To celebrate the Lunar New Year, LA County Parks is hosting free community festivals at 61 parks, featuring cultural performances, food tastings, crafts, and interactive activities that honor the Year of the Snake and promote unity and tradition.

Parks serve as vital community spaces where people from diverse backgrounds can come together to celebrate cultural traditions, fostering inclusivity and shared experiences. Across the country, parks and gardens provide opportunities for residents to connect with heritage through festivals, performances, and storytelling. By hosting cultural events like Lunar New Year celebrations, public parks create spaces where communities can honor traditions, learn from one another, and strengthen social bonds. These gatherings not only showcase cultural heritage but also promote belonging, unity, and cross-cultural appreciation.
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) invites the community to celebrate the Lunar New Year with free cultural festivals at 61 parks across the county from January 23 to February 8. These family-friendly events will feature traditional performances, food tastings, crafts, and interactive activities that highlight the significance of the Year of the Snake, a symbol of transformation, wisdom, and vitality. The celebrations aim to honor the Lunar New Year’s themes of renewal, prosperity, and unity while providing an inclusive space for people of all backgrounds to participate in cultural traditions.
In collaboration with local organizations, DPR has designed engaging programs to bring communities together and showcase the richness of Lunar New Year customs. Festivities will include lion and dragon dances, lantern-making workshops, and special exhibits that celebrate East Asian and Southeast Asian heritage. “These community-driven events celebrate resilience and renewal, drawing strength from our diverse communities as we welcome a new year,” said Norma E. García-González, Director of DPR.
For more details on event locations and schedules, please visit this website.
FULL STORY: LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVALS ACROSS LA COUNTY CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service