San Diego Chinese New Year Fair 2025

California was the first place in the U.S. where Chinese immigrants arrived and settled, so the Chinese New Year celebration has been an old tradition here. The San Diego Chinese New Year Fair is a two-day festival focused on culture and food. It showcases exciting dances, Asian art, and delicious Chinese dishes. The event is free of charge and is quite popular with families. The Fair takes place in the old Chinatown of San Diego, at the Intersection of Third Ave & J Street.

Fair Details

San Diego celebrates the Lunar New Year with food vendors, traditional performances, live music, dances, fun activities, and much more. The fair attracts about 25,000 people every year and features over 50 food and gift booths, lion and dragon parades, and lantern parades, along with children's crafts. The San Diego Chinese New Year Fair has been organized by the San Diego Chinese Center (SDCC) and hosted by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association since 1983. Over the years, the event has grown considerably, becoming one of the biggest and most popular celebrations in San Diego. The fair runs from 10 am to 5 pm on both days.

Fair Schedule

The Opening Ceremony of the fair usually takes place on Saturday around 10 am. The Opening Ceremony features San Diego Lucky Lion Dancers and much more. The Lantern Parade, led by San Diego Lucky Lion Dancers, is one of the main highlights of the fair. The parade takes place at 12 pm on both days. Past highlights of the fair also included the Sichuan Opera Face Changing performance, a unique form of art that originated from ancient times when people painted their faces in various ways to scare away wild beasts for survival. Other highlights include White Dragon Martial Arts, a dance performance by UCSD's Chinese Dance Association, and a taiko drumming performance by Naruwan Taiko of San Diego.

2025 Fair Theme

The San Diego Chinese New Year Fair 2025 celebrates the Year of the Snake, a zodiac symbol deeply rooted in Chinese mythology and culture. In ancient Chinese beliefs, snake-like figures such as Fu Xi and Nv Wa, divine creators of humanity, were revered, leading to the worship of snake totems. Often called the "little dragon," the snake symbolizes intuition, introspection, and elegance. Those born in the Year of the Snake are thought to be charming and composed, embodying a blend of grace and mystery that enriches the festival’s theme.