LOS ANGELES, Feb 23 (Xinhua) -- The renowned Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles County, California, transformed its famed gardens and stately museum halls into a festive wonderland on Saturday to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

With immersive experiences that blended art, nature, performance and culinary delights during Spring Festival, this annual event has become a much-anticipated tradition at the Huntington Library, a tourist attraction in Southern California and a collections-based educational institution.

Thousands of families from diverse backgrounds flock to the Huntington each year on Chinese New Year weekend to honor cultural heritage, spend quality time together, celebrate renewal, and enjoy a spectacular lineup of family-friendly activities.

"We try to come every year if we can score the tickets!" Randi C of Orange County, who attended with a family of four, told Xinhua.

The festival is filled with symbolism: red decorations for good luck, dragon and lion dances to ward off evil spirits, and the sharing of sweet treats to usher in prosperity and harmony.

The weekend-long celebration at the Huntington goes beyond just a cultural showcase: it serves as an educational opportunity for attendees of all backgrounds to learn about the significance of the holiday and its customs.

"We are loving it!" Amada W from Ohio, who brought the family to enjoy the celebration at the Huntington together, told Xinhua.

Through hands-on activities, storytelling and performances, children and adults alike gained a deeper appreciation for the meanings behind the festivities.