Happy Year of the Dog from Universal Studios Hollywood

Traditional American New Year’s celebrations may have come and gone, but the Chinese New Year is just beginning. Celebrate stateside with a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood in Hollywood, California, during DreamWorks’ Kung Fu Panda Lunar New Year event.

Feb. 10–25, guests of Universal Studios Hollywood receive free entry to the celebration, held throughout the park and within Po’s Village in Universal Plaza. Speak Mandarin with Transformers, as MEGATRON greets your family at the entrance.

Hosted by Masters Po and Tigress, the Year of the Dog celebration allows guests to meet and greet their favorite Universal characters — appropriately dressed in traditional Chinese garb, of course — including minions, Po, Tigress and Hello Kitty.

Chinese New Year Lanterns. Photo: Andy Scream | Dreamstime.com

As is customary during the Chinese New Year, expect vibrant red lanterns floating through the festival, blossoming Wishing Trees and animal Zodiac signs decorating the park. When you work up an appetite, head to Mr. Ping’s Noodle shop for dim sum, noodles and authentic Chinese cuisine.

Guests who attended the celebration in previous years can expect some new features at the 2018 event. The Dragon Warrior Training Show at the Jade Palace Performance Stage is an all-new event and an interactive martial arts demonstration. Kung Fu Panda fans will recognize some familiar faces and entertainment during the unique cultural experience as they learn Martial Art techniques from Po and his friends.

During the event, DreamWorks animators demonstrate practical methods and incredible skills of their own by drawing Kung Fu Panda characters for guests to take home.

Get an inside look at the movie-making industry and take the kids on a Studio Tour. The 60-minute tour takes guests through 13 blocks and four acres of the largest production lot and studio set construction project in the business. Your virtual tour guide Jimmy Fallon narrates while you explore behind the scenes through sets and full-scale props from Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds.