Santa Ana festival celebrates Lunar New Year and Little Saigon community

Community members and organizers welcomed attendees to Santa Ana’s Lunar New Year festival, calling it an important gathering for the city’s Vietnamese and Asian communities and a chance for cross-cultural learning.

Speakers noted the festival—held in partnership with the Santa Ana Public Library and the city of Santa Ana—connects residents across generations through cultural activities, crafts and free resources. One speaker described the Year of the Horse as a “firehorse” symbolizing energy and positivity and encouraged the community to set goals for the coming year.

Attendees and organizers praised the festival as a space where people who might not normally connect can meet and learn from one another. Several speakers thanked the city for facilitating the event and urged more community gatherings in the future.

The event included family-friendly activities and opportunities to learn about Vietnamese traditions. The remarks concluded with participants exchanging Lunar New Year greetings.