Though its official dates vary across different Asian cultures, the Lunar New Year is a celebration of the start of spring and a new year on the lunisolar calendar.
2025 is the Year of the Snake, an animal representing sensitivity, adaptability, and calm + collective nature.
Expect plenty of lion dances, firecrackers, gifts of money in red envelopes, and other festivities around the Portland area in the coming weeks. Here are just a few Lunar New Year events to check out.
- Lunar New Year Opening Lion Dance | Wednesday, Jan. 29 | 9:30-11 a.m. | Lan Su Chinese Garden | Free | Welcome the Year of the Snake with a special lion dance performance at the garden’s Entrance Plaza.
- Lunar New Year Lantern Viewing Evenings | Wednesday, Jan. 29-Sunday, Feb. 23 | 5:30 p.m. + 7:30 p.m. | Lan Su Chinese Garden | $14-$43 | Take in the sights of the garden at night as glowing lanterns illuminate traditional architecture and floating sculptures.
- Chinese New Year Cultural Fair | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Oregon Convention Center | $11 | Experience traditional Chinese dances, music, calligraphy, martial arts, and games for kids.
- 2025 Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 8 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Free | The ninth annual parade, presented by the Portland Chinatown Museum and Oregon Historical Society, will showcase a 150-ft-long dragon, lion dancers, and other performers as they make their way around Old Town Chinatown.
- Lunar New Year Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 8 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Washington Square | Free | Visit the mall’s Summit Court for live performances, crafts, stories, dances, and to make a wish on the Wishing Tree.
- Oregon 2025 Lunar New Year Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Keller Auditorium | $29-$99 | This popular annual event by the Chinese Friendship Association of Portland includes performances from 300+ dancers, actors, comedians, singers, and more.
