Lunar New Year is an important holiday that has been celebrated around the world for thousands of years, especially in Asia. Over one billion people are expected to commemorate it over multiple days, with customary traditions and rituals, including events here in San Diego.
When Lunar New Year begins on Jan. 29, it kicks off the Year of the Snake in the Chinese and Vietnamese zodiac calendars.
This guide informs the basics about the Lunar New Year, and the events happening locally to celebrate the holiday.
When is the Lunar New Year?
In 2025, the Lunar New Year lands on Jan. 29. Celebrations around the holiday vary by region, but can last as many as 15 days. Tet is the Vietnamese observance of the Lunar New Year and in 2025, the Vietnamese zodiac also starts on Jan. 29 with the celebration ending on Feb. 16, according to the San Diego Tet Festival.
What is the origin of the Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year is also known as Spring Festival in China, Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in South Korea. It is inspired by various stories and legends.
One of the most common versions of these tales in Chinese culture is of a mythical beast, according to the Timothy S. Y. Lam Museum of Anthropology. The animal ate livestock, crops and people on Lunar New Year’s Eve, until an older man found out the beast was afraid of the color red and blaring noises. Since then, people have traditionally draped their homes with red lanterns and scrolls and lit fireworks.
Who celebrates the Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays in China. It’s also widely celebrated in several countries in Asia such as Vietnam, Singapore, South Korea 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 Snake represent?
The Year of the Snake on the Chinese calendar is recognized by many, even though some Asian countries and cultures follow different zodiac calendars and traditions.
The snake represents intuition, creativity, intelligence, wisdom, creativity and knowledge, according to reporting by the South China Morning Post.
The Chinese calendar is based on the approximately 12 full lunar cycles each year with 12 rotating animals symbolizing each year: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
Besides the 12 animals on the Chinese zodiac calendar, it also rotates through five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. In 2025, the element is wood.
What are the customary traditions and rituals of the Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year involves different celebrations depending on where it’s observed, such as public festivals and parades.
Also, some rituals occur at family gatherings and within households. A Lunar New Year Eve dinner with family and friends is a popular occasion. Noodles, dumplings, spring rolls, a rice cake and a whole fish may be served for dinner for good luck throughout the year.
Another tradition is cleaning one’s home right before the Lunar New Year and decorating it with red paper because the color red is associated with good luck in most Asian cultures.
Some family also out red envelopes filled with money. This represents good fortune, prosperity and well wishes for the year.
What are the local Lunar New Year events?
San Diego Library events: About 30 Lunar New Year-themed events are planned at various San Diego Public Libraries from Jan. 11 through Feb. 9. These include a Chinese zodiac craft workshop, calligraphy, lion dance performances and New Year celebrations. For additional information go to the San Diego Public Library’s event calendar.
2025 San Diego Lunar New Year Festival: The 15th annual San Diego Lunar New Year Festival is a three-day event celebrating Asian culture. It will feature lion dances, arts and cultural exhibitions, fireworks, food vendors, and folk and traditional performances. There will also be a cultural village that recreates a “traditional villager lifestyle of Southeastern Asia,” according to event organizers. 5 to 10 p.m. Jan. 24 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Jan. 25. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan 26. Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, 4455 Wightman St., San Diego. Free. sdlunarnewyearfestival.com
San Diego Tet Festival: In Vietnamese culture Tet is the celebration for Lunar New Year and in San Diego, the party lasts for three days. This year’s San Diego Tet Festival will be held at Liberty Station. The free event starts with the Miss Vietnam Pageant, Vietnamese food, music, vendors, lion dances and a cultural village. The 20th annual festival is anticipated to attract 30,000 attendees, according to event organizers. 5 to 10 p.m. Jan. 31. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Feb.1. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 2. National Training Center Park at Liberty Station, 2455 Cushing Road, San Diego. Free. sdtet.com
San Diego Chinese New Year Faire: For the 42nd time, the San Diego Chinese New Year Faire will take place. The two-day celebration will have lion and dragon dancers, lantern parades, martial arts performances, a children’s activity area, vendors selling Asian food and live music. The fair is organized by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 8-9. 428 Third Ave., San Diego. Free. chinesenewyearfairesandiego.godaddysites.com
Balboa Park Chinese New Year Fair: The public can celebrate the Year of the Snake at the Balboa Park Chinese New Year Fair. This event will feature Chinese food vendors, cultural performances, arts and crafts, calligraphy and lion dances. The fair is organized by the House of China. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 15-16. Balboa Park, 2191 Pan American West Road, San Diego. Free. chinesenewyearfair.com
