What to Know48th Annual LA Chinatown FirecrackerFeb. 28-March 1, 2026The joyful multi-event spectacular, includes a 50-mile bike ride, the 2K PAW’er Dog Walk, a two-day free festival, and the famous lighting of 100,000 firecrackers at the opening ceremonyThe Los Angeles Chinatown Historic Central Plaza is the main hub for the happening, while Blossom Plaza and other Chinatown locations, as well as locations beyond the area, are on the event’s mapThe 3rd Annual Lantern Paw Festival, “a dog-centered Lunar New Year celebration,” is presented by pawsitive mgmt; join the fun Feb. 28

We’re fully basking in every single auspicious and propitious and fortunate and optimistic hope as the Year of the Horse begins and Lunar New Year events move into their celebratory February-concluding stretch.

One of the most celebratory (an understatement), most sparkly (quite literally), and most shaggy (thank you, dogs) events on the Lunar New Year calendar in Los Angeles has occurred in Chinatown for almost half a century: It’s the LA Chinatown Firecracker, a merry and multi-faceted extravaganza that includes beautiful performances, a bevy of competitions, a free two-day festival, and the so, so, SO cute PAW’er Dog Walk,

In 2026, the spectacular, which will embrace all of the tremendous tenets of the Year of the Horse, will serve as a bridge between February and March: Day 1 is Feb. 28, day 2 is March 1, and you’ll want to take a peek at the full schedule to make sure that you’re in Chinatown for the happenings you want to join.

The 50-mile Bike Ride opens the proceedings on the morning of Feb. 28, the 1K Kiddie Run is the final competition-focused event on the schedule (it starts at 9:45 a.m. March 1), and the free festival runs all weekend, with a 4 p.m. conclusion on Feb. 28 and a 1 p.m. wrap-up March 1.

The pay-nothing festival boasts a beer garden, family activities, and plenty of diversions swirling with an upbeat attitude and Year of the Horse moxie.

LA Chinatown FirecrackerLA Chinatown Firecracker

Cuties join the 2K PAW’er Dog Walk at the LA Chinatown Firecracker.

Cultural performances have long served as a centerpiece of the Firecracker fun, and lion dances are a huge and joyful component.

Look also for the dramatic glimmer and pop of 100,000 firecrackers crackling in simultaneous, or nearly simultaneous, fashion at the opening ceremony.

The Los Angeles Chinatown Central Plaza is the holiday-fun hub but do note that some of the cycling and running events will go well beyond the Chinatown area, with visits to the LA River and Griffith Park, among other locations.

Blossom Plaza is the bark-y and beautiful bastion of all things pups on Feb. 28; that’s when the Annual Lantern Paw Festival sassily shakes a tail.

Count on plenty of participants from that morning’s 2K PAW’er Dog Walk to swing by the festival where Fido-fun diversions shall abound.

Signing up well before the first pop of the first firecracker? You can, and should, at this site.