Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a free Irvine event and free Metrolink rides to an L.A. Parade

ORANGE – The public is invited to commemorate the Lunar New Year in Orange County with a free celebration at Irvine’s Metrolink Station, followed by a Metrolink ride to Chinatown in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 17 for the Golden Dragon Parade.

The first 100 guests at the Irvine station will receive free round-trip Metrolink tickets to ring in the Year of the Dragon at the 125^th Golden Dragon Parade.

Tickets will be handed out first-come, first-served, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Irvine Metrolink station, 15215 Barranca Parkway in Irvine, where there will be prizes, refreshments and traditional dragon dancers.

“The Lunar New Year is among the first of many cultural festivities that exemplify Orange County’s rich diversity that OCTA will celebrate throughout the year,” said OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen. “I hope all people will come out and enjoy the celebration in Irvine and experience for themselves just how affordable, convenient and enjoyable riding the train is — whether it’s for getting to work or just a fun day out with loved ones.”

Riders also can take advantage of Metrolink’s $10 Weekend Pass, which allows passengers to ride to any Metrolink destination all day on Saturday or Sunday. The pass includes free rail and bus connections throughout Southern California. Also, kids 17 and under ride free on weekends, and students ride free with the Student Adventure Pass.

The free Irvine Lunar New Year celebration, from approximately 8 to 9 a.m., will be followed by attendees departing on the 9:21 a.m. train to Los Angeles Union Station. Upon arrival at Union Station, Metrolink riders can walk or use a free transfer on the Metro A Line to Chinatown to view the 1 p.m. parade.

The Golden Dragon Parade takes place in the heart of L.A.’s Chinatown, with marching bands, dancers, martial arts demonstrations and other activities. Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar, marked by millions of people with Asian heritage worldwide, including many throughout Southern California particularly in the Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese communities.

Metrolink riders can save time and avoid lines by using Metrolink’s mobile app, which can be downloaded for free at the App Store and Google Play.

While passenger train service has been halted through San Clemente while crews work to protect  the track and safely restore service, all other Metrolink train lines remain operating as normal and the work won’t impact trains between Irvine and Los Angeles.

For train schedules and event details, visit www.octa.net/lunar or www.metrolinktrains.com.