Family Day: Lunar New Year

2020 is the Year of the Rat, thought of as a clever and quick animal that represents success and also contentment with a quiet, peaceful life. Join us in welcoming the Year of the Rat with performances, art and craft activities, and food inspired by Lunar New Year traditions across Asia!

Dance to the beat of traditional lion dancers as they perform throughout the building. Learn about the Lunar New Year zodiac, create crafts, and enjoy fun foods. A limited quantity of red envelopes will also be given to children.

This event is FREE and open to the public; please RSVP for planning purposes. Food and drink available for sale.

RSVP for Family Day

Performances by Huaxing Arts Group Houston are ticketed.

Purchase Performance Tickets

Lunar New Year activities will also take place off-site at The Galleria on January 26 and February 1–2, 12–5 p.m.

Please check back for updates!

Activities

All activities take place 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. except where noted otherwise.

Chinese Zodiac Game
Play a matching game to learn about the Chinese Zodiac and the Year of the Rat. Make a postcard featuring the zodiac animal according to your birth year!

Rat Race
Create a mask of your favorite zodiac animal and participate in a race to win a prize!

Dumpling Station
Using craft materials, learn to make and fold traditional Chinese dumplings.

Lion Dance Game
Try on part of a Lion Dance costume, or play a traditional Chinese drum. Dance to the beat and win a prize!

Lantern Making
Create your own Lunar New Year Chinese lantern!

Chinese Handkerchief and Fan Dance Demonstration
Watch a classical Chinese performance requiring skill, balance, and concentration.
Presented by Huaxing Arts Group Houston

Chinese Paper Cutting and Red Envelopes
Learn to cut traditional Chinese patterns and designs that are given as gifts during the New Year. Children also have the opportunity to receive "red envelopes" with lucky dollars and to win the prize for the Year of the Rat through fun cultural games.
Presented by Huaxing Arts Group Houston

Family Photo Booth
Take a family photo with a Chinese Opera actress and Hot Mama 2019 International title holder.
Presented by Huaxing Arts Group Houston

Rat Mask and Hat Making Activity
In celebration of the Year of the Rat, create a fun mask and hat to take home.

Chinese Calligraphy
Explore traditional writing styles and receive your name or a simple phrase in Chinese characters.
Presented by Huaxing Arts Group Houston

Community Scroll
Inspired by the beautiful landscape scroll paintings of the Qing Dynasty, everyone is invited to add their own brush strokes to a community scroll celebrating the Houston community and the Year of the Rat.
Presented by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Lion Dance | 1:30 p.m.
Watch a traditional Lion Dance throughout the building!

Story Time | 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
Learn about the story of the Jade Emperor and the Chinese Zodiac.

Food for Purchase

Pondi at Asia Society Texas Center
Pondicheri's museum café offers a vibrant and innovative menu featuring everything from butter chicken to saffron shrimp and roti wraps.

Mochi Ice Cream and Japanese Snack Stand
Mochi — a Japanese confection made from pounded sticky rice with an ice cream filling — will be available for purchase, along with Japanese snacks.

Please check back for updates!

Ticketed Performances

Culture of China: Huaxing Presents Performing Arts of China
TICKETS: $5 Members, $10 Nonmembers
Performance times at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Each showtime will feature the same performances.

To celebrate the 2020 Lunar New Year, Huaxing Arts Group Houston joins Asia Society Texas Center to present a collection of Chinese music and dance. From modern interpretations to traditional tunes to classic folk dances, the performances highlight a variety of performers and dance styles.

Huaxing Arts Group Houston is a civic organization of Chinese Americans in the Greater Houston Area. The association has served the greater community through volunteerism, service, and cultural exchange with a patriotic focus on strengthening the Chinese American community and its relationship to fellow citizens.

Purchase Performance Tickets

Major support for Education & Outreach programs at Asia Society Texas Center comes from Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, and Mary Lawrence Porter, as well as The Brown Foundation, Inc., and The Houston Endowment. Additional funding also provided by the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation, as well as through contributions from the Friends of Asia Society, a dedicated group of individuals committed to bringing exceptional programming and exhibitions to Asia Society Texas Center.

Presenting Partner