Celebrate the Year of the Snake with the Center for East Asian Studies

Wed, 02/05/2025

LaGretia Copp

Red and gold graphic with snake and flowers. Text includes festival title, time, date, place and activities further detailed in story.

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) and co-sponsor Student Union Activities will celebrate the Year of the Snake for the Lunar New Year, a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar.

The free, public Lunar New Year Festival will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Kansas Union.

The Lunar New Year is the most important holiday in China and is widely celebrated in other East Asian countries. It begins Jan. 29, kicking off two weeks of celebration. The Year of the Snake is expected to bring about transformation and new beginnings.

Attendees will enjoy an evening of festivities and friendship to ring in the new year, including two hours of performances by KU students and faculty as well as area artists including the Lawrence Art Center Chinese Dance youth group, Tatsumaki Yosakoi, Wanwan Cai, KU Karisma and KU Unity Hip Hop.

Family-friendly activities will include kamishibai (Japanese storytelling), the red envelope giveaway and free raffle, fan making, bingo and East Asian culture tables. Participants can also sample a dumpling, spring roll and sushi while supplies last.

The red envelope giveaways and beverages are possible through donations from Pepsi, KU Bookstore, Rock & Hawk Sports Bar (Oread Hotel), The Merc Coop, Toppers Pizza, Royal Crest Lanes and Presotea and its affiliated businesses.