This is your guide to all of the Disneyland Lunar New Year entertainment and activities for 2024! The Disneyland Lunar New Year Festival is a vibrant and culturally rich annual celebration at the Disney California Adventure Park. This event, part of the wider Disneyland Seasonal Celebrations, showcases the traditions and customs associated with the Lunar New Year, making it a truly incredible experience for families.
We absolutely love the Lunar New Year Festival. It’s super unique for Disneyland to host a festival like this, and we love the thought that goes into Asian cultural celebrations in Disney Parks.
The 2024 Lunar New Year Disneyland event promises an even more spectacular array of activities, performances, and experiences. Here’s a guide to some of the most popular attractions that bring the spirit of this festival to life.
DCA Lunar New Year Festival
The Disney California Adventure (DCA) Lunar New Year Festival is an annual event that transforms the park into a kaleidoscope of cultural celebration, honoring Asian traditions with a distinctive Disney twist. This festival is not just a series of events; it’s a schedule of cultural richness, a harmonious blend of ancient customs and contemporary entertainment.
Why is it so special? Well, we feel like theme parks are the perfect place to share the beautiful customs of the people that make of their guests. Therefore, the Lunar New Year Festival is such a unique and incredible way to blend Asian culture and Disney magic. The exclusiveness of this festival, the highlights of Disney’s Asian heritage, and the representation are why we keep going back every year. That’s why we think you should too!
The Disneyland Seasonal Celebrations remind us a lot of EPCOT and are a huge reason we love the magic of Disney. Sharing cultures and traditions in such a special way goes a lot in our Theme Park family, especially when even the crafts feel specially thought out for guests.
Best Disneyland Lunar New Year Festival Entertainment
- 1. Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession – Witness Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession, a parade that tells the story of Mulan with a spectacular blend of music, dance, and martial arts.
- 2. World of Color: Lunar New Year Pre-Show – The “Hurry Home – Lunar New Year Celebration” pre-show is a precursor to the World of Color, featuring mesmerizing water projections, animations, and music that perfectly encapsulate the spirit of the Lunar New Year.
- 3. Lunar New Year Marketplaces – Explore the Lunar New Year Marketplaces for a taste of Asia, offering a diverse range of traditional and contemporary Asian-inspired dishes that are as delightful to the palate as they are to the eyes.
- 4. Character Greetings in Festive Attire – Enjoy unique photo opportunities with beloved Disney characters donning festive Lunar New Year attire. This is a charming chance to see characters like Mickey, Minnie, and Mulan in special celebratory outfits.
- 5. Lunar New Year Crafts and Activities – Engage in Lunar New Year Crafts Disney and activities that are both fun and educational. These hands-on experiences offer a personal touch to your festival visit, letting you create your own souvenirs.
- 6. Cultural Musical Performances, Exhibits and Demonstrations – Witness cultural exhibits and artisan demonstrations, providing a glimpse into traditional Asian arts and crafts. These Cultural Demonstrations Disneyland Lunar New Year are enlightening and enriching.
- 7. Lunar New Year Wishing Wall – Participate in the tradition of the Lunar New Year Wishing Wall, where visitors can write down their hopes for the future and hang them up, adding to a collective tapestry of wishes and dreams.
- 8. Themed Decorations and Photo Opportunities – Admire the intricate Lunar New Year Decorations Disneyland and seize the numerous photo opportunities throughout the park. These decorations set a festive backdrop for unforgettable memories.
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Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession
A highlight of the Disney Lunar New Year Activities is Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession. This vibrant parade features Mulan and her faithful dragon, Mushu, leading a procession of performers in a dazzling display of color and culture. The procession is a beautiful blend of traditional Chinese culture and Disney magic, making it a must-see event during the festival.
The procession takes over the parade route from Hollywood Land to Paradise Gardens Park. The parade travels in the same direction during each show. The Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession is Theme Park Today’s top attraction when it comes to dazzling guests. Not only can you watch incredible dancing and storytelling, but there are typically exclusive characters joining the parade along the way. We love being dazzled each year, as Disneyland seems to change it up every year.
We even suggest checking out the procession during the day and the night, as the brightly adorned float gives a different experience under the moonlight!
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Musical Entertainment at Lunar New Year Festival
The Disneyland Lunar New Year celebration is a musical extravaganza that promises to sweep you off your feet with its diverse and vibrant performances:
- Procession Performances: Immerse yourself in the cultural richness of the Lunar New Year with the colorful processions. These take place multiple times a day, setting the stage for an afternoon and evening brimming with tradition and joy. Be sure to check the schedule so you don’t miss this visual spectacle!
- Melody of China: Nestled in the Paradise Garden Bandstand, the Melody of China ensemble offers a serene escape with their soulful renditions of Chinese folk, classical, and contemporary tunes. As you savor the festival delicacies, let the harmonious melodies of traditional instruments like the yangqin (Chinese dulcimer), pipa (lute), and erhu (fiddle) transport you to a world of tranquil bliss.
- Vocal Seoul: Adding a contemporary beat to the festivities, Vocal Seoul, a Korean-American a cappella group based in L.A., takes the stage at Sonoma Terrace. Their performances blend traditional harmony with modern rhythms, offering a refreshing musical experience in the afternoons and evenings.
And there’s more! Even Downtown Disney gets in on the Lunar New Year action, boasting a beautifully themed mural at the ESPN Zone building. It’s the perfect backdrop for this cultural celebration, adding an extra layer of artistry and festivity to your experience.
Hurry Home – A Lunar New Year Celebration Pre-Show
Before the nightly showing of World of Color, “Hurry Home – A Lunar New Year Celebration” pre-show sets the stage with a heartwarming tale told through water, light, and music. This pre-show is a visual feast and a perfect way to end your day at the festival.
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Crafts and Activities at Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year Wishing Wall
The Lunar New Year Wishing Wall at Disneyland’s Lunar New Year Festival is a cultural feature where guests can write their wishes for the new year on cards and then hang them on the wall. It’s a tradition inspired by various Asian cultures and offers a moment of reflection and hope, adding a personal and interactive element to the festival experience. It is a great activitiy to do with everyone in your family for a New Year bonding experience! You can find the Lunar New Year Wishing Wall in the Paradise Gardens Park in DCA.
Other activities:
- Dragon’s Pearl Coloring Craft – Color a themed “pearl” for the Year of the Dragon to hold for the Mulan Processional.
- Chinese Calligraphy – Do Calligraphy with local Chinese artist for a take-home souvenir.
- Face painting – Get a themed face paint design to wear during the festival
Meeting Special Characters at Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year Character Meet and Greet Disney offers unique photo opportunities with beloved Disney Characters Lunar New Year-themed outfits. Mickey and Minnie put on their Lunar New Year best to take themed photos with guests at the Paradise Gardens gazebo.
During Disneyland’s Lunar New Year celebration, visitors also have the unique opportunity to meet rare characters. Last year, guests were able Oswald and Ortensia, which we believe was for the Year of the Rabbit. This year, Disneyland announced that guests will be able to meet Meilin and Ming from Turning Red!
If you want to learn more about characters, like where to meet them, who is appearing and more – read all about Lunar New Year Characters here.
Lunar New Year Marketplaces
One of the festival’s biggest draws is the Lunar New Year Marketplaces. Here, you can indulge in a culinary journey with dishes and beverages inspired by Asian cuisine. It’s a perfect opportunity to savor new flavors while enjoying the festival atmosphere.
This is just like any other Disneyland festival, where we suggest getting a Sip and Savor Pass. Guests can indulge themselves in Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean favorites—at a variety of marketplaces in Paradise Gardens Park, including:
- Bamboo Blessings
- Wrapped with Love
- Lucky 8 Lantern
- Prosperity Bao & Buns
- Red Dragon Spice Traders
- Longevity Noodle Co.
Tips for Visitors
From Kurt: “Our favorite interactive experience is visiting the Chinese Calligraphy Artists, as my husband and I love taking home the commemorative piece every year! It feels really special connecting with local Chinese artists and taking such memorable piece of art home each year. Of course, the processional is incredible, but we love these little details in the festival! Last year we asked for the double happiness symbol for our wedding and our artist made us a ‘Happy Marriage’ sign. WE LOVE THEM!”
Conclusion
The Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney is not just a celebration of a culture, but a magical Disney experience that brings families together. With its blend of traditional and modern, cultural and fun, this festival is a perfect family destination. Remember to explore Disneyland Theme Park Events and take advantage of the Disneyland Park Lunar New Year Special Offers. To make the most of your visit, consider purchasing discounted Disney World theme park tickets or vacation packages. Embrace the magic of the Lunar New Year at Disneyland – a celebration that promises memories to last a lifetime. 🎉🐉🏮
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