lunar new year 2622

Help promote diversity, inclusion and belonging by introducing children to Lunar New Year, which is celebrated by Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and many Asian diasporas here in the U.S. and throughout the world. In 2025 Lunar New Year starts on Jan. 29. While the Koreans and Vietnamese celebrate Lunar New Year over a three-day period, Chinese celebrate it for 15 days, ending with a Lantern Festival on Feb. 12. 

 

It’s fun to learn about holidays around the world and the customs and history behind them. Below are various traditions to commemorate the special Lunar New Year celebration: 

  • Decorate with red—it wards off evil.
  • Give good luck money in red envelopes to children.
  • Decorate with bamboo and flowers to bring good luck, fruitfulness and fertility.
  • Offer fruit to your ancestors in a family altar.
  • Spend time with family and friends.
  • Eat foods that bring luck and good fortune: dumplings, tangyuan, fish and spring rolls.
  • Get a fresh haircut for good luck and fresh start.
  • Wear something new to ring in the new year, best if it’s red. 
  • Attend a Lunar New Year parade — get ready for lion and dragon dancers! 
  • Create dragon crafts to scare off bad spirits.

 

Dragon 600x400

San Diego Family art contributor, Alyssa Navapanich, created an art project to celebrate the 2025 Year of the Snake. Find instructions at https://www.sandiegofamily.com/for-the-kids/crafts-for-kids/easy-paper-snake-craft.

Facts about Lunar New Year

  • The festival date changes every year.
  • It is also called the Spring Festival, Seollal (Korean), and Tết (Vietnamese).
  • 2025 is the Year of the Snake.
  • One sixth of the world’s people celebrate Lunar New Year.

 

Click here to find a Lunar New Year event near you

Yobe Qiu is passionate about educating those around her about Asian culture. She has authored several children’s books, including “Our Lunar New Year,” “Asian Adventures A–Z” and “I Am an Amazing Asian Girl.”


 

How to Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in San Diego

How to Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in San Diego

Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. The term AAPI includes people with origins from dozens of countries from . . .

Read more

Celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Celebrate the unique culture and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) throughout the month of May and all year long! Our list of family-friendly AAPI Heritage Month events i . . .

Read more

Fun Ways to Celebrate Spring in San Diego

Fun Ways to Celebrate Spring in San Diego

By the time the first day of spring rolls around (March 19), San Diegans are usually ready for a “change in weather.” Let’s face it, a low of 48 degrees is downright freezing in these parts. (Le . . .

Read more

Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with Dim Sum

Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with Dim Sum

  With May being Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, families across the nation will be celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of the AAPI community. One way to participat . . .

Read more

12 Easy Ways to Care for the Earth

12 Easy Ways to Care for the Earth

It’s easy to let busyness of daily life push thoughts of being eco-friendly to the back burner. But caring for our planet might be easier than you think. Start small by trying one activity a month . . .

Read more

Memorial Day Events and Activities 2025

Memorial Day Events and Activities 2025

This Memorial Day Weekend, spend some time with your family honoring and remembering the sacrifices of our military heroes.  Don’t miss USS Midway’s Legacy Week, (May 23-May 26) an annua . . .

Read more

How to Have a Retro Summer

How to Have a Retro Summer

The kids are out of school—it’s time to simplify the schedule and encourage as much outdoor play as possible. Have an old-school, retro summer!   What is a Retro Summer? What does it mean . . .

Read more

Happy Father’s Day! 10 Creative Ways to Celebrate Dad

Happy Father’s Day! 10 Creative Ways to Celebrate Dad

Every dad needs reminders of how much he is loved and valued. While you don’t want to forgo handmade cards and the kids’ sweet ideas for Father’s Day or a birthday, these creative ways to cele . . .

Read more

119 Dad-Approved Gifts

119 Dad-Approved Gifts

Every Dad is unique, so have the kids spend time thinking about what they can do, make or give him that will speak to his soul and make him feel special, whether it's Father’s Day, Christmas or an . . .

Read more

25 Summer Boredom Busters

25 Summer Boredom Busters

Boredom is a precursor to creativity, so being bored is not all bad. But if you're ready for a change of pace, our boredom busters encourage families to get moving and start making memories! Go O . . .

Read more

Be Family Informed – Sign up for our Newsletters below!

Subscribe