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.
Las Vegas has a large Asian American community and its own Chinatown, 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: A family feast, a parade downtown, and cultural performances (February 19–20, 2027).
- Downtown Summerlin Parade: Evening Lunar New Year parade with a giant dragon, fan dancers and stilt walkers (2027 date not announced yet).
- Bellagio Conservatory: Zodiac-inspired floral displays and festive decor (usually January through February).
- Lion Dances: Free performances at casinos and malls in the days around Lunar New Year.
- Resorts World: Lion and dragon dance with a firecracker finale, and Chinese dining at Genting Palace.
- 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 2027 begins on Saturday, February 6, 2027, marking the start of the Year of the Goat.
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 returns for its 16th year on Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20, 2027, two weeks after Lunar New Year’s Day.
The festival opens with the CNY Family Feast, a ticketed dinner on Friday evening at China Mama at Palace Station. The highlight is the Las Vegas Spring Festival Parade on Saturday morning in the Fremont East Entertainment District. After the parade, the party moves to the Downtown Container Park for cultural performances, a vendor showcase and a dance fitness session.
Here’s the 2027 schedule published by Chinese New Year in the Desert:
| Event | Date | Time | Location | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNY Family Feast | Feb 19, 2027 | 6 PM – 8 PM | China Mama at Palace Station | Ticketed (on the festival site) |
| Las Vegas Spring Festival Parade | Feb 20, 2027 | 11 AM – 12 PM | Downtown LV Fremont East Entertainment District | Free to watch |
| Cultural Performances, Vendor Showcase and Dance Fitness | Feb 20, 2027 | 11 AM – 3 PM | Downtown Container Park | Open to the public |
An announcers’ stage and limited bleacher seating are set up at 8th Street and Fremont Street. The registration on the festival site is for parade entries (groups that want to march), not for spectators.
If your group wants to take part, you can register a parade entry 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. Downtown Summerlin decorates its common areas for the new year: in 2026, the decor went up in early February, with oversized photo-op letters at the Macy’s Promenade and a larger-than-life Chinese dragon in the Dining Arroyo.
Downtown Summerlin’s main event is its annual Lunar New Year Parade along Park Centre Drive. The 2027 date is not announced yet; in 2026, it took place on Tuesday, February 17, at 6 PM. It’s a family-friendly event, and in past years it was free to attend with no tickets needed.
The 2026 parade featured fan dancers, stilt walkers and an oversized dragon. 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 January through late February (January 9 to February 28 in 2026), 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’s zodiac animal, 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.
Lion Dances Around Las Vegas
Another way to celebrate Chinese New Year is to catch a lion dance. Casinos and malls across the city host free performances in the days around Lunar New Year, with drummers, firecrackers and dancers weaving through the casino floor. The 2027 times are not announced yet.
In 2026, The Forum Shops at Caesars held a lion dance and blessing at the Fountain of the Gods, and The STRAT, Sahara, Palace Station, Red Rock, Green Valley Ranch, the Orleans, Gold Coast and Suncoast each had a lion dance of their own.
These lion dances are free to watch.
Lunar New Year at Resorts World
Resorts World Las Vegas goes all out for Lunar New Year.
Its lion and dragon dance is one of the biggest on the Strip. The 2027 date is not announced yet; in 2026, it took place on Saturday, February 21, at 4 PM in District Plaza, with a high pole performance, a lettuce blessing and a firecracker finale.
For a festive meal, book a table at Genting Palace, the resort’s Chinese restaurant.
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. Check The Venetian’s website for this year’s procession times (in 2026, it started at 11:01 AM on February 18 at the porte cochere and ended at The Palazzo front desk).
The celebrations at The Venetian also extend to its restaurants, where many venues offer holiday menus; its Chinese restaurants, Mott 32, Hong Kong Café and Noodle Asia, are popular for a New Year meal. 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.
