2027 15th Annual Riverside Lunar New Year Festival

The 15th Annual Riverside Lunar Festival returns to Downtown Riverside on January 23–24, 2027, bringing together families, friends, and communities for an unforgettable weekend of culture, food, entertainment, and celebration along Mission Inn Avenue!

For 15 years, the Riverside Lunar Festival has celebrated the rich traditions of Lunar New Year while bringing people from different cultures and generations together. This milestone year, we invite everyone to celebrate the Year of the Goat, honor our shared community traditions, and help create new memories for the next generation.

This year’s celebration will feature our special Awakening Dragon Community Experience, inviting thousands of visitors to become part of a meaningful cultural tradition.

• 🦁 Cultural Performances: Experience mesmerizing lion dances, dragon dances, acrobatics, and traditional music from diverse Asian cultures.
• 🎤 Live Entertainment: Enjoy an incredible lineup of local talent, from high-energy K-Pop showcases to beautiful folk dances and instrumental performances.
• 🍜 Gourmet Street Food: Savor sizzling street foods, classic Asian dishes, and creative fusion cuisine.
• 🎨 Artisan Market: Explore handcrafted art, jewelry, unique gifts, and Lunar New Year souvenirs while supporting local businesses and artists.
• 🎡 Fun for the Kids: Bring the whole family for jumpers, bungee attractions, and exciting family-friendly activities.
• 🚗 Car Exhibit: Check out an impressive JDM car showcase featuring some of Riverside’s best rides.
• 🏮 Interactive Workshops: Discover Chinese calligraphy, tea ceremonies, lantern crafts, and hands-on cultural experiences.

This year, we’re introducing a special interactive cultural experience that brings the entire community together!

During the day, visitors are invited to participate in our Dragon Scale Activity, adding colorful scales to a magnificent community dragon installation.

Each scale represents a wish, a hope, or a blessing for the New Year. Together, thousands of individual contributions will transform the dragon into a beautiful symbol of unity, cultural connection, and community spirit.

Saturday, January 23 | 7:27 PM — Awakening Dragon Lighting Ceremony

As evening falls, join us for a spectacular moment when the community dragon comes to life through a special lighting ceremony, accompanied by music and cultural performances.

A dragon built by the community, awakened together.

Saturday, January 23 | 12:00 PM

Join us for the official opening celebration featuring traditional dragon and lion dances, special guests, and community leaders as we welcome the Year of the Goat and celebrate 15 years of Riverside Lunar Festival traditions!

Where: Mission Inn Avenue, Downtown Riverside, between Lime Street and Orange Street

Saturday, January 23: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Sunday, January 24: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Admission: FREE for everyone!

Bring your family, invite your friends, and experience a weekend filled with cultural discovery, delicious food, entertainment, and community connection.

15 years of traditions. Thousands of shared memories. One community celebrating together.

🐐 Celebrate the Year of the Goat at the 15th Annual Riverside Lunar Festival!

Info: Be part of our Awakening Dragon! Add a colorful scale and share your New Year wishes as our community comes together to bring this magnificent dragon to life.

Info: Join us at the main stage as we celebrate the Year of the Goat and 15 years of Riverside Lunar Festival traditions with spectacular dragon and lion dances, City officials, and special guests.

Info: Enjoy traditional dances, cultural music, martial arts, K-Pop, and exciting performances from talented community groups throughout the afternoon and evening.

Info: Witness a magical moment as our community-created dragon awakens in a spectacular evening lighting ceremony, celebrating unity, hope, and blessings for the New Year.

Event venue & nearby stays

456 Mission Inn Avenue, 456 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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