The city of San Gabriel will join more than 1 billion people around the world in celebrating the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake. San Gabriel will throw a two-day Lunar Lantern Festival from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at the San Gabriel Mission District, 320 S. Mission Drive.

New this year will be a lantern display. Back are live performances, a street food lineup and a vendors market. Admission and parking are free. For more information, go to sangabrielcity.com.

Many Asian countries mark the change from winter to spring with a festival that involves exchanging red envelopes (for good luck), setting off fireworks to scare bad luck away and reuniting with family. The holiday also welcomes a new animal from the Chinese zodiac. This year’s animal is the snake, with those born in the Year of the Snake considered charismatic and intelligent, but also stubborn and cunning.

California first recognized Lunar New Year as an official state holiday in 2023. This new year period began Wednesday and will end Feb. 12.

Other Lunar New Year celebrations includes Alhambra’s from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 8 at its Main Street area.

Arcadia is hosting a Celebration with Purpose Lunar New Year festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, downtown between Huntington Drive and California Street. It will feature a donation drive for Arcadia teachers, staff members and families who lost homes in the Eaton fire.