Rice University students gathered Feb. 14 to celebrate the Lunar New Year at a festive Chinese New Year Gala hosted by the Rice Chinese Students and Scholars Association. The event honored the traditions of the Spring Festival, also known as the Lunar New Year, which marks the transition from the old lunar year to the new and is widely celebrated in China and across Asian communities around the world.
The gala also featured a vibrant lineup of performances that energized the crowd. Students took the stage to sing, dance and perform music, showcasing a range of talents and cultural expressions. One of the highlights of the evening was the traditional lion dance, a dynamic performance accompanied by rhythmic drumming that is believed to bring good luck and ward off negative spirits for the year ahead.
In addition to the performances, attendees enjoyed interactive and cultural activities, including painting stations, card and board games, palm readings, a costume station and a variety of regional foods. Open to anyone interested in Chinese traditions, the event fostered community, cultural exchange and a shared celebration of new beginnings.
“One thing Rice does really well is facilitate celebrations of other cultures,” said Daniel Bilous, a freshman studying mechanical engineering. “This is just an example that as someone who has never experienced this, I can go in here and see how other people celebrate and see what makes it special.”
Lunar New Year begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and concludes 15 days later with the Lantern Festival. It is traditionally a time for family reunions, symbolic foods, red decorations and wishes for prosperity and good fortune in the year ahead. In the Chinese zodiac, 2026 welcomes the Year of the Horse, symbolizing freedom, vitality and ambition.