Hey Portland fam, with the Year of the Fire Horse already charging ahead, your family still has plenty of time to dive into the celebrations. Lunar New Year means fresh starts, family togetherness, and chasing good luck with lion dances, crafts, parades, and maybe even a mini horse cameo to make the kids squeal.
The highlight is Lan Su Chinese Garden’s Lunar New Year celebration, running through March 8. Open daily 10 am to 4:30 pm, daytime features mini horse meet-and-greets (Fridays Feb 20, 27, and March 6 from 11 am to 1 pm, instant kid favorites), family crafts like paper lanterns and lucky knots, storytimes and puppet shows explaining traditions, Chinese calligraphy demos, and lion dance performances (Saturdays and Sundays Feb 21/22, 28, March 1/7/8 at noon and 2 pm). Evenings Wednesdays through Sundays Feb 18 to March 1 (5:30 pm to 9 pm) bring glowing lantern sculptures from China, a zodiac light show, and dragon processions (separate tickets for evenings). Hands-on and magical for every age at 239 NW Everett Street. Daytime admission covers most activities. Schedule and tickets: https://lansugarden.org/lunar-new-year.
This weekend and onward, daytime at Lan Su is in full swing, perfect for popping in whenever.
This Saturday, February 21, catch Bridgeport Village’s free outdoor celebration from 11 am to 2 pm. Kicks off with a White Lotus Lion Dance at 11 am, then Portland Chinese School yo-yo tricks, music and dance from local groups, martial arts demos, and hands-on crafts tied to Lunar New Year traditions. Great family spot at the shopping center, 7455 SW Bridgeport Road, Tigard. Details: https://www.bridgeport-village.com/event/16701-lunar-new-year-celebration.
On Saturday, February 28, hit two winners. The Chinese New Year Cultural Fair at Oregon Convention Center (777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd) runs 11 am to 5 pm with lion dances, folk dances, music, calligraphy, martial arts demos, kids’ games, food samples, and more. Around $10 per person (free for under 3), packed with tradition and energy. Info: https://www.oregoncc.org/attend/events/2026/02/chinese-new-year-cultural-fair-2026.
Also February 28, Washington Square Mall (9585 SW Washington Square Road, Tigard) hosts a free event 11 am to 4 pm in Summit Court. Traditional arts, performances, crafts, and a Wishing Tree for Year of the Horse good fortune wishes. Easy mall day for families. Schedule: https://www.shopwashingtonsquare.com/Events/Details/576951.
That evening (Feb 28, 4 pm to 9 pm), Garden Home Recreation Center (7475 SW Oleson Road) throws a free community party with lion and dragon dances, martial arts, Taiko drummers, cultural dances, live music, lucky red envelopes, and Vietnamese food. Super welcoming for all ages.
Finish strong with the 10th Annual Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration on Saturday, March 7 from 10 am to 1 pm. Starts in Old Town Chinatown (front of Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, NW Third and Davis), parades through the China Gate and downtown with a huge 150-foot dragon, ends at Oregon Historical Society Park Plaza with performers. Free, exciting, and a perfect wrap-up. Route and details: https://www.portlandchinatownmuseum.org/events/10th-annual-lunar-new-year-dragon-dance-and-celebration
Bonus: Check local spots for any remaining dumpling specials if your family is still in the mood for festive bites.
There you have it, a fast and fun guide to grabbing some luck without the usual holiday stress. May your Year of the Fire Horse zoom forward with epic wins and zero meltdowns!
Tiffany Wilson is a 42-year-old stay-at-home mom from Tigard, Oregon, raising three kids—Sophie, Noah, and Riley. She’s a warm, hands-on parent who mixes daily routines with creative fun, whether it’s a backyard scavenger hunt or building a blanket fort in the living room.
