Lunar new year celebrations at irvine center properties in orange county
Photos: Irvine Company
As Orange County steps into the promising Year of the Snake starting on January 29, Irvine Company Retail Properties invites visitors to start fresh and celebrate the Lunar New Year with two weeks of festive events and cultural experiences, all with a signature Golden State twist.
From Fashion Island to Irvine Spectrum Center and beyond, OC’s premier open-air shopping destinations will come to life with a vibrant mix of timeless traditions, from lion dances, awe-inspiring outdoor art installations, exclusive shopping collections to special dining menus that capture the essence of the season.
A bustling night market illuminated by the golden glow of lanterns will take center stage at Woodbury Town Center, offering a festive atmosphere that brings the community together to honor the promising energy of the Year of the Snake.
See below for a list of all of the Lunar New Year festivities!
FASHION ISLAND
Garden of Good Fortune Event: Family Fun (FREE)
February 8 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Visitors can slither into the Garden of Good Fortune at Fashion Island to honor the creativity and cleverness of the Wood Snake. Highlights include calligraphy demonstrations, kite painting activities, and a special lion dance performance.
Free admission, click here to reserve your spot.
Beneath The Branches: Welcoming The Wood Snake Display
January 29 - February 12th
Wood Snake Art Installation will be located near Nordstrom, symbolizing transformation, wisdom and elegance. Fashion Island invites guests to unwind beneath the olive trees and let the snake-inspired sculpture ignite imagination and inspiration for the year ahead.
Restaurants Celebrating Lunar New Year: Hana Grill, Joey Newport Beach, Mochinut, Panda Express, P.F. Chang’s, Sushi Roku, True Food Kitchen, Great Maple
IRVINE SPECTRUM CENTER
A Festival of Tradition Event: Entertainment Galore (FREE)
February 9 | 12:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Experience a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration filled with thundering dragon dances, mesmerizing martial arts, and playful entertainment that brings cultural traditions to life for all ages.
Pictures of Prosperity: Display
January 29 - February 12th
Irvine Spectrum Center invites visitors to explore the Wood Snake Sculpture located near the Regal Theater.
Lunar New Year-Inspired Dining: Little Sister
Chef Tin Vuong built the dishes and menu using authentic Vietnamese recipes and French cooking techniques. Each dish reflects the flavors he grew up cooking and eating in his own home in the San Gabriel Valley. Guests are sure to find comfort and inspiration in every bite.
Additional Restaurants Celebrating Lunar New Year: 85°C Bakery Cafe, Capital Dim Sum - Seafood - Bar, Hello Kitty Cafe, J&G Fried Chicken, Kalbi Social Club, Le Shrimp Noodle Bar, P.F. Chang’s, Pho Saigon Pearl, Robata Wasa
THE MARKET PLACE
The Wood Snake Festival Event: Community Celebration
February 1 | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Experience a dazzling day filled with dragon and lion dances, musical and martial arts performances, Lunar New Year crafting, and other time-honored traditions. Raise a glass to 2025 and celebrate in style!
Pathway to Prosperity: Lanterns of Light Display
January 29 – February 12
The Market Place will feature picturesque lanterns, one of the most beautiful and beloved symbols of the Lunar New Year, invoking transformation through the glow of hope, new beginnings, and boundless possibilities.
Everspring Modern Chinese | The Market Place
We bridge authentic Chinese flavors with a modern American sensibility, creating dishes that are both familiar and exciting. Every dish tells a story of tradition, innovation, and the enduring spirit of good food.
Additional Restaurants Celebrating Lunar New Year: 399 Vietnamese Kitchen, Ben Gong’s Tea, Flame Broiler, I Can BBQ Korean Grill, JA Jiaozi Authentic Dumplings, Pacific Catch, Panda Express
CULVER PLAZA
Pose Under the Pergola: Display
January 29 - February 12
Culver Plaza invites guests to savor the moment by taking a selfie, or a family portrait beneath the picturesque pergola, a stunning setting for capturing the beauty and joy of togetherness this season.
WOODBURY TOWN CENTER
Woodbury Night Market Event: Lunar New Year Edition
February 2 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Visitors are invited to gather at Golden Hour for an enchanting Woodbury Night Market to celebrate Lunar New Year with live entertainment, lion dances, street food, a snake handler presentation, storytelling, crafting, and more.
WOODBRIDGE VILLAGE CENTER
The Wishing Wall: Manifest Your Destiny Display
January 29 - February 12
Setting intentions for the year ahead can be a powerful practice and a great way to greet the New Year. Woodbury Town Center invites visitors to add their own New Year wishes to the community Wishing Wall.