Lunar New Year: A Celebration of Renewal, Family, and Community

Lunar New Year is one of the world’s oldest and most widely celebrated holidays. Marking the arrival of spring, it follows a lunisolar calendar and typically falls between late January and mid-February. While often associated with Chinese culture, Lunar New Year is also celebrated in many communities across East and Southeast Asia, including Vietnamese (Tết), Korean (Seollal), and others, each with distinct customs and regional traditions. Across cultures, the holiday centers on themes of renewal, family unity, gratitude, and hope for the year ahead.

In San Francisco, where generations of Asian American families have shaped the cultural fabric of the city, the holiday holds particular significance. In the days leading up to the New Year, families thoroughly clean their homes to sweep away the previous year’s bad luck and make space for new blessings. On New Year’s Eve, many gather for a reunion dinner featuring symbolic foods. Fish is often served to represent abundance.  Long noodles symbolize longevity, and citrus fruits such as oranges and tangerines represent good fortune. Children receive red envelopes (called lìshì in Vietnamese and hóngbāo or lai see in Cantonese) filled with money and well wishes for health and prosperity. Lion and dragon dances, accompanied by lively drumming, are performed to bring good luck and ward off negative energy.

In early February 2026, our Synergy School community brought many of these traditions to life in a joyful celebration. The third grade captivated the audience with a festive Lunar New Year performance that included traditional drumming, an umbrella dance, and an exciting lion dance. Their performance reflected thoughtful learning about the holiday’s history and symbolism. Afterward, students enjoyed festive treats, including sesame balls, orange candies symbolizing good fortune, and special red envelopes filled with chocolate coins. It was a sweet and meaningful way for our community to celebrate together.

The Year of the Horse (2026)

2026 marks the Year of the Horse, one of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac cycle. The zodiac follows a repeating 12-year pattern, with each year associated with an animal and one of five elements. The Horse is often associated with energy, independence, optimism, and forward momentum. Those born in a Horse year are traditionally described as spirited, hardworking, and adventurous. Decorations and artwork featuring the year’s zodiac animal are common during Lunar New Year celebrations, serving as reminders of qualities families hope to cultivate in the year ahead. The Year of the Horse encourages us to move forward with confidence and enthusiasm; an inspiring message as our students continue to grow and take on new challenges.

Celebrating in San Francisco

San Francisco hosts one of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations outside of Asia. The highlight is the annual Chinese New Year Parade, a vibrant evening procession through downtown featuring illuminated floats, lion dancers, marching bands, and the spectacular Golden Dragon weaving through city streets. In 2026, the parade is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, beginning at 5:15 PM and lasting approximately two and a half hours. Attending the parade is a wonderful opportunity for families to experience the color, music, and community spirit that define this celebration. Throughout the season, many local restaurants and bakeries also offer traditional foods and festive specialties to mark the New Year.

Lunar New Year reminds us of the importance of family, reflection, gratitude, and new beginnings.

Wishing our entire community happiness, health, and prosperity in the year ahead: Gung Hay Fat Choi (Cantonese) and Chúc Mừng Năm Mới (Vietnamese).

Photos by Russ Curtis and Jen and Christian Wofford