San Bernardino rang in the Year of the Horse with color, rhythm, and community spirit as the City of San Bernardino hosted its third annual Lunar New Year Celebration, on Saturday, February 21, transforming downtown into a lively cultural showcase from noon to early evening at the Court Street Square.
Families filled the square for the free celebration, which unfolded with nonstop cultural musical performances, hands-on demonstrations, arts and crafts, food vendors, art galleries, and bustling community booths that kept the crowd engaged throughout the day.
"I’m so proud that our city’s Lunar New Year Festival has grown into a vibrant tradition that brings people of all backgrounds together to celebrate culture, family, and new beginnings,” said San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran.
The square at 349 North E Street was fully reimagined by the San Bernardino Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department, echoing the department’s recent large-scale transformations for events, like December’s Miracle on Court Street and November’s Dia de los Muertos festival.
From the first beat of the drums to the final performance, the celebration delivered a full slate of attractions. A traditional dragon dance weaved through cheering spectators, while a Chinese flute player, Taiko drummers, a Filipino dance ensemble and the Indian Springs High School Band brought global sounds to the heart of the city. Families crowded arts and crafts tables where children made paper lanterns, dragon puppets, origami and dragon ornaments, then lined up at multiple staged photo areas to capture the moment. A special gallery highlighted San Bernardino’s Sister Cities from the East, and more than 40 food vendors and merchants filled the square with aromas and flavors. Community groups and sponsors rounded out the event with informational booths.
“The Lunar New Year Celebration is fun for the entire family, especially the kids,” said Parks and Recreation Director Vanessa Carder. “The kids really have a great time, especially watching the dragon dance.”
As part of the annual Lunar New Year tradition, a different animal is recognized on a twelve-year rotating cycle, each carrying traits and symbols believed to shape the year ahead. This celebration marked the Year of the Horse, with the animal featured prominently in performances and decorations throughout the square. The horse represents speed, independence, and energy— and 2026 is a Fire Horse year — a powerful combination that occurs only once every 60 years and is considered especially energetic.
“As we welcome the Year of the Horse, may this celebration inspire unity, joy, and forward momentum for San Bernardino and all who call it home,” added Mayor Tran.
Event sponsors included Lucky Star Marketing, Hiep Thanh, Inland Chinese Association, DAO Real Estate, the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, and the Vietnamese American Business Association.
Lunar New Year is among the most important celebrations across Eastern and Southeast Asian cultures, marking the new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is the most significant holiday in China and is widely observed throughout Asia and in Asian American communities across the United States. Traditionally lasting 15 days, this year’s Lunar New Year period runs from February 17 through March 3.
As lanterns dimmed and the final drumbeats echoed through Court Street Square, the celebration left behind more than memories — it reinforced a growing tradition rooted in culture, connection, and shared joy. With families lingering, children clutching crafts, and neighbors exchanging smiles, San Bernardino’s Lunar New Year Celebration closed not just as a festival, but as a reminder of the city’s vibrant diversity and its hopeful momentum heading into the Year of the Horse.