The historic Los Angeles event returns February 20–21, 2027, bringing together runners, cyclists, families and four-legged participants for a community celebration in Chinatown
Los Angeles Chinatown will once again become a center of movement, culture and community when the L.A. Chinatown Firecracker returns for its 49th annual celebration on February 20–21, 2027. Combining running, cycling, a children’s race and a dedicated dog walk with a two-day Lunar New Year festival, the long-running event offers participants an active way to welcome the Year of the Ram.
Based around the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Central Plaza, the Firecracker has grown into one of the country’s longest-running Lunar New Year sporting celebrations. The weekend brings together competitive runners, recreational walkers, cyclists, families and pet owners, while the surrounding festival creates a much broader cultural experience for participants and visitors.
Registration is now open, with entry options ranging from $35 to $75.
A Weekend Built Around Movement and Celebration
The 2027 Firecracker begins on Saturday, February 20, with two cycling events and the 2K PAW’er Dog Walk. Cyclists can choose between a 50-mile Half Century Ride beginning at 8 a.m. and a 20-mile Fun Bike Ride beginning at 8:15 a.m.
The longer route takes riders on an extensive journey through the Los Angeles area, passing through Chinatown, the Los Angeles River Bike Trail, Griffith Park, Burbank, Glendale, Tujunga, La Crescenta, Montrose, La Cañada Flintridge, El Sereno and Lincoln Heights. The 20-mile option offers a shorter route through Chinatown, the Los Angeles River Bike Trail and Griffith Park.
At 9 a.m., the 2K PAW’er Dog Walk gives participants the opportunity to bring their dogs into the Firecracker experience. It is a natural extension of the event’s family-friendly character and offers a more relaxed way to participate in the weekend.
Sunday shifts the focus toward the running events. The 5K timed run/walk begins at 8 a.m., followed by the 10K timed run/walk at 8:40 a.m. The 1K Kiddie Run begins at 9:45 a.m., with a Kiddie Fun Zone providing additional activities for younger participants.
From Chinatown to Dodger Stadium and Elysian Park
The running courses offer two distinctly different experiences.
The 5K follows an out-and-back route that takes participants past the main entrance to Dodger Stadium, placing the race within a recognizable section of Los Angeles while keeping the distance accessible to runners and walkers.
The 10K provides a considerably more demanding experience. Beginning from North Broadway, the course climbs into Elysian Park and reaches higher elevations before winding through its tree-lined rolling hills. Participants also travel above the Figueroa Tunnels and the 110 Freeway, where the course provides an expansive 180-degree view of the city.
That combination of urban landmarks and parkland is part of what makes the Firecracker more than a conventional road race. The routes offer participants a changing perspective on Los Angeles, moving from the historic streets of Chinatown into some of the city’s distinctive surrounding landscapes.
Welcoming the Year of the Ram
The 2027 celebration coincides with the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Ram. In traditional interpretations referenced by the event, people born during a Ram year are associated with qualities including kindness, artistry, gentleness and compassion.
Those themes fit naturally within an event built around community participation. The Firecracker is not solely focused on finishing times or athletic performance. Its larger identity comes from bringing people together around movement, culture and shared celebration.
The opening festivities are expected to include lion dancers and the traditional lighting of more than 200,000 firecrackers, creating one of the weekend’s most recognizable moments. The spectacle provides a dramatic transition between the athletic and cultural sides of the event and reinforces the connection between the race and Lunar New Year traditions.
A Festival Beyond the Finish Line
For participants and their guests, the Firecracker experience continues after the races. A public two-day festival will feature exhibitors, vendors, community resources, children’s activities, live entertainment and a beer garden.
That festival atmosphere gives the weekend a distinctly communal character. Families can participate in the races while spending time exploring the surrounding activities, and visitors who are not taking part in a race can still experience the Lunar New Year celebration in the heart of Chinatown.
Children receive particular attention through the 1K Kiddie Run and its accompanying Fun Zone. Planned activities include carnival games, face painting, pony rides, arts and crafts, rock climbing and a puppet show, creating an environment designed to make the event accessible to younger members of the family as well.
2025 COPYRIGHT © Jonathan Friolo. All Rights Reserved.
2025 Firecracker LA Chinatown Run 5k/10k and Kiddie Walk – Year of the Snake – Los Angeles, California USA
A Tradition With a Community Mission
The L.A. Chinatown Firecracker is produced by the nonprofit L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Run Committee, a volunteer organization that has built the event around fitness, cultural awareness, education and community participation.
The committee’s work extends beyond organizing race day. Proceeds are reinvested in the local community through services and programs benefiting elementary schools and nonprofit organizations.
That community focus is an important part of the event’s identity. A large public race can bring thousands of people into a neighborhood for a weekend, but the Firecracker aims to connect that energy with longer-term community benefits.
The combination of physical activity and cultural celebration also reflects the organization’s broader emphasis on healthy lifestyles. Participants can approach the weekend competitively, casually or simply as an opportunity to spend time with family and friends while taking part in a longstanding Los Angeles tradition.
Commemorative Details for Participants
Every registered participant receives a commemorative 2027 Firecracker race bib, an exclusive collectible finisher’s medal, a commemorative T-shirt and a goodie bag. The event also notes that registered children and dogs receive commemorative T-shirts, adding a playful detail to the inclusive nature of the weekend.
For those unable to travel to Los Angeles, virtual participation is also available, allowing people to take part in the Firecracker experience remotely.
The range of participation options means the event can accommodate different ages, fitness levels and interests. A serious cyclist can tackle the 50-mile ride, a recreational participant can choose the 5K walk, families can enter the Kiddie Run and dog owners can join the PAW’er Walk—all within the same Lunar New Year celebration.
An Enduring Los Angeles Tradition
After nearly five decades, the L.A. Chinatown Firecracker represents an unusual combination of sporting event, cultural celebration and community festival. Its longevity comes not from one particular race distance, but from its ability to bring different generations and interests together around a shared occasion.
On February 20 and 21, 2027, the historic Chinatown Plaza will once again become the starting point for cyclists, runners, walkers, children and dogs, while the surrounding festival creates a space for food, entertainment, cultural traditions and community connection.
The 49th annual Firecracker offers a distinctly Los Angeles way to welcome the Lunar New Year: by moving through the city, celebrating with the community and carrying forward a tradition that has made fitness and cultural celebration part of the same weekend.
Registration and event information: L.A. Chinatown Firecracker official website
Race registration: Register for the 2027 Firecracker
L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Trailer/Broll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?