City of Santa Clarita’s First-Ever Chinese New Year Celebration

On February 13, 2026, SCV Chinese Dance proudly presented the City of Santa Clarita’s first-ever Chinese New Year Celebration, hosted in partnership with the City of Santa Clarita at the Newhall Community Center.

This was not only the first Chinese New Year performance officially hosted by the City — it was the first Chinese New Year celebration of its kind ever held in Santa Clarita.

Free and open to the entire community, the evening brought together traditional dance, live instrumental music, children’s performances, and cultural presentation to mark the beginning of the Spring Festival.

A special highlight of the evening was that the entire program was hosted by two young members of our community. Cora (11) and Amy (8) served as emcees for the celebration, confidently guiding the audience through each section of the performance while dressed in beautiful traditional Chinese outfits. Their warmth, poise, and joyful energy brought an extra layer of authenticity and heart to the event, making the celebration feel truly intergenerational and community-centered.

A Full Spring Festival Program

The celebration opened with a festive lion appearance and a powerful flag performance of Zhan Ma Ben Teng (“Galloping Warhorses”), setting the tone for the Year of the Horse.

The opening Red Dress Medley followed, featuring:

• Xiao (“A Strong Horse”) with vibrant red fans
• Nü Fu Ma (“The Female Prince”), a story of courage and determination

The program continued with live instrumental performances from young musicians in our community, including traditional Chinese piano works and New Year–themed music.

The Pink Dress Medley brought elegance and grace, including:

• A long-scarf dance inspired by ancient court celebrations
• A solo performance to China E
• A silk fan dance set to Yue Xia Zhen Xing He (“Resting on the Milky Way Beneath the Moon”)

A special highlight of the evening was a live performance of Yìng Shān Hóng on a traditional Chinese gourd flute, performed by Peng Ayi, a retired teacher from Shenzhen. The haunting, expressive tone of the hulusi added an authentic and deeply traditional sound to the celebration. This was followed by a kids group dance medley.

The Green Dress Medley welcomed spring with:

• Shang Chun Shan (“Climbing the Mountain in Spring”)
• Xiao Cheng Yao (“Little Town Folk Song”)
• Hao Yun Quan Dou Lai (“May All Good Luck Come Your Way”)

The evening concluded with a sing along of Nan Wang Jin Xiao (“Unforgettable Night”), a fitting close to a historic occasion.

A Meaningful Milestone

For years, SCV Chinese Dance has shared traditional Chinese dance through parks, festivals, and community events. Establishing the City of Santa Clarita’s first-ever Chinese New Year celebration marks an important cultural milestone for our city.

We are deeply grateful to the City of Santa Clarita and the Newhall Community Center for hosting this historic event and helping make it free and accessible to the public.

The Spring Festival celebrates renewal, growth, and forward movement. We look forward to continuing to build this tradition — sharing authentic Chinese culture with the Santa Clarita community for many years to come.