Welcome the arrival of spring with the Lunar New Year, this year celebrating the ‘Year of the Rabbit’. The Lunar New Year lasts 15 days, beginning on Sunday, Jan. 22 and acts as a period for feasting, honoring ancestors, cleaning, and ushering in good energy for the upcoming year. Traditions vary amongst Eastern and Southeast Asian cultures, so there are truly a variety of ways to celebrate. We’ve rounded up the most fabulous Lunar New Year celebrations in San Diego that you should most definitely explore for a prosperous start to the ‘Year of the Rabbit’.
See Also: L.A. And Miami Meet At This Art Deco Carlsbad Manse
View this post on Instagram
969 Pacific Hwy / Website
Usher in the new year with a special Lunar New Year menu at Animae, set to feature steamed fish, spicy lamb noodles, and coconut semifreddo for dessert. Prefer to celebrate in your home? Check out Animae’s premade baskets, loaded with all the Lunar New Year essentials, including a variety of fruits, red envelopes, ceremonial-grade matcha from PARU Tea, a bottle of Hennessy VSOP, and a $50 Animae gift card. Baskets are priced at $288 per basket and must be picked up on Friday, Jan. 27. Basket orders can be placed here while restaurant reservations can be made here.
View this post on Instagram
4455 Wightman Street / Website
Date: Friday, Jan. 20 - Sunday, Jan. 22
Visit Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park for a weekend of Lunar New Year celebrations. The community festival is set to feature live bands, singers and dancers, and authentic cultural performances. Explore the park and its numerous vendors including local food and business, as well as culture-focused exhibits and arts and crafts stations. This family-friendly event is a fabulous way to usher in the new year with good times spent with family and friends. Free to attend
View this post on Instagram
425 5th Avenue / Website
Date: Sunday, Jan. 22, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Provisional Kitchen will kick off the new year with a tribute to its ‘Rabbitville’ roots. The Gaslamp Quarter was known as ‘Rabbitville’ in the 1800s because of the rabbit-friendly habitat early settlers created in order to attract the animals. This limited-time brunch menu will pay homage to the Gaslamp Quarter’s history with rabbits and honor the ‘Year of the Rabbit’. On the menu, find highlights including bacon fried rice, pork and shrimp dumplings, and carrot cake. There will also be specialty cocktails like ‘down the rabbit hole’ made with Hennessy VS, aperol, and Villa Sandi prosecco, and ‘to the moon and back’, made with Belvedere vodka, blood oranges, passion fruit and egg whites. Reservations can be made here.
View this post on Instagram
3rd Avenue & J Street / Website
Date: Saturday, Feb. 4 and Sunday, Feb. 5
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a lively parade and celebration in downtown San Diego. Explore Asian art, exciting live performances and colorful costumes at this two-day festival. It’s a great way to spend a day outdoors in downtown San Diego. Free to attend
View this post on Instagram
8575 New Salem Street / Website
Date: Friday, Jan. 27 - Sunday, Jan. 29
Take part in the San Diego Tet Festival to celebrate the start of the ‘Year of the Rabbit’. The three-day festival has a jam-packed lineup of performers, with schedule highlights including the legendary lion dance, MVSD pageant and fashion show, Naruwan Taiko Drums, kids talent show, Minh Tuan Band, Southern Sea lion dance, Island Of Thieves band, and so much more. Be sure to check out the festival’s website for dates and times for each performance. In addition to cultural experiences, there will be firecrackers and plenty of carnival rides and games. Pets are also welcome to attend the festival, as long as they are on leashes. Free to attend
View this post on Instagram
2920 Zoo Drive / Website
Date: Saturday, Feb. 4 - Sunday, Feb. 5
Visit the San Diego Zoo for a weekend celebrating the ‘Year of the Rabbit’ and the cultures of East and Southeast Asian countries. There will be a lineup of family-friendly activities. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., snag a red envelope with a gift inside from the zoo’s ‘wishing tree’, then, create your own paper lantern or your own pair of rabbit ears. There will be photo opportunities with Bamboo Panda in honor of the Lunar New Year throughout the day in the Asian Passage area, too. Snack on a special Lunar New Year menu from the zoo’s Hua Mei Cafe all day. This event is perfect for animal-loving kids and adults alike. Tickets can be purchased here.
Looking for more luxe stops in the city? Check out our picks for 11 Luxury Lingerie Brands to Try On This Valentine's Day
Photography by: Mick Haupt / Unsplash
