Chinese New Year San Diego 2027: Fair, Events & Dates

Lunar New Year 2027 lands on Saturday, February 6, 2027, ringing in the Year of the Goat. San Diego’s biggest celebration is the free San Diego Chinese New Year Fair on Third Avenue downtown, usually held on a weekend shortly after the holiday, and the city fills the rest of February with lion dances, night markets and festivals from Balboa Park to City Heights.

As of early November 2026, the 2027 fair dates had not been posted. The details below use the confirmed 2026 schedule as a guide; check the official listings linked here before you plan around a specific day.

Lunar New Year 2027 at a glance

• New Year’s Day: Saturday, February 6, 2027
• Zodiac year: Goat (also translated Sheep or Ram), Fire element, following the 2026 Year of the Horse
• Lantern Festival: Saturday, February 20, 2027, marking the end of the 15-day season

Those dates come from the Farmers’ Almanac. Because the holiday falls on a Saturday in 2027, expect some community events to cluster on that weekend and the two that follow.

San Diego Chinese New Year Fair

This is the headline event and the one most people mean when they search for Chinese New Year in San Diego. It has been held since 1983, organized by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, and in 2026 it reached its 43rd year.

Where it happens

The fair closes off Third Avenue between Island Avenue and J Street, and J Street between Third and Fourth avenues, in downtown’s Asian Pacific Historic District. This was San Diego’s original Chinatown, and a handful of its early buildings still stand alongside the Gaslamp Quarter’s restaurants. The San Diego Chinese Historical Museum at 404 Third Avenue anchors the block.

What to expect

Lion dances and dragon dances are the main draw, along with kung fu demonstrations, taiko drumming, traditional instrumental music and classical dance troupes on stage. Food booths line the street, and there are craft and merchandise vendors plus a children’s craft area. Lion dance troupes typically move between businesses and stages through the day, so if you want good photos, find a spot near the stage early and stay put.

Dates, hours and cost

The 2026 fair ran Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, and admission was free. The year before, the fair was held in early February. For 2027, watch the City of San Diego’s special events calendar and MTS’s event pages for the 2027 listing.

Getting there and parking

Take the trolley if you can. MTS’s event page for the fair recommends the Green Line to the Convention Center or Gaslamp Quarter stations, both a short walk away. From the Blue or Orange lines, ride to 12th & Imperial and walk or transfer to the Green Line. Driving means paying for a downtown garage; street parking near the fair is scarce, and several blocks are closed for the event. Our getting around San Diego guide covers trolley fares and ride-share drop-off options.

Make a day of it

The fair sits right next to the Gaslamp Quarter, so dinner afterward is easy. The Chinese Historical Museum is normally open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m., with admission of $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, students and military, and free for children 12 and under. It is small but worth half an hour for the story of the Chinese community that built this neighborhood. If you want to cook a reunion dinner at home, our guide to Asian markets in San Diego covers where to find whole fish, rice cakes and dumpling supplies.

Other Lunar New Year celebrations in San Diego

San Diego’s celebrations reflect its Chinese and Vietnamese communities in particular, so you can find something nearly every weekend in February. These are the events KPBS listed for 2026; most are annual, but confirm 2027 dates with each organizer.

Event	2026 date	Location	Highlights
Convoy Rising Lunar New Year Kickoff	Feb 8, 3–8 p.m.	Convoy St & Vickers St, Kearny Mesa	Night-market style, lion dances, firecracker rituals
San Diego Lunar New Year Festival (Little Saigon San Diego)	Feb 13–15	Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, 4455 Wightman St, City Heights	Lion dances, food, cultural village, eating contests
Old Globe AXIS Lunar New Year event	Feb 14, 5:30–7:30 p.m.	Copley Plaza, Old Globe, Balboa Park	Free; dragon dances, martial arts, live music
San Diego Tết Festival (VAYA)	Feb 20–22	NTC Park, Liberty Station	Vietnamese New Year food, performances, carnival rides
Balboa Park Chinese New Year Fair (House of China)	Feb 21–22	International Cottages, Balboa Park	Lion dances, Chinese food, calligraphy, crafts
San Diego Chinese New Year Fair	Feb 28–Mar 1	Third Ave & J St, downtown	The city’s largest; free
North County Lunar New Year Festival	Feb 28, noon–5 p.m.	Oceanside Public Library Civic Center	Free family performances and activities

Balboa Park

The House of China cottage hosts its own weekend fair at the International Cottages, with lion dances, Chinese food and calligraphy in a more relaxed setting than downtown. Combine it with a museum or a walk through the gardens.

Convoy District

The Convoy corridor in Kearny Mesa is San Diego’s densest strip of Asian restaurants, bakeries and markets. The Convoy Rising kickoff is the most night-market-like event of the season, and on any February evening the neighborhood is a good place for a New Year meal of dumplings, hot pot or roast duck.

Vietnamese Tết celebrations

Lunar New Year is also Tết, the Vietnamese New Year. The Little Saigon festival in City Heights and the larger Tết Festival at NTC Park are both family-friendly, with lion dancing and plenty of food. Expect bigger crowds on the Saturday afternoons.

Libraries and kids’ events

The San Diego Public Library runs free Lunar New Year programs at branches across the city, including lion dances, crafts and story times. They are a low-key option for young kids who might find the downtown crowds overwhelming.

Tips for visiting

• Arrive early. The downtown fair is busiest from late morning through mid-afternoon, especially on Saturday.
• Bring cash and a card. Some food booths are small vendors; having both avoids lines at ATMs.
• Watch the firecrackers. Lion dances often come with loud firecracker or drum bursts that can startle small children and dogs.
• Dress in red if you want to join in; it is the traditional color of luck for the New Year.
• Check the weather. San Diego February days are usually mild but can be cool and occasionally rainy, so bring a layer.

Who it suits

The downtown fair suits families, photographers and anyone curious about the history of San Diego’s Chinese community. Food lovers will get more from an evening in the Convoy District. If you are visiting San Diego in February, these events are among the best free things to do that month, and they pair easily with an afternoon downtown.