Illustration by Sakura Siegel / SOC Images.
Red money envelopes with reflective gold designs, shimmering lanterns hung up above and shared meals around the table are how many families around the globe are ringing in the Lunar New Year, which is the most important holiday in the Chinese zodiac calendar.
And in Hudson County, New Jersey, many families are joining in on the festivities, which officially starts today, Wednesday, Jan. 29. The holiday, also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival in China, will last for 15 days and usher in the year of the snake; abroad, it also celebrates the arrival of spring and beginning of the new year on the lunisolar calendar.
The holiday originated in China and was the one period when farmers were able to rest and celebrate the new year with loved ones. These traditions have since evolved, creating the inclusive term “Lunar New Year,” and has spread to various Asian communities throughout the world like Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore, to name a few, but not all Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders observe the Chinese/lunar zodiac.
While Lunar New Year celebrations vary from culture to culture, here’s some places in and near Hudson County that can give you a taste of the holiday.
American Dream Mall Lunar New Year Spectacular
When: Friday, Jan. 31
Where: American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ 07073, Court A, Level 1, and The Avenue
Experience the magic of Lunar New Year with a gala, lion dance and other cultural performances.
The East Rutherford mall, which is as little as 15 minutes away from Hudson County, will continue the celebration until Feb. 21 with the following events:
- Feb. 1: A five-hour program of hourly lion dances, kung fu, traditional music and dance, fashions, singing, opera and an acrobatics performance.
- Feb. 2: AAAH! Lunar New Year – Golden Blessings Market
- Feb. 8: Sunflower Lantern Festival Gala
- Feb. 9: BYO Lunar New Year Concert
- Feb. 16: Walk of Legend Fashion Show
- Feb. 21: Sunflower Spring Piano Recital
Tessa International School Lunar New Year Celebration – 农历新年庆祝活动
When: Saturday, Feb. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: 720 Monroe St Suite E105-106, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Tessa International School is welcoming everyone for a morning of cultural exploration, hands-on activities and other community fun as they welcome the year of the snake.
There will be a presentation of the school at 10:30 a.m., highlighting the Hoboken school’s programs and offerings. The remainder of the event will let attendees enjoy:
- Sugar Artist
- Lantern Making
- Spring Festival Couplets & Calligraphy
- Rice Ball Making
- Chinese Opera Mask Decorating
- Fan Decorating
- Ping Pong Chopstick Challenge
- Paper Snake Craft
- Book Reading
- Photo Booth with Fan Making Activity
- New Year’s Slime
- Chinese Book Sale
You can register for the free event here.
Tongyan Chinese School Lunar New Year Culture Fair
When: Saturday, Feb. 1 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: James J. Ferris High School, 35 Colgate St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Over in Jersey City, the Tongyan Chinese School will share the “excitement and joy” of Lunar New Year with the community. A $10 ticket will get you access to activities including:
- Sugar painting
- New Year Goods selling
- Lantern DIY
- Chinese Knot DIY
- New Year Pendant DIY
- Paper Cutting
- Guessing lantern noodles
- Throwing pot
For tickets, you can visit here.
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NJPAC’s Year Of The Snake
When: Saturday, Feb. 1 and Sunday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m.
Where: 1 Center St, Newark, NJ 07102
Just a drive away, Newark’s NJ Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) will be hosting two shows at the Victoria Theater on the Lizzie & Jonathan Tisch stage where they’re ringing in the Lunar New Year of the snake.
The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will showcase one of the “most popular dances” performed in the Chinese New Year, called “Lion in the City.” This symbolizes the traditional Lion Dance, which is meant to be a prayer for peace on earth. There’s many styles of the Lion Dance, and this year the company will incorporate contemporary/Chinese movement with hip-hop.
They will also perform “Snake Duet,” “Tiger and Water Lilies,” “Unfolding” and “Dragon Festival.”
You can grab your tickets here.
Newark Museum of Art’s Community Day: Lunar New Year
When: Saturday, Feb. 8 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 49 Washington St, Newark, NJ 07102
Just steps away from the NJPAC, festivities will continue at the Newark Museum of Art.
This free, family-friendly event will bring Lunar New Year to life with art, tradition and community.
Their tentative schedule is as follows:
- 12:30 p.m. — Sichuan opera-face changing artist performance by Chinese Mask Changer NY
- 12:45 p.m. — Rhythmic Ribbon Dance and Gymnastics performance by Lina Liu Artist Group
- 1:00 p.m. — Traditional Lion Dance performance by Fire Mountain School
- 1:45 p.m. — Sichuan opera-face changing artist performance by Chinese Mask Changer NY
- 2:00 p.m. — Traditional Lion Dance performance by Fire Mountain School
- 3:00 p.m. — Rhythmic Ribbon Dance and Gymnastics performance by Lina Liu Artist Group
- 3:45 p.m. — Sichuan opera-face changing artist performance by Chinese Mask Changer NY
- 4:15 p.m. — Rhythmic Ribbon Dance and Gymnastics performance by Lina Liu Artist Group
There will also be food and drinks for sale. RSVP for the event here.
