TEXAS — As we slither our way through 2025, people across Texas are celebrating the Lunar New Year.
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is celebrated on the first new moon of the year, typically between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20. This year, the official start of the Lunar New Year is on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
In Chinese culture, each year is represented by one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. Each animal in the zodiac is assigned certain traits that are believed to represent a person born in that year.
According to the zodiac, 2025 is the Year of the Snake. Last year was the Year of the Dragon.
According to Chinese mythology, snakes are “little dragons” and are viewed with both respect and fear. Venomous snakes are thought to symbolize darkness, but the way snakes shed their skin represents good luck and rebirth.
Here are some events going on across Texas to kick off the Lunar New Year.
Austin
Lunar New Year Festival – Feb. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Love of China School of Dance is hosting a festival at the Asian American Resource Center. Admission is free, and the school has organized performances, craft tables, food and games.
The Lunar New Year Festival 2025 Year of the Snake – Feb. 2
The Paper + Craft Pantry is hosting a festival that will be free to the public. The festival will have a vendor market, lion dances, dragon dances, interactive children’s activities and other performances.
Lunar New Year Carnival – Feb. 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Xiang Yun Temple on Loop 360 is hosting a carnival that will be free for the public, with the option of buying a $20 food voucher. The temple will have multicultural performances, cultural booths, games, souvenirs and a vegetarian food sale.
Umlauf After Dark Lunar New Year! – Feb. 4 from 5 to 8 p.m.
The Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum is hosting a Lunar New Year celebration as a part of its “Umlauf After Dark” series. The sculpture garden will have glow-in-the-dark dragon and lion dance performances and a gong meditation and performance, as well as food and drinks. Members can get in free from 5 to 6 p.m., and general admission costs $12 starting at 6 p.m.
Lunar New Year Celebration and Beer Release – Feb. 15 from noon to 5 p.m.
Meanwhile Brewing Co. is hosting a party to celebrate Lunar New Year. Summit Lion Dance will perform at 2 p.m. and there will be a market featuring goods from Asian American vendors. The brewing company is also releasing a new beer called Lucky Leaves. The beer is a black sesame and tea rice lager and will only be available in the Meanwhile taproom.
Dallas
Lunar New Year Celebration – Jan. 31 at 7 p.m.
The AT&T Discovery District is hosting a celebration to kick off the Year of the Snake, which will include a live performance by Pháp Quang Lion Dance. There will also be drink specials at The Exchange Hall and Cowboy Chow.
Southlake Spring Festival – Feb. 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Association of Chinese Americans in Southlake, Texas, is hosting a festival in the Southlake Town Square. The festival will feature performances, food and drinks and activities.
Richardson Lunar New Year – Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The City of Richardson, alongside the CORE District and the Dallas Chinese Community Center, is hosting a festival at DFW Chinatown. The festival will feature dragon and lion dances, music and martial arts demonstrations, art making, calligraphy, specialty booths and cultural performances.
2025 Frisco Lunar New Year Festival – Feb. 8 from 3 to 8 p.m.
Frisco Asian Community Engagement is hosting a Lunar New Year festival at Simpson Plaza in Frisco. The festival is free to attend and will feature cultural performances, activities for children, giveaways and traditional food and beverages.
San Antonio
2025 SACA Lunar New Year Gala – Feb. 2 from 3 to 5 p.m.
The San Antonio Chinese Alliance will host a gala at the Jo Long Theatre at The Carver. The organization has invited local artists, performers and entertainment groups to create a vibrant show.
San Antonio Asian New Year Festival – Feb. 1-2 from noon to 5 p.m.
The Rolling Oaks Mall will host a two-day Lunar New Year festival to ring in the Year of the Snake. The festival will feature K-pop random play dance, a cosplay contest, martial arts, cultural performances and more.