Lunar New Year in San Diego!
Red firecrackers, dancing lions and dangling lanterns are just some of the beautiful decorations associated with the Lunar New Year! The festival, which draws its origins from China, is an important holiday that celebrates the turn of the traditional Chinese lunar calendar. Although it is widely know as the Chinese New Year, many East Asian countries surrounding China also celebrate this holiday including Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Viet Nam, Mauritius, and the Philippines.
The celebration is a century’s old tradition that first honored deities and ancient ancestors but has evolved to people dedicating time and focus toward family, feasting, , gifts, games, settling debts, and hoping for good luck in the new year. The Lunar New Year is celebrated widely across the globe including our very own city of San Diego.
This year the festival falls on Saturday, January 28th in celebration of the Year of the Rooster. In the Chinese zodiac, the rooster is regarded to possess qualities such as loyalty, modesty, morality and hard work ethics. The rooster is also is a symbol of punctuality, becoming one of the first alarm clocks for the ancient world, crowing once the first rays of sun shines through the horizon.
In light of the New Year, Focuscom is excited to celebrate diversity and continue learning about the rich cultures that make up the city of San Diego. So when it comes time for this special holiday, we are sure to celebrate it in all its prosperity by dining out with dim sum, continuing to look on into the New Year with plenty of good fortune, and participate in the celebrations throughout the city for the next month.
Check out some of Focuscom’s favorite Lunar New Year celebrations below, take lots of pictures and enjoy the diverse foods, events, cultures and celebrations that San Diego has to offer!
(1) Learn how to make your own dumplings for this upcoming Chinese New Year. The San Diego Chinese Historical Museum his hosting a dumpling-making party that will teach you the skills to become your very own dumpling chef! This event is $10 for adults and $5 for members and children under 12.
When: Saturday 1/28, 2:00-4:00 pm
Where: SDCHM Chuang Archive & Learning Center, 541B Second Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
(2) Come watch contestants in the Miss Vietnam San Diego Pageant Show or break dancers battle it out in the B-boy Break Dance Competition at the Tet Festival in Mira Mesa.
When: January 27 (5:00-10:00pm), January 28 (11:00am-10:00pm), January 29 (11:00am-9:00pm)
Where: Mira Mesa Community Park, 8575 New Salem Street, San Diego, CA 92126
(3) Experience prosperity and good fortune by the beach at Seaworld's Lunar New Year Celebration! This event features Chinese acrobat shows and lion dancers performing on stage while offering guests the chance to immerse their pallets with authentic Chinese cuisine. Purchase your tickets here.
When: January 28 - February 20, Weekdays 10:00am - 5:00pm, Weekends 10:00am - 6:00pm
Where: SeaWorld, 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
(4) Get in on the lion dancing action at Qualcomm Stadium during the Lunar New Year Tet Festival. Tickets start at $6 for adults and $4 for children. Free entry for those born in the year of the rooster! Years: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993 and 2005.
When: February 3 (5:00-10:00pm) and February 4-5 (10:00am - 10:00pm
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, 449 Friars Rd., San Diego, CA 92108
(5) Experience live entertainment, taste delicious food from different vendors and immerse yourself in the rich Chinese culture at the Chinese New Year Fair held in downtown San Diego.
When: Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12 (10:00am - 5:00pm)
Where: Downtown San Diego on Third Avenue and J Street