The 47th annual Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker event scheduled for Feb. 1-2 has been postponed.
“To our participants, volunteers, and local communities, the L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Run Committee (LACFRC) has made the difficult decision to postpone the L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Events to a later date in 2025,” the LACFRC wrote in a press release. “Virtual events will also be postponed to align with the live events. As fire conditions remain significant, a comprehensive update will be provided as soon as possible. A new date will be announced soon.”
The L.A. Chinatown Firecracker began in 1979 and celebrates the Lunar New Year with runs, walks, cycling and dog walking events. It’s free and typically takes place at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza and features exhibitors, vendors, activities for children, live entertainment and a beer garden.
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After the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, the event opted to continue to offer participants the option to participate in person or virtually through the RaceJoy app where each runner or walker receives a race packet with merchandise including a t-shirt and medal via mail.
The event is produced by the nonprofit LACFRC, a volunteer-run group that organizes events that benefit elementary schools and other local nonprofit organizations with programs focused on promoting healthy lifestyles, fitness and cultural awareness.
Chinese Lunar New Year begins on Wednesday, Jan. 29 and lasts until Feb. 16, 2026. The Chinese zodiac features 12 animals and five elements: wood, fire, Earth, metal, or water to create a 60-year cycle. This year’s Lunar New Year celebrates the year of the Wood Snake, which last occurred in 1965. The snake represents wisdom, intuition, transformation and the wood element signifies growth and renewal.