The Chinese New Year bring celebrations that include firecrackers, parades, fish, dragons, lions, and lucky money in red envelopes. The Los Angeles Public Library’s photo collection contains images of such holiday celebrations held in Chinatown and other areas of Los Angeles.
Miss Monterey Park waves to the crowd during a Chinese New Year parade in the San Gabriel Valley [1992 / Year of the Monkey]. Steven Gold / Los Angeles Photographers Collection
A golden dragon rings in the Year of the Boar in L.A.’s Chinatown [1971 / Year of the Pig]. Herald Examiner Collection
Wally the Clown leads children at a New Year festival in Chinatown [1958 / Year of the Dog]. Harry Quillen / Harry Quillen Collection
Eugene Yee and niece Susan celebrate Chinese New Year with balloons and firecrackers [1964 / Year of the Dragon]. Howard Ballew / Herald-Examiner Collection
Beauty queens in Chinese New Year parade [1995 / Year of the Pig]. Gary Leonard / Gary Leonard Collection
Chung Fook (left) and Luke Chan (right) play music to usher in the Chinese New Year [1941 / Year of the Snake]. Herald Examiner Collection
The Wong family prepares to enjoy a traditional Chinese New Year’s feast [1965 / Year of the Snake]. Cliff Wesselmann / Herald Examiner Collection
Tsweje, the Lion of Good, drives away evil spirits during this celebration of the Chinese New Year [1925 / Year of the Ox]. Security Pacific National Bank Collection
Written by Annie Murphy. Originally published on the Photo Friends blog on February 8, 2016.