Booking a Lion Dance for Your Wedding? Here Are the Best SoCal Troupes

You've booked your venue and your caterer, but have you booked your lion yet? Lion dances are a staple of Lunar New Year, but they’re also a vibrant and meaningful addition to weddings.

If you’re ready to book your lion dancers, here’s a roundup of Southern California troupes to check out. Many troupes can even customize their performance to reflect your story as a couple, adding personal touches to make it feel uniquely yours.

Ane Thanh Lion Dance

The Ane Thanh Lion Dance troupe performs throughout Southern California, from San Diego to Los Angeles, and regularly appears at celebrations, including weddings.

One unique aspect of Ane Thanh is their ability to tailor performances for Chinese, Vietnamese, or blended cultural celebrations, which can be especially meaningful for couples honoring multiple traditions.

Their website also features a gallery showcasing various lion designs and banners used for specific occasions, including Chinese and Vietnamese weddings and Lunar New Year celebrations. Take a look to get a sense of the visual style you might want for your wedding.

Dance Rituals: Northern Lion Dance, Southern Lion Dance

Website: https://anethanh.wixsite.com/liondance
Instagram: https://instagram.com/anethanhliondance
Email: Anethanh@gmail.com
Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/ane-thanh-lion-dance-fountain-valley
Phone: (714) 900-2654

Awakened Blessing Lion Dance Troupe

The Awakened Blessing Lion Dance Troupe of the JC Culture Foundation performs throughout the Los Angeles area and offers a variety of traditional Chinese cultural performances.

In addition to lion dance, they also perform dragon dance and Chinese folk dance, which can be an option for couples looking to incorporate multiple cultural elements into their celebration. 

Bookings are typically made through their website, where you can submit a performance request directly.

Dance Rituals: Lion Dance, Dragon Dance, Chinese Folk Dance

Website: https://www.abliondance.com
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jc-culture-foundation-awakened-blessing-lion-dance-troupe-artesia
Email: cxl.abclion@yahoo.com
Phone: (212) 760-1228
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cxljccf/videos

Cal Poly Lion Dance Team

The Cal Poly Lion Dance Team is a student-run group within Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Chinese Student Association (CSA). The lion dance troupe performs not only for entertainment but also to create a space for sharing and connecting traditions and representations with the community. 

They perform at a range of events throughout California, though most of their performances take place in San Luis Obispo County. Their performances include rituals to interact with the audience, such as the cai qing ritual. 

If you're planning to book the Cal Poly Lion Dance Team, it's best to reach out far in advance! Their team likes to write a new routine for each wedding to make it personal and tailored towards any specific wishes the couple may have. Advanced booking gives them as much time as possible to ensure the performance goes smoothly and looks great on the big day.

If you're interested in booking, you can submit a request through the contact form on their website, which asks questions about your wedding to help the team better understand your performance needs.

Dance Rituals: Cai Qing Ritual
Price Range: Donation of $900-$1000
Duration Range: 15-20 minutes

Website: https://www.calpolyldt.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calpoly_ldt
Email: calpolyldt@gmail.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/calpolyldt

Immortals Lion Dance

The Immortals Lion Dance performs throughout the Los Angeles area and is a familiar presence at city celebrations and cultural festivals. They also take bookings for private events, including weddings. If you're interested in booking, you can find them on Instagram and reach out via email.

Dance Rituals: Cai Qing Ritual

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/immortals-lion-dance-monterey-park
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immortalsliondance
Email: immortalsliondance@gmail.com

Jade Lotus Lion Dance

The Jade Lotus Lion Dance troupe is a student-led group from UCLA that focuses on performing Hoksan-style (Southern-style) lion-dancing techniques and music. 

They perform at various events in the Greater Los Angeles Area to entertain and educate the community about lion dancing. Their performances include the full ensemble with the Big Head Buddha character, drummers, and cymbal players. Their wedding prices start at $1,000 and depend on the distance from UCLA, the complexity of the routine, and other details. Routines typically last 7-12 minutes, but the length is flexible based on clients' preferences and special requests.

Bookings can be made through requests by emailing the troupe. Book them early to share any ideas you have for incorporating the lion dance into your wedding. They love to hear what the couple's vision is so they can do their best to bring it to life. Some things couples may want to consider: the number of lions, the type of routine (more stunting or more interactive, for example), and how you want to use your venue space in the performance. 

Dance Rituals: Southern Lion Dance
Price Range: $1,000+
Duration Range: 7-12 minutes

Website: https://jadelotusliondance.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uclaliondance
Email: liondanceucla@gmail.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JadeLotusLionDance

Los Angeles Kun Seng Keng Dragon and Lion Dance Association

Los Angeles Kun Seng Keng Dragon and Lion Dance Association performs throughout the Los Angeles area at both public events and private celebrations, including weddings.

The troupe focuses on preserving the cultural traditions of Chinese lion dance while building a strong community centered on cultural pride and unity in Los Angeles. Couples can choose the specific lion or dragon they wish to have at their reception, as well as the words on the banners. The lions will perform a choreographed routine to bless the newlyweds, pose for photos, and interact with the audience. 

Their standard package typically includes a 10-15 minute two-lion performance accompanied by a live instrumental ensemble. Additional performance upgrades are available for an added fee. The price ranges anywhere from $900-$1,200 depending on travel distance and upgrade

If you're interested in booking, you can submit a request via the contact form on their website or email them directly.

Dance Rituals: Lion Dance, Dragon Dance, Chinese Folk Dance  
Price Range: $900-1,200
Duration Range: 10-15 minutes

Website: https://www.laliondance.com
Yelp: yelp.com/biz/los-angeles-kun-seng-keng-los-angeles
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksk_liondance
Email: LALionDance@gmail.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LAliondance

Qing Wei Lion and Dragon Cultural Troupe

If you’re looking for a lion dance troupe in Orange County, the Qing Wei Lion and Dragon Cultural Troupe is a volunteer group dedicated to sharing Chinese cultural traditions through performance.

They perform across Southern California at both public celebrations and private events, including weddings. In addition to traditional lion dancing, the troupe performs dragon dancing and kung fu, which can add even more energy to a reception entrance or celebration.

Qing Wei offers several classic lion dance elements, including the Twin Lion Dance and the Big Head Buddha, the playful monk character who interacts with the lions and the audience. They can also perform the cai qing ritual, in which guests interact by “feeding” the lions.

To book the troupe, you can reach them directly by email.

Dance Rituals: Big Head Buddha, Drunken Lion, Twin Lion Dance, Dragon Dance

Website: https://www.ocliondance.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qingweiusa
Email: hello@ocliondance.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@austinquach1070/videos