By Charly SHELTON

Lunar New Year was celebrated on Saturday, welcoming the Year of the Rat. For those who missed the actual New Year festivities, there are still plenty of opportunities to celebrate at the local theme parks. Each year Universal Studios Hollywood puts on a big festival for the Lunar New Year, and it seems like each year’s celebration gets bigger and bigger. This year is the best festival yet with more live entertainment, an expanded menu of Asian food and more. And of course, visits with Po the Kung Fu Panda.

The Lunar New Year celebration heavily features characters from the hit film “Kung Fu Panda,” which is a natural choice. For a festival that celebrates Chinese culture, foods and traditions, the film about a panda who loves to eat and practice the ancient Chinese art of kung fu is a perfect fit. Add to the mix that the celebration takes place in Universal Plaza, right across the walkway from the “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest” attraction, the whole area comes together.

This is a festival in which guests cannot take a bad picture. Everywhere you turn, something beautiful or cool or fun is happening. There will be plenty for guests to take photos of from the lion dance processions throughout the day to the minions to Hello Kitty in traditional Chinese dress to the Mandarin-speaking Megatron the Transformer to visits from Po and his friend Tigress to visiting Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop, which was featured in the film, to meeting the old goose himself and asking what his New Year traditions are.

The most beautiful shot is the iconic centerpiece to the festival – a cherry blossom tree surrounded by red paper lanterns strung out in all directions. Guests can write their wish for the New Year’s prosperity on a lucky red card then tie it to the tree, a traditional Chinese custom. The delicate pink blossoms, the red cards and the golden tassels from the paper lanterns combine to make a beautiful photo to keep the memory alive all year.

Food is a big part of Lunar New Year celebrations and Mr. Ping has expanded his menu at the noodle shop for guests to get a taste of something new. We tried the glass noodle salad with kimchee, edamame, green onion, cilantro, shredded cabbage and ginger dressing, and the pork ramen with roast pork, rich pork broth, ramen, marinated egg, black garlic oil, green onion and sesame seeds. Personally, I was not a huge fan of those two dishes, but Po’s dumplings, traditional potstickers, were pretty good and the Asian sausages on a stick looked great, though I didn’t try them.

For anyone still looking to celebrate in a fun, engaging setting, visit Universal Studios Hollywood now through Feb 9 for its Lunar New Year celebrations.

  Charly Shelton