Ring in the Year of the Horse at the San Diego Chinese New Year Fair

The San Diego Chinese New Year Fair is back, taking over Downtown San Diego for another weekend of cultural celebration. Now in its 43rd year, this beloved event – hosted by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association – keeps getting better.

Whether you’re a longtime regular or showing up for the first time, it’s the kind of gathering that reminds us why San Diego’s community is something special.

San Diego Chinese New Year Fair

A Celebration Rooted in Tradition

From the moment you step in, the energy is infectious. Lion dances, martial arts performances, and live music set the tone, while the food and family-friendly activities keep everyone entertained from start to finish.

It’s a full sensory experience that blends centuries of Chinese cultural tradition with the warmth of a community coming together to share in something meaningful.

What the Year of the Horse Means for the Year Ahead

In Chinese mythology, the horse is a symbol of energy, freedom, and forward momentum. Associated with ambition and an adventurous spirit, it represents a year of action – one that rewards those who are bold enough to chase what they want.

It’s an energizing sign to welcome in, and there’s no better way to kick off the Year of the Horse than surrounded by community, culture, and celebration.

Free, Open to All, and Worth the Trip Downtown

One of the best things about this event is that it’s completely free for all ages, making it easy to bring the whole crew along. There’s genuinely something for everyone here, from the little ones fascinated by the lion dance to the adults exploring the food stalls.

It’s a weekend well spent in the heart of the city.

See you there!

Grab your friends and family and head Downtown – the 43rd Annual San Diego Chinese New Year Fair is the perfect way to celebrate the season together.

📆 Saturday, February 28 – Sunday, March 1, 2026 | 10 AM – 5 PM
📍 428 3rd Avenue, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here

See you there, San Diego!

Share This Event
Event Details
  • Start Date
    February 28, 2026 10:00 am
  • End Date
    March 1, 2026 5:00 pm
  • Status
    All done
  • Location
  • Venue
    • Gaslamp Quarter
  • Address
    428 3rd Avenue, San Diego
  • More Info
Event Map
The Latest
Eglise de Varengeville, effet matinal by Claude Monet
One hundred years in, and the San Diego Museum of Art is putting it all on the table. Forging a Legacy: 15 Years of Landmark...
MCASD Expo Design Market
One of the better weekends on San Diego’s cultural calendar is back. EXPO Design Market is returning to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego...
Verbatim Books In the Park Til Dark
Check out this week’s Things to Do in San Diego this weekend and make your plans! From scenic rides across the city for Bike Anywhere...
Crowds enjoying the Scoop San Diego Ice Cream Festival
The 8th Annual Scoop San Diego Ice Cream Festival returns to North Park for an afternoon of frozen treats, community, and a genuinely good cause....
top concerts in san diego this week
Here are the top concerts in San Diego this week! Our live entertainment scene is heating up this week with an exciting mix of country,...
East Village Has a Lot of Events Lined Up This Summer
East Village has always had good energy, but this summer the neighborhood’s best venues are bringing their A-game with a lineup of recurring events, themed...
Event Details
  • Start Date
    February 28, 2026 10:00 am
  • End Date
    March 1, 2026 5:00 pm
  • Status
    All done
  • Location
  • Venue
    • Gaslamp Quarter
  • Address
    428 3rd Avenue, San Diego
  • More Info
Upcoming Events
Bird's Eye View of Mission Bayfest
October 16, 2026
3:00 pm
  • Mariners Point
Mission Bayfest is heading back to the waterfront this fall, bringing three days of reggae, rock, and SoCal vibes to Mariner’s Point Park along the...
Tori Amos San Diego
August 26, 2026
7:30 pm
  • San Diego Civic Theatre
There are artists who put on a show, and then there’s Tori Amos – a force of nature who turns every performance into something genuinely...
RESET Beach Wellness Event
August 2, 2026
8:00 am
  • Mission Beach Park
SSBD and Almost Nakey are joining forces for RESET, a brand-new beachside event happening at Fit Social Club. It’s a full day of movement, recovery,...
Cinbarella Il-Tabarrosite
July 19, 2026
3:00 pm
  • California Center for the Arts
If you’ve never seen an opera and a ballet tell the same story back to back – in the same afternoon – this is your...
World Classic Rockers
July 4, 2026
7:00 pm
  • USS Midway Museum
There are Fourth of July plans, and then there are those Fourth of July plans – the kind worth putting on the calendar the moment...
Event Search: