Lunar New Year 2023: Celebrating the Year of the Rabbit
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Schedule
Saturday, January 28, 2023
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Festival
Members enjoy exclusive early access, 10–11 a.m.!
All-Ages Activities | Free Festival Performances | Ticketed Theater Performances | Food, Drink, and Shopping | Day-of Information | About Lunar New Year
2023 is the Year of the Rabbit — a kind, energetic, and resilient animal that represents patience and treating others with respect. Join Asia Society Texas in welcoming the Year of the Rabbit 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 outside on our festival lawn. Learn about Lunar New Year traditions around the world through all-ages crafts, activities, and performances. A limited quantity of red envelopes will also be given to children.
This event is FREE and open to the public; RSVPs are requested for planning purposes. Food and drink will be available for sale. Music and dance performances by Huaxing Arts Group Houston are sold out; tickets will not be available at the door.
RSVP Now Purchase Tickets (Sold Out)
All-Ages Activities
The below activities take place 10–11 a.m. (for Asia Society members only) and 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (for general public).
Chinese Calligraphy
Explore traditional writing styles and receive your name or a simple phrase in Chinese characters.
Presented by Huaxing Arts Group Houston
Rabbit Hats
In celebration of the Year of the Rabbit, create a Rabbit hat to wear — and to take home!
Presented by Huaxing Arts Group Houston
Photo Booth
Take a festive photo with Spring Festival: Splendor of Huaxing dancers.
Presented by Huaxing Arts Group Houston
Zodiac Game
Learn about the zodiac as it relates to the Lunar New Year, identify your animal, and take a fun postcard home!
Lantern Craft
Create beautiful lantern to celebrate the Lantern Festival, which concludes the Lunar New Year celebration period.
Zen Painting-Inspired Community Scroll
Learn to draw a Zen painting-inspired rabbit and help create a community scroll with well wishes for the new year!
Presented by The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Chinese-Inspired Landscapes
Find calmness in nature by coloring beautiful landscapes inspired by Chinese artistic traditions.
Presented by The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
LNY Flip Books
Make your own flip book about the Lunar New Year!
Presented by Brave Little Company
Chinese Cultural Crafts
Make fun crafts inspired by Chinese traditions.
Presented by Houston Public Library–Kendall
Instrument Demonstrations
Learn about and try various traditional Chinese musical instruments!
Presented by Huaxing Arts Group Houston
Free Festival Performances and Demonstrations
Lunar New Year Storytime | 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m.
Gather in our upstairs gallery foyer to hear the story of the Jade Emperor in a fun, interactive storytime!
Presented by Houston Public Library–Kendall
Qigong Demonstration | 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m.
Guests of all ages are invited to join Dr. Kathleen Funk to learn simple qigong exercises for a healthy new year!
Presented by lululemon
Storybook Opera | 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m.
Hear the story of Lunar New Year come to life in a kid-friendly opera!
Presented by Houston Grand Opera
Lion Dance | 12 p.m.
Enjoy an energetic lion dance performance outdoors on our festival lawn.
Presented by Shaolin Kung Fu Academy in Houston
Ticketed Theater Performances
Spring Festival: Splendor of Huaxing
TICKETS: $10 (Asia Society members receive 35% off)
Performance times at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. inside the Brown Foundation Performing Arts Theater. Each showtime features the same music and dance performances.
To celebrate the 2023 Lunar New Year, Huaxing Arts Group joins Asia Society Texas to present a collection of Chinese music and dance! From modern interpretations of 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 with fellow citizens.
Purchase Tickets Now (Sold Out)
Vendors
Food and Drink
Burmalicious by Suu | The Custard Box | Dumpling Haus | Fat Funk (Aleng Nina's x Ooh Mami Papi) | Green Roots | Karuna's Kitchen | Magic Cup | Mama Marie's Filipino Soul Food | Popssibilities | Teacup Cafe
Art, Gifts, and Goods
Blue Moth Co. | For No Resin | nochew | StarMoon Jewelry | The T's Creations | Usagi Wasabi
Health and Safety
Day-Of Information
Our Lunar New Year 2023 festival is a rain-or-shine event taking place primarily indoors. The 12 p.m. lion dance takes place outdoors on our festival lawn.
Parking and Directions
Paid parking is available in Asia Society Texas' lot across Southmore Boulevard from the building. Entrances are located on Caroline and Austin Streets. Bicycle racks are available in our parking lot for no cost.
Asia Society Texas Center is a five-minute walk from the Museum District METRO Rail Station.
Event Schedule
10–11 a.m. | Early Festival Access for Asia Society Members | Throughout the Center |
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Festival Access for General Public All-Ages Activities |
Throughout the Center |
11 a.m. | Qigong Demonstration presented by lululemon |
Gallery Foyer (Upstairs) |
11:30 a.m. | Storybook Opera by Houston Grand Opera |
Gallery Foyer (Upstairs) |
12 p.m. | Lion Dance by Shaolin Kung Fu Academy in Houston |
Festival Lawn (Outdoors) |
12 p.m. | Storytime by Houston Public Library–Kendall |
Gallery Foyer (Upstairs) |
12:30 p.m. | Qigong Demonstration presented by lululemon |
Gallery Foyer (Upstairs) |
1 p.m. | Spring Festival: Splendor of Huaxing Music and Dance (SOLD OUT) by Huaxing Arts Group Houston |
Theater (Downstairs) |
1:30 p.m. | Qigong Demonstration presented by lululemon |
Gallery Foyer (Upstairs) |
2 p.m. | Storybook Opera by Houston Grand Opera |
Gallery Foyer (Upstairs) |
2:30 p.m. | Storytime by Houston Public Library–Kendall |
Gallery Foyer (Upstairs) |
3 p.m. | Spring Festival: Splendor of Huaxing Music and Dance (SOLD OUT) by Huaxing Arts Group Houston |
Theater (Downstairs) |
About Lunar New Year at Asia Society Texas
Featuring music and dance performances as well as zodiac-inspired activities, our annual festival celebrates Lunar New Year traditions from across Asia. Free and open to the public, the all-ages event is one of Asia Society Texas' most popular programs, drawing roughly 2,000 guests each year.
Sponsorships
Interested in sponsoring Lunar New Year at Asia Society Texas? Please contact Saleena Jafry, Director of Development, at [email protected].
Previous Lunar New Year Festivals
2022: Highlights | Details
2021: Virtual Festival
2020: Highlights | Details
2019: Highlights | Details
2018: Highlights | Details
2017: Details
2016: Details
2014: Details
Lead Sponsor
Sponsor of the Lunar New Year Art Contest
Lunar New Year Sponsors
China General Chamber of Commerce
Presenting Program Partner
Event Details
1370 Southmore Blvd
Houston, TX 77004