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Culture

Lunar New Year celebrations in Austin

Ring in the Year of the Snake with festivals, lion and dragon dances, vendor markets, and brewery parties.

January 30, 2025 • 
Morgan O’Neal
A vibrant outdoor Lunar New Year celebration featuring a lion dance performance. Performers in a bright orange lion costume balance atop a human pyramid, with colorful confetti filling the air. The crowd, including families and spectators, watches excitedly, many capturing the moment on their phones. Additional lion dancers in blue, pink, and yellow costumes add to the festive atmosphere, set against a modern urban backdrop with a parking garage and market-style buildings.

Lion and dragon dances are must-see performances during the festival.

Photo by Kelly Zhu Photo

The Capital City is filled to the brim with Lunar New Year celebrations. Find one (or several) to put on your calendar and celebrate the Year of the Snake with your friends + family.

Lunar New Year at Austin Beerworks | Saturday, Feb. 1 | Cost of purchase
Festivities at the local brewery’s Sprinkle Valley location include games of Mahjong, a summit lion dance, and a market with 15+ local makers. Plus, pick up exclusive Lunar New Year x Austin Beerworks merch.

Lunar New Year Festival | Sunday, Feb. 2 | Cost of purchase
The donation-based event at The Paper + Craft Pantry will feature a market with 30+ local vendors, food and drinks, lion and dragon dance performances at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., face painting artists, and DIY craft stations.

Sud Monkey’s Lunar New Year Celebration | Sunday, Feb. 2 | Cost of purchase
There’s a little bit of everything at this brewery’s Year of the Snake party. Think: Gong Fu Cha tea service, a Chinese calligraphy lesson, traditional bookmark-making, and a Wishing Tree.

UMLAUF After Dark: Lunar New Year | Tuesday, Feb. 4 | $12
Experience a gong meditation + performance and a glow-in-the-dark dragon and lion dance at this celebration, which will also include special cocktails and an art showcase.

OMG Squee’s Lunar New Year + 5th Birthday Bash | Saturday, Feb. 8 | Cost of purchase
Learn to play Mahjong, see a summit lion dance, sip free drinks, snack on food specials, and shop an art market at this beloved local dessert shop.

FCC Austin’s 2025 Chinese New Year Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 8 | $22+
Enjoy a buffet catered by First Chinese BBQ, kid-friendly activities, special performances, and a silent auction at this event hosted by Families with Children from China Austin.

Chinese Society of Austin 2025 Lunar New Year Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 15 | $40+
Dress in formal attire for this celebration banquet with a buffet-style dinner, live entertainment, and door prizes.

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