This February, neighborhoods all throughout the island of O‘ahu are ringing in the Lunar New Year in style.
In 2024, the Lunar New Year falls on Saturday, Feb. 10. Leading up to that day and throughout February, here are all the ways you can celebrate and welcome the Year of the Dragon.
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at Kahala Mall
Sunday, Jan. 28, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 4, 10 am. to 12:30 p.m.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Kahala Mall with a visit from Miss Chinatown, a martial arts demonstration, lion dance performance, a pole jumping exhibition and a chance to “feed” the lions. On Feb. 4, receive traditional hand-drawn Chinese New Year blessings created by calligrapher Ina Chang, while supplies last.
Kahala Mall, Center Court, 4211 Wai‘alae Ave., kahalamallcenter.com, @kahalamall
SEE ALSO: How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Hawai‘i
Chinatown Festival & Lunar New Year Parade
Saturday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Enjoy lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, food and craft vendors, keiki make-and-take craft activities, live entertainment, bounce houses and a Lunar New Year parade. Food vendors this year include Aloha Donut, Belly Rub Kitchen, Doraku, Honolulu Burger Company, Fig & Ginger, Honolulu Rose Cake Shop and many more.
The parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. on the Hawai‘i State Capitol lawn with participants dressed up in their best Lunar New Year outfits. If you’re biking there, the Hawai‘i Bicycling League will be providing free bike valet service and VIP parking for front-row access to experience the event. They’ll even watch your bike for you while you enjoy the festival, so no need to bring locks.
Beretania St., ‘A‘ala Park, Maunakea St. to ‘A‘ala St., parade route from Hawai‘i State Capitol to River St,. chinatown808.com, @chinatown808hi
SEE ALSO: 40 Amazing Things to Do
Town Center of Mililani
Saturday, Feb. 3, 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Feed the Chinese lion, receive a free keiki dragon plush toy, make paper dragon puppets and watch a martial arts demonstration. Miss Chinatown Hawai‘i Court members will make an appearance.
Town Center of Mililani, 95-1249 Meheula Pkwy, Mililani, towncenterofmililani.com, @townctrmililani
Lunar New Year at the Royal Hawaiian Center
Saturday, Feb. 3, through Sunday, Feb. 18
Chinese New Year festivities will take place over two weeks at the Royal Hawaiian Center with cultural activities and a special gift with mall purchase. Catch the lion dance performance on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 5 p.m. and the acrobatic lion dance on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m. See Chinese calligraphy demonstrations on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 11, from 2 to 5 p.m. During these two weeks, shoppers who spend a minimum of $200 at participating stores may receive a special red envelope from Helumoa Hale Guest Services—prizes range from gift cards to tote bags.
Royal Hawaiian Center, 2201 Kal?kaua Ave., royalhawaiiancenter.com, @royalhwnctr
Photo: Courtesy of the Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club
Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club’s Chinese New Year Celebration
February 8, 9 and 10, 7:30 p.m.
The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club will celebrate the new year with a celebration over three days featuring A Gee Yung Dragon & Lion Dance. See the lion dance parade through the hotel. The best view will be in Mahina & Sun’s, where you can dine on a special menu including fried rice, roast pork, sweet and sour shrimp and almond cookies.
Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club, 412 Lewers St., surfjack.com, @thesurfjack
Photo: Courtesy of Ala Moana Center
Ala Moana Center
Friday, Feb. 9, through Monday, Feb. 19
Shop at Ala Moana for good fortune and usher in the Year of the Dragon at a wishing wall display where you can write and leave messages. On Saturday, Feb. 17, and Sunday, Feb. 18, the mall will host Chinese calligraphy demonstrations, lion dancing and traditional drumming. Throughout the month of February, retailers will offer exclusive Lunar New Year products. There will also be gifts with purchases between $250 to $1,000, including limited-edition shopping totes and gift cards.
Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard, alamoanacenter.com, @alamoancenter
Photo: Hawai‘i Children’s Discovery Center
Chinese New Year Lion Dance
Saturday, Feb. 10, 10:30 a.m.
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with a child-friendly lion dance performed by the Kuo Min Tang Physical Culture Association, then try out New Year’s crafts and games in the center’s Your Rainbow World gallery.
Hawai‘i Children’s Discovery Center, 111 Ohe St., discoverycenterhawaii.org, @hawaiichildrensdiscoverycenter
SEE ALSO: Family Night Out: 8 Things to Do on O‘ahu
Windward Mall
Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to noon
Lunar New Year kicks off with a lion dance performance in Center Court and master Chinese calligraphy artist Ina Chang will write good luck fortunes for shoppers on Sunday.
Windward Mall, 46-056 Kamehameha Hwy., windwardmall.com, @windwardmall
Photo: Courtesy of Ward Village
Ward Village
Saturday, Feb. 10, to Saturday, Feb. 17
From Saturday, Feb. 10, to Wednesday, Feb. 14, Ward Centre and South Shore Market will be decked out with lucky lion displays and festive red lanterns for photo ops. From noon on Saturday, Feb. 17, lion dance performances will start at South Shore Market courtyard and continue to perform blessings throughout the neighborhood. Visit retailers and eateries to receive complimentary red envelopes with good luck wishes, while supplies last. Chinese calligraphy artist Ina Chang will be onsite at South Shore Market from 1 to 4 p.m.
Ward Village, 1240 Ala Moana Blvd. #200, wardvillage.com, @wardvillage
International Market Place
Saturday, Feb. 10, to Saturday, Feb. 24
On Saturday, Feb. 10, lion dancing will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Chinese calligraphy from 1 to 3 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 10 and 17, enjoy complimentary stargazing on the Grand Lanai. From Feb. 10 to 24, guests who spend $150 in same-day receipts at International Market Place can receive a special Year of the Dragon cookie box from the Honolulu Cookie Company.
International Market Place, 2330 Kal?kaua Ave., shopinternationalmarketplace.com, @intlmktplace
Prince Waik?k?
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 5 p.m.
Gee Yung Martial Arts and Lion Dance Sports Association will perform a lion dance in the lobby of Prince Waik?k? and on the third floor at 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar.
Prince Waik?k?, 100 Holomoana St., princewaikiki.com, @princewaikiki
Waik?k? Beach Walk
Saturday, Feb. 17, 10 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
Watch lion dances, a firecracker ceremony and an impressive pole jumping demonstration. The Sing Yung Dragon and Lion Dance Association will visit different Outrigger resort properties, including Waik?k? Beach Walk stores and restaurants, throughout the day.
Waik?k? Beach Walk, 227 Lewers St., waikikibeachwalk.com, @waikikibeachwalk
‘Ewa Town Center
Saturday, Feb. 17, 10 a.m. to noon
Merchants at ‘Ewa Town Center will celebrate Chinese New Year with a traditional Chinese lion dance and firecrackers by the Asian Lion Dance Team. Meet Chinese calligrapher Ina Chang and receive one free Chinese calligraphy, while supplies last.
‘Ewa Town Center, 91-1401 Fort Weaver Rd., ewatowncenter.com, @ewatowncenter
Waikele Premium Outlets
Sunday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m.
Enjoy a traditional lion dance performance and free giveaways (while supplies last) at Waikele Premium Outlets.
Waikele Premium Outlets, Center Stage, near American Eagle and Guess Factory, 94-790 Lumiaina Street, premiumoutlets.com/outlet/waikele, @waikelepo
Ka Makana Ali‘i
Sunday, Feb. 18, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Watch Chinese folk dancing by the Phoenix Dance Chamber, check out a kung fu demonstration and marvel at Chinese calligraphy by Ina Chang.
Ka Makana Ali‘i, 91-5431 Kapolei Parkway, kamakanaalii.com, @kamakanaalii