Where To Celebrate Chinese New Year in Las Vegas? Your Complete Guide To Marking The Year Of The Snake

Lunar New Year is a time of celebration, tradition, and community. If you can’t make it to China, there’s no better place to mark the occasion than Las Vegas.

Vegas has one of the highest populations of Chinese Americans in the USA, and the city transforms into a hub of cultural festivities, offering everything from extravagant events to stunning displays. Whether you’re looking for lively parades, authentic dining, or breathtaking decorations, Las Vegas has something special for everyone during the Lunar New Year.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick summary of the events on our list:

• Chinese New Year in the Desert: Parades, cultural performances, and gala dinners (Jan 30–Feb 1).
• Downtown Summerlin Parade: Free Lunar New Year parade with lion and dragon dances (Jan 29).
• Bellagio Conservatory: Zodiac-inspired floral displays and festive decor (mid-Jan to early March).
• Bellagio Dragon & Lion Dance: Traditional performance by Yau Kung Moon (Feb 1).
• Resorts World: Dragon & Lion Dance, dim sum brunches, and more (various dates).
• The Venetian: Feng shui-inspired decor and special dining menus (various dates)
• Chinatown: Authentic dining and festive decorations on Spring Mountain Road.

When is the Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year 2025 begins on Saturday, February 1, 2025, marking the start of the Year of the Snake.

As one of the most celebrated festivals in the Chinese calendar, it’s a time to embrace new beginnings and good fortune for the year ahead.

Things to Do for Chinese New Year in Las Vegas

Chinese New Year in the Desert

As the city’s centerpiece event, Chinese New Year in the Desert provides three days of festivities across the city (January 30 to February 1).

There is a mix of free and ticketed events to choose from. Free events include the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Party on January 30 at Suncoast Hotel & Casino, where the community gathers to kick off the celebrations with cultural performances and lively music. Another free event is the cultural performances, which are held at the Downtown Container Park. 

Ticketed events include the Golden Knights vs Columbus Blue Jackets NHL game on January 30, tickets cost $128 per person. The Gala Dinner at Taste of Asia on January 31 is another ticketed event, you’ll receive an upscale dining experience that’s paired with traditional Chinese entertainment. 

The highlight of the festival is the Chinese New Year Parade on February 1, which takes place in the Fremont East Entertainment District. The parade features everything you’d expect. You’ll get to see a dragon procession, cultural performances, and amazing floats. 

Here’s the complete list of events organized by the Chinese New Year in the Desert:

It’s important to note that if you’re planning to go to the parade, you will need to register for the event.

You can register for the parade using this link.

Here is a link to a full schedule of events.

Lunar New Year in Downtown Summerlin

There are a couple of things to do in Summerlin. From January 27 to February 4, you can celebrate the Year of the Snake with festive decor. At the Macy’s Promenade, you’ll see oversized 2025 letters. At the Dining Arroyo, you’ll see a stunning, traditional dragon, and in the hallway near H&M, there is a festive photo wall. 

Downtown Summerlin’s main event, though, is on Wednesday, January 29, at 6 PM. The Annual Lunar New Year Parade is a family-friendly event that’s free to attend, and there’s no need to register for tickets. Just turn up and enjoy the parade. 

The parade will feature traditional dragon and lion dances, fan dancers, stilt walkers, and other colorful performances. The parade will be hosted in Park Centre Drive, if you’re traveling from the Strip, it will take you around 30 minutes to get there in a taxi. 

You can learn more about Downtown Summerlin’s events here.

Bellagio Conservatory Chinese New Year Display

The Bellagio’s Conservatory is iconic, they never fail to impress with their seasonal displays and the Lunar New Year exhibit is no exception. From mid-January to early March, the conservatory transforms into a masterpiece of design inspired by the Chinese zodiac and cultural symbolism.

Walk through intricate floral arrangements that celebrate the Year of the Snake, marvel at towering sculptures, and take in the vibrant red and gold décor, including lanterns and pagodas. The Conservatory gets busy around Lunar New Year’s Day, so you may want to visit the display either before or after the main days of the festival. 

The Bellagio Conservatory display is free to visit.

Bellagio Dragon & Lion Dance

We’re not done with the Bellagio. Another way to celebrate Chinese New Year is to see the Bellagio’s dragon and lion dance which is performed by the Yau Kung Moon team. This is one of the best dances in Las Vegas and is a celebration steeped in tradition. 

Held at the resort’s main valet on February 1 at 6:30 PM. You’ll get to see a blend of Southern Shaolin Kung Fu and intricate lion dance routines. Yau Kung Moon will be dressed in their signature gold uniform, if you’re in the area on February 1, then you’ll definitely want to attend.

The Bellagio Dragon & Lion Dance is free to see. 

Lunar New Year at Resorts World

Resorts World Las Vegas goes all out for the Year of the Snake.

They have a bunch of events taking place. 

They have their own Dragon & Lion Dance on February 1 at 6:00 PM. It starts in the entrance and winds through the property (with the idea of spreading good luck & joy). As well as the Dragon & Lion Dance, you can celebrate the Lunar New Year with a Dim Sum Brunch, 

On January 25, 26, 29, and February 1–2, from 11 AM to 2 PM, Genting Palace features a rotating menu of Chinese dishes.

You can learn more about the Lunar New Year at Resorts World on their website.

Chinese New Year at The Venetian

Next up is the Chinese New Year celebration at The Venetian. 

You can start off by admiring the Waterfall Atrium Display, designed under the guidance of a feng shui master to ensure every element is auspicious. The atrium is adorned with zodiac-inspired decorations, lanterns, and other festive details.

Guests can also experience the lion dance procession, a spectacular event featuring fireworks, traditional drummers, and acrobatic dancers weaving through the resort’s lobbies and casinos. We’ll note that we do not have timing information, and as soon as we do we will update this article. 

The celebrations at The Venetian also extend to its restaurants, with Mott 32, Hong Kong Café, and Noodle Asia all offering special Chinese New Year menus. If you’re planning on dining in, then it will be a good idea to make a reservation in advance.

You can learn more about the Chinese New Year celebration at The Venetian on their website.

Experience Chinatown During Lunar New Year

Rounding off our list is experiencing Chinatown. This isn’t a formal event, but the Las Vegas Chinatown is a 3+ mile strip that covers the area on and around Spring Mountain Road.

If you’re looking for a truly authentic Chinese New Year, then this is the place to be. You’ll find traditional shops and authentic restaurants here. Many of the restaurants offer special Chinese New Year menus, including dishes like dumplings and fish, which represent prosperity and abundance. A few popular restaurants include Chengdu Taste, Chubby Cattle and China Mama.

After you’re done eating, you’ll want to take a stroll to explore the decorations, you’ll find lanterns and zodiac-themed displays, all of which combine to create a festive atmosphere.

Chinese New Year is Special In Las Vegas

Beyond the festivities, the city has even more to explore. There really is so much to do, catch a world-class show, visit iconic attractions, or head out on a day trip to the Grand Canyon. From discounted show tickets to exclusive hotel deals, we’ve got you covered so you can make the most of your trip without breaking the bank.

Start planning your Lunar New Year celebration in Las Vegas today—it’s a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t want to miss.