Celebrate Lunar New Year 2026 in Style at the Inaugural Lunar New Year Parade and Festival in the Great Park in Irvine, Feb, 7
by: Dan Pittman
Published: February 2, 2026
Lunar New Year’s magical creatures entertain children.
IRVINE...Get ready to celebrate the Year of the Horse! The inaugural 2026 Lunar New Year Parade and Festival in the Great Park is set for Saturday, February 7.
With the support from the City of Irvine, and presented by the Asian American Museum at Great Park, the celebration will kick off with a lively parade featuring local marching bands, schools, and community organizations, followed by a festival with exciting performances, fun games like Feed the Dragon and Mahjong Bingo, plus calligraphy and other arts and crafts activities. Food will be available for purchase from Honda-Ya Japanese restaurant, Dragon Fire BBQ, and others.
There is no cost to view the parade. Festival admission is $2, and children three and under are free. Advance ticket purchase is required, as tickets are limited. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.tixr.com/e/172233.
The parade begins at 11 a.m., with the festival beginning at 12 p.m. The parade route will span the walkable Great Park Historical Timeline pathway from Parking Lot 4, leading to Great Park Live, where the festival will take place. Tile Sponsors of the Lunar New Year Parade and Festival in the Great Park are the City of Irvine and Great Park. Wells Fargo is the Presenting Sponsor. American Lending Center, City of Hope, and Sunstone Management are Cultural Partner Sponsors. Community Sponsors are Orange County Power Authority and Irvine Ranch Water District.
City of Irvine Vice Mayor James Mai, who is the first Vietnamese elected to office in Irvine, appearing at the 2025 Tet Parade in Westminster.
“As we celebrate Lunar New Year in Irvine, we honor a place rich with history and meaning, where new beginnings have long taken root, and communities have come together in hope and resilience,” said Irvine Vice Mayor James Mai, who is the first Vietnamese elected to office in Irvine. “Hosting this celebration alongside the Asian American Museum is a powerful reminder of the cultural heritage, stories, and contributions that continue to shape Irvine and our region. May the Year ahead bring health, prosperity, and renewed connection for our families, neighbors, and community.”
“Irvine is proud to support this inaugural Lunar New Year Parade and Festival at the Great Park,” said Mayor Larry Agran. “This celebration reflects the cultural richness of our community and the spirit of inclusion that defines Irvine. We welcome residents and visitors alike to come together, celebrate the Year of the Horse, and enjoy this meaningful new tradition.”
“As Chair of the Great Park Board and the councilmember representing this district, I’m excited that so many residents will get to experience Lunar New Year and celebrate the Year of the Horse,” said Councilmember William Go. "Events like this reflect the Great Park’s role as a space for families across Irvine to come together and welcome the new year.”
“Being the first Taiwanese American and the first Mandarin-speaking councilmember on the Irvine City Council, it is my honor to assist the local AANHPI community in bringing the Lunar New Year Festival to reality,” said Councilmember Melinda Liu. “I’m excited to share my Chinese heritage alongside friends in the Korean, Vietnamese, and broader AANHPI communities who celebrate the Lunar New Year. The City of Irvine is proud to support this inaugural celebration and the diverse, connected community we call home.”
The parade’s grand marshal will be KCAL/KCBS news anchor Suzie Suh, who is the first South Korean American primetime news anchor in Los Angeles. She joined the KCAL news team in 2005 and covered nights as the Orange County Bureau reporter, reporting from the community where she grew up.
Participating will be Beckman High School Patriot Marching Band, Vietnamese Thủy Vân Dance Company, hula dancers from Hālau Hula Na Meakanu o Laka o Hawaii, Korean Doo Dream Head Ribbon Team, Japanese Taiko group, Indonesian Burat Wangi Gamelan, South Coast Chinese Orchestra, Indian Arpana Dance Company, and Chinese Dance Company of Southern California. Other participants will include representatives of the Regulus Irvine Taekwondo Academy’s demo team, South Coast Wushu Team, and Sunshine Hearts Youth Lion Team.
“We are delighted to help bring this exciting Lunar New Year celebration to the Great Park and hope it will be me a much-anticipated event year after year,” said the museum’s Executive Director Jack Toan.
The Great Park is located at 8000 Great Park Blvd, Irvine, CA 92618. For additional information and questions, please contact LNY@aamuseumoc.org.
Photos:DanPittman