New Year Festival Shows Asia is a Big World, after All
▲A parade at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, California, on Jan 23. [Photo/Xinhua]
Disneyland Resort kicked off its annual Asian New Year celebrations on Jan 23, transforming the park into a vibrant showcase of Asian cultures, cuisine and traditions that continues to attract growing interest from US visitors.
The annual celebrations at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, Southern California, have drawn visitors from around the world in recent years.
The 2026 New Year celebration, running until Feb 22, ushers in the Year of the Horse and pays tribute to Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean traditions through themed entertainment, art and culinary offerings.
Across the park, festive red and gold decorations — symbolizing good fortune, health and prosperity — set the holiday tone. Lanterns, floral displays and cultural motifs line walkways, creating a lively atmosphere and popular photo opportunities.
Food remains the celebration's major highlight. This year, Disney has expanded its New Year marketplaces, offering more than 30 Asian-inspired dishes and beverages.
Among the selections are crispy chicken bao (bun), Japchae noodles with kalbi short rib, spicy pork belly grilled cheese, and a guava dragon fruit sparkler.
Entertainment and cultural performances also play a central role in the festivities. A New Year procession, led this year by Horace Horsecollar, in honor of the Year of the Horse, celebrates family, friendship and good fortune. The parade is joined by dancers and martial artists performing to powerful rhythms along the route.
Disney characters, including Donald and Daisy Duck, as well as Chip and Dale, appear in newly designed Chinese-inspired outfits, greeting visitors from around the globe.
Clarione Gutierrez, a visitor from San Diego, says among Disneyland's many seasonal events, the Asian New Year celebration is his favorite.
"Having performers who come from the culture itself really helps bring it to life," he says. "It allows visitors to have a more immersive experience and learn more about China in a meaningful way."
▲A visitor interacts with a performer in Horace Horsecollar costume at Disney. [Photo/Xinhua]
The event goes beyond surface-level displays, Gutierrez adds, noting that traditional performances add a strong sense of authenticity and cultural depth.
Beyond stage performances, hands-on activities have also attracted significant interest. At the New Year Wishing Wall, visitors write messages of hope and happiness for the year ahead. Chinese calligraphy demonstrations allow guests to engage more directly with traditional art forms.
Jenny Chen, a Chinese calligrapher who has participated in the event for many years, says that American visitors exhibit curiosity and appreciation for Chinese characters. Many guests, she says, are eager to learn the meanings behind individual strokes and symbols, and she hopes such cultural exchanges can help deepen Americans' understanding of China through art and tradition.
A nighttime water show titled Hurry Home — A Lunar New Year Celebration, with music by Oscar-winning composer Tan Dun, tells the story of a lantern's journey to reunite with family, adding an emotional storytelling element to the festivities.
Nicky Tang, marketing and sales director for Greater China and Southeast Asia at Disney Destinations, says the Asian New Year celebration has expanded significantly over the years, growing from a one-week event into a month-long festival.
She says the growth reflects Disney's long-term commitment to honoring Chinese and other Asian cultures. "We hope this celebration can serve as a window for American audiences to better understand Chinese and Asian traditions," Tang says.
▲Visitors display a placard welcoming the Year of the Horse. [Photo/Xinhua]