The beats of drums and clash of gongs echo across Old Town Plaza as the Teng Fei Lion Dance Group, adorned in vibrant pink, green and orange costumes, march to the tempo and perform acrobatic tricks at the fifth annual Creative Space Lunar New Year Celebration.

I’m a seventh-generation Chinese and Thai American. Celebrating Chinese New Year was always a given in my household—something that we did in tandem with New Year. As a child of two cultures, walking into a crowded Lunar New Year parade and hearing the strikes of the gong was familiar. I’ve seen my culture and its celebratory firecrackers become integrated into American culture much like the fireworks during the Fourth of July.

Held at Old Town Plaza in Elk Grove, the celebration partnered with local cultural and community organizations to highlight Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) culture and invite the Sacramento community to participate in festivities. 

The Chinese New Year Culture Association (CNYCA), which promotes cultural understanding and education within the local Asian American community, opens its Lunar New Year celebration with a welcome from elected officials (including the governor) and a congratulatory letter recognizing the AAPI community. CNYCA Committee Member Sunny Liu coordinated speakers, performances and decorations. 

“For this holiday, for other nationalities other than the Chinese people, we want them to understand our culture,” Liu said. “Chinese New Year is similar to Thanksgiving. We celebrate what we [have] learned from the past year, what we expect and what we want to achieve for the new year.”

Lunar New Year continues through the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first full moon on the lunar calendar, marking the transition into spring and symbolizing renewal, honoring our ancestors and offering hope stepping into the new year.

At the culmination of the celebration, families traditionally indulge in a festive feast of comfort and cultural foods, and reunite with relatives to wish Gong Hei for luck. Regional differences across Asia are reflected in the symbolic foods, such as steamed fish for abundance, long noodles for longevity and dumplings for wealth. In Northern China, families eat jiaozi dumplings shaped like ancient gold ingots, while in Southern China, many enjoy a sweet, sticky rice cake representing growth. 

“We aim to balance authenticity with accessibility, being culturally respectful while also approachable for people who want to learn and experience it,” Jennifer Tokunaga, co-founder of the Creative Space, said. “For the Asian American community, it’s a reminder of identity, of staying connected to our culture and our heritage, even while living in a place where we’re often expected to assimilate.”

This year marks the Year of the Horse, symbolizing freedom, speed and ambition. Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the commencement of a new cycle according to celestial patterns traditionally used in East Asian nations.

Occurring every 12 years, the Year of the Horse rotates through five elements that define personality traits: an energetic Fire Horse, a reliable Earth Horse, a cooperative Wood Horse, an adaptable Water Horse and strong Metal Horse. 

Across Asia, Lunar New Year is celebrated over multiple days with extended family, and some cities shut down to recognize it. In Sacramento, festivities center on public gatherings where chosen family and community organizations help preserve identity in the diaspora.

A sea of families dressed in red cultural attire fills the plaza, which is decorated with Chinese character couplets, lanterns and paper-cut horses. With rows of over 50 food and craft vendors, including Nothing Fancy Bakery, an array of themed goods are easily accessible to the event’s guests. The sound of percussion, aroma of sweet pastries and live music immerse attendees in a multi-sensory celebration of culture and heritage. Children crowd activity tables tossing cultural dice and receiving lai sees (red envelopes) filled with lucky money. 

The celebration also bridges generations and culinary traditions. In the multi-course banquet, California Commissioner on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs Tam enjoys lotus root soup with its sweet, earthy flavor and crunchy texture. Gifting oranges serve as symbols of prosperity, luck and gratitude and are often offered to elders as a respectful greeting.

“Seeing my sons celebrate with my parents and absorb our culture reminds me how important it is to stay connected,” Tam said. “It’s also something people can learn from: greeting people with respect, love and gratitude.”

Tam, alongside his fellow commissioners, continues to support Lunar New Year through social media awareness and speaking at community events that connect and advocate for AAPI communities. 

“There are many contributions the AAPI community has given to a society that sometimes goes underrecognized and overlooked. Asian Pacific Islanders have provided so much to our way of life,” Tam said. “At the end of the day, any recognition for our culture is huge because for so long, we were not recognized.”

In 2022, California Assembly Bill 2596 officially recognized Lunar New Year as a state holiday, acknowledging cultural traditions celebrated by Asian American communities. Employees are permitted to have eight hours of vacation, annual leave or compensatory time off instead of receiving eight hours of personal holiday credit to observe Lunar New Year.

The broader Lunar New Year celebration also recognizes cultural traditions within the diaspora from pageants to delectable, picturesque baked goods. 

Miss Teen Vietnam Norcal titleholder Serena Vu is crowned at the pageant royal court at the upcoming Lunar New Year Tết Festival, celebrating with her chosen family. She adorns an áo dài that her mom wore in a pageant at a young age in Huế, Vietnam.

“What really inspired me to participate in this pageant is to empower women and young girls,” Vu said. “Lunar New Year is not only a beginning or a time to start something new, but also a time to be with our people and create community.” 

Andrea Rodriguez, owner of Nothing Fancy Bakery, creates and celebrates community through cookies. Rodriguez, who opened her business six years ago, has created custom Lunar New Year sugar cookies for The Creative Space Lunar New Year celebration since 2020, operating with a home cottage license. 

This year, Rodriguez created sugar cookies for the Year of the Horse using mini cookie stamps featuring “2026” and horse designs. Rodriguez said the celebration gives families new activities close to home and supports small businesses.

“I try to create designs that represent the different years, and represent multiple cultures as authentically as possible,” Rodriguez said. “A couple of years ago, when the calendar was different from the Chinese calendar, we had a cat and a rabbit, so I try to be mindful of that when creating baked goods.”

Lunar New Year celebrations in Sacramento will extend throughout mid March.

Below is a compilation of current Sacramento celebrations of the Lunar New Year. Each event listed is hyperlinked to the organizer so readers can find the most up-to-date event information.

Feb. 14-15 (11 a.m. -8 p.m.):  Lunar New Year Tết Festival 

The festival features Asian Cajun village cuisines, Mardi Gras carnival, lion dancers and a world record-attempted parade blending Asian American and New Orleans customs. The Mrs. Vietnam NorCal Sacramento Pageant will showcase competitors who radiate talent, grace and intelligence. Held at the Elk Grove Park, 9950 Elk Grove Florin Rd.

Feb. 15 (10 a.m. -2 p.m.): Lunar New Year at Fairytale Town

Make crafts, learn Lunar New Year stories, enjoy an array of Asian cuisines and participate in cultural games. The Jade Rabbit and Lion Dance Association performs at 1:00 p.m. at the Mother Goose Stage. Held at William Land Park on 3901 Land Park Dr.

Feb. 24 (5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m.): Sip n’ Socialize 

Sip N’ Socialize is a networking mixer at 1116 15th St. hosted by the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce over a shared meal. The chamber, the region’s largest ethnic business organization, supports AAPI-owned businesses and economic development, serving more than 6,000 AAPI-owned and 37,000 small businesses. 

Feb. 28 (11 a.m. -3 p.m.): Lunar New Year Celebration in Rio Vista

Hosted by Riovision, the celebration features chopsticks challenges, Mah Jong tile games, calligraphy, Taiko drummers and lion dances. The Locke Foundation will screen VOICES: Chinese Women of the Delta. Held at the Toy Building, 154 North Front Street.

March 14 (11 a.m. -5 p.m.): Stockton Chinese New Year Celebration

Join the Central Valley Asian chamber for festivities featuring lion dances, theatrical umbrella dance and fan dance performances, lantern displays and AAPI vendors. Held at the First Baptist Church Community Center, 33 W. Alpine Ave.