It’s Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve all rolled up in one holiday!
By Brian Rodriguez
The Lunar New Year is the biggest holiday in the Chinese culture, and we have two major celebrations happening right in our backyard.
San Gabriel Lunar New Year (Photo – sglunarnewyear.org).
Feb 6 – San Gabriel Lunar New Year Festival
11:00 am – 11:00 pm
The second annual San Gabriel Lunar New Year Festival with a modern twist on the traditional Lunar New Year celebration.
Building on last year’s inaugural festival hit, attracting all different parts of the San Gabriel community, this year’s event promises to be even bigger and better!
Outside Stage
- Food trucks
- Vendor booths
- Live entertainment
- A craft beer garden
- Kids’ activities
- Art contest
- Dance crew contest:
The Genensis Dance Competition for the best dance crew in the SGV and beyond! (sign up by Jan. 29). Cash prize of $1,000?! Celebrity judges: dancers Rosero McCoy, Aimee Lee Lucas, Comfort Fedoke Official Page, Fresh Redding, Chapkis Dance Studio and Karon Lynn. - Chalk art walk:
Applications are being accepted (deadline is Jan. 21, cash prizes). - And much more.
A traditional lion dance and blessings will kick off the celebration at 11 a.m.
Inside the Playhouse
Not only will there be free live entertainment all day on the outdoor festival stage, but we’ll also have entertainment inside the beautiful San Gabriel Mission Playhouse!
- 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Storytelling for all ages
Two stories: How Monkey became The Monkey King, and the Yellow Dragon
Artist: Barbara Wong - 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Khatak Dance & Storytelling
Two performances: Chinese myth Houyi and Chang’e, and Indian Khatak Dance Jogkauns Tarana
Artist: Seibi Lee
Both performances will be intimate, with audience members joining the artists right on the stage!
The festival is free.
San Gabriel Lunar New Year Festival 2016: Date, Time and Location.
USC Pacific Asia Musuem
Feb 7 – Lunar New Year 2016 at USC PAM
11:00 am – 5:00 pm
The sixth annual Lunar New Year at USCPAM welcomes the Year of the Monkey!
Experience how the Lunar New Year is celebrated in China, Korea and Cambodia.
At this year’s Festival, there will be celebration with music, dance, art making, storytelling, and a host of other family-friendly entertainment that explores the arts and cultures of Asia and more.
Event is free and all are welcome.
USC PAM Lunar New Year Festival 2016: Date, Time and Location.
Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival (Photo – alhambranewyearfestival.com).
Feb 13 – Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival 2016
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
The 25th annual Alhambra festival is one of the largest Lunar New Year celebration in Southern California.
The festivities begin with a three-week art exhibit at the Alhambra City Hall . The main celebration is a one-day street festival on Valley Blvd. , the heart of the Chinese commercial district in the San Gabriel Valley .
Street festival
The street festival will be held on 5 city blocks on Valley Blvd. from Almansor St to Vega St., the most concentrated Chinese-American commercial district in Southern California, with 250 booths, some with featured activities, such as a dragon boat rowing station, an auto square, children’s workshops, a health fair and cultural demonstrations, that provide festival-goers with a taste of the Asian culture. Giveaways, fun games, and ethnic foods.
Entertainment stages
On the two stages, there will be all-day entertainment with lion dances, kung fu demonstrations and other ethnic performances. The God of Fortune will be on hand to give away traditional Chinese red envelopes to bring good luck to the excited people in attendance.
The festival’s attendance has increased steadily over the years, now averaging 25,000. Corporate America utilizes this venue to reach out to the Asian communities.
Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival 2016: Date, Time and Location.
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