The Ah Louis Store, in collaboration with the City of SLO, and the Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market, invites the community to a special Lunar New Year Celebration on Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 6–8:30 p.m. The event will take place on the 800 block of Palm Street, within SLO’s Chinatown Historic District. This year’s celebration marks the revival of time-honored Lunar New Year festivities that were once a cornerstone of our community’s cultural heritage. This celebration will be a more intimate continuation of the 2024 Lunar New Year Block Party, which honored the 150th anniversary of the Ah Louis Store.
“The overwhelming response to last year’s event, coupled with the deep sense of community it fostered, rearmed our commitment to reviving the rich traditions of San Luis Obispo’s historic Chinatown,” said Amber Karson of the Ah Louis Store, title sponsor and organizer of the event. “By reinstating these time-honored Lunar New Year celebrations, we honor the legacy of our predecessors and ensure that the vibrant history of our community remains alive for future generations.”
The Lunar New Year Palm Street Block Party will occur two blocks north of the regularly scheduled Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market on Higuera Street. Both events are free, family-friendly and open to the public. Signage will direct visitors to and from both events. Detailed event information can be found at SLOChinatownHistoricDistrict.com.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony: Chong’s Candy Sign
Several years ago, the City of SLO was gifted an original neon sign that once stood at Chong’s Homemade Candy Store located at 798 Palm Street. The store was operated by Richard Chong (Gin Quong) from 1950 to 1978. To commemorate and highlight the rich Chinese history of San Luis Obispo, the neon sign was restored and installed on the parking structure at 812 Palm Street in February of 2024. To enrich the storytelling experience, a display panel featuring historical photographs and contextual information will be installed beneath the neon sign, providing passersby with a glimpse into the cultural heritage of SLO’s Chinatown district.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for this historic sign and informational panels will take place on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., at the Palm Street Parking Garage, preceding the block party. Find more information on the project here.
Participants & Booths
The Palm Street Block Party ocially opens at 6 PM in tandem with the Farmers’ Market. Participants and cultural educational activity booths located on Palm Street include the Ah Louis Store, the Cal Poly Chinese Student Association, the Central Coast Chinese Association, the City of SLO Oce of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Inari Tea & Art Experiences, Mee Heng Low Noodle House, Ox + Anchor at Hotel SLO, the Palm Theatre, Sichuan Kitchen SLO and Sequel Tea.
Live Performances
The Central Coast Chinese Association will share a variety of performances and programs from 6:00–6:30 p.m. Last year’s performances included a classic Chinese Dance, live music, and martial arts displays. The Cal Poly Lion Dance Team will also perform from 6:30–7 p.m., and Inari Tea Lounge will round out programming with a demonstration of traditional tea ceremonies beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Screening at the Palm Theatre
In addition to street performances, The Palm Theatre, home of the SLO Film Center, is celebrating Lunar New Year all month long with special programming. In collaboration with Ox + Anchor at Hotel SLO, at 7 p.m. on January 30, 2025, guests can enjoy a special screening of The Search for General Tso at the Palm.
Guests are encouraged to make a reservation at Ox + Anchor for an exclusive three-course prix xe dinner
as part of their collaborative “Indies + Eats” program. Those interested can learn more and purchase tickets at hotel-slo.com/events/indies+eats
Parking & Accommodations
All three parking structures downtown will be open all evening, including the one located at 842 Palm
Street. Visitors should keep in mind that roads surrounding the Farmers’ Market boundaries close at 5 p.m, and cars parked on the street within the zone will be towed. Parking information can be found at
SLOCity.org/Parking.
About Lunar New Year & the Year of the Snake
Lunar New Year, also referred to as the Spring Festival, is a 15-day celebration that begins with the rst new moon of the East Asian lunar calendar. Lunar New Year 2025 ocially begins on January 29, ushering in
the Year of the Wood Snake, which occurs once every 60 years in the Chinese zodiac. The Snake is the
sixth animal in the 12-year cycle of the zodiac and represents wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, intuition
and creativity. The addition of the wood element introduces attributes such as growth, creativity and
exibility, symbolizing a period of transformation and renewal.