Delayed by the January wildfires and their aftermath, the 47th L.A. Chinatown Firecracker races on Saturday attracted runners, walkers, bicyclists, and even dogs in the PAW’er Dog Walk on Saturday. In the Year of the Snake, the opening ceremony featured the lighting of 100,000 firecrackers and a performance by lion dancers.
The races — and the firecrackers — will continue on Sunday, March 9 from 7:15am to noon at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza at 943 North Broadway in Chinatown several blocks north of downtown Los Angeles.
The Firecracker Race starts with an opening ceremony of lion dancers and fireworks at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Firecracker Race starts with an opening ceremony of lion dancers and fireworks at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Originally slated to take place in early Feb., the Firecracker race will take place March 8-9 at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza. (Photo by Bak Jong)
Vivian Lai and her maltepoo Duke take part in the Firecracker Race at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Ibbo, a west highland terrier, and his owner Kim Yeung participate in the Firecracker Race at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Yixia Yan, 2/12, shares her snack with Ferdinand, her border collie, before going going on the Firecracker Race dog walk at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
People and their dogs take part in the Firecracker Race at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
People and their dogs take part in the Firecracker Race at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Bicyclists line up at the start of the Firecracker Race at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Bicyclists take part in the Firecracker Race as it runs past the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Bicyclists line up at the start of the Firecracker Race at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
People and their dogs take part in the Firecracker Race at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
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The Firecracker Race starts with an opening ceremony of lion dancers and fireworks at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The Firecracker Race is one of the biggest and oldest-running races in the nation. But those who didn’t want to run, walk or bicycle enjoyed a free festival that featured a beer garden, games and activities for children, live entertainment and vendors.
The Year of the Snake occurs every 12 years in the Chinese zodiac, and it rotates through five elements: wood, water, fire, earth and metal. And 2025 is the year of the wood snake. The Year of the Snake is associated with love, intelligence, and resilience, a time for healing, introspection and transformation.
Those who signed up for the original event in early February will have their registrations automatically transferred to the new dates.
