Lunar New Year takes place on the second new moon after the winter solstice, and the Bay Area is getting ready to welcome the seventh animal of the zodiac, the strong and responsible horse. Lions and dragons will also join for some lively dancing, and of course there will be crafts and delicious snacks. Lunar New Year takes place on Feb. 17, but libraries and city centers will have their own celebrations throughout the month.
Milpitas
Milpitas welcomes the Lunar New Year with a bang. The Lunar New Year community celebration will have special performances by local groups such as Viet Youth and Viet Steps, children’s crafts and cultural treats. Festivities conclude with lion and dragon dances and firecrackers.
Friday, Feb. 13
6 – 8pm
Civic Center Plaza
457 E Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas
milpitas.gov/1179/Lunar-New-Year
San Leandro
Second Fridays are back in downtown San Leandro, starting with a Lunar New Year Celebration. There will be delicious food, crafted drinks, music and live cultural performances. This event is hosted by Downtown San Leandro and West Coast Makers.
Friday, Feb. 13
4 – 9pm
W Juana Ave. and E 14th St., San Leandro
downtownsanleandro.com
Hayward
Hayward’s celebration will feature a vibrant Korean traditional dance performance by Hansamo, and a Chinese traditional instrumental music performance by Tiffany Liu. This is a free event; no registration is required. Traditional red envelopes will be handed out to children at the end of the show. Attendees are encouraged to wear traditional or heritage attire to celebrate our community spirit.
Saturday, Feb. 14
11:30am – 12:30pm
Hayward Public Library
888 C St., Hayward
hayward.librarycalendar.com
San Jose
San Jose celebrates Lunar New Year with the Vietnamese Tet Festival. The three-day event will have lion dances, live performances, food booths, carnival rides and games, Miss Viet Nam California and more.
Feb. 20 – 22
Fri: 3 – 10pm, Sat / Sun: 11am – 10pm
Eastridge Center
2200 Eastridge Loop, San Jose
eventbrite.com
Castro Valley
Castro Valley Library will celebrate Year of the Horse with a lion dance performance by the Castro Valley High School Lion Dance Club.
Saturday, Feb. 21
Castro Valley Library
3600 Norbridge Ave., Castro Valley
aclibrary.org/locations/csv/
Union City
Union City library will host Lunar New Year performances by New Haven Unified School District students, presented in collaboration with Guy Emanuele Mandarin Immersion Program. Groups include James Logan Kungfu Club, EML Dance Club and more.
Saturday, Feb. 21
Union City Library
34007 Alvarado-Niles Rd.,Union City
aclibrary.org/locations/ucy/
Fremont
Fremont library’s Lunar New Year celebration will feature lion and dragon dances, a variety show presented by community members, cultural activities, shadow puppets and a DIY photo booth. The dragon dance will start at 1pm in the library lobby and end in the children’s area. All activities are free and will be presented in English and Mandarin. Tickets are required for the variety show and shadow puppets (ages 2-5). All other activities are first-come, first-served.
Saturday, Feb. 28
1 – 4:45pm
Fremont Main Library
2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont
