Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival 2025 in Los Angeles

Chinatown in Los Angeles boasts a wide Chinese New Year celebrations. However, you'll find a worthwhile alternative in Monterey Park, a city located some 8 miles (13 km) east of Downtown LA. The Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival is a lively annual event in Southern California, celebrating the Lunar New Year with a mix of traditional and modern attractions.

Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival Highlights

Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival lures tens of thousands of revelers from all over the So Cal each year. You will surely like this vibrant street bash featuring five blocks of exclusive Asian entertainment. Expect shopping, dining, amusement rides, a huge carnival fun zone, plenty of family-friendly activities, and free admission.

This festival brings together an array of unique vendors offering specialty gifts and goods, along with food booths featuring an assortment of delicious traditional and fusion dishes. The festivities open on Saturday morning with traditional lion and dragon dances, adding a cultural touch that honors the Lunar New Year. Throughout the weekend, the event offers live performances across multiple stages and includes a fun carnival zone at Garvey and Lincoln Avenues, filled with amusement rides and family-friendly entertainment.

Festival Hours

Usually, Monterey Park Chinese New Year runs on a weekend before the Lunar New Year Day. You can join the festival on Garvey Avenue between Alhambra and Garfield Avenues. The activities will be available on Saturday from 10 am through 9 pm and on Sunday from 10 am through 7 pm. Make sure to come early on Saturday morning to capture the vivid kick-off of the celebration—lion and dragon dances.

Speaking of amenities, you can benefit from shuttle buses departing to the event every 20 minutes. Plus, free parking lots will be available at the Garvey and Lincoln Avenues intersection. If you're getting there by private vehicle, do take into account certain street closures.