Travel Costa Mesa Blog
2026 Lunar New Year: Embrace the Year of the Horse in Costa Mesa
Lunar New Year arrives on February 17th, 2026, and Costa Mesa is one of the best places to spend it. From festive dining to unique experiences, the city is brimming with ways to join in the festivities and welcome in the Year of the Horse.
About Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is one of the most important holidays in China, and it is also widely celebrated by other cultures. It is a 15-day celebration marked by many traditions in the home, auspicious wishes, shopping, and spending time with family. The 15th and final day of the holiday is observed as the Lantern Festival, marking the end of the celebration.
Lunar New Year is part of a larger cycle, moving through the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, bringing us out of the Year of the Snake into the Year of the Horse. The symbolism of the snake represents a complex interplay of elements. Its meaning can range from luck and authority to craftiness and mysteriousness.
In 2026, Costa Mesa will feature numerous celebrations and special events throughout the festival, providing cultural experiences that will entertain, educate, and allow you to explore with family and friends. But it doesn’t end there—many places will have ongoing opportunities to celebrate throughout the month, from celebratory menus to unique shopping experiences.
The Lunar New Year Experience at South Coast Plaza
February 12 – March 1, 2026
Shop, Dine, and Celebrate
South Coast Plaza eateries will feature festive menu options, special offers, and activities to immerse you in the festive spirit of the Lunar New Year. Expect thematic decor, shopping deals, and events throughout the entire span of the festival. Be sure to visit Jewel Court for a themed installation and atmospheric decorations featuring a mechanically animated horse.
Year of the Horse Style
Horses are galloping into your favorite luxury boutiques, bringing good fortune for the Lunar New Year. From an embroidered horse on a Montblanc briefcase to beaded AllSaints horse sweatshirt , you can embrace the style as detailed or boldly as you like. Other luxury favorites like Moynat are celebrating with playful Labubu bag charms by Kasing Lung.
Window shop all the Lunar New Year merchandise at South Coast Plaza on their website.
Image via South Coast Plaza
Lunar New Year Exclusives
It’s not often that South Coast Plaza offers a sale or promotion, so when they do, we know it’s going to be good. Now might just be the time to splurge on that handbag or watch you’ve been saving up for.
This year, South Coast Plaza is teaming up with LIULI Crystal Art for an exquisite wine glass set, available as a gift with purchase. LIULI Crystal Art’s gallery is located in Bloomingdales, and the company is known for reinvigorating a style of glass art that dates back to the Han Dynasty in China. Purchases of $4,888 are eligible to receive the exclusive tea set. View the details and more information on the exclusive item here.
Lunar New Year Flavors
Every year, we can’t wait to see what are favorites like Paradise Dynasty, AnQi, and Michelin star winner Knife Pleat are cooking up. If our highlights have you feeling hungry, explore all the specials at South Coast Plaza’s dedicated dining page.
Image via Paradise Dynasty
Lunar New Year Banquet at Paradise Dynasty
Paradise Dynasty is celebrating with a special banquet menu featuring chicken broth with wontons, braised lobster with vermicelli, slow-braised pork knuckle, and an exclusive Lunar New Year cocktail by award-winning mixologist Chris Amiam made with D’USSÉ Cognac, yuzu honey, green tea plum, and lemon.
Lunar New Year Cultural Events
Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival
Saturday, February 7th
1:00 – 6:00 PM
Lunar New Year celebrations take over Centennial Park for a family-friendly, free-to-attend event. Celebrate Asian and Vietnamese culture with live dance performances, cultural exhibits, and food vendors. At 5:45 PM, the celebration concludes with a spectacular fireworks show.
Pacific Symphony Lunar Year at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Saturday, February 21st
8:00 PM
Experience a celebration of communities coming together with performances of Eastern and Western music and dance at Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Watch as hundreds of performers showcase their talents, including virtuoso guzheng player Bei Bei Monter. Other performers of note include:
Carl St.Clair, conductor
Ron Banks, emcee
Cao Kefan, emcee
Xiangdong Kong, piano
Shunxiang Zhang, jinghu
Dennis Kim, violin
Yaya Dance Academy, Yaya Zhang, artistic director
T.O.P. Awards Dancers
OCMD Violin Studio of Wendy Castill
American Feel Young Chorus — Sam Wei-Chi Sun, director
Pacific Chorale — Robert Istad, artistic director
O.C. Lantern Festival at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Saturday, March 7
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
At the tail end of the Lunar New Year celebrations on March 7th is Pacific Symphony’s annual Lantern Festival at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Free for the whole family, the event marks the end of the Lunar New Year season. Be dazzled by a lobby transformed with floating lanterns and then dive into the array of events, including music, dance, art making, food, riddles, and more. Admission is free, but remember to reserve your tickets ahead of time.
Comments Off on 2026 Lunar New Year: Embrace the Year of the Horse in Costa Mesa
