Las Vegas is a city that enjoys celebrating cultural diversity, and Lunar New Year (or Chinese New Year) is one that they’ve been celebrating on the Strip for quite some time now!
Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays in various Asian cultures and is known as the “Spring Festival” or “Chinese New Year” in China, “Tet” in Vietnam and “Seol-lal” in Korea. Many Asian countries, including Korea, Vietnam, Mongolia, and Tibet, also celebrate Lunar New Year!
As February rolls around, the Las Vegas Valley gets ready to celebrate Lunar New Year. And this year, we’re welcoming The Year Of The Dragon! The dragon is one of the most beloved signs of the zodiac, symbolizing wisdom, luck, and accomplishment. There’s usually even an uptick in babies born during dragon years!
This year’s festivities begin on February 10, 2024 and will be celebrated over multiple days.
Expect lots of dragon dances, parades, bright and festive displays at various resorts like The Bellagio and The Venetian, and restaurants offering special dishes to celebrate. You’ll find a lot going on throughout the city.
Here’s a look at where you can catch them.
The Venetian and Grand Canal Shoppes
The Venetian takes their Lunar New Year celebrations seriously! You can start by admiring the grand display in the Waterfall Atrium. They actually consult with a feng shui master to make sure every cultural detail has been considered. How honorable of them.
This year starting Feb. 1, there will be a Golden Dragon art installation in the luxury wing near Louis Vuitton, which features a dragon that is 34 feet long and eight feet tall that breathes smoke. There will also be a red lantern display near Smith & Wollensky.
From there, try to catch their annual lion dance, a spectacle of fireworks, dancers, and drummers winding their way through the lobbies and casinos. Many restaurants (including their star culinary destination, Mott 32) also feature special celebratory menus for the holiday.
Also beginning on Feb. 1, The Shoppes will come alive with Lunar New Year festivities, including photo opportunities, the 13th Annual Chinese New Year in the Desert ribbon-cutting ceremony, Lunar New Year shopping specials, and more.
The Palazzo
Located just next door to The Venetian (the two hotels are pretty much connected) is The Palazzo’s welcoming Lunar New Year display of dragons, red lanterns, and lucky coins amid Samuel G. Bocchicchio’s unique water sculpture “Acqua di Cristallo”.
Since this display is just steps away from The Venetian’s, you’ve gotta stop by both if you’re headed here.
See Bellagio’s Lunar New Year Display
The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden’s annual Lunar New Year display is a must-see for anyone who happens to be on the Las Vegas Strip! It’s jaw-droppingly beautiful and changes every year.
They’ve unveiled their newest display, “Infinite Prosperity: The Year of the Dragon”. The exhibit uses colorful floral arrangements and vibrant décor to pay homage to the highly anticipated Year of the Dragon.
The display thoughtfully draws inspiration from the roots of Asian architecture, folklore and culture, with each element designed to symbolize the promise of a favorable and lucky new year!
According to Bellagio officials, the new display features 23,000 fresh and preserved flowers to make the children and 12,000 plants across the entire display. The display is on view through March 2.
They’re also featuring celebratory menus at The Garden Table, including an “Eight Treasures Dim Sum” lunch and a “Feast Of Prosperity” dinner.
Resorts World
Enjoy festive decorations and watch as the traditional Dragon and Lion Dance makes its way through the Resorts World property and brings good luck. Join in on the festivities at the Plaza Entrance on Saturday, February 10 at 6:00 pm to kick off the Year of the Dragon!
The resort will also feature a “Year of The Dragon” backdrop in the lobby of the Conrad complete with red lanterns for a festive little photo opp. As for food and drinks, Genting Palace and Lady M are both featuring exclusive Lunar New Year dining options starting Friday, February 9.
Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn Las Vegas has an ode to Lunar New Year this year as well. Head to the Wynn Atrium to see the 45-foot long silk dragon hanging above 7,000 vibrant begonias, mums and calandiva flowers.
Fashion Show Mall
The Fashion Show Mall will have special Lunar New Year musical lanterns across the property from Feb. 10 through Feb. 25. During their 15-day celebration, there will be a lion’s blessing, lantern-making stations, and a visit from the God of Good Fortune.
Guests can also get red envelopes filled with chocolate and take advantage of exclusive retailer offers.
Lion Dances At Various Casino Hotels
The STRAT, Palace Station, Durango Casino & Resort, Red Rock Casino, and Green Valley Ranch will welcome the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon with commemorative lion dances and colorful décor.
The traditional dances will start with a blessing and continue throughout the casino floor. Here’s where and when to find them:
- The STRAT: Saturday Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. – The Lohan School of Shaolin is scheduled to perform a traditional lion dance on the casino floor.
- Palace Station: Saturday, Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. — North Valet Entrance
Durango: Saturday, Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. — Hotel Porte-Cochere - Green Valley Ranch: Monday, Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. — Entrance to High Limit Table Games Room
- Red Rock Casino: Monday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. — Entrance to Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill
Downtown Summerlin’s Annual Lunar New Year Parade
Downtown Summerlin is celebrating the Year of the Dragon with its seventh annual Lunar New Year parade on Friday, February 9 at 6 p.m. Festivities include traditional dragon and lion dances, fan dancers, stilt walkers, and more!
The free-to-attend parade will take place at Park Centre Drive in Downtown Summerlin. The celebration begins at 6 p.m. Feb. 9, and is open to the public.
Mall visitors can also enjoy festive Lunar New Year decor through Feb. 23, which includes a giant Chinese dragon statue at Dining Arroyo and a photo wall near H&M.
13th Annual Chinese New Year in the Desert
Golden Catalyst is holding several events throughout the week to honor the traditions of Lunar New Year.
February 7, 2024 (9am): City Hall Celebration. You can join them at the Las Vegas City Hall as they usher in the Year of the Dragon! Don’t miss the lion dance blessing performed by the Lohan School of Shaolin.
February 15, 2024 (6 pm – 8 pm): Noodle Asia at The Venetian Resort presents 13th Annual CNY in the Desert Gala Dinner. Enjoy a traditional family-style Chinese dinner immediately following the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Resort Las Vegas. This is a ticketed event.
February 16, 2024 (6 pm – 9 pm): Remy Martin presents the 13th Annual CNY Dinner at Taverna Costera. Enjoy family-style dinner with libations provided by Remy Martin. This is a ticketed event.
February 17, 2024 (11 am – 12 pm): Annual Spring Festival Parade (Free) – Join us for the Las Vegas Spring Festival (a.k.a Lunar New Year Parade) at Fremont East Entertainment District. Announcers’ stage and limited bleacher seating will be provided on 8th & Fremont by the City of Las Vegas.
February 17, 2024 (12 pm – 3 pm): Parade After Party (free)After the parade, stop by the Downtown Container Park for more entertainment! Visit vendor booths and support the Fremont East Merchants.
Desert Breeze Annual Spring Festival
Clark County Parks & Recreation is presenting the 3rd Annual Spring Festival, a one-day festival celebrating the Lunar New Year at Desert Breeze Community Center on Sunday, February 18th, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will be food truck vendors, pop up vendors/artisans, workshops, games, and cultural performers.
5-course Prix Fixe Dinner at Chinglish
Celebrate the year of the dragon at Chinglish Cantonese Wine Bar this Chinese New Year! On Saturday, February 10, 2024, they will be holding their grandest event of the year featuring lion dancers, firecrackers, and a 5-course prix fixe menu and wine pairing.
They have two seatings, one at 5pm and one at 8pm. Tickets cost $125 per person and each guest will receive a free gift!
Lunar New Year Traditions
Looking to celebrate in your own home? Here’s a little overview of how to do it based on various cultural traditions!
As this holiday is the start of the new year, many traditions are designed to determine luck for the rest of the year. A spotless home is essential to set up a clean slate for the upcoming year and clear residual bad luck from previous years. Red is the holiday color, with red lanterns and decorations hung up to symbolize prosperity and luck.
Red envelopes containing money are given out to children and elders, but not just any ol’ bills. The envelopes should be filled with brand-new cash in even numbers—considered even luckier.
Throughout many different cultures who celebrate Lunar New Year, the food they eat during the holidays is super symbolic. In some Chinese regions, rice cakes, dumplings, and noodles are eaten as they symbolize luck and long life. Oranges are also popular as a gift of abundance across cultures.
People who celebrate Vietnamese New Year, or Tết, enjoy glutinous sticky rice filled with pork and mung beans (bánh chưng) for familial loyalty. People who celebrate Korean New Year, or Seollal, eat rice cake soup (tteokguk) for luck.
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