Lan Su Chinese Garden schedules Lunar New Year mini-horse meet-and-greets with daytime programming through March 8

A hands-on zodiac event returns as Lan Su opens its 2026 Lunar New Year season

Lan Su Chinese Garden has added a recurring “Mini Horse Meet & Greet” to its Lunar New Year 2026 schedule, giving visitors several chances to interact with miniature horses during the Year of the Horse celebration in Portland’s Old Town/Chinatown.

The garden’s published calendar lists an opening-day session on Tuesday, February 17, followed by additional meet-and-greet dates on Fridays during the Lunar New Year run. The event is presented as a family-oriented activity designed to let visitors pet the horses, take photos, and learn about the animal’s role in the traditional zodiac.

Dates, times, and admission structure

Lan Su’s event listing places the meet-and-greet within its daytime programming, with access included for visitors who have general admission or membership. The schedule shows:

• Tuesday, February 17, 2026: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (opening day)
• Friday, February 20, 2026: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Friday, February 27, 2026: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Friday, March 6, 2026: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The broader Lunar New Year program is listed as running from February 18 through March 8, 2026, combining daytime activities with separate evening ticketed events on select dates.

How it fits into the larger Lunar New Year lineup

Lan Su’s Lunar New Year programming is structured in two tracks: daytime activities included with admission and nighttime offerings that require separate tickets. Alongside the mini-horse meet-and-greets, the garden lists a range of cultural programming across the celebration window, including lion dances, scheduled cultural performances on weekends, and family craft activities on opening day and additional weekend dates.

Evening programming is described as more production-focused, with a run of “Dragon & Light Show Nights” scheduled Wednesday through Sunday from February 18 through March 1, followed by “Music & Lantern Viewing Nights” from March 4 through March 8.

Background: a Portland institution built in the Suzhou tradition

Lan Su Chinese Garden is a classical Chinese garden complex in Portland’s Old Town/Chinatown. The site was created in the style of gardens from Suzhou, China, and has long served as a cultural venue hosting seasonal events, performances, and educational activities in addition to daily garden access.

Visitors planning to attend are advised to confirm hours and any capacity limits before arriving, especially for date-specific performances and ticketed evening programs.