Lunar New Year Begins on Sunday, Here's How Disneyland Is Celebrating
Even Mickey and Minnie don their finest new red clothes.
Courtesy of Disneyland
With more than a billion people celebrating Lunar New Year on Jan. 22, Mickey and Minnie Mouse are no exception, as Disneyland Resort brings back its Lunar New Year celebration at Disney California Adventure from Jan. 20 through Feb. 15.
“Ring in Year of the Rabbit with Mickey, Minnie, Mulan, and Mushu and friends dressed in vibrant Lunar New Year-inspired attire,” the Anaheim theme park says on its site of the iconic characters who will meet visitors in the Paradise Gardens near Paradise Garden Grill. “Gather loved ones for cherished photo memories under our gorgeous pavilion bedecked with bamboo, peach blossoms, golden flowers, and banners bearing serendipitous holiday wishes.”
One of the other highlights is Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession, a 20-minute parade from Pixar Pier to Hollywood Land that runs multiple times throughout the day. “The show kicks off as the sound of triumphant music fills the air and dozens of beautifully costumed performers populate the street,” according to the park's website. “You won’t be able to take your eyes off this dazzling display featuring Mulan, some Disney pals, and a spirited group of entertainers — a Chinese dragon puppet, warriors, drummers, and dancers.”
When night falls, another spectacle comes to life in the form of a six-minute nighttime water show called "Hurry Home," in which viewers can “follow Little Lantern on a journey to return home for the annual celebration of good luck and fortune,” along with music from Oscar-winning Chinese American composer Tan Dun.
With food being such an essential part of the holiday, the Lunar New Year Marketplaces will also return with Disney-themed Asian treats, like Mickey Mouse–shaped purple sweet potato macarons and lotus flower glow cubes at Bamboo Blessings; quesabirria egg rolls, Mandarin mousse cake, and coconut-lavender matcha foam iced coffee at Lucky 8 Lantern; gochujang elote at Red Dragon Spice Traders; wontons and dumplings at Wrapped with Love; char siu BBQ pork and pepperoni pizza-flavored baos at Prosperity Bao & Buns; and spicy pork dandan Noodles at Longevity Noodle Co.
Other celebratory elements include meeting Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon under the forest canopy in Redwood Creek Challenge Trail; live holiday entertainment at the Paradise Garden Bandstand; and crafts and activities for kids.
And of course, there’s no better way to usher in luck for the new year than by adding your own message to the Lucky Wishes Wall, under strings of lanterns in Paradise Gardens.
The Lunar New Year celebration will coincide with the start of Disneyland Resort’s Disney 100 Years of Wonder Celebration, which starts Jan. 27, as a year-long ode to the California park’s centennial celebration.
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