Chinatown’s Chinese New Year Celebration

Schoolteacher suggested this one, and I happily agreed to go on an adventure. I picked her up and we drove over to good ol’ Via Princessa train station right up in our area. We then hopped on a train and rode the rails south to Union Station, where we quickly caught the Gold Line for one stop into Chinatown. Upon exiting the train, we could easily hear the excitement and noise already. We followed the crowds down from the train, and found ourselves fighting through throngs of people to get up to Broadway street, where the parade was due to pass by any minute. We made it across right before the traffic officer there cut off the flow, and we got to the other side, where we spotted an opening near the curb.
We stood there for several hours, watching the amazing displays of culture and heritage pass by. Countless brightly colored and animated Chinese dragons, parade floats, City Officials, as well as several marching bands from all over the state paraded past out curbside spot, all celebrating the year of the Ram. I was happily impressed when I saw not only displays of Chinese culture, but also other cultures were also represented in the parade. There was a Scottish bagpipe band from Pasadena, there was a New Orland Jazz band, as well as Mexican dancers in beautiful dresses and Caballeros in colorful outfits riding gorgeously groomed horses included in the parade. Truly a statement that we a melting pot.
After the last members of the parade paraded past us, we meandered around the shops of Broadway, poking into the open shops and doing our best to avoid the crowds, which actually dispersed fairly quickly. The confetti and glitter from the poppers still blanketed the streets like snow, and surprisingly enough, at the end of the parade route, there was a snowplow, ready to scoop it all up. The stores around there certainly do sell some interesting things, and I very nearly bought a lot of very silly things that I would never use again.
This was an amazing and incredible thing to see. Which I’d never have done if not suggested to me. It’s very super cool. It is also super ridiculously crowded. So just be aware and prepared for that. Happy year of the Ram/​Sheep/​Goat everybody!

So after last weekend, I have a new found appreciation for Chinese New Year! Never have I met a culture so rich in tradition and grace. Truly great to see and be a part of… Happy Chinese New Year everyone! Hope you celebrated in style and ate like a Horse;)

I when there last year but that was Sunday so there were no parade and different performance. I decided to come Saturday this time. It was more things to see, also a lot more crowded too. Most of the shows were about the same as last year, only few new one. However, they tend to get repeat at the same day. Parking was not easy, had to park like almost 15 minutes away, some parking site charge $ 15, which is a rip-​off since just you can find parking just 5 minutes’ walk away.
The Shaolin act this time, the master of the school actually performing unlike last year were all just students, but it was a lot shorter. The two men act that hold each other is impressive and I haven’t see that act often been done. The aerial act attract the most crowd since is the first time they did this. You can see the act far away thanks to its height. One of the act when the lady holding 3 eggs in her head and also doing three Hula Hoop is the best act I think. That’s the skill require many years of training and patience, and this is been done in outdoor and less control environment.
The biggest problem I encounter this time is some prank spraying that god-​awful stink smell several time around the performance stage. They weren’t caught but hopefully will after we left. To get a good or decent view you would like had to come early or stay for a long time, there’s just way too many peoples wanted see the show and after all is free who weren’t. I still prefer the Asian American Expo, they got better show and more control not like jam packed here. It was my first time to see the Golden Dragon Parade and was not impress but I might still come to see the rest of the stuff.

great fun for the whole family. really excellent parade, you should go. definitely buy some of the poppers everyone has a great time with confetti and it makes for great pictures when the parade goes by.

Had so much fun. I love exposing my kids to other rich cultures. The dragons are beautiful. They have high school bands from all over the county. They also have an area on Hill st. Where they have a food truck station and other vendors. They had about 10 food trucks there with all kinds of cuisines. You should definitely come out and experience this parade at least once.

Free celebration! Just take the gold line to it.

I’ve never been a fan of Chinatown so I dragged my feet when the bf suggested going to Chinatown for the CNY Parade. I couldn’t come up with any better ideas so we ended up here around 2pm. We scored a free parking space a block away and took little Benji to meet all of the Chinese and non-​Chinese folks crowded along Broadway to see the parade.
The parade itself is pretty lame; just like every other parade with a bunch of repetitive acts. After the parade ended, we headed over the the carnival/​food area on Hill and took a photo with a guy dressed like a Peking opera performer at the AT&T wireless booth. Next, we went over to the «old Chinatown» square area with the Chinese-​style buildings. The highlight of the day was watching all of the men take pictures of the naked girl from PETA.
It was crowded, festive, and fun for the whole family. We tried to buy an earpicker at one of the shops on the way back to the car and the lady wanted $ 1 for 2 but $ 0.75 for 1 and wouldn’t budge on the price for 1. I did buy a nice iPhone case for $ 3.

Perfect activity for the Chinese New Year! This is an annual event and only happens in the weekend around Chinese New Year.
Basically, there are 2 parts to this celebration:
The 114^th Annual Golden Dragon Parade & The Chinese New Year Festival
Part I: 114^th Annual Golden Dragon Parade
Parade started at 1pm and ends at 3pm.
Wonderful parade and performance. If you arrive late at 2pm like me, the best spot are the intersections (Broadway & College). They blocked traffic on the streets.
Weather is really hot… And people were pushing… A lot of families & strollers.
Part II: Chinese New Year Festival
Apparently, there are multiple festivals happening in Chinatown. (see
for listings) I went to the Carnival Fair:
The Carnival Fair is on Hill, between Ord & Alpine. They have performances, food trucks, food stands, food booths, products, carnival games etc. Stay in the longest line, and you will get some good stuff.
Food I got:
Grilled Squid from Calvin’s BarB-​Q — very chewy, but tasted good. It was fun to hold on a stick.
Connecticut Lobster Roll from Cousins’ Main Lobster — tasted great!
Tuna Poke from Sam’s Pineapple Express — $ 14 for this? nah. I have had better.
Freebies I won from the booths:
— Coca-​Cola luggage tag & a small can of Sprite (but the line was SUPER long (about 30-​minute-​wait), and a Chinese woman & her child cut in line… @_@)
— a bouncy ball from throwing beanbags
Event is free, but parking is a nightmare. I looked for parking for 15 minutes and parked somewhere far for free. Event parking is $ 20. For event parking, you still have to walk 5 – 10 minutes. I parked in a sketchy area at the side street on 1700 N. Spring Street. It was a 15-​minute-​walk (1 mile), a nice workout for me. If you want free parking and nice workout, follow me :)
Here are my tips, if you are going:
— Parking options: park 1 mile away for free/​$ 20 event parking/​arrive really early/​take public transportation
— The longest line (Coca-​Cola booth, can also win free soda from it) has the best freebies
— Wear short sleeves & sunglasses for the parade under the sunny weather and bring a jacket for the late afternoon
For my info, please visit: