Red envelopes filled with money, fireworks, lion dances and dinner with family and friends are all part of the celebration and traditions of Lunar New Year.
More than one billion people across the globe are expected to commemorate Lunar New Year over multiple days, with rituals varying throughout the world and across the United States, including San Diego.
This year marks the Year of the Dragon, and this guide informs the basics about the Lunar New Year and the events happening locally to celebrate the holiday.
When is Lunar New Year?
Performers from Southern Sea Dragon and Lion Dance entertain the crowd at the SD Lunar New Year Festival in City Heights on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. The three-day festival at Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park included traditional food and performances, arts and cultural exhibits.
(K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
In 2024, Lunar New Year is Feb. 10. The length of celebrations surrounding the holiday varies, but can last as many as 15 days. According to San Diego Tet Festival organizers, the Vietnamese celebration is only three days long.
What is the origin of the Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year is also known as Spring Festival in China, Seollal in South Korea and Tet in Vietnam. It is inspired by various stories and legends.
There are many tales about the Lunar New Year genesis, but according to the Timothy S. Y. Lam Museum of Anthropology, the most popular folklore in Chinese culture is that of a mythical beast that ate crops, livestock and people on the eve of Lunar New Year. Then a wise old man realized the beast was scared of the color red and loud sounds, so people would put red lanterns and scrolls in front of their homes to stop the beast from coming inside. Now the color red and fireworks are part of the Lunar New Year rituals.
Who celebrates the Lunar New Year?
Clare Lentz sits on a rickshaw at the SD Lunar New Year Festival in City Heights on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. The three-day festival at Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park included traditional food and performances, arts and cultural exhibits.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
In China, Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays and it is widely observed in numerous countries in Asia, such as Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore and Brunei.
Tet is the Vietnamese celebration of the Lunar New Year. Tet is short for Tet Nguyen Dan, which means festival or feast in Vietnamese, according to San Diego Tet Festival organizers.
What does the Year of the Dragon represent?
Though certain Asian countries and cultures follow different zodiac calendars and traditions, this year will be celebrated by many as the Year of the Dragon.
One example is from the Chinese calendar, which is based on the approximately 12 full lunar cycles each year with 12 rotating animals symbolizing each year. Those born in the Year of the Dragon are said to have characteristics such as confidence, intelligence, charisma and natural luck.
More specifically, some will recognize 2024 as the Year of the Wood Dragon. Besides the 12 animals on the Chinese zodiac calendar, it also rotates through five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Wood signifies physical and spiritual growth, and green symbolizes rebirth.
What are the customary traditions and rituals of the Lunar New Year?
A woman takes a smartphone photo of the Chinese traditional paper cutting arts exhibited at the Beijing Art and Craft Museum during the Lunar New Year celebrations in Beijing, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023. Chinese people are enjoying a week-long holiday for the Lunar New Year and visiting various temple fairs and exhibitions held in the cities around China.
(Andy Wong / Associated Press)
Lunar New Year brings various celebrations based on where you observe, for instance there are parades and public festivals. There are also rituals that happen at family gatherings at households.
One tradition is cleaning your home right before the Lunar New Year and decorating it with red paper, since red is considered good luck in most Asian cultures.
Food is a major part of celebrating Lunar New Year with dinner with family and friends on Lunar New Year’s Eve. Noodles, dumplings, spring rolls, a rice cake and a whole fish may be served for dinner for good luck throughout the year.
Also, some family members pass out red envelopes filled with money that represent good fortune, prosperity and well wishes for the upcoming year.
What are the local Lunar New Year events?
Oanh Tran spends time with his granddaughter Ellie Sy at an exhibit at the SD Lunar New Year Festival in City Heights on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. The three-day festival at Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park included traditional food and performances, arts and cultural exhibits.
(K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
San Diego Library events: The San Diego Public Library has close to 30 Lunar New Year-themed events scheduled at its various branches from Jan. 18 through Feb. 21. These include story time learning, lion dances, dragon puppet crafting, zodiac art workshops and more. For additional information go to the San Diego Public Library’s event calendar.
Lunar New Year Festival: In City Heights, the Little Saigon San Diego Foundation is organizing a free Lunar New Year Festival from Feb. 9 to Feb. 11. This family-friendly event will feature arts and cultural exhibitions, folk and traditional performances, lantern displays, lion dances, firework displays, food vendors and more. Some of this year’s display highlights include a 20-foot cherry blossom tree, an Asian zodiac trail and 20 giant lotus flowers. This free three-day event will take place at the Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park on Feb. 9 from 5 to 10 p.m.; Feb. 10 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
San Diego Tet Festival: The Vietnamese-American Youth Alliance and the Vietnamese Federation of San Diego are hosting the San Diego Tet Festival from Feb. 16 through Feb. 18. There will be a vast number of traditional and contemporary entertainment options like lion dances, a taiko drum performance, dance competitions, music, carnival rides and more. Plus, there will be a cultural village with art and historical Vietnamese installations. Guests can also support local vendors at the festival selling food, drinks and more at this family-friendly free event. For all the info visit sdtet.com.
Chinese New Year Festival: The House of China at Balboa Park is hosting a Chinese New Year Festival on Feb. 17 and 18. This free event will have lion dances, cultural performances, calligraphy, Chinese food vendors and more. The festival celebration takes place at the International Cottages from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.
Chinese New Year Faire: The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association San Diego is organizing the 41st Annual San Diego Chinese New Year Faire on Feb. 24 and 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m both days. This all ages free event will have traditional and cultural performances like lion and dragon dances, kung fu demonstrations, a lantern parade and classic dance troupes. There will also be a children’s arts and crafts section, Asian food vendors and more. This event will take place around Third Avenue and J Street and Fourth Avenue and Island in downtown San Diego.