Universal Studios Hollywood to celebrate Lunar New Year

Universal Studios Hollywood is ushering in the Year of the Rat as the park celebrates Lunar New Year, kicking things off on Thursday, Jan. 23.

Included in the price of admission to the park, Lunar New Year festivities will run through Sunday, Feb. 9 within Universal Plaza. Under a curtain of traditional red Chinese lanterns and plum blossom Wishing Trees, guests will find the 12 zodiac animal signs accompanied by their symbolic attributes. Those born in the Year of the Rat are said to be intelligent, witty and charming.

This event will feature appearances from Po and Tigress from “Kung Fu Panda Adventure,” who will greet guests and pose for photos. Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop will return by popular demand to offer delicious culture-themed food, and Mr. Ping himself will be on hand to interact with guests. An opportunity to learn to draw Po and take home the drawing will also be offered. On select days, guests can also see community cultural performances featuring traditional lion dances.

Global pop icon Hello Kitty will also be present as she steps out in her signature red bow and specially designed Lunar New Year attire. She will meet guests at the Hello Kitty Shop inside the Animation Studio Store.

Keeping with the park’s Lunar New Year tradition, Megatron from Transformers will be speaking Mandarin when meeting with guests at the entry of the festivities.

Illumination Entertainment’s Minions will be adding their own merry mayhem to the event in their brightly colored traditional Lunar New Year attire.

Guests can continue the celebration at Universal CityWalk’s Dongpo Kitchen restaurant, which offers upscale and modern Sichuan cuisine, inspired by China’s premier restaurant Meizhou Dongpo.

To learn more about Lunar New Year celebrations at Universal Studios Hollywood, visit UniversalStudiosHollywood.com.