Lantern Festival in L.A. On March 5

The Lantern Festival is a traditional Chinese festival that falls on the of first Chinese lunar month. It's the first night to view the full moon, also call Yuan Xiao. Like many festivals celebration in the Chinese culture, it's a family affair.

On the evening of the 15th day, family gather to enjoy and appreciate the bright full moon, watch beautiful lanterns, guess the lantern riddles, performance of dragon lantern dance and eat Yuanxiao.

"Yuanxiao" is a food made of sweet rice flour and roll into glutinous rice balls with fillings, usually is sweet but you could fill them with savory filling as well, it symbolizing the unity of the family. In Southern China, it is call "Tang Yuan".

The Lantern Festival is also known as the Chinese Valentin's Day. In the old days, young ladies were not allowed to go out in public. The festival was a good chance for them to go out in the evening to fine romance while watching lanterns.

Chinese American Museum and El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument hosted the event at the birthplace of Los Angeles and Historic Chinatown across from Union Station. This free event culminates the Lunar New Year festivities with music, arts & crafts, and food trucks.

If you are in the area, drop by and join the fun, it's from noon to 7PM today.

For more information visit www.camla.org/LALanternFestival