Thousands Celebrate Lunar New Year 2026 at the Inaugural Lunar New Year Parade and Festival in the Great Park
IRVINE, California, Feb. 12, 2026 – On Saturday, Feb. 7, an energetic crowd of more than 9,000 children, teens and adults was drawn to the Great Park in Irvine to celebrate the Year of the Horse at the inaugural 2026 Lunar New Year Parade and Festival.
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Supported by the City of Irvine, and co-presented by the Asian American Museum at Great Park and South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, the lively parade began with several strikes of a gong and then snaked along the Great Park historical timeline pathway, showcasing musicians, singers, dancers, members of community organizations, and other. Many wore colorful performance costumes and traditional Asian attire.
The parade was followed by a festival in the spacious Great Park Live venue kicked off by the Beckman High School Patriot Marching Band. The throngs of attendees were entertained by exciting cultural performers on stage and enjoyed activities like games, calligraphy, and other arts and crafts. Food was available at a variety of stands.
Title Sponsors of the Lunar New Year Parade and Festival in the Great Park was the City of Irvine and Great Park. Wells Fargo was the Presenting Sponsor. American Lending Center, City of Hope, and Sunstone Management were Cultural Partner Sponsors. Community Sponsors were Orange County Power Authority and Irvine Ranch Water District.
Many elected officials were on hand to address the crowd They included Irvine Mayor Larry Agran, Councilmember and Great Park Board Chair William Go, Vice Mayor James Mai, Councilmember Melinda Liu, Supervisor Katrina Foley, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, State Senator Steven Choi, and Representative Dave Min. Wells Fargo’s AVP of Philanthropy and Community Impact Julie Tomanpos represented her company.
The parade’s grand marshal was CBS LA news anchor Suzie Suh, who is the first South Korean American primetime news anchor in Los Angeles. She joined the news team in 2005 and covered nights as the Orange County Bureau reporter, reporting from the community where she grew up.
“As a vibrant tapestry of Asian Americans joined today by friends from every background, we honor the unique cultures and histories that shaped us,” said Suh during the festival opening event. “Though our journeys may begin in different places, we’re united not only as Americans, but as a community that celebrates the richness of our Asian heritage.”
“We were delighted to help bring this exciting Lunar New Year celebration to the Great Park for so many people to enjoy and hope it will be me a much-anticipated event year after year,” said the museum’s Executive Director Jack Toan. “We thank our partners, sponsors, special guests, and all who joined us to celebrate this happy occasion.”
About Asian American Museum at Great Park
Established in 2024, the Asian American Museum at Great Park was envisioned as a place of belonging—an inclusive, vibrant cultural hub to be located within Irvine, California’s Great Park, one of the nation’s largest municipal parks. The Museum invites people of all backgrounds to engage with the diverse histories, cultures, and lived experiences of Asian Americans through compelling exhibitions, educational programs, culinary and artistic expression, and community-centered gatherings. By lifting stories of resilience, creativity, and contribution, the Museum fosters connection, understanding, and shared experience across generations and communities. For more information, visit https://aamuseumgp.org/