Lunar New Year Celebrations in NC

Flyer courtesy of the Meredith Asian Studies Club

Jan. 22 marked the beginning of the Lunar New Year. Countries that celebrate the Lunar New Year follow the lunisolar calendar, which uses moon cycles to indicate months. The exact date changes based on the new moon cycle for the upcoming year. Each year, the Lunar calendar is represented by one of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. This year is the Year of the Rabbit, which symbolizes longevity and prosperity. In North Carolina, several organizations are celebrating the Lunar New Year throughout the month.

Meredith’s Asian Studies Club is hosting a Lunar New Year celebration on Friday, Jan. 27, from 6-7:30 p.m. in Kresge Auditorium. Performances will include traditional Chinese musical instruments, Tai Chi Chuan and traditional Chinese paper-cutting. The event counts as an Academic and Cultural Event credit. Throughout the week, the club will also be posting a series of Instagram posts to educate the Meredith community about the holiday and how different countries celebrate it.

The Triangle Area Chinese American Society (TACAS) will host their Chinese New Year Festival on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the NC State Fairgrounds’ Dorton Arena. Admission is $10 at the door, and pre-sale tickets are available for $7 on their website.

The North Carolina Museum of Art will host a Pop-up Performance by East Cloud Kungfu on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 2 p.m. The performance is free and open to the public.

Wake County Public Libraries are offering several ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year through Jan. 30. Activities include making paper lanterns and learning about zodiac signs and songs. Each library is hosting different activities, so community members should check the online events calendar for specific details. Registration is not required but is recommended.

By Aminah Jenkins, Editor in Chief