How Southern California casinos are celebrating the Year of the Dragon – Press Enterprise

This Lunar New Year marks the Year of the Dragon, which is believed to be the most powerful creature of the 12-animal Chinese zodiac. The Year of the Dragon is also believed to be the most prosperous and increases confidence and security in personal wealth.

Southern California casinos will commemorate the Year of the Dragon with celebrations that include elaborate meals and dining specials, traditional dance performances and decorations, as well as themed gambling and spa specials. Celebrations below are for Feb. 10 only unless otherwise noted

Here’s what casinos are offering this Lunar New Year.

Agua Caliente Casinos

68960 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City, 401 E. Amado Road, Palm Springs, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, aguacalientecasinos.com.

The three Agua Caliente Casinos will host a traditional dragon lion dance on each of their casino floors: 6:30 p.m. at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, 8:15 p.m. at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City and 9:30 p.m. at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage.

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

84-245 Indio Springs Drive, Indio. 760-345-2450, fantasyspringsresort.com.

The Indio property will host a lion dance on the casino floor at 7 p.m.

Harrah’s Resort Southern California

777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. 760-751-3100, harrahssocal.com.

Guests can expect to see Harrah’s decorated with red and gold colors, hanging banners and lanterns from Feb. 1-19. In addition the casino’s weekly giveaway promotion running Feb. 2-26 will feature Lunar New Year cookware such as an electric hot pot grill, 13-inch electric wok, a lazy Susan and an 8-cup rice cooker. Players who earn 150 tier credits can redeem their points for these prizes every Monday and Friday in February from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. while supplies last. The Café will also serve longevity noodles made with chicken lo mein with ginger mushrooms, baby bok choy, and fresh scallions. 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 $18.

Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa

49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon. 951-849-3080. morongocasinoresort.com.

Dragon and lion dancers will perform hourly throughout the casino 7-10 p.m. on Feb. 9, 16 & 17 and 8-11 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10.

Morongo’s Sage Spa will let visitors choose an envelope with up to $50 of spa credit with the booking of an 80-minute massage or facial valued at $150.

Good Times Café will serve five spice calamari with salt and pepper shrimp served with fried garlic, bell pepper, onion, jalapeños, green onion, baby bok choy and steamed rice. 7 a.m.- 2 a.m. Feb. 9-25. $33.99.

Mozen Asian Kitchen will be serving several specials for the Lunar New Year including kung pao lobster ($49 as is or $54 with garlic noodles), sea bass congee ($18), beef tenderloin chow fun ($25), bird’s nest soup served hot or cold ($38) and long life noodles with tofu ($19). 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, noon-11 p.m. on Fridays, and noon-midnight on Saturdays. Available Feb. 1-29.

Pala Casino, Spa & Resort

11154 Highway 76, Pala. 877-946-7252, palacasino.com.

The casino will host a Vietnamese Lunar New Year concert featuring Dam Vinh Hung, Hong Ngoc, Cao Thai Son, Minh Thu, Bach Cong Khanh, Phuong Vu and MC Queenie. 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb, 17. $50-$180.

Pechanga Resort Casino

45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. 877-711-2946, pechanga.com.

A lion dance will be held on the casino floor and outdoors at the north entrance of the property. Both shows begin at 3 p.m.

The Temecula casino also some dining specials available Feb. 3-18.

Bamboo will serve a shrimp and seafood egg roll with Thai sweet and sour sauce ($28); steamed whole fish with tofu, bok choy and ginger garlic sauce ($108); spicy tamarind shrimp ($48); long life noodle with shrimp , BBQ pork, yu choy,  carrots, shitake mushrooms, yellow onions, bean sprouts, green onions and stir fry sauce ($48); seven fried rice with king crab meat, scallops, shrimp, green onions, eggs  and X.O. sauce ($78). 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.- 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Blazing Noodles specials include a duck lettuce wrap ($24), fried chicken galantine ($24), pan-fried sea bass ($56), angus tenderloin fried rice ($38), wok fried lobster ($128) and braised veggies ($56). 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.- 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Umi will serve up five spice duck yakitori ($26), tempura bass ($38), lobster fried rice ($68) and yakisoba ($66). 5-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5- 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Spotlight 29 Casino

46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. 760-775-5566, spotlight29.com.

Malie Asian Kitchen will serve whole striped bass with a choice of preparation either deep fried whole fish with tangy spicy sauce on the side or steamed, topped with ginger, scallions and soy sauce. 4-10 p.m. $48.95.

Yaamava’ Resort & Casino

777 San Manuel Blvd, Highland. 800-359-2464, yaamava.com.

From now through  Feb. 25, the Highland casino will have dragon decorations, sculptures, lanterns and hanging banners throughout the property. There will be multiple lion dragon dancers on the casino floor at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 and 11.

Hong Boa Kitchen will be serving several Lunar New Year dishes such as a dragon and phoenix lettuce wrap with chicken, lobster, onion, mushroom, jicama, pine nuts ($18); crispy jumbo prawn with sweet chili sauce ($46); stir fry lamp chops ($56); mango dome with fresh raspberry ($12). Cocktail specials include cherry moon ($9), Orange Blossom ($10), Green Dragon ($11) and the Lunar Eclipse ($12).