Rice University will mark the Lunar New Year with a series of community events and expert perspectives, highlighting the rich cultural traditions of this holiday.
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, celebrates the start of the lunisolar calendar and symbolizes renewal, hope and family unity. Thought to have originated in ancient China around 3,500 years ago, it is one of the most significant holidays in Chinese culture and is celebrated widely in Asia and beyond. The festival falls between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20 and is observed with traditions such as cleaning to remove bad luck, decorating with red symbols of prosperity, exchanging red envelopes and gathering for festive meals. The Lunar New Year begins Jan. 29 in 2025.
Rice will host several events to celebrate Lunar New Year:
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Jan. 25: The Rice Chinese Students & Scholars Association will host the Chinese New Year Gala from 6-9 p.m. in the Rice Memorial Center (RMC) Grand Hall. The evening will feature vibrant performances, handmade crafts and festive cheer.
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Jan. 29: Fondren Library will host a Lunar New Year celebration from 3-5 p.m. Activities include bookmark and greeting card crafting, festive lantern making and tasting traditional Chinese candies. Learn more here.
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Feb. 1: The Rice Chinese Student Association will present the 2025 Lunar New Year Gala starting at 5 p.m. in the RMC Grand Hall. Attendees can enjoy an evening of dance, music, art, food and fashion.
Media planning to attend any of these events should RSVP to Brandi Smith at brandi.smith@rice.edu.
Rice faculty experts are available to discuss the history, traditions and cultural significance of Lunar New Year.
Asian American food traditions
Anne Chao, adjunct lecturer in the humanities and program director of the Houston Asian American Archive, specializes in Asian American history and Lunar New Year traditions, including the preparation of traditional foods such as spring rolls, dumplings and tea eggs.
“Chinese New Year is a time of celebration and of coming together,” Chao said. “Families gather around tables full of delicious food, each ingredient symbolizing an element of health, wealth and success. Grown-ups think of the coming new year as a time of renewal, and children look forward to becoming a year older and more grown-up.”
History of Lunar New Year
Sidney Lu, the Annette and Hugh Gragg Associate Professor of Transnational Asian Studies, is a historian specializing in modern Japan and China and Asian diasporas in the Americas.
“The Lunar New Year is a significant festival to celebrate not only in Asia but also in the U.S.,” Lu said. “It is a critical part of the cultural heritage of many Asian Americans today and symbolizes their value and identity.”
Linguistics and cultural traditions
Meng Yeh, teaching professor of Chinese, focuses on linguistics, language pedagogy and curriculum design.
“Lunar New Year is a time of renewal, reunion and reflection,” Yeh said. “It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar, symbolizing fresh starts and the hope for prosperity, health and happiness. The celebration strengthens family bonds, honors ancestors and reinforces cultural traditions that have been passed down through generations. In today’s fast-paced world, it remains a cherished tradition that bridges the past with the present, reminding us of our cultural roots and shared hopes for the future.”
Korean language and pedagogy
Jaesu Choi, lecturer in Korean, specializes in psycholinguistic analysis, test validation and Korean curriculum design. He has over a decade of teaching experience in Korea and the U.S., focusing on learner-driven language acquisition.
“Lunar New Year is a celebration of family, hope and new beginnings, marked by cherished traditions that bring generations together,” Choi said. “It is a meaningful time to reflect on the past, honor cultural heritage and step into the future with renewed aspirations.”
For more information or to arrange an interview with Rice experts, contact media relations specialist Brandi Smith at brandi.smith@rice.edu, or Chris Stipes, executive director of news and media relations, at chris.stipes@rice.edu.