Happy New Year!
The Los Angeles Public Library is excited to bring you to our 2026 Lunar New Year Celebration, Year of the Horse, celebrating the Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other Asian communities.
The New Year is the celebration of the start of the calendar year, and throughout the world, the New Year can be celebrated as a social, cultural, and/or religious festival. Because the festival is tied in with the seasons, it is among the oldest and universally shared celebrations that are observed among many cultures, countries, and peoples.
At the Central Library, we will celebrate the Lunar New Year with family-orientated cultural programs from 2 - 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026.
If you would like to know more about our diverse communities, we invite you to visit one of our 72 branch locations and Central Library and engage in all the resources the library has to offer: books, citizenship classes, tutoring, and so much more.
Lunar New Year Festival
Saturday, February 7, 2026
2 - 4 p.m.
Central Library
Zodiac Animals for Movers Community Dance Experience With Peggy Nguyễn
Time: 2 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Location: Children’s Literature
Audience: Kids
Celebrate Lunar New Year with Vietnamese-American dance artist, educator, and children’s book author Peggy Nguyễn for an interactive reading of her new picture book Zodiac Animals for Movers. Participants of all ages and backgrounds are invited to engage in Nguyễn-Griffin’s reimagining of the Vietnamese Lunar calendar with a community dance experience that will charge us into the Year of the Horse with intention and power!
Korean Games
Time: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Taper Lobby
Audience: All ages
Come discover the fun, history, and communal spirit of Korean traditional games! We will learn to play Gonggi Nori (공기놀이), Yut Nori (윷놀이), Tuho (투호), and Jegichagi (제기차기).
Chinese Paper Cutting With Emmy Lam*
Time: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Octavia Lab
Audience: All ages
Participants will learn the traditional art of Chinese Paper Cutting with presenter Emmy Lam. All the supplies will be provided during this hands-on workshop.
*Registration is required to attend this in-person program. There will be two sessions: 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. and 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. To participate, please email rsvpoctavialab@lapl.org and let us know which session you prefer.
Kunqu Opera Society
Time: 2:30 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Location: Mark Taper Auditorium
Audience: All ages
Kunqu is one of the oldest forms of traditional Chinese opera, with a history of over 600 years. It is known for its refined singing, graceful movement, and poetic storytelling. Through music, dance, and simple stage settings, Kunqu brings classic stories to life and has played a foundational role in the development of Chinese theater.
Field Elementary School Lion Dance
Time: 3 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Location: Mark Taper Auditorium
Audience: All ages
Field Elementary School’s Mandarin Dual Language Immersion Program (MDLIP) will have a Chinese dragon, lions, drum, gong, cymbals, and a Year of the Snake fan dance to share.
Bilingual Vietnamese Storytime With Librarian Shirley Ly
Time: 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Children’s Literature
Audience: Kids
Join this family-friendly event celebrating the Vietnamese Lunar New Year called Tet. Participants will learn about the traditions of the Tet festival and how families celebrate the new year. A fun book read aloud, along with songs and movement activities, will be sure to engage children and their families. Geared towards children ages 2-5 years old, but all ages are welcome to attend.
Let’s Get in a Pickle Together! With Jessica Wang*
Time: 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Teen’Scape
Audience: All ages
Join Chef and Chinese American fermented food advocate Jessica Wang for a family-friendly, hands-on food program featuring a rice ball with soy sauce pickle demonstration and tasting. Learn simple pickling concepts used in the home kitchen while learning how pickled flavors enhance everyday foods. The program includes cultural context and practical tips inspired by Jessica's family’s diasporic Chinese culinary heritage.
*Limited to the first 20 participants. First-come, first-served.
Asian American Talent Foundation Dance Troupe
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Mark Taper Auditorium
Audience: All ages
Asian Arts Talents Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 2003 with a group of dance choreographers deeply in love with both eastern and western cultures. Come see new and exciting dance performances.
