Convoy steps into its cultural era with the first Lunar New Year kickoff celebration ever hosted in the Convoy Cultural District. Hosted by The Doan Foundation, Social Artistry, and Up 2 You Cafe, this event marks the beginning of a new community tradition in one of San Diegos most iconic Pan Asian business corridors. This festival blends the energy of an old-school street night market with a modern community gathering. Attendees can come hungry and expect a stacked lineup of regional food vendors, curated cultural goods, and small businesses offering one-of-a-kind finds. The district will be filled with roaming performances, live lion dance showcases by top San Diego lion dance teams- Legendary Lion Dance and Southern Sea Dragon and Lion Dance, traditional drums, night market lighting, vendors stalls, community art displays, and spaces for families to gather, reconnect, and celebrate the new year in a way the area has missed for decades. If you attend, you can expect: A fully walkable open-air market spanning the heart of the district Bold and immersive lion dance exhibitions performed in the streets A mix of vendors offering cultural goods, apparel, art, and handcrafted items Traditional drums, movement, music, and firecracker finale moments Family meeting points and gathering pockets designed for connection Food stalls bringing cuisines from across the region into one destination Community traditions restored and reshaped for the next generation A celebration built for residents, visitors, creatives, families, and culture carriers With Performances by: White Dragon Martial Arts of East County DJ Qolaj Mochi Cafe Hoa Nghiem Lion Dance & Dancers Chanh Kien Lion Dance & Dancers Soup Pha Dok Kulap Sinlapakorn Legendary Lion Dance Association Southern Sea Dragon & Lion Dance Convoy Rising is designed to be loud, nostalgic, unfiltered and human, rooted in tradition but built to last. This kickoff is about presence, momentum, and reclaiming space for culture. It is where food meets heritage, where community meets celebration, and where Convoy proves it is not just a destination, but a home for cultural pride.
