Spectators watch The Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team perform a Chinese lion dance at the Lunar New Year Festival at The Paper + Craft Pantry on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024.

Spectators watch The Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team perform a Chinese lion dance at the Lunar New Year Festival at The Paper + Craft Pantry on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024.

Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman

Lunar New Year in Austin offers a weeks-long slate of community gatherings — from library craft sessions and school carnivals to lion dances, pop-up markets and restaurant specials. 

When is Lunar New Year 2026? Will school be closed? 

Thai tea matchas are prepared for customers at Lau Lau on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026.

Thai tea matchas are prepared for customers at Lau Lau on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026.

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Observed across East and Southeast Asia and throughout the diaspora, Lunar New Year follows the lunisolar calendar rather than the Gregorian one. The holiday begins Feb. 17 and is referred to by different names across the region, including Seollal in South Korea and Tết in Vietnam. In many Asian countries, the first four to seven days are an official holiday, and celebrations can last for up to two weeks.

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The Austin Independent School District will close to observe the Lunar New Year on Tuesday.   

This year marks the transition from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Fire Horse, a shift traditionally associated with movement, independence and momentum after a period of introspection. The contrast is reflected in Austin’s packed calendar of public celebrations, many of them free and family-friendly.

Lunar New Year celebrations in Austin

Feb. 15: Austin Asian American Film Festival Lunar New Year Celebration

This free daytime event at the Arboretum opens with a lion dance by the Summit Lion Dance Team, followed by bilingual storytime with Spark Collection at noon. Attendees can browse local artisan booths and enter raffles for prizes, including restaurant and design gift cards. The event is open to the public with no tickets required. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; RSVP is available on Partiful.

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10000 Research Blvd., Unit 141. aaafilmfest.org.

Feb. 15: Austin Lunar New Year Festival (Austin Great Wall Chinese School)

Hosted by Austin Great Wall Chinese School, this afternoon celebration centers on cultural performances and hands-on activities. Programming includes a traditional lion dance, ribbon dragon dancing, calligraphy, paper cutting and diabolo demonstrations. A free Lunar New Year carnival runs throughout the event, and children receive red envelopes and goodie bags while supplies last. Free and open to the public from 2 to 5 p.m. Spots are available on Eventbrite.

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Webb Middle School, 601 E. St. Johns Ave., 512-436-3739‬, agwcs.org.

Feb. 15: Lucky Lunar Market

René Foy, mother of Lau Lau owner Hannah Foy, serves water to visiting family members at Lau Lau on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 in Austin.

René Foy, mother of Lau Lau owner Hannah Foy, serves water to visiting family members at Lau Lau on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 in Austin.

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

This afternoon celebration hosted by Lau Lau will feature local AAPI artists and small businesses. The free event runs from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

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3701 Guadalupe St. #106. laulauatx.com.

Feb. 17: Sew Fun: Horses

Marking the official start of the Lunar New Year, this bilingual library workshop teaches basic hand-sewing skills through a Year of the Horse-themed felt project. Participants create a simple horse plush or ornament. Supplies are provided. Free and open to the public from 4 to 6 p.m.

Little Walnut Creek Branch Library, 835 W. Rundberg Lane, 512-974-9860, library.austintexas.gov.

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Feb. 19: The Crafty Adult: Asian Good Luck Knots

A lion gets close to the audience during a Chinese lion dance by the Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team at the Lunar New Year Festival at The Paper + Craft Pantry on Sunday Jan. 22, 2023.

A lion gets close to the audience during a Chinese lion dance by the Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team at the Lunar New Year Festival at The Paper + Craft Pantry on Sunday Jan. 22, 2023.

Aaron E. Martinez / American-Statesman

This adult-focused crafting session introduces participants to traditional decorative knots associated with luck and prosperity. No prior experience is required, and all materials are included. Space is limited to 25 participants, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Free and open to the public from 2 to 4 p.m.

Spicewood Springs Branch Library, 8637 Spicewood Springs Road, 512-974-3800, library.austintexas.gov.

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Feb. 20: Miniature Lunar New Year Painting Workshop

Participants create a miniature Lunar New Year painting using just four colors, with guided instruction provided in English and Spanish. Supplies are included. Free and open to the public from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Little Walnut Creek Branch Library, 835 W. Rundberg Lane, 512-974-9860, library.austintexas.gov.

Feb 21: Austin Beerworks Lunar New Year

The Sprinkle Valley taproom will host the event and release a collaboration brew with Kaiju Cut + Sew. They will also offer a rice lager brewed with oolong tea, yuzu, mango and five spice. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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10300 Springdale Road. 512-821-2494, austinbeerworks.com.

Feb. 21: Lunar New Year Pickleball Celebration

Payton Leihgeber plays pickleball at the Austin Pickle Ranch Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.

Payton Leihgeber plays pickleball at the Austin Pickle Ranch Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.

Mikala Compton / American-Statesman

Austin Pickle Ranch blends sport and tradition with three hours of open pickleball play alongside a Lion and Dragon Dance by the Southern Sea Dragon & Lion Dance Company. Food offerings include bites from Sip Pho and local vendors, with door prizes from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are available online for $25 per person; children under 12 are admitted free. All skill levels welcome.

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Austin Pickle Ranch – Braker Lane, 11000 Middle Fiskville Road, Building B, 737-242-5898, austinpickleranch.com/plan-a-visit/braker

Feb. 22: Lunar New Year Festival at The Paper + Craft Pantry

The fifth annual Lunar New Year Festival in East Austin brings together more than 30 Asian-owned vendors, food and drink pop-ups, lion and dragon dances, live performances and family activities. Programming includes bilingual storytime, face painting and DIY craft stations. The event operates on a donation-based RSVP system through Eventbrite, with proceeds supporting future festivals. Sales close Feb. 22.

1023 Springdale Road, Suite 6A. thepapercraftpantry.com.

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Feb. 28: Lunar New Year Celebration at Spicewood Springs Library

This library-hosted celebration features crafts, calligraphy, games and zodiac education, culminating in a lion dance performance by the Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team at 3 p.m. The event is free and open to all ages.

Spicewood Springs Branch Library, 8637 Spicewood Springs Road, 512-974-3800, library.austintexas.gov.

Ongoing dining events

Through Feb. 22: Lunar New Year themed mochi donuts at OMG Squee

Sarah Lim is the owner of OMG Squee bakery.

Sarah Lim is the owner of OMG Squee bakery.

Mikala Compton/American-Statesman

OMG Squee celebrates the Lunar New Year with special treats like the ube berry, miso milk caramel and strawberry matcha mochi donuts. The gluten-free donuts are available through Feb. 22.

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4607 Bolm Road, Suite A, 512-435-9113, squeeclub.com.

Through Feb. 28: Tso Chinese restaurant specials, red envelope promotions

Employee Michael Nava prepares food at Austin-based Tso Chinese on July 21, 2000. 

Employee Michael Nava prepares food at Austin-based Tso Chinese on July 21, 2000. 

statesman

Tso Chinese is extending Lunar New Year beyond a single weekend. Through Feb. 17, the restaurant is including traditional red envelopes with orders, some containing discounts or free menu items. Additional rotating specials continue through Feb. 28, including free delivery, discounted noodles, rangoons and potstickers with promotional codes.

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Delwood Shopping Center: 3909 N. Interstate Hwy. 35, 512-275-6456

Slaughter: 1824 W. Slaughter Lane, 512-222-3135.

South Congress: 2407 S. Congress Ave., 512-687-3152. 

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Feb. 20–22: The Peached Tortilla, Bar Peached Lunar New Year menus

Bar Peached serves the fusion food that has become a signature of popular local restaurant the Peached Tortilla.

Bar Peached serves the fusion food that has become a signature of popular local restaurant the Peached Tortilla.

Austin American-Statesman

Bar Peached and The Peached Tortilla locations in Burnet, Cedar Park and Clarksville are offering limited-time Lunar New Year dishes alongside their standard menus, including crispy rice spring rolls, five-spice duck chow mein and sesame ribbon cookies at Bar Peached, and sambal crab wontons, beef and broccoli-style noodles and coffee fa gao at The Peached Tortilla. Menu items are available while supplies last.

Bar Peached: 1315 W. Sixth St., 512-992-0666, barpeached.com.

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Peached Tortilla North Austin: 5520 Burnet Road, Suite 100, 512-330-4439.

Peached Tortilla Cedar Park: 1915 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park, 512-456-7120.