Year of the Dragon

2012 is the Year of the Dragon.  Water Dragon that is.  It is supposed to be a very good, strong and fortunate year for all.  I think we can all use that!

There are a lot of festivities going on in Chinatown and if you haven't been to LA's Chinatown or haven't been there for a while this is the perfect time to explore.

113th Annual Golden Dragon Parade & Chinese New Year Festival

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Saturday, January 28, 2012 and Sunday, January 29, 2012
113th Golden Dragon Parade: Sat, Jan 28th 1pm-4pm (commencing at Hill and Ord Streets and concluding at Broadway and Cesar Chavez). Grand Marshals are Disney's Mulan and Mushu and international bestselling author Lisa See. Honorary Grand Marshals include David Lee, Collin Lai and James B. Wong. For Parade information, contact the Chinese Chamber of Commerce at (213) 617-0396.

Chinese New Year Festival
Central Plaza & West Plaza
943-951 N. Broadway
Saturday, Jan 28: 12pm-8pm
Sunday, Jan 29: 12pm-5pm
(213) 680-0243
FREE to the public

STREET CLOSURES
Saturday, January 28th, starting 11am to 12:00 noon
• Ord Street from North Broadway to Hill Street
• Cesar Chavez Avenue from North Broadway to Main Street
• North Broadway from Bernard Street to Cesar Chavez Street
• Bernard Street from North Broadway to Hill Street
• Hill Street from Bernard Street to Temple Street
• Spring Street from Cesar Chavez to Temple Street

Celebrate the weekend's festivities with us by taking METROLINK! METROLINK is offering a $10 special weekend pass. Bring your pass to the Information booth at the festival site and receive a special something from us for supporting public transportation and METROLINK.

Event Schedule - Central Plaza
*Entertainment Stage (schedule TBA)
*Cupcake Wars 1000 cupcake giveaway (Sat Only)
*LA Craft Experience
*LA Food Trucks (Confirmed: Crepe-N-Around, Grill Cheese Truck (Sun), Holy Aioli, King Kone (on Hill Street), Crispy Waffle & Frite (Sat) MO Eggrolls (Sun), Sizzler Truck, Tropical Shave Ice)

Event Schedule - West Plaza
*Cultural Artisans (calligraphy, dough sculpture, candy sculpture)
*Storytelling (Dragon tales)
*Art & Craft Workshops
*And more...


(1904 * 1916 * 1928 * 1940 * 1952 * 1964 * 1976 * 1988 * 2000 * 2012) The Dragon is magnificent. He/She is flamboyant, attractive and full of vitality and strength. In China the Dragon is the imperial symbol, the sign of the emperor, or the male element Yang. The Dragon is the symbol of power and wealth. “Ever since 1996 the year element has been in a destructive relationship with the fixed element of the animal sign. That is the longest unfavorable period in the 60 year cycle of Chinese Astrology, and that means a scarcity of good luck. The year 2012 is thus blessed not only by the lucky Dragon but also the end of that destructive cycle. Furthermore, under the influence of the Dragon it is a yang year. Yang Water is like a flowing river rather than a stagnant lake. Things will move, ideas flow, creativity abound, economies boom, and love blossom in this environment. It is likely to be an exciting year indeed. There will be significant upheavals in 2012. Soaring stock markets, natural disasters, and noteworthy, cultural and political developments will be more the norm than the exception. There will be celebrations of all kinds. And, good luck will be coming your way.” - excerpt from 2012 Dragon.