late January through early March and they can be found everywhere from malls to parks and libraries. Here’s a look at some of the options for 2026.
Lunar New Year at SeaWorld: SeaWorld San Diego is touting this year its “most expansive” Lunar New Year celebration yet. For three weeks, visitors to the theme park can see performances from La Jolla Taiko and lion dancing as well as order cultural foods. Jan. 31 through Feb. 16. 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego. Activities are included with admission. seaworld.com/san-diego/events/lunar-new-year
Old Globe AXIS event: The Old Globe’s free AXIS series event in February will be themed for Lunar New Year. Visitors can expect dragon dance performances, arts and crafts, food, live music and other activities. AXIS events are billed as family-friendly and take place outdoors. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. Free. theoldglobe.org/arts-engagement/axis
San Diego Library events: The San Diego Public Library system will host events at various locations through February and March. Available activities will include lion dances and arts and crafts. For example, make fabric fortune cookies at the IDEA Lab inside the Central Library from Feb. 2 to 14 or make a lantern at the Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Library on Feb. 21. See the full lineup at sandiego.gov/public-library/culture/lunar.
Lion dancers finish their performance on stage at the Lunar New Year Festival on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial in San Diego, CA. Brittany Cruz-Fejeran / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Lunar New Year: Foodies should take note of this event at Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, which is expected to feature competitions for eating pho and bun bo hue, drinking boba tea and wrapping dumplings. There will also be bounce houses, a lantern display, performances, arts and cultural exhibits, lion dances and other activities. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Feb. 13-15. Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, 3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego. sdlunarnewyearfestival.com
Mission Valley Mall’s Lunar New Year Celebration: Music and dancing will be at the center of this mall event. Visitors can see lion and dragon dances, traditional Chinese folk performances and other live music. There will be activities for kids and a calligraphy station. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 15. 1640 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego. Free. mission-valley.com/event/34858-lunar-new-year-at-mission-valley
Tet Festival: Celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse, or Năm Bính Ngọ, Tet Festival features a carnival, dance battles, food vendors and much more. Visitors to the event can also plan to see Miss Vietnam San Diego, lion dancing and a trading card show. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday (carnival goes until 9 p.m.). Feb. 20-22. Preble Field, NTC Park, 2640 Cushing Road, San Diego. sdtet.com
Balboa Park Chinese New Year Fair: House of China San Diego is hosting a huge party in Balboa Park, featuring everything from ethnic food to cultural performances and Asian story theater. Find this fair at the International Cottages. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 21-22. International Cottages Balboa Park, 2191 Pan American Road W., San Diego. chinesenewyearfair.com
San Diego—North County Lunar New Year Festival: The Hong Konger Club and Oceanside Public Library are collaborating on a new Lunar New Year celebration for North County. The event will feature a lion dance, giveaways, live performances, crafts and other activities. Noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 28. Oceanside Civic Center Library Community Rooms. Free. thehongkongclub.com
San Diego Chinese New Year Fair: The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association has been hosting this fair since 1983. This year’s theme is: “When ten thousand horses move as one, everyone rejoices.” Locals can enter an art contest through Feb. 18. 10 to 5 p.m. Feb. 28-March 1. 428 3rd Ave., San Diego. Free. SDCNY.org