Illustration by Sakura Siegel / SOC Images.
Red and gold decor, clothes and money envelopes once again washes over New Jersey, and across the globe, as Lunar New Year returns, welcoming in the year of the Fire Horse, which is something that happens only once every 60 years.
And while you may have heard or seen that fact a few times already, Iris Shih, the communications director for AAPI New Jersey, further explained to Slice of Culture the deeper meaning behind the Fire Horse and why it’s so important to continue to recognize and celebrate cultural traditions like Lunar New Year.
“The Year of the Horse symbolizes strength, independence, perseverance, and freedom. The Fire Horse in particular signifies progress and transformation, so many see 2026 as a year full of potential and change,” Shih told Slice of Culture in an email response.
“… Lunar New Year is about being with family, which is a privilege now when many families in our country, including in New Jersey, are being broken apart. By not shying away from our traditions, we give strength to one another when we celebrate together, foster a sense of belonging by taking pride in our identities and show our strength as a community by living from a place of joy, not fear.”
– Iris Shih, AAPI New Jersey
Lunar New Year is also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival in China. It originated in China for when farmers got time to celebrate the new year with loved ones. Today, it’s celebrated in a number of Asian countries and communities like Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, but not all Asians, Asian Americans and/or Pacific Islanders observe the Chinese/lunar zodiac. Over the years, it adopted the name “Lunar New Year” to be more inclusive to the various communities that celebrate it.
The holiday lasts for 15 days, starting and ending with a full moon; in 2026, it will go from Feb. 17 until the Lantern Festival on March 3. Unlike the Western Zodiacs—Aries, Taurus, Gemini, to name a few—the Chinese Zodiac rotates between 12 animals and each is paired with either: water, wood, fire, earth or metal. Last year was the year of the snake.
“Lunar New Year is celebrated by billions of people worldwide and holds deep significance as a time for family reunions, shared meals and cultural traditions that help set the stage for an auspicious year,” Shih said in a written response.
For those who may be unfamiliar with Lunar New Year or are looking for ways to celebrate authentically, Shih said common ways are:
- Gathering with loved ones
- Eating foods that symbolize good fortune like long noodles (longevity), oranges and dumplings (prosperity) and whole fish (surplus)
- Adults giving money in red envelopes to children
- Cleaning your home to sweep away bad luck
- Wearing and decorating with the color red, a lucky color
In the Jersey City Public Schools district, some classes will be wearing red and learning about the holiday.
Lunar New Year celebrations vary from culture to culture, but here are some places in and near Hudson County that can help you authentically celebrate and acknowledge the holiday.
Hudson County Community College Lunar New Year Celebration
When: Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: North Hudson Campus Multipurpose Room, 4800 Kennedy Boulevard, 2nd Floor Suite N203, Union City, New Jersey
Join the campus as they celebrate the Year of the Horse and indulge in Chinese culture, music, food and language.
You can register here.
American Dream Mall’s Global Lunar New Year Photography Competition
When: Feb. 15 to March 8, Monday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Level 1, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, New Jersey
The competition is displaying photographers from around the world and showcasing their traditional customs, celebrations and other cultural moments through the lens during Lunar New Year.
Attendees are invited to check out the exhibition and experience the cultural tradition through images.
You can get parking tickets ahead here.
American Dream Mall’s Lunar New Year Concert by Celadon Stars
When: Sunday, Feb. 22 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Court D, Level 1, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Celadon Youth, a non-profit organization focused on showcasing Asian traditional arts, music and culture, is debuting their new adult ensemble called Celadon Stars World Orchestra.
You can get parking tickets ahead here.
Tongyan Chinese School 2026 Lantern Festival & Culture Fair
When: Saturday, Feb. 28 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: James J. Ferris High School Gym, 35 Colgate Street, Jersey City, New Jersey
The culture fair will kick off with New Year crafts, games, music, calligraphy and on-site sugar painting. Then, at 4 p.m., there will be a lion dance, Sichuan opera and performance from TongYan School students.
The event is $15 per person, but is free for: kids ages three and under, TongYan students, staff and family members. You can register here.
Aside from Lunar New Year, you can continue to acknowledge, embrace and celebrate the history and culture of New Jersey’s Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders through AAPI New Jersey.
AAPI New Jersey is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2021 and works towards championing “the well-being, rights, representation, histories and cultures of New Jersey’s 1+ million Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders,” Shih explained.
“We pursue this work by advocating for policies that advance the welfare of communities of color; providing K–12 teachers with training and resources to incorporate AAPI histories in their classrooms; and building strong, inclusive, engaged communities through year-round programming that includes cultural celebrations, youth activities and mental health services.”
You can learn more or find resources here: https://aapinewjersey.org/resources/.
