Riverside Lunar Festival
The festival is a month long cultural festival based of Asian Pacific American origin, along with the presence within Inland Empire areas. The Asian Pacific Lunar New Year Festival, also referred to as the Lunar Fest is presented by the APCA (Asian Pacific Cultural Association), a Non-Profit Charitable Organization. The festival runs from mid-January to mid-February.
The mission of the festival is to celebrate, commemorate, and collaborate Asian Pacific Cultural Heritage within Southern California to promote and increase awareness and understanding of the culture and heritage through diverse education.
What is it?
It is a traditional Chinese Holiday, also referred to as Chinese New Year and Spring Festival. It originates form the lunisolar Chinese calendar, which is where the name originates from. Traditionally, the it starts on day 1 of the first month, and ends on the 15th day of the Chinese calendar with a Lantern Festival.
The Chinese New Year festival is the longest held festivity, and most important traditional holiday of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. It’s centuries old, and has developed various traditions and myths.
Features
Some of the highlights presented by the event includes how Asian Pacific residents have assisted community development, and there are many free activities, such as the Parade of Nations, which includes an Opening ceremony, firecrackers, and traditional Asian dance and music performances, and art displays.
The Parade of nations is followed by a day filled with Sumo, Kung Fu, and Karate exhibitions, which include both professional groups and local community members.
The Asian Marketplace
Looking for an authentic Asian feel, check out this part of the festival. It provides festival goers a cultural experience of shopping for food and artistic products. Great for buying authentic Asian products or just something for a gift.
Live entertainment is featured on four different stages throughout the day, and it gives people the chance to hear stories about what brought Asian Pacific residents to the area.
Stuff for Kids
Of course, there are areas for the children too, particularly Children’s Village which is filled wit balloons, origami, hands-on arts and crafts, and calligraphy.
Health Expo
Been a while since you got vitals checked, or just curious? Swing into the Health Expo to get a free vital check and experience how medicine is different between Western practice and Eastern holistic practices.
Free Family Fun
Remember, all of these activities can be done for free, at no cost expect getting here. Because of this, it is a popular destination for locals and tourists to visit during mid-January – February.
Volunteering
Are you going to be in the area and have time, skills, or other means of volunteering or donating to help the event? All volunteer work and sponsor donations are appreciated, and can be a great way to help make the event even better!