Lunar New Year at SeaWorld: Eight Weekends, One Growing Crowd
Opening weekend of SeaWorld’s Lunar New Year celebration, the sun was out, families were gathering, and kids were already eyeing the drums before we even started. There’s always that moment, right before the first note, when people are curious but not quite sure what to expect.
Then the first don hits.
And suddenly, everything shifts.
We performed across eight dates this season (January 31; February 1, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, and 16) and every weekend brought its own energy. It usually started the same way: a small group waiting. But once the drums began, the crowd grew quickly. By the end of each set, people were clapping, cheering, and staying for more.
Not a bad way to spend a February weekend.
This wasn’t our first time playing Lunar New Year at SeaWorld, and each year feels a little different. This time, we came with something new. Introducing red and gold into our outfits in honor of the occasion. Red for good fortune and joy, gold for prosperity. A small shift, but one that felt right for the space we were stepping into.
Lunar New Year celebrations bring together so many different traditions, and we were just one part of that. Alongside a Chinese Lion Dance group and Polynesian dancers, it was a reminder of how these moments create space for cultures to sit side by side—shared, appreciated, and experienced together.
One of the best parts, as always, was the crowd.
Some people came dressed for the occasion. Others stumbled upon the performance and decided to stay. Kids reacted in the most honest ways, some covering their ears, others dancing without hesitation. We’d catch those little moments from the stage and feed off them, letting that energy shape how we played.
Over time, we started to recognize faces. People coming back for another set later that day, or returning the next weekend. What started as a passing audience began to feel more like a community that was familiar, engaged, and growing.
Playing the same set across multiple weekends gave us space to settle in and explore. We adjusted transitions, experimented with timing, and found new ways to connect with the audience. Our newer members stepped into the rhythm of performing, gaining confidence with each show.
By the final weekend, even through the rainy day that brought us indoors to perform, it all felt more natural. Looser. More playful. Like we weren’t just performing, but sharing something in real time.
To everyone at SeaWorld San Diego who stopped by, watched, clapped, danced, or came back again - thank you. You made this run so much fun!
If you didn’t catch us this time, we’ll see you soon!