The San Diego Lunar New Year Festival will return to Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park from February 13 to 15 to mark the Year of the Fire Horse. Organised by Little Saigon San Diego, the three-day event is expected to draw thousands of residents to City Heights for a programme centred on Vietnamese and Pan-Asian cultural traditions. Organisers say the festival remains free to the public, focusing on the themes of renewal and prosperity. Activities will include lion dances, traditional food preparation, and a soccer tournament featuring teams from across the region’s diverse Asian populations. "More than a celebration, the festival lets people see, hear, and experience culture while honouring the diversity that makes San Diego strong," said Tram Lam of Little Saigon San Diego. The event comes as the city continues to update local services, including recent updates for magnet school programmes in the district.

Traditional ceremonies and performances

The festival begins on the evening of Friday, February 13, with a heavy focus on ritual and performance. From 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, four of the city’s prominent lion dance teams will perform back-to-back. The displays are intended to symbolise protection and good fortune for the coming year, accompanied by traditional drumming and percussion. Beyond the stage, attendees can participate in a "Tree of Luck" activity. Sponsored by Sycuan Casino Resort, the installation allows visitors to select red envelopes containing messages of prosperity. The practice is a staple of Lunar New Year celebrations throughout the Pacific Rim, mirrored in festivals such as the arts festival in Orange which also highlights cultural heritage. Cultural education is a primary goal for the 2026 event. A dedicated station sponsored by Vi7871n &#272.ông Supermarket and World Food Supermarket will teach families how to make bánh tét. This traditional Vietnamese rice cake is wrapped in banana leaves and serves as a symbol of gratitude to ancestors.

Sport and technology on the schedule

The final day of the festival will shift focus to the 2nd Annual Lunar New Year Soccer Tournament on Sunday, February 15. Organised by the Hung Vuong Sports Club, the competition runs from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and features teams representing the Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, and Laotian communities. Event organisers say the tournament is designed to promote wellness and teamwork alongside the more traditional elements of the holiday. Competition in local parks has become a popular fixture for regional events, much like the Yarraville Festival in Australia which draws large crowds for outdoor activities. In a departure from historical traditions, Tesla will provide a "Cybertruck Test Drive Experience" on-site. The inclusion of electric vehicle technology is intended to reflect the "forward-looking energy" of the Year of the Fire Horse, according to the organisers. This mix of modern and ancient is becoming common in regional festivals globally, including the inaugural Hastings Meatball Festival which combined food with local industry.

Logistics and site access

The City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department will manage the grounds at Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park for the duration of the event. The park is a central location for the City Heights neighbourhood, which is home to a significant portion of San Diego's Vietnamese-American population. San Diego Community Power is also sponsoring a lantern decoration activity. This session is aimed at children and involves designing lanterns that represent personal hopes for the future. Organisers suggest that these hands-on activities are essential for maintaining cultural links between younger generations and their heritage. Security and crowd control will be managed in accordance with city regulations for large-scale public gatherings. The event is one of several major cultural dates on the calendar for the San Diego City Council. For more information on city park regulations and event permits, residents can visit the City of San Diego website. The festival concludes at the end of the soccer tournament on the afternoon of February 15. Participants are encouraged to use public transport as parking near Wightman Street will be limited during the weekend.