Lunar New Year 2021: A Virtual Celebration
Asia Society at Home
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2021 is the Year of the Ox, considered an honest, dependable, and determined animal representing patience and achieving goals through consistent effort. Join Asia Society Texas Center in virtually welcoming the Year of the Ox with performances, art and craft activities, and food inspired by Lunar New Year traditions across Asia!
Our two weeks of celebrations will feature new online content released on February 12–13, 19, and 26. Activities include learning how to make dumplings, making an Ox hat, viewing dance and musical performances, and watching a traditional lion dance.
The virtual festival is FREE and open to the public, and all are welcome to participate and engage as a wider community.
At a Glance
February 12—13, 19, 26
New virtual activities and content released each day!
Jump to schedules for: February 12 | February 13 | February 19 | February 26
Be sure to sign up for reminders so you're the first to know when activities are available!
Lunar New Year At-Home Kit
Purchase our fun Activity Kits for convenient access to all the supplies you'll need for the full two weeks of crafts and activities! Kits include:
- Craft materials for Lunar New Year activities
- Red envelope
- Recipe card for dumplings
- Stuffed Ox
- Handkerchief or Fan for an interactive dance
- 2021 calendar
- Various Asian snacks
Activity Kits are $25 each. They will be available for pickup at Asia Society Texas Center starting Thursday, February 11.
Schedule
Check back each day or sign up to receive reminder emails as new content is released! Activities are free and open to all.
February 12, 2021: Lunar New Year's Eve
Activities and events:
- Dumplings are a traditional Lunar New Year food! Watch as a Houston family shares their dumpling-making traditions.
- Listen to a storytime of Brandon Makes Jiao Zi by author Eugenia Chu.
- Learn to make a traditional red envelope, a gift of good fortune given on Lunar New Year!
- Get up and move to a handkerchief and fan dance demonstration by Huaxing Performing Arts Group.
- Enjoy highlights from a Lunar New Year parade in San Francisco, home of the U.S.'s oldest Chinatown!
February 13, 2021: Lunar New Year Day
Activities and events:
- The Lion Dance is a Chinese tradition performed on big occasions such as Lunar New Year to bring good luck! Dance to the beat of our Lion Dance performance, filmed by Houston Shaolin Kung Fu Academy.
- Learn about the Lunar New Year story of the Jade Emperor with this storytime of Ruby's Chinese New Year.
- Make an Ox hat with the Huaxing Performing Arts Group.
- Watch dance and musical performances by the Huaxing Performing Arts Group!
- Do you know your Chinese zodiac animal? Play a game to learn about the Chinese zodiac!
February 19, 2021
Activities and events:
- Watch a Chinese calligraphy demonstration by Huaxing Arts Group!
- Learn how Kuen Noodle House in Bellaire's Asiatown makes handmade noodles, which are traditionally eaten during the Lunar New Year.
- Read our new zine, highlighting the winners of our Lunar New Year Art Contest in partnership with Houston ISD!
- Make your own Ox art following a demonstration by teaching artist Vehishta Kaikobad.
February 26, 2021
Activities and events:
- Celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival marks the end of the Lunar New Year festivities. Join Asia Society staff in making your own lantern to celebrate at home!
- Close out your Lunar New Year celebration with a series of performances by Huaxing Performing Arts Group
- Listen to the story Celebrating the Lantern Festival to learn more about Lantern Festival history and traditions!
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.
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About Asia Society at Home
We are dedicated to continuing our mission of building cross-cultural understanding and uplifting human connectivity. Using digital tools, we bring you content for all ages and conversations that matter, in order to spark curiosity about Asia and to foster empathy.
About Asia Society Texas Center
With 13 locations throughout the world, Asia Society is the leading educational organization promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among the peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and West. Asia Society Texas Center executes the global mission with a local focus, enriching and engaging the vast diversity of Houston through innovative, relevant programs in arts and culture, business and policy, education, and community outreach.
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