Running Now thru January 22, 2023: LA Zoo Celebrates the Chinese New Year!
The lunar calendar Year of the Rabbit officially begins this Sunday, Jan. 22, and the Los Angeles Zoo will be ringing in the Lunar New Year with a full lineup of daytime activities and evening performances beginning on January 14, 2023. These family-friendly events invite Los Angeles’ diverse community to celebrate one of the most important holidays in East Asian culture.
CLICK HERE to find out more about this year’s parade on LAArtParty.com or visit our sister site for more in depth info. CLICK HERE to learn about the history of the parade or find out our Staff Picks for the Best Chinese Restaurants, or CLICK HERE to read my article Sparks Fly, Celebrating the Chinese New Year.
Daytime activities happening this Saturday and Sunday include the Wall of Well Wishes (11 a.m.–3 p.m.) where guests can share their hopes and dreams for the New Year by adding them to the wall; a Zoo-diac Mask Making (11 a.m.–3 p.m ) craft station lets guests make an animal mask of their zodiac animal; and honor the New Year with a Red Lantern Photo Op (daily) among dozens of beautiful, red-hued Chinese lanterns. Through Jan. 31, discover all the animals of the 12-year Chinese zodiac by grabbing a Zoo-diac Tour map in the Zoo’s Entry Plaza. All activities are included with general admission.
The nighttime festivities happening this weekend include a glow-in-the-dark dragon dance parade, lion dance show, kung fu showcase and acrobatics, fan dancers, Chinese calligraphy demonstrations, a Wall of Well Wishes, food trucks, and more, in addition to L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow lights display.
L.A. Zoo Lights is a wildlife-centric LED lights display showcases over 30 of the Zoo’s most beloved animals including giraffes, elephants, orangutans, lemurs, koalas, and condors, along with other charismatic inhabitants. The 60- to 90-minute stroll through L.A. Zoo Lights takes guests through desert, garden, and jungle landscapes filled with larger-than-life glowing sculptures, magical lights, and immersive exhibits in a dazzling display of light and color. There are several animated and interactive displays and photo opportunities for guests to enjoy.
Tickets to L.A. Zoo Lights start at $32 for children (2-12) and $39 for adults (13+). All ages welcome.
What: Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit
Where: LA Zoo, 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
When: January 14 – 22, 2023 (see website for hours)
Website: https://www.lazoo.org
