Celebrate Lunar, one of Orlando’s premier Lunar New Year events, returns with a super-sized, one-day festival from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 31).
Taking over the grand, green space of Luminary Green in downtown’s Creative Village district, the celebration is steeped in both traditional flavors and cultural performances — and the evolution thereof. There will be vendors with merchandise and spaces representing the regions’ vast diversity. There will be traditional dance and hip hop dance battles. There will be Asian street racers. There will be food, food, food.
“It is a very big Asian tent,” David Sudarma, president of Heritage & Hope, tells me with a laugh.
The nonprofit, which helps develop Asian-American youth leadership, is now the flag that flies over Celebrate Lunar, a party that would require not just a big Asian tent, but a colossal one.
Sudarma is speaking metaphorically, about the many cultures that join forces under the designation of Asian-American, young people that Heritage & Hope looks to coach through their Asian Student Associations, in high schools and elsewhere, and who will benefit from the proceeds of this year’s celebration, not only via proceeds, but actual participation.
“We want to do things in a very hands-on way,” he says. “Not a lecture format, but something experiential. Taking them places, having mentors come in and do hands-on things.”
And in Year One of Heritage & Hope’s involvement with Celebrate Lunar, that means lots of student participation, on the stages during cultural performances, in the booths representing their organizations and in boots-on-the-ground roles, helping the event flow smoothly and successfully.
The lion dancer performance is always a huge draw at Celebrate Lunar. (Courtesy Celebrate Lunar)
“You’ll see them everywhere!” says Sudarma.
You’ll also see that “big Asian tent” repped well amid the menus, says Heritage & Hope Executive Director Maxine Sudarma. More than 50 good vendors will be on site.
“It’s usually my first priority,” she says, “hand-picking every one and making sure that each culture is represented.
Seito Sushi Baldwin Park chef/partner Huy Tin grills up goodness at Celebrate Lunar 2025. They’ll be back on Jan. 31. (Courtesy Celebrate Lunar)
Japanese desserts (Kori Bakery & Desserts) and Vietnamese coffee (Black Phin). Pan-Asian delights (Seito Sushi Baldwin Park) and traditional Thai flavors (Lim Ros). Michelin-recognized, Chinese noods (Walala Hand-Pulled Noodles) and “Lao-Bodian” street food (Mae Tao & Son’s).
“Lao-Bodian” food trailer Mae Tao & Son’s will be on site with sandwiches and more for Celebrate Lunar. (Courtesy Celebrate Lunar)
From Filipino-Hawaiian flavors to trendy tanghulu, traditional matcha to killer cocktails from local favorites like The Moderne and Forward/Slash Distillery, this will be a lunch and dinner event you’ll want to camp out for. In fact, says Sudarma, many people do.
“Families come with blankets and set up on the grass and just have a picnic that lasts all day long,” she says.
Food and performances are a big draw at Celebrate Lunar, but there’s more than just edible items on the merch tables. (Courtesy Celebrate Lunar)
And while basic tickets are just $15 for adults and $7 for kids 10 and younger (includes all-day access to the event: festival, performances, vendors), the $200 VIP Ticket offers a massive dose of swag for your Year of the Horse celebration.
It’s a food vendor explosion as Celebrate Lunar takes over Luminary Park in Creative Village. This year, there will be 40+. (Courtesy Celebrate Lunar)
Included in VIP: Early access at 11 a.m., drink ticket for signature cocktail from Moderne, special croffle treat by Cafe Peko Peko, a VIP-exclusive dessert from KORI Bakery & Dessert, interactive experience with Rugged Perspective, including Labubu photo-op, prime VIP seating during all performances and post-performance photos with the Lion Dancers by the Orlando sign at 1:15 p.m. Visit celebratelunar.com/vip-experience for a full breakdown of offers.
Celebrate Lunar’s cultural performances are colorful, beautiful and very popular with guests. (Courtesy Celebrate Lunar)
It’s a marathon of a family-friendly day, where all that energy peaks in the evening, as the Dynasty of Dance hip-hop battle, featuring performers both local and national, takes the stage around 5 p.m.
“We think it will be exciting for everyone, especially the younger audience members,” David Sudarma says, though the surface excitement penetrates deeper, to what he and his wife wish they had growing up.
Celebrate Lunar founder Maxine Sudarma. (Courtesy Celebrate Lunar)
“The Asian-American community is under-resourced,” he says, noting the cultural gaps, the lack of identity-focused resources.
And so from the vision of creating something for their kids and others like them, Heritage & Hope was born. The hope is that their connections will grow, “eventually leading to partnerships with local businesses and community leaders for a mentorship component.”
Delicious food, savory and sweet, draws many of Celebrate Lunar’s guests to enjoy the festival’s flavor. (Courtesy Celebrate Lunar)
Celebrate Lunar, as it brings the excitement and fun of the holiday and the coming Year of the Horse, and authentic dishes from China, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia and more, will help fuel the nonprofit’s mission — and festive attire is encouraged.
“Wear red and gold and celebrate Lunar New Year with us!”
For tickets and more information, visit celebratelunar.com.
Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.