This year Lunar New Year lands on Tuesday, Feb. 17, marking the Year of the Fire Horse. The cultural event is followed by 15 days of festivities that feature traditions of gift-giving, family feasts, performances, crafts, symbolic foods and red envelopes that tell of good fortune and happiness to those lucky to receive them.
Here are just a few ways to celebrate in Milwaukee and beyond:
Lunar New Year Celebration at Marquette University
FEB. 16, 12-1:30 P.M. | MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY
Hosted by the APIDA Employee Resource Group in collaboration with campus cultural groups, this midday celebration offers tai chi demonstrations, a performance on the traditional Chinese erhu instrument, calligraphy, games and more.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with MATC
FEB. 17, 12-1 P.M. | MILWAUKEE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
MATC’a Asian Affinity Group will host a community event to welcome in the New Year, featuring Chinese calligraphy lessons, games and desserts. Wear red clothes or accessories for good luck!
Lunar New Year at Titletown
FEB. 17-19, 5-7 P.M. | TITLETOWN, GREEN BAY
This three-day community celebration brings Lunar New Year to Green Bay. On Feb. 17, Rockwood Terrace will host lantern and horse origami crafting; On Feb. 18, 46 Below will have red envelope and wish tree activities; and on Feb. 19, Ace Champion will perform on 12 different flutes from across Asia at Rockwood Terrace.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Lunar New Year Celebration with Mahjong and Coffee
FEB. 22, 12-4 P.M. | KUUMBA JUICE & COFFEE
Come celebrate the Lunar New Year at Kuumba Juice & Coffee with MKE Mahjong. For a $20 entry fee, you’ll find mahjong, as well as other games, and Taiwanese food from Bento Xpert.
Ruyi’s Lunar New Year Menu
THROUGH FEB. 28
Ruyi Restaurant inside Potawatomi Casino Hotel is featuring a special menu inspired by Lunar New Year flavors and traditions. The menu adds new appetizers, entrees and “The Lucky Horse” dessert (vanilla almond jaconde, white chocolate calamansi mousse, cherry gel).
