Tet has long been an important tradition that represents Vietnamese culture. On this day, we reunite with family members from different generations to celebrate a new beginning. This upcoming new year is even more special as we are finally able to rejoin and celebrate Tet together after a tumultuous year.

This year, the UVSA Tet Festival theme is “Road to Our Homeland.” UVSA is beyond thrilled to welcome back over 50,000 guests to celebrate the Year of the Cat. UVSA Tet Festival is proud to be a bridge that brings people closer through vibrant activities that highlight our Vietnamese heritage, such as: Vietnamese cultural village, live entertainment, the Miss Vietnam of Southern California pageant, festive games and rides, a variety of ethnically diverse foods, and a dazzling firecracker show celebrating the new year.

Cultural Village
Tet Festival’s Cultural Village (also known as Làng Vi?t Nam in Vietnamese) is a replica of a traditional village in Vi?t Nam. The village is comprised of cultural exhibits, galleries, and models of Vietnamese architecture throughout.

Schedule:
Friday, January 27, 2023
5:00pm: Raising of the Bamboo
Identical to traditions still done in Viet Nam, the raising of Cay Neu (a tall piece of bamboo with a good luck message on a red scroll and firecrackers) marks the beginning of Tet. According to famous legends in the Vietnamese culture, the red color and the tree ward off the evil spirits during the absence of Tão Quan (the Kitchen Gods) who leave the family at this time to visit the palace of the Jade Emperor. During the New Year, each Village decides on a Village Deity (Thành Hoàng). The deity is usually a person of high respect and has usually done something positively impactful to the Village itself, or to the whole country.

Saturday, January 28, 2023
1:00pm: Ancestral Altar Procession
The Tet Festival officially begins with the Ancestral Altar Procession (Le Ruoc Kieu To). It is a traditional ceremony where individuals dress in costumes of King, Queen, Court Officials, soldiers, elders, and ordinary villagers walk in a cultural procession with carrying the altar of King Hung, the founder of the Vietnamese people and nation, along with offerings to the prayer site (main ceremonial altar) on the Tet Festival stage to officially begin the festival.

Sunday, January 29, 2023
1:30pm: Spring Wedding
Complete with an actual bride and groom, the wedding has traditional tea offerings to elders, lion dances, a wedding procession, and an actual roasted pig! Come on by and congratulate the happy couple at the Spring Wedding!

Date: January 27 - 29, 2023

Hours:
Friday: 4:00pm – 10:00pm
Saturday: 11:00am – 10:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am – 9:00pm

Location: OC Fair & Event Center - 88 Fair Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Tickets:
Admission: $8
Infants 2 years and younger - Free
Ceremonial Special - Free (Saturday from 11am - 12pm)

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