Tuesday, February 1, 2022 marks the first new moon on the lunar calendar and the start of the Year of the Tiger. Lunar New Year is known by many names: The Spring Festival in China; Seollal in Korea; Tsaagan Sar in Mongolia; Tết in Vietnam, and is also observed in Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Prior to the new year, houses are cleaned to remove any bad luck that might be lingering inside. Traditional celebrations involve family gatherings, religious ceremonies honoring ancestors, and exchanging red envelopes that contain money. Dances and fireworks are prevalent throughout the celebrations. Lunar New Year is celebrated for about fifteen days each year, culminating in the Lantern Festival on the last day; February 15 this year.

Lunar New Year is widely celebrated across the Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese diasporas worldwide and this year Bay Area celebrations will largely take place virtually and in-person. Join SCU's Lunar New Year celebration Thursday, February 10th from 4pm-5pm along Benson Plaza. Here are some other ways that you can celebrate locally:

• Santana Row Lunar New Year Celebration, San Jose
• San Jose Museum of Art Community Day: Lunar New Year
• Chinese New Year Festival and Parade, San Francisco 
• Asian Art Museum Virtual Lecture Series: Lunar New Year, San Francisco
• Oakland Museum of California, Virtual Dumpling Making, Gamelan, and more
• Lunar New Year Family Celebration, Gamble Garden, Palo Alto

 

Best,
Susan Popko
Associate Provost for International Programs

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