Lunar New Year Festival Expands to Koreatown Plaza

The annual celebration will feature over 100 vendors and a tuna carving ceremony for the first time.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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For the first time, the Lunar New Year Festival in Las Vegas will also take place in Koreatown Plaza, in addition to the traditional Chinatown location. Organizers say a record number of over 100 vendors are expected to serve authentic Asian cuisine as the city welcomes the Year of the Horse. The AAPI Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the festival, is using the event to showcase small Asian businesses and bring more visitors to Koreatown Plaza.

Why it matters

The expansion of the Lunar New Year Festival to Koreatown Plaza is an effort to support small Asian businesses and drive foot traffic to the area, which has seen fewer visitors in recent years. The festival is the AAPI Chamber of Commerce's largest fundraiser, providing resources and advocacy for the local small business community.

The details

In addition to the food vendors, the festival will feature a tuna carving ceremony led by Chef Winston Matsuuchi from the recently opened Gastropub Nise Bar & Grill. The AAPI Chamber of Commerce says the festival is meant to 'showcase what they do' and 'bring liveliness' back to Koreatown Plaza.

  • The Lunar New Year Festival will take place in 2026.

The players

AAPI Chamber of Commerce

A nonprofit organization that provides programs and services to support small businesses, with a focus on representation, advocacy, and community.

Catherine Francisco

The founder and president of the AAPI Chamber of Commerce, which is hosting the Lunar New Year Festival.

Winston Matsuuchi

The chef at Gastropub Nise Bar & Grill, who will be performing a tuna carving ceremony at the festival.

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What they’re saying

“So it was important for us to have this event to use as a platform for all these businesses to showcase what they do. And I think this is what makes... there's so many different Lunar New Year celebrations in town.”

— Catherine Francisco, Founder and President, AAPI Chamber of Commerce (fox5vegas.com)

“We want to make sure that we bring liveliness. We want to showcase the plaza again to the community.”

— Catherine Francisco, Founder and President, AAPI Chamber of Commerce (fox5vegas.com)

“We're just trying to create more new experiences for people”

— Winston Matsuuchi, Chef, Gastropub Nise Bar & Grill (fox5vegas.com)

What’s next

The Lunar New Year Festival is scheduled to take place in Koreatown Plaza and Chinatown in 2026.

The takeaway

The expansion of the Lunar New Year Festival to Koreatown Plaza demonstrates the AAPI Chamber of Commerce's commitment to supporting and showcasing the diverse small businesses that are the backbone of Las Vegas' Asian American and Pacific Islander community.