If you’re looking for a few more reasons to celebrate the New Year, settle in for a Lunar New Year celebration at home or head to the parks! February 10, 2024, marks the Lunar New Year and officially starts the Year of the Dragon! Give yourself a reason to renew all those goals, indulge in a little Chinese Astrology, and add some new foods to our Disney Recipes lineup! Here we’re sharing things to do at home and at Disneyland Park for the Lunar New Year celebration.
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Things to Do for Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year in China actually covers 7 days. This year the Disneyland Lunar New Year celebrations run from January 23 to February 18, 2024. And the holiday is an opportunity to be with loved ones and wish each other well for the coming year. So there are activities, games, gift exchanges, food, and more that promote abundance in all forms. Well, wishes for prosperity, longevity, good health, and progress is all on the docket for New Year.
Lunar New Year at Disneyland Park
Since we can’t make it to Disneyland for Lunar New Year, we’re simply indulging in and whipping up some magic of our own. If you’re headed to the park, be sure to read up on everything that is coming to Disneyland for the Lunar New Year Celebration.
Grab Disney Lunar New Year Decorations
Each year shopDisney.com honors the Lunar New Year with a slew of new Disney products. Be sure to check out the Shop Disney Lunar New Year Collection for fun things to wear and to decorate your home!
Put Up Decorations
Anything Red and Gold will work! Both colors indicate riches and good luck. Paper lanterns, red animals, gold garlands, anything!
Have Dinner with your Family
The Lunar New Year “Family Reunion Dinner” is extra special and considered to be the most important meal of the year. So even if you have dinner with your family every night/ week/ month, make this one special. Choose traditional foods that are considered to be LUCKY. Here are some things to make for your Disney Chinese Lunar New Year at home.
- Fish: Increase prosperity
- Chinese Dumplings: Wealth
- Spring Rolls: Wealth
- Rice Cake: Higher Income or Position
- Sweet Rice Balls: Family Togetherness
- Longevity Noodles: Happiness & Longevity
- Good Fortune Fruit: Fullness & Wealth
Read more about the intricacies of eating Lucky Foods for the Chinese New Year.
Set off Firecrackers, Fireworks, Sparklers, and Lanterns
Such a tradition in Chinese culture, setting off fireworks is a national pastime, and starts the minute Chinese New Year arrives. If you’re looking for a little fireworks magic of your own you may be able to find festivities here in the US that celebrates with a fireworks display as well. We also love handheld sparklers to light up in the backyard for some nighttime magic. If you’re looking for a great way to ring in the New Year with some intentions then use paper lanterns that you can light and let go. This is a wonderful activity and is beautiful to watch
Give Red Envelopes filled with Money
Giving money is a surefire way to share your good fortune and receive it back tenfold! And of course, it’s the thought that counts and not the amount. So grab some red envelopes and share them at your family dinner, so that prosperity and good fortune can spread throughout the year!
Tea Time with Almond Cookies
One of our favorite ways to celebrate pretty much anything ( since you guys know we adore tea time) is to have a little tea. And no tea would be complete without a little snack. To honor the Chinese Lunar New Year we made Chinese Almond Cookies, which are super easy to whip up with a little almond flour and light enough to have any ‘ol time.
2024 is the Year of the Dragon
Each year, which you can see on the chart below, corresponds to an important animal in Chinese culture. And every zodiac animal is affected by the overarching animal year. In this case, 2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon.
The Chinese Zodiac with Disney Characters
| Animal | Chinese Name | Disney Character | Year of Your Birth |
| Rat | Remy | 鼠 (shǔ) | 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032 |
| Ox | Babe the Blue Ox | 牛 (niú) | 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033 |
| Tiger | Tigger | 虎 (hǔ) | 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034 |
| Rabbit | Thumper | 兔 (tù) | 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035 |
| Dragon | Mushu | 龙 (lóng) | 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024, 2036 |
| Snake | Kaa | 蛇 (shé) | 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025, 2037 |
| Horse | Maximus | 马 (mǎ) | 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026, 2038 |
| Sheep | Jolly Holiday Lambs | 羊 (yáng) | 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027, 2039 |
| Monkey | Abu | 猴 (hóu) | 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040 |
| Rooster | Alan-A-Dale | 鸡 (jī) | 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029, 2041 |
| Dog | Pluto | 狗 (gǒu) | 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042 |
| Pig | Hamm | 猪 (zhū) | 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031, 2043 |
Shanghai Disneyland Garden of Twelve Friends
As part of the Garden of Twelve Friends at Shanghai Disneyland you’ll find these characters associated with their Chinese counterparts. Check out your Birth Year to see which Chinese Zodiac you match and which Disney Character shares your personality.
Animal Characteristics in Chinese Astrology
Fans of astrology know the most fun part is learning more about yourself. Check out your Chinese Animal and your corresponding birth year above. And then find what your animal’s dominating personality traits are below.
- Rat: quick-witted, smart, charming, and persuasive
- Ox: patient, kind, stubborn, and conservative
- Tiger: authoritative, emotional, courageous, and intense
- Rabbit: popular, compassionate, and sincere
- Dragon: energetic, fearless, warm-hearted, and charismatic
- Snake: charming, gregarious, introverted, generous, and smart
- Horse: energetic, independent, impatient, and enjoy traveling
- Sheep: mild-mannered, shy, kind, and peace-loving
- Monkey: fun, energetic, and active
- Rooster: independent, practical, hard-working, and observant
- Dog: patient, diligent, generous, faithful, and kind
- Pig: loving, tolerant, honest, and appreciative of luxury
Disney Lunar New Year 2024 at Disneyland
If you’re heading to Disneyland for the Disney Chinese Lunar New Year events then you’re in for a treat! With special events, foods and merchandise, it’s a great way to re-commit to your New Year goals of fortune and prosperity. We like to celebrate this holiday with red and gold decor and almond cookies. But also with family, and friends and a bit of fun. Here is what’s happening at Disneyland for Lunar New Year.
Disney Lunar New Year Dates
Disneyland celebrates Lunar New Year from January 23 -February 18, 2024 in the parks. While the official Chinese New Year begins February 10, 2024, you can honor the holiday both before and after in the parks and at home.
Disney Lunar New Year Events
Located in Disney California Adventure Park, you can experience loads of things that honor Asian cultures. From special appearances by Disney characters to a parade and a show, here are the events happening at Disneyland for Chinese Lunar Year.
Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession
Disney Lunar New Year includes the fun and feisty parade featuring Mushu, Mulan and beautiful dancers, puppets and warriors to ring in the season. This event takes place along the parade route in Disney’s California Adventure. Here are the Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession showtimes.
- Parade Times: 12:45 PM, 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:45 PM
Meet Mickey and Minnie in their Chinese Outfits
Once a year, you get the chance to meet Mickey and Minnie at Disneyland in their Chinese Lunar New Year outfits! Dressed to the nines in red and gold, good fortune awaits!
Hurry Home A New Year Celebration Pre-Show
This Disney Lunar New Year Nighttime Show takes place in California Adventure, on the World of Color lake. Shown nightly, this water show features a story that follows a Little Lantern on it’s journey home to celebrate. Featuring a beautiful composition by composer Tae Dun, this is a great way to end an evening in the park! Shown nightly from January 23 – February 18, 2024, and is 6 minutes long.
- Showtime: 9:00 PM
Meet Meilin and Ming Lee from Turning Red
Head to the San Fransokyo section of California Adventure to meet this pair from Pixar’s Turning Red. With Meilin showing her Red Panda side this will be a great photo op.
Meet Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon
You can honor the Year of Dragon, and Asian culture, with a little meet up with Raya. Located at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, you can immerse yourself in gorgeous scenery and catch up with everyone’s favorite adventure seeker.
Disney Lunar New Year Food 2024
The Lunar New Year Festival Marketplaces are open at Disney’s California Adventure from January 23 -February 18, 2024. Booths are open 10:30 AM- 9:00 PM. You can grab a Sip and Savor Pass, if you’re looking for an easy way to pay for your festival dishes. There are also several restaurants at at the Disney Resorts, and Downtown Disney. Be sure to check out the Lunar New Year specialty menus at Disneyland if you’re heading to a restaurant. Here’s the 2024 lineup of Disney Lunar New Year Food to try!
Bamboo Blessings
- Strawberry Milk Tea Macaron: Strawberry buttercream with milk tea center (New)
- Mickey-shaped Hot Dog Bun: Brioche-style Mickey-shaped bun stuffed with hot dog and finished with sesame seeds and scallions
- Taro Vietnamese-style Iced Coffee: Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. Vietnamese-style Coffee, cocoa powder, and condensed milk garnished with a taro chocolate sweet cream (Non-alcoholic beverage) (New)
- Lunar New Year Punch: Mango nectar, tangerine and grapefruit juices, and banana and coconut syrups garnished with mango jellies (Non-alcoholic beverage) (New)
- Lunar Punch Cocktail: Coconut rum, mango nectar, tangerine and grapefruit juices, and banana and coconut syrups garnished with a purple orchid (New)
- Mickey-shaped Macaron Straw Clip (New) (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)
- Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Limit 10 per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)
Longevity Noodle Co.
- Shrimp Lo Mein Noodles: Pan-fried lo mein noodles with sautéed shrimp garnished with green onions (New)
- Garlic Noodles: Long noodles tossed in zesty garlic butter with parmesan
- Dragon Cocktail: Dragonberry rum, white rum, lychee nectar, dragon fruit and Chinese five-spice syrups, lime juice, and house-made coriander tea garnished with a dried dragon fruit wheel
- Mickey-shaped Macaron Straw Clip (New) (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)
- Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Limit 10 per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)
Lucky 8 Lantern
- Quesabirria Eggroll with guajillo pepper consomé
- Mandarin Orange Mousse Cake: Layers of mandarin mousse with vanilla cake and clementine compote finished with white chocolate crunch balls and a tangerine glaze
- Hibiscus Apple Soju-rita: Blanco tequila, grapefruit liqueur, soju, green apple and hibiscus syrups, house-made hibiscus tea, and lemon juice garnished with a dried apple chip (New)
- Mango Melon Cocktail: Overproof rum, baijiu, allspice liqueur, mango nectar, rock melon syrup, and lime juice topped with grapefruit soda and garnished with a lime wheel (New)
- Mickey-shaped Macaron Straw Clip (New) (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)
- Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Limit 10 per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)
Prosperity Bao & Buns
- Kung Pao Bao with plant-based chicken, toasted peanuts, and scallions (New)
- BBQ Pork Bun with kimchi mayo and garlic chile crunch (New)
- Brewery X Grapefruit Panda Pool Party Bamboo Rice Lager (New)
- Harland Brewing Co. Tangerine Dragon Fruit Hefeweizen (New)
- Stereo Brewing Co. Jasmine Tea Lager (New)
- Eagle Rock Brewery Lychee IPA (New)
- Dragon Beer Flight (New)
- Tsingtao with Frozen Mango Beer Foam
- Mickey-shaped Macaron Straw Clip (New) (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)
- Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Limit 10 per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)
Red Dragon Spice Traders
- Spicy Fried Rice with tofu and crispy peas (New)
- Red Spice Fried Chicken Bites: Fried chicken chicharrones in spicy red chile sauce
- Peach Basil Collins: Gin, ginger liqueur, white peach purée, lemon juice, and house-made Thai basil syrup topped with Topo Chico and garnished with a purple pansy (New)
- Guava Whiskey Cocktail: Whiskey, ginger liqueur, guava nectar, coconut cream, and lime juice garnished with a lime wheel
- Mickey-shaped Macaron Straw Clip (New) (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)
- Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Limit 10 per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)
Wrapped with Love
- Fried Lemongrass Chicken Dumplings with plum sauce (New)
- Steamed Pork & Vegetable Dumplings with black garlic sauce (New)
- Yuja-Pineapple Cooler: Pineapple juice, yuja purée, rice milk, and condensed milk garnished with a cherry and coconut foam (Non-alcoholic beverage) (New)
- Raspberry Oat Milk Tea: Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. Ceylon Tea, raspberry and demerara syrups, and oat milk garnished with skewered raspberries (Non-alcoholic beverage)
- Mickey-shaped Macaron Straw Clip (New) (Limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)
- Lotus Flower Glow Cube (Limit 10 per person, per transaction; no discounts apply)
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta
- Bulgogi Pizza: Marinated beef and spicy corn, cheese sauce topped with green onion (Available by slice or whole pie) (New) (Available Jan. 23 through Feb. 29)
- Milk Tea Taro Cheesecake: Milk tea cheesecake with a taro mousse (Available Jan. 23 through Feb. 18)
Cappuccino Cart
- Dalgona Coffee Bundt Cake: Coffee Bundt cake filled with sweet milk and topped with Dalgona foam
- Green Tea Horchata (Non-alcoholic beverage)
Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
- Blood Orange Cocktail: Baijiu, orange liquor, yuja purée and blood orange syrup, with a spicy sugar rim
Lamplight Lounge
- Spicy Dan Dan Noodles: Crispy pork belly and noodles tossed in spicy Szechuan sauce paired with carrots, cucumber, and crispy shallots garnished with green onions and micro cilantro (New)
- Milk Tea and Taro Donuts: Warm, fluffy donuts dipped in milk tea, drizzled with taro icing, garnished with boba with milk tea dipping sauce (New)
- Lunar New Year Cocktail: Han Soju, Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur, dragon fruit syrup, lemon juice, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, and firewater bitters with mint garnish (New)
Lamplight Lounge – Boardwalk Dining
- Kung Pao Bao: Kung pao-glazed crispy pork belly, soft bao bun, red peppers, toasted peanuts, and green onions
- Lunar New Year Cocktail: Han Soju, Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur, dragon fruit syrup, lemon juice, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, and firewater bitters with mint garnish (New)
Paradise Garden Grill
- Bulgogi Fried Rice with kimchi, egg, pickled cucumber, green onion, and sesame seeds (New) (Plant-based)
- Whole Fish with steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, and black vinegar and soy sauce with sugar, garlic, and red Fresno chile (Served family-style for sharing for two) (New)
- Shrimp Lo Mein: Lo mein noodles tossed with shrimp, mushrooms, cabbage, corn, and bell pepper (New)
- Pork Banh Mi Sandwich: Grilled pork belly with pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, and jalapeño with spicy mayo
- Korean-style BBQ Chicken served with steamed rice, kimchi, and pickled cucumber
- Korean-style Chicken: Marinated chicken served with steamed rice and broccoli (Disney Check Kids Meal)
- Mango Pudding with a hint of coconut milk topped with mango and a chocolate décor
- Tiger Milk Boba Tea with Brown Sugar Boba (Non-alcoholic beverage)
- Yuja Makgeolli Cocktail: Citrus-flavored rice wine, soju, and a splash of Sprite
- Four Sons Brewing Lucky Dragon IPA
Pym Test Kitchen
- Almond Cold Brew: Almond cold brew, almond milk, and red foam with blue and gold sugar (Non-alcoholic beverage) (New)
Sonoma Terrace
- Gochugaru Shrimp Roll: Gochugaru-marinated shrimp on a potato roll with kimchi slaw, gochujang mayonnaise, spicy pickle spear (New)
Studio Catering Co. and Hollywood Lounge
- Char Siu-style Ribs: Char siu-braised pork ribs with Asian-inspired glaze topped with roasted peanuts and scallions (New)
Terran Treats
- Strawberry Green Tea Churro: Green tea-cinnamon sugar-dusted churro with strawberry cream sauce topped with freeze-dried strawberries (New)
Select Outdoor Vending Carts
- Chicken Bao: Steamed bao with chicken, butternut squash, and makrut lime served with Vietnamese sweet tangy dipping sauce
- Baked Brown Sugar Nian Gao: Baked sticky rice cake topped with brown sugar (New)
- Char Siu Turkey Leg (New)
- Cantaritos Mandarin (New)
- Harland Brewing Co. Lunar Maps Hazy IPA (New)
- Almond Cookie Churro: Coated in almond cookie crumble and topped with roasted almonds and almond icing
Churros near Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
- Orange-Ginger Churro: Churro rolled in ginger sugar topped with orange sauce, candied ginger, and black and white sesame seeds (New)
Willie’s Churros
- Dragon Fruit Churro: Churro rolled in coconut-dragon fruit sugar topped with a dragon fruit icing (New)
Disney Lunar New Year Merchandise
Whether you’re looking for the classic Mickey and Minnie Plush in their Chinese Lunar New Year Outfits, or just another Disney Lunar New Year Pin, you can grab all the Disney Lunar New Year Merch on the Shop Disney Lunar New Year Collection page.
From an adorable Figment the Dragon Munchling to honor the Year of the Dragon, to all things red and gold to bring in the good fortune, there is plenty to buy.
Disney Lunar New Year
Hopefully, you’ve found lots of fun to help inspire your year in this post! Maybe you’re hoping to attend a Disney Lunar New Year Celebration of your very own! We enjoy this holiday every year, so will be sure to update this post as we find more amazing things to bake, cook and learn!
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
Is the Disney Chinese Zodiac available to print anywhere? It would be cute to add as a decoration.
Hey Jennifer, if you right-click on the zodiac image in the post, it will open a pdf, that you can print on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper, or send to a local print shop like office max or staples, for them to print at your desired size. Hope that helps.