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Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: Lunar New Year

Festival

What is Lunar New Year?

The term "Asian-American" encompasses such a wide range of cultures and countries of origin that it is difficult to choose a single holiday shared by the majority of Asian-Americans, but nearly every Asian and Asian-American culture has a celebration of the lunar new year.

Unlike the Gregorian calendar, in which New Year is always celebrated on January 1, the date of the lunar new year varies from year to year and is based on the cycles of the moon. Lunar new year generally falls between January 21 and February 20.
 

    How is it celebrated?

     Customs for celebrating the lunar
     new year vary somewhat between
     different cultures.

     Common lunar new year customs
     include:

  •      - Traditional cultural dress
  •      - Large spreads of rich food
  •      - Exchanging money
  •      - Public parades and processions
  •      - Rituals to drive away evil spirits