Year of the Horse at South Coast Plaza

Live performers graced the stage at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa last night to celebrate the Year of the Horse.

You don’t have to travel to China to celebrate the Lunar New Year. With a variety of festive events including live entertainment, exhibits, prizes and more, all you have to do is visit South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa to commemorate the Year of the Horse. This year will be the fifth consecutive year that South Coast Plaza celebrates the Lunar New Year by incorporating dazzling Chinese displays throughout the shopping center, with many individual retailers offering shopping specials.

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is celebrated on different days each year and based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar. The Chinese calendar revolves around the lunar calendar which changes with the movement of the moon and sun. This year, the new year will fall on January 31.

Today, China celebrates New Year’s Day on January 1, however, the Spring Festival is still an important cultural and social holiday. It is traditionally associated with honoring the household and the family’s ancestors. The Spring Festival is still dedicated to spending with friends and family and for taking days off of work to celebrate.

Visit the Lunar New Year Exhibit from January 23 — February 9 in Jewel Court located by the Macy’s entrance. The Year of the Horse will be on full display with an elaborate exhibit complete with floral displays and red paper lanterns that hang from the vaulted ceiling. The exhibit will be surrounded by eight blossoming orange trees — a symbol of happiness and good fortune. It also serves as a picturesque backdrop for photo opportunities.

South Coast Plaza guests can enjoy the Zhejiang Cultural Festival with performances at 6-7pm and 7:30-8pm on January 24 in Jewel Court. Festivities include Chinese artisans and performers from the Zhejiang Province of China who will perform cultural dances. There will also be music, acrobatics, opera, magic and a photo exhibit. A variety of entertainment options will be on display on January 25-26, February 1-2 and February 8-9.

During the Year of the Horse celebrations visit one of the four South Coast Plaza concierge desksbetween January 30 — February 6 for entry vouchers for your chance to win luxury gifts from select boutiques or a South Coast Plaza shopping spree. Guests shopping with their China UnionPay card who purchase $1,000 or more in South Coast Plaza gift certificates will be rewarded with an additional $50 certificate.

Select South Coast Plaza retailers will commemorate the Year of the Horse with special products like timepieces, jewelry, home décor, leather goods, promotions and more specially designed for the Lunar New Year. Participants include AnQi by Crustacean, Van Cleef & Arpels, Godiva, Saint Laurent, Baccarat, Burberry and more.

With just one visit to South Coast Plaza during the Lunar New Year promotions, you’ll see why it is a globally recognized international shopping destination. Celebrate Chinese culture, browse through 250 luxury boutiques and enjoy award-winning fare at one of South Coast Plaza’s many dining destinations.

For more fun events in the City of the Arts, Costa Mesa, visit the Travel Costa Mesa calendar and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.