Join us in celebration of the Lunar New Year at the L.A. Zoo
Until January 22, 2023
SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Activities at Treetops Terrace
- Wall of Well Wishes
- Mask Making Craft
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays NIGHTS:
6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Treetops Terrace
- Wall of Well Wishes
- Mask Making Craft
- Food Trucks
- Chinese Calligraphy Demonstration from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. – Renowned Chinese calligrapher painting guests names in Chinese
- Performances by Wushu Shaolin Entertainment
6:30 p.m. Dragon Parade
The lucky dragon will parade around the Treetops Terrace area, welcoming all to the festivities, before ending on the stage.
7:00 p.m. Chinese Dancers
Dancers perform traditional Chinese dances with fans and silk ribbons, choreographed to Chinese music, and wearing a variety of vibrant traditional costumes.
7:30 p.m. Lion Dance Performance
A Lunar New Year favorite encouraging good luck and prosperity for all in attendance. The performance includes live percussion instruments like drum, cymbals, and gong.
8:00 p.m. Wushu Warriors Live
This show features high flying kicks, tricks, and acrobatics, a crowd favorite incorporating martial arts, stage combat, and traditional Kung Fu artistry.
8:30 p.m. Legend of the Dragon Show
This is a spectacular show featuring the premiere LED Dragon with all new lights and dazzling patterns. The dragon is considered the epitome of Chinese culture – a fictitious king of nature that can fly and even possesses magical powers
9:00 p.m. Legend of Mulan Show
A beautiful display of grace, beauty, and stunning choreography that tells the story of the legendary folk heroine, Mulan. The act includes dancers, lions, and other Chinese opera characters. It is the finale, featuring a beautiful ending to the show.
Check back for updates!
Lunar New Year Traditions
Traditions that bring good luck, health, and prosperity!
The Lunar New Year is celebrated in countries across the globe. The following are traditions celebrated in a few countries:
In China, the 15-day Lunar New Year celebration begins on New Year’s Eve with a family feast full of traditional foods like rice cakes, tangerines, and whole fish or chicken, and culminates with the Lantern Festival. Firecrackers are used to ward off evil spirits and bright red envelopes with cash are gifted for good luck and prosperity.
In South Korea, Lunar New Year, or “Seollal,” is the most celebrated holiday in the country and lasts for 3 days. It is a time for families to reconnect, pay respect to ancestors, and enjoy delicious foods. Koreans don traditional clothing and perform a “sebae”, which is a deep bow, to their elders, who often give them money.
In Vietnam, the Lunar New Year is called “Tet.” Many families may have an altar with five different fruits to pay respect to their ancestors as part of the celebration. Sweeping during Tet is considered taboo because it symbolizes sweeping luck away. Tet is a time to forget the troubles of the past year and hope for a better upcoming year.
Lunar Zodiac Animals
Your birth year determines your Chinese zodiac sign. Because the dates of Chinese New Year change every year, individuals born in January or February will need to pay special attention to their birth date in addition to their birth year.
RABBIT
Kind, responsible and compassionate, the Rabbit is graceful and sensitive.
- Years: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
- Lucky Colors: Red, Blue, Pink, Purple
- Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, 6, 9
DRAGON
Confident, intelligent and enthusiastic, the Dragon is powerful and charismatic.
- Years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
- Lucky Colors: Gold, Silver, Grey
- Lucky Numbers: 1, 6, 7
SNAKE
Curious, clever and generous, the Snake is thoughtful and wise.
- Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
- Lucky Colors: Red, Yellow, Black
- Lucky Numbers: 2, 6, 8, 9
HORSE
Enthusiastic, independent and brave, the Horse is active and independent.
- Years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
- Lucky Colors: Brown, Yellow, Purple, Green, Red
- Lucky Numbers: 2, 3, 4, 7, 9
GOAT
Calm, creative and sympathetic, the Goat is selfless and cheerful.
- Years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
- Lucky Colors: Green, Red, Purple, Brown
- Lucky Numbers: 2, 3, 4, 8, 9
MONKEY
Curious, quick-witted and mischievous, the Monkey is energetic and clever.
- Years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
- Lucky Colors: White, Gold, Blue
- Lucky Numbers: 1, 4, 7, 8, 9
ROOSTER
Observant, hardworking and courageous, the Rooster is outspoken and loyal.
- Years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
- Lucky Colors: Gold, Brown, Yellow
- Lucky Numbers: 5, 7, 8
DOG
Loyal, honest and sensitive, the Dog is helpful and sincere.
- Years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
- Lucky Colors: Green, Red, Purple
- Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, 9
PIG
Compassionate, generous and honest, the Pig is diligent and good-mannered.
- Years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
- Lucky Colors: Yellow, Grey, Brown, Gold
- Lucky Numbers: 2, 5, 8
RAT
Smart, curious and quick-witted, the Rat is resourceful and generous.
- Years: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
- Lucky Colors: Gold, Blue, Green
- Lucky Numbers: 2, 3
OX
Diligent, dependable and strong, the Ox is determined and patient.
- Years: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
- Lucky Colors: Blue, Yellow, Green
- Lucky Numbers: 1, 4
TIGER
Courageous, confident and competitive, the Tiger is rebellious and powerful.
- Years: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
- Lucky Colors: Grey, Blue, Orange
- Lucky Numbers: 1, 3, 4
Donations
Asian Pacific Community Fund (APCF) is honored to be AAPI-LA’s fiscal partner to support our joint vision of providing a greater voice for the L.A. Area AAPI Community.
Together we can build a healthier and stronger AAPI community.
To donate, please make a check payable to “APCF” with memo “AAPI-LA”.
Asian Pacific Community Fund
1145 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 105
Los Angeles, CA 90017
