Lanterns overhead, a tea ceremony nearby and a lion dance down the street: the Riverside Lunar Festival fills Mission Inn Avenue in downtown Riverside each winter. The 2027 dates haven’t been announced yet. The 14th annual festival ran Saturday and Sunday, January 24 and 25, 2026.
What to expect
This free downtown festival brings lion dances, acrobatics and cultural performances, from folk songs to K-pop. The marketplace runs between Lime and Orange Streets, with local artisans and food vendors.
You can join calligraphy and tea ceremony workshops and wander past lantern displays. Carnival rides (added in 2025) and a JDM (Japanese domestic market) car exhibit give it a little something for everyone.
Good to know
- Last held: Saturday and Sunday, January 24 and 25, 2026; 2026 hours were Saturday 11 am to 8 pm, Sunday 11 am to 7 pm
- Admission: free
- Venue: Mission Inn Avenue, Downtown Riverside (Chinese Pavilion), 456 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA 92501
- Organizer: Riverside Lunar Festival committee
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Riverside Lunar Festival in 2027?
The 2027 dates haven’t been announced yet. It ran Saturday and Sunday, January 25 and 26, 2025 and Saturday and Sunday, January 24 and 25, 2026, in late January.
Is the Riverside Lunar Festival free?
Yes. The festival on Mission Inn Avenue in downtown Riverside is free.
What happens at the Riverside Lunar Festival?
Expect lion dances, acrobatics, performances from folk songs to K-pop, a marketplace, food, workshops, lantern displays and carnival rides.
Source: 2025 Riverside Lunar Festival (City of Riverside), Riverside’s Lunar Festival returns (Raincross Gazette, 2025)
How Do I Get to Mission Inn Avenue, Downtown Riverside (Chinese Pavilion)?
Mission Inn Avenue, Downtown Riverside (Chinese Pavilion) is at 456 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA 92501. Use the directions and parking links on this page to plan your trip from where you are.
How to Get Here
The organizer hasn't published transit details yet. Tap Transit directions for live routes and times to Mission Inn Avenue, Downtown Riverside (Chinese Pavilion).
Where to Park
Parking near big Lunar New Year events fills early and some streets close. Arrive early, or take transit if you can.
Map
Mission Inn Avenue, Downtown Riverside (Chinese Pavilion), 456 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA 92501
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