The Year of the Dragon is upon us. Here’s how to toast the Lunar New Year in Orange County.
Mulan's Lunar New Year procession at Disney California Adventure Park; PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN THOMPSON/DISNEYLAND RESORT
Good fortune awaits at Santa Ana’s Bowers Museum during its free Lunar New Year Festival. Held on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the festival will offer lantern decorating, Year of the Dragon greeting cards and face painting for the kids, and an exciting lineup of musical performances, from dragon dances to orchestral arrangements. Visitors can further learn about Asian culture through the North American debut of Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form, on display through Sept. 8. Curated in collaboration with the Barbican Centre and Paul Gravett, the exhibit highlights over 500 original works from Asian comics.
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 4, San Clemente’s Casa Romantica will offer the free D. Yoder Family Sundays: Lunar New Year event. Gio Nam Mua Lan will perform a lion dance while the little ones will participate in a dragon-themed craft. Guests will also receive lucky red envelopes with fortunes—and some with prizes!
Disney lovers will find exclusive Year of the Dragon merchandise at Disney California Adventure Park; PHOTO COURTESY OF DISNEYLAND RESORT
Disney California Adventure Park
Fun for the whole family awaits at Disney California Adventure Park from Jan. 23 to Feb. 18, where you’ll find Mickey and Minnie Mouse dressed in festive red attire to honor the Lunar New Year. Enjoy Mulan’s Lunar New Year parade as she travels from Hollywood Land to Paradise Gardens in a spirited procession full of music, dancing and beautiful garb. Visit the Lunar New Year Wishing Wall in Paradise Gardens to share messages of hope and prosperity in the new year and indulge in dishes celebrating the Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures at restaurants throughout the park.
Stop by Fashion Island in Newport Beach on Saturday, Feb. 10, from noon to 2 p.m. to participate in a live calligraphy demonstration, kite painting, and other themed surprises. Snap photos in the Wood Dragon Garden, then stop by Mariposa at Neiman Marcus, Sushi Roku, P.F. Chang’s and The Lot to taste bites and sips that pay homage to the holiday. Click here to view Irvine Company’s official Lunar New Year Guide.
Capital Dim Sum, Little Sister and P.F. Chang’s at the Irvine Spectrum Center will all offer Lunar New Year specials, while a lantern dragon display provides the perfect backdrop to commemorate the holiday. Visit on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to view a traditional lion dance, martial arts demonstrations, musical performances, and more. Click here to view Irvine Company’s official Lunar New Year Guide.
On Feb. 10, 17 and 24, Michelin-starred restaurant Knife Pleat will celebrate the Year of the Dragon with Lunar New Year-themed additions to its Saturday afternoon tea service. Sweet treats include a mini mooncake, black sesame ball with Mandarin filling, chocolate gold coins and macarons in flavors of passion fruit, mango, green tea, black sesame, pomelo and mandarin, and pistachio. Make a reservation here or call 714.266.3388.
For the 10th year, the UVSA Tết Festival will be held at the OC Fair & Event Center. This 42-year tradition invites celebrants to explore Tết Festival’s Cultural Village, a replica of a traditional village in Vietnam featuring cultural exhibits, galleries, models of Vietnamese architecture and much more. Visit this beloved exhibit from Friday, Feb. 9 to Sunday, Feb. 11, where a full lineup of events awaits.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Pacific Symphony will return to the stage at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts for its annual Lunar New Year performance. Conducted by Carl St.Clair, this anticipated show blends Eastern and Western music with vibrant costuming and choreography. Click here to buy tickets.
From Feb. 8 to 25, South Coast Plaza will present a stunning cultural exhibit that pays homage to the Year of the Dragon, plus plenty of dining and shopping specials. Enjoy AnQi’s Heaven and Earth Prosperity Good Luck Menu from Feb. 10 to 11; Water Grill’s specialty a la carte dishes from Feb. 10 to 24; Paradise Dynasty’s six chef-curated Lunar New Year dishes from Jan. 15 to March 31; Terrace by Mix Mix’s three-course Lunar New Year prix fixe menu from Feb. 8 to 25; Miàn’s dumpling special from Feb. 8 to 12, along with fun surprises at Din Tai Fung and Tableau. On weekends in February, stop by the Carousel Court to pick up a Year of the Dragon paper lantern craft kit for your kiddos while supplies last.
Indulge in the Gold Dragon Bruce Lee cupcake from Sprinkles during the Lunar New Year; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Make your Lunar New Year sweet by ordering limited-time cupcake offerings from Sprinkles. From Jan. 22 to Feb. 11, Sprinkles will offer an a la carte Gold Dragon Bruce Lee cupcake layered with red velvet cake, slivered almonds, a Double Dragon almond cookie crust and almond cream cheese frosting. You can also opt for the Lunar New Year box bundle, which includes three red velvet, three strawberry, three dark chocolate and three Gold Dragon Bruce Lee cupcakes, plus eight Lunar New Year envelopes and a special Lunar New Year gift. Visit Sprinkles in-person in Newport Beach and Irvine.
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