California's Yaamava’ Resort & Casino marks 40th anniversary with Lunar New Year events

Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel is kicking off its 40th anniversary year with Lunar New Year celebrations that include celebrity chef dining, special promotions, major gaming tournaments, and international entertainment.

Food Network star and culinary anthropologist Jet Tila will headline Yaamava’s Lunar New Year dining experiences, bringing Asian-inspired menus to two venues on the property.

At bEATS, Yaamava’s fast-casual dining and entertainment venue, Jet Tila’s menu will be available from Jan. 20 through March 31 and will feature dishes such as Thai Dumpling Bake with coconut curry, the Dynamite Salmon Bowl, Thai Sweet Heat Wings, Teriyaki Beef Poutine, and Korean BBQ short ribs served with rice and kimchi.

At Hong Bao Kitchen, Tila will offer a special Lunar New Year menu from Feb. 17–24, including Ultimate Fried Rice with BBQ pork and shrimp, Crispy Tamarind Beef, Spicy Wagyu Dan Dan Noodles, Long Life Noodles with a choice of protein, and Typhoon Lobster served with garlic rice.

From Feb. 17–24, Serrano Buffet will host “Eight Days of Hong Kong Lobster,” offering unlimited Hong Kong-style lobster for $79.95 per person.

Festive Lunar New Year décor and interactive installations will run Jan. 17 through Feb. 28, including a display near Big Mo’s Café featuring complimentary Asian-inspired sweets.

Yaamava’ and Palms Casino Resort are also partnering for a high-profile promotion offering guests the chance to win a 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 RS and a 2025 Porsche 911 Turbo S. Club Serrano members can qualify at either property through the “California to Vegas Connection.” Finalists for the GT3 RS will be announced March 21 at Yaamava’, while Turbo S finalists will be named March 28 at Palms.

High-stakes Baccarat tournaments will headline the Lunar New Year celebration, beginning Feb. 18 with a competition offering a $88,888 grand prize, followed by larger tournaments on Feb. 19 and 20 with a top prize of $888,888.

Club Serrano members will also be eligible to take part in the $2.5 million Red Envelope Drawings held every Friday and Saturday in February from 6 to 10 p.m., during which five winners each night will receive Free Play awards ranging from $888 to $88,888. The promotion will culminate Feb. 28 with one grand-prize winner receiving $888,888 in Free Play, while nine additional winners will split more than $280,000.

Meanwhile, Yaamava’ Theater will host a series of Lunar New Year performances, starting with Taiwanese Mandopop singer Chao Chuan on Feb. 15, followed by the legendary Hong Kong supergroup The Big Four on Feb. 21 and Korean ballad singer Byun Jin Sub on Feb. 27.

Traditional Lion Dance performances will take place throughout the property on Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., bringing colorful pageantry and symbolic wishes of luck and prosperity.