As the city comes alive in a celebration of Chinese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, and Asian culture, there are plenty of ways to join in the 2025 New Year’s festivities!
Chinese New Year Fair
- When: February 15th -16th | 11:00am – 5:00pm
- Where: 2191 Pan American Rd. West, Balboa Park
Hosted by The House of China at Balboa Park, this celebration brings time-honored traditions directly to the community.
You get to enjoy a variety of performances, including the iconic lion dance. With crafts, calligraphy, and plenty of food, this beloved celebration is a cornerstone of the city-wide festivities.
Dating back to 1935, The Chinese New Year Fair is the classic definition of Lunar New Year celebrations in San Diego.

SeaWorld Exit at SeaWorld San Diego
Lunar New Year at SeaWorld San Diego
- When: Weekends, February 1st - 9th | 10:00am – 7:00pm
- Where: SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld San Diego is known for its holiday celebrations from Howl-O-Scream, which Todd said his kids really enjoyed in 2024, to the park’s Christmas Celebrations.
So it’s fair to say that their Chinese New Year celebration is set to be filled with the “sights, sounds and aromas of Asia.”
Head to the Lunar New Year Festival Stage at Wild Arctic Plaza to watch performances from local artists featuring traditional dancing and drumming. And be sure to save space for both the new and returning Asian-inspired dishes. Including my faves the Pork Belly Bao and Lucky Dragon Punch!

Loving the Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao at Din Tai Fung at the Westfield UTC Mall
Lunar New Year Dumpling Party
- When: January 25th | 1:30pm - 4:30pm
- Where: Taiwanese American Community Center, 7838 Wilkerson Ct. San Diego
Did you know that the Convoy District is the biggest pan-Asian business in the US? Well it is and it’s also the site of my personal favorite Lunar New Year celebration!
An afternoon creating both traditional and vegan friendly dumplings? Sign me up!
Hosted by the Taiwanese American Professionals San Diego, attendees can make tasty dumplings, play games, and win raffle prizes.
San Diego Chinese New Year Fair
- When: February 8th – 9th | 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Where: Downtown San Diego | 428 3rd Avenue, San Diego
Downtown San Diego is set to come alive with music, performances, and food, all in celebration of the Wood Snake.
Celebrating its 42nd year, Chinese New Year Fair San Diego and her hosts, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, promise this year will be bigger than ever. It’s always one of San Diego’s largest Chinese New Year celebrations.
My personal recommendation would be that if you can only attend one event that this long running celebration could be the one for you and your family!
San Diego - Lunar New Year Festival 2025
- When: January 24th – 26th | 10:00am – 11:00pm
- Where: Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park | 4455 Wightman Street, San Diego
This three-day event features plenty of fun family-friendly activities that celebrate Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
You’ll get to watch traditional folk dances, dragon dances, eating contests, a colorful lantern wall, and so much more. Definitely make time to see the impressive Cultural Village, which recreates a traditional village, complete with vintage vehicles from the ‘60s and ‘70s.
But, I predict the standout will be the BE KIND Snake. For every pledge of kindness, six inches will be added to the snake. I think there’s a good chance guests will make this the largest snake in the city.
San Diego Tét Festival
- When: Jan. 31st - Feb. 2nd | Friday 5:00pm – 10:00pm, Saturday 11:00am – 10:00pm, Sunday 11:00am - 9:00pm
- Where: NTC Park, Liberty Station, 2640 Cushing Rd., Little Saigon
Held in Mira Mesa, the Vietnamese celebration of the Wood Snake is a vibrant spring festival filled with live music, fun competitions, games, and rides. Admission is free!
From dance battles to a kid’s talent show, a Cultural Village filled with unique historical Vietnamese crafts, and lion dancers that weave through the crowd, there will be so much to do that you’ll need all three days to do it all!
Fun fact: One of our team members was in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam for last year’s Tét Holiday celebrations and he said he’s never seen more fireworks in his life!

Sidewalk in Front of the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
San Diego Zoo Lunar New Year
- When: February 1st – 2nd | 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Where: Asia at the San Diego Zoo 2920 Zoo Dr.
If you’ve read any of our articles about my favorite attractions in San Diego, you’ll know that I absolutely love the San Diego Zoo and attending during the Chinese New Year could be a real treat! The Lunar New Year and Wild Weekend: Asia at the San Diego Zoo expertly combines conservation efforts, traditional crafts, and holiday dishes.
Guests can learn about Asia’s lush ecosystems and make a traditional rattle drum.
Our favorite event for little ones, the Wishes for Conservation, lets them share their future hopes and wishes for wildlife.
And in honor of Lunar New Year, be sure to stop by to see the giant Chinese pandas, Xin Bao and Yun Chuan!
Don’t forget to grab a Go City San Diego pass before you arrive and use the discount code GVSD50FF to save on San Diego Zoo admission!
Other Area Celebrations
The San Diego Library will hold dozens of events for the Lunar New Year between January 25th and February 12th, 2025. They include arts and crafts workshops, story times, and kid-friendly lessons on what the holiday is and why it’s important. An excellent resource for parents!