GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Lunar New Year begins on February 10th this year, as community members prepare for a month of festivities celebrating the Year of the Dragon.
Lunar New Year goes by several names in East and Southeast Asian cultures that celebrate the holiday. In Chinese culture, it is referred to as Chunjie, also known as the Spring Festival and will last until February 24th.
Koreans refer to the holiday as Seollal, with three days of celebration, and it is known as Tet in Vietnamese, and Losar in Tibetan.
Lunar New Year begins on the first new moon of the Lunar Calendar, and ends with the first full moon, and will typically fall between January 21 and February 20.
Across cultures, people begin to prepare for the holiday by purchasing traditional foods and gifts to share among loved ones, such as candies, and traditional delicacies.
"It's been something spectacular, where we can celebrate it with you know, not just our own people, but with everybody else all across the world," said Hung Le, owner of Kim Nhung Superstore in Grand Rapids, where customers have been coming in to purchase gift baskets, and Bahn Tet, traditional Vietnamese sticky rice cakes with mung bean and pork filling, wrapped in banana leaves.
Traditions range from family dinners with traditional food, such as Tteok Guk, Korean rice cake and dumpling soup, along with lighting firecrackers, with Lion and Dragon dancing in Chinese and Vietnamese cultures to keep away evil spirits.
Families may also gather to leave offerings in honor of their ancestors.
Children will also receive money in red or brightly colored and decorated envelopes from family members.
Events across West Michigan will be held throughout the month, welcome to community members:
Lunar New Year Celebration at the Holland Fish and Game Club, Zeeland, MI - Hosted by the Zeeland Christian Mandarin Immersion families, Korean Connection, and West Michigan Asian American Association
- February 9, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
- Free activities
- Dragon Dance
- Food for purchase
Vietnamese Lunar New Year Celebration at Hong Kong Plaza, 4242 Division Ave S Kentwood – Hosted by Kim Nhung Superstore
- February 18, 12-5 p.m.
- Lion Dance, Fire crackers, face painting, prizes, Music and more
Kaffeine Place serving traditional Korean rice cake and dumpling soup until February 29
- Korean Fusion bar and restaurant
- 637 Michigan St NE Suite A, Grand Rapids