Before the Date…
Once a year the great Chinese Zodiac unleashes an animal, blessings, and ancient wisdom on the city of Los Angeles during the great Dragon Parade weekend. A tradition that has been alive longer than any city in the country is celebrated by families, friends, and a group of lucky DTCers with a scavenger hunt checklist. This is now your duty as a DTCer to complete all the tasks at hand when the next Zodiac has their turn.
So gather your favorite day drinking crew and throw on all your red clothes, it’s our favorite holiday of the year!
St0p #1: 11am
ASIAN BRUNCH
in a bustling plaza
What to Know
Celebrating it’s 119th year in 2018 the Golden Dragon Parade has weaved through LA’s Chinatown streets since 1899 making it the oldest Chinese New Year parade in the US!
Do not drive here. Take a Lyft or the Metro Gold Line. Within 3 blocks of old Chinatown it becomes a nightmare.
There will be lines at every restaurant in the plaza so be prepared to wait for food. Howling Ray’s can take up to 1.5 hours to order plus it’s CNY time to eat some noodles
Where to go: Baohaus, Lao Tao Street Food, Ramen Champ or Qin West Noodle.
Have one person secure a table while waiting for food. Larger groups there is a big long table in the center area downstairs and benches on the second floor. Only a couple of you? Check for small “counters” on the second floor.
After eating grab a boba from Ten Ren’s Tea Time.
St0p #2: 12:45pm
GOLDEN DRAGON PARADE
on the streets of Chinatown
N.Broadway St.
What to Know
Shade is the name of the game here. Securing a spot under a tree or below a tall building is crucial. The parade will not start until 1pm, you’ll have plenty of time.
Bringing a backpack with waters and a Chinese style umbrella will help out with any unwanted heat strokes.
Make sure you have cash! Shooting off confetti poppers for the next 4 hours is the best part of your day. The vendors are everywhere but they only take cash.
The parade can feel very long. When you’ve had your fill head head out to the Thien Hau Temple (#2 on the checklist).
St0p #3: post parade
THE CHECKLIST
What to Know
Every year the list will be updated for the current years Zodiaz. This will be available on our website and text platform.
The list is set up in a chronologically manner finishing with cocktailing. Enjoy it any way you like but cocktailing throughout the day works well every year.
Have fun, talk to people, go nuts, it’s a celebration. Having your group of friends sign the list to proclaim their allegiance to completing it will start the day off on the right foot.