10 Ways to Celebrate Chinese/Lunar New Year in San Diego: Events & Fun Things to Do in 2025

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

Lunar New Year (or Chinese New Year if you are of Chinese heritage) is an important holiday in many Asian cultures. It is celebrated in China, Vietnam, Korea, Mongolia, Singapore, and Tibet and by many emigrants from all over the world from these Southeast Asian countries.

This year, the celebration falls on January 29, 2025, according to the lunisolar calendar. According to Chinese astrology, children born in the Year of the Snake are intelligent, intuitive, and naturally charming.

A Personal Connection to the Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year holds special meaning in our home. My daughter was born in Hong Kong during 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 feasts.

It’s a time for reflection, gratitude, and creating joyful memories.

Must-See Lunar New Year Events in San Diego

From lively lion dances to cultural exhibitions and hands-on crafts, San Diego offers numerous ways to embrace the spirit of the Lunar New Year.

Whether you’re going solo or exploring family fun activities while celebrating the Chinese New Year, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Here’s your ultimate guide.

1. Lion Dances and Gala at Jasmine Seafood

The popular Cantonese restaurant also has multiple days where diners can enjoy lion dances during dim sum lunch and dinner service. We’ve been, and it’s quite fun. However, food and drink service is stopped during the dances, so just be prepared for that. People also brought red envelopes to give to the dancers.

The 2025 Lunar New Year Charity Gala will raise money for SoCal wildlife fire relief efforts and other community projects of Lions Club International Foundation. It’s an 8-course dinner with life performances, opportunity drawing, and a silent auction.

• Dates & Times: Sunday, February 2 from 5-8:30 p.m.
• Price: $65/person or $600 for a table of 10.

The restaurant will also host Lucky Lion Dances performed by various local groups. I’ve been to one of these dinners and it’s quite fun. The dates are:

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

Visit Jasmine Seafood online for more information.

2. Annual San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair

Celebrate Lunar New Year at the annual San Diego Chinese New Year Fair, hosted by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. This family-friendly event is held in Downtown San Diego’s historic Chinatown at Third Avenue and J Street.

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 handicrafts, and engaging children’s crafts.

• Dates: February 8–9, 2025
• Times: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Location: Third Avenue & J Street
• Admission: Free

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

3. Annual San Diego Tet Festival

Celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake at the San Diego Tết Festival, featuring competitions like the Miss Vietnam San Diego pageant, Dance Battle, and Kid’s Spotlight Talent Contest.

Enjoy live music, lion dances, Taiko drum performances, carnival rides, a cultural village, and a petting zoo. Vietnamese food and traditional displays add to the festive atmosphere.

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

• Dates: January 31–February 2, 2025
• Times:
  • Friday: 5–10 p.m.
  • Saturday: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
  • Sunday: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Location: NTC Park, Liberty Station
• Admission: Free

You can visit sdtet.com for more details.

4. House of China’s Chinese New Year Dinner & Fair

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with the House of China, part of the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages in Balboa Park. This festive season includes an elegant banquet and a lively cultural festival filled with performances, food, and fun.

Chinese New Year Banquet

Kick off the Lunar New Year with a formal dinner featuring live entertainment, including lion dances and a raffle. Proceeds benefit the House of China and the Chinese School of San Diego.

• Date: January 25, 2025
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Location: Diamond Palace
  3993 54th St, San Diego, CA
• Cost: $100 per person or $1,000 for a table of 10
• Attire: Asian attire encouraged
• Details: Visit houseofchinasd.com

Chinese New Year Festival

Continue the celebration with a free, family-friendly cultural festival featuring lion dances, Chinese ethnic food, crafts, calligraphy, and performances.

• Dates: February 15–16, 2025
• Times: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Location: International Cottages, Balboa Park
  2191 Pan American Rd W, San Diego, CA
• Admission: Free
• Details: Visit chinesenewyearfair.com

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

5. San Diego Lunar New Year Festival

Where else in San Diego in February can you find dragons, lion dances, firecrackers, live music and performances, arts and crafts, and more?

At the San Diego Lunar New Year Festival, of course. Celebrate the Year of the Snake with a vibrant three-day event filled with cultural traditions, performances, and family-friendly activities.

Event Highlights:

• Cultural Village: Experience the traditional lifestyle of Southeast Asian villagers.
• Performances & Activities: Enjoy folk and traditional performances, arts and crafts, games, and jumpers for kids.

Event Details:

• Dates: January 24–26, 2025 (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)
• Location: Officer J. Henwood Memorial Park, 4455 Wightman St, San Diego, CA 92105
• Admission: Free

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

6. Lunar New Year at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park welcome the whole family to celebrate the good fortune of the new lunar year at the zoo. Take on crafts, engage wildlife care specialists, enjoy Flavors of Asia, or take a behind-the-scenes tour to learn about iconic species like the snow leopard and other incredible wildlife.

A visit to the San Diego Zoo is also an investment in future generations. Your visit supports groundbreaking conservation efforts for endangered wildlife worldwide, such as orangutan families, and combats illegal trafficking of orchids and other endangered wildlife.

• Dates & Times: February 1-2.

I have tons of advice on buying discount San Diego Zoo tickets and discount San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets, but the quickest way is to use my promo code.

7. SeaWorld San Diego Lunar New Year

The two-weekend celebration includes cultural performances at Wild Arctic Plaza and festive Asian-inspired food like pork belly bao, chow mein, beef bulgogi, wonton soup, brick toast, and more.

• Dates: February 1-2 and February 8-9
• Cost: Included with admission (festive food and beverage additional)

8. Library Lunar New Year Celebrations

Local libraries across San Diego host exciting Lunar New Year events for all ages. Here are some celebrations and activities you can join:

• Del Mar Library: Lunar New Year Scavenger Hunt. Find nine Lunar New Year symbols and win a prize! January 2–31, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Carmel Valley Library: Lunar New Year Celebration. Craft stations and a Chinese dance performance. Saturday, January 25, 12–1:30 p.m.
• Balboa Library: Lunar New Year Lion Dance by San Diego Legendary Lion Dance Association. Saturday, January 25, 1–1:30 p.m.
• Linda Vista Library: Lunar New Year Lion Dance. Saturday, January 25, 4–4:30 p.m.
• Carmel Mountain Ranch Library: Nature Storytime – Lunar New Year Tales About Snakes. Wednesday, January 29, 10–10:30 a.m.
• Central Library: Teen Center Lunar New Year Celebration. Crafts, food, and fun for ages 12–18. Wednesday, January 29, 4–5 p.m.

Check the City of San Diego Library Event Page and the San Diego County Library Event page for even more events.

9. Restaurants to Celebrate the Lunar New Year

Why not enjoy a delicious Asian meal in celebration of the Lunar New Year? Aside from Jasmine Seafood mentioned above, here are a few San Diego restaurants to consider.

• Emerald Chinese Cuisine: They usually have special Chinese New Year menus for a la carte ordering or set menus for groups. And let’s not forget the karaoke room you can reserve for a small group.
• Haidilao San Diego: Head to Haidilao, a famous Chinese hot pot restaurant from Sichuan province. Last year, during the Chinese New Year, performers (like traditional face-changing performers) handed out lai see to guests.
• Golden Island Dim Sum: This Mira Mesa hotspot is also popular for Chinese New Year in San Diego as they typically have lion dances.

10. Celebrate Chinese New Year on Your Own at Home

Chinese New Year is an important holiday in our house. In fact, I’m headed to 99 Ranch for our usual stash of candy and dried fruit, part of a traditional eight-part Tray of Togetherness to snack from throughout the season (I’ll share details for what to include shortly). You can also celebrate at home with crafts.

You can also use the opportunity to leave bowls of citrus on the table for the family to eat or even put Chinese New Year citrus trees on each side of your doorstep.

It’s also fun to put together Chinese New Year red envelopes for the kids in your life. You can order red envelopes on Amazon or find them at markets like 99 Ranch.

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

How do you celebrate Lunar New Year in San Diego? If there are activities that I’ve missed, please leave them in the comments.