Lunar New Year 2019 at USH key artUniversal Studios Hollywood celebrates the “Year of the Pig” with a Lunar New Year event featuring global pop icon Hello Kitty, characters from DreamWorks’ KUNG FU PANDA, and a Mandarin-speaking MEGATRON from Transformers. The Lunar New Year event will again take over Universal Plaza with stunning plum blossom Wishing Trees, lanterns and character-themed decor. Each year Universal’s Lunar New Year celebration gets a little bit bigger, and it’s grown into one of our favorite annual events at the park!

What to See

New this year is a special Lunar New Year dress and bow for Hello Kitty, who will bring warm wishes to guests with in-person appearances at the new Animation Studio Store. Returning from last year’s festival is DreamWorks Kung Fu Panda Jade Palace Performance Stage and the popular Dragon Warrior Training Show based on the beloved Kung Fu Panda franchise. The show brings younger guests into an interactive martial art demonstration performed by Dragon Master Po and friends. The immersive event will also feature seasoned animators teaching guests techniques to draw Po and the Furious Five as keepsake mementos.

Keeping with Universal Studios Hollywood’s Lunar New Year tradition, a Mandarin-speaking Transformer’s MEGATRON will greet guests at the entry of the festivities. The imposing 12-foot-tall robot leader of the Decepticons will interact with guests, engaging them both in Mandarin and in real time conversation reflective of his persona.

Illumination Entertainment’s Minions from the park’s popular Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride will also join the festivities, stepping out in style and dressed up in brightly colored traditional Lunar New Year attire.

New traditional dance and martial arts cultural performances. Select dates and performers are as follows:

  • February 9-10 – Hangzhou Performance Groups
  • February 16-17 – Southern Wind Lion Dance
  • February 18 – Wong Tai Sen Lion Dance

Tigress and Po-Lunar New Year 2019 at USH

Dining

Kung Fu Panda’s famous Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop is back by popular demand to serve up delicious culturally-themed food such as Po’s Dumplings, Dragon Warrior Bao, Oogway Eggrolls and Secret Ingredient Stir Fry Noodles. Mr. Ping himself will be on hand to interact with guests and take memorable souvenir photos.

Guests can continue their Lunar New Year celebration at Universal CityWalk’s Dongpo Kitchen restaurant featuring upscale and modern Sichuan cuisine. Inspired by China’s premier restaurant Meizhou Dongpo, Dongpo Kitchen offers the comforts of a casual dining environment with both indoor and al fresco seating and caters to an eclectic palate with a variety of signature dishes.

Universal CityWalk’s newest restaurant, Vivo Italian Kitchen, serving freshly prepared authentic Italian fare in a newly designed modern setting, also invites guests to toast the “Year of the Pig” offering its haute cuisine menu in several languages, including Mandarin.

Mandarin-Language Offerings

Uniquely themed experiences offered in Mandarin include the theme park’s signature Studio Tour and the exclusive VIP Experience, both of which provide two distinctive and revealing looks at an authentic movie and television studio.  Featuring expertly-trained Mandarin-speaking tour guides both opportunities provide insight into the world of movie-making magic as guests enjoy a front row seat and behind-the-scenes access to one of the largest production studios in the world.  In-language park maps are also available for guests.

Lunar New Year comes to Universal Studios Hollywood from Saturday, February 2 to Sunday, February 17, 2019.

Lunar New Year 2019 at USH key art