The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is celebrated by more than 20% of the world. Like Easter, it is calculated by the lunar calendar rather than the solar calendar – so the date changes from year to year, depending on the moon phases. Also, it is actually celebrated for 15 days – from the new moon to the full moon. In 2026, it begins on February 17th and ends on March 3rd. According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2026 will be the Year of the Horse.
Here are some ways to celebrate at home or out and about the Twin Cities.
Kid-Friendly Lunar New Year Celebrations
Vietnamese New Year Festival
Date(s): 01/24/2026 - 01/25/2026 12:00 pm - 8:00 pmLocation: Burnsville Center, 1178 Burnsville Center, Burnsville, MN, 55306
A family-friendly way to usher in the Lunar New Year – two days of food vendors, cultural performances and face painting for kids. Saturday 11am-10pm; Sunday 12-8pm. FREE admission.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Luce Line Brewing (FREE)
Date(s): 02/21/2026 1:00 pm - 5:00 pmLocation: Luce Line Brewing, 12901 16th Ave N, Plymouth, MN, 55441
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the Chinese Heritage Foundation with a vibrant, family-friendly celebration at the Luce Line taproom. Family fun will include hands-on fun for all ages, a traditional Lion Dance and Kung Fu demonstration, interactive cultural stations like dumpling-making, calligraphy bookmarks, lantern and opera mask crafts, zodiac activities, chopsticks lessons, and a “Feed the Lion” lucky red envelope tradition. This is a free, drop-in event for all ages.
Lunar New Year with the Minnesota Orchestra
Date(s): 02/26/2026 7:00 pm - 9:00 pmLocation: Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN, 55403
Rosedale Center Lunar New Year (FREE)
Date(s): 02/28/2026 10:30 am - 2:30 pmLocation: Rosedale Center, 1595 MN-36, Roseville, MN , 55113
Ring in the Lunar New Year at Rosedale Center with free family fun for all ages:
- Fire Horse display in East Court & live entertainment
- Niko Niko tea samples, gift cards & giveaways
- 10:30am-2:30pm | Table tennis with Dick’s Sporting Goods
- 11:30am-1:30pm | Face painting
- 12pm | Sip N Bloom Hope Flower Bar
More information
- Event link: Rosedale Center events
7 Ways to Celebrate at Home
1. Make a Craft
Lakeshore Learning offers directions to make your own Chinese New Year Drum or a Chinese Lanterns craft. A lantern festival is typically celebrated the last day of the 15 days of Lunar New Year when the moon is full. You could make both crafts on the first day to use as decorations for your family dinner party, and then have a lantern festival on the night of the full moon.
2. Order Take-out (or make your own) and Have a Family Dinner Party
As long as you are staying in, this would be a fun day to order take out or make your own Asian-inspired dinner. It doesn’t have to be Chinese – many Asian countries celebrate this holiday with feasts. Pick your favorite menu or sample food from several cultures – maybe try food from Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan or Thailand. You could even try a little of everything.
3. Give Your Kids Red Envelopes (Lucky Money)
Some Asian cultures give their kids red envelopes after dinner as a way to wish the children health, growth, and good studies. You don’t have to give them real money. You could use gold chocolate coins as your gifts. We find ours in the candy bins at our Cub.
4. Pull out some Leftover Sparklers
Firecrackers or glow sticks also would work to have your own mini-fireworks display in your backyard.
5. Watch a Chinese New Year Dragon Dance
6. Story Time with Lunar New Year Books
We’ve pulled together some children’s books about kids who celebrate the Lunar New Year around the world*.
7. Learn more about Chinese New Year Celebrations
Do a deep dive on the internet and see what new things you can learn together.
Upcoming Chinese Zodiac Years
- 2027: Year of the Goat
- 2028: Year of the Monkey
- 2029: Year of the Rooster
- 2030: Year of the Dog
- 2031: Year of the Pig
- 2032: Year of the Rat
- 2033: Year of the Ox
- 2034: Year of the Tiger
- 2035: Year of the Rabbit
- 2036: Year of the Dragon
This article includes an affiliate link to Bookshop.org, an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. Family Fun Twin Cities receives a small commission on books ordered through our link. If you want to find a specific local bookstore to support, find them on this map and they’ll receive the full profit off your order. Otherwise, your order will contribute to an earnings pool that will be evenly distributed among independent bookstores (even those that don’t use Bookshop). Learn more here.