Chinese New Year is an important traditional Chinese holiday celebrated at the turn of the Chinese calendar. In China, it is also known as the Spring Festival, the literal translation of the modern Chinese name. Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally run from Chinese New Year’s Eve, the last day of the last month of the Chinese calendar, to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month, making the festival the longest in the Chinese calendar. Because the Chinese calendar is lunisolar, the Chinese New Year is often referred to as the “Lunar New Year”.

Chinese New Year is celebrated in countries and territories with significant Chinese populations, including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore,Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius,Philippines,and also in Chinatowns elsewhere.Chinese New Year is considered a major holiday for the Chinese and has had influence on the lunar new year celebrations of its geographic neighbors.

Within China, regional customs and traditions concerning the celebration of the Chinese new year vary widely. Often, the evening preceding Chinese New Year’s Day is an occasion for Chinese families to gather for the annual reunion dinner.
It is also traditional for every family to thoroughly cleanse the house, in order to sweep away any ill-fortune and to make way for good incoming luck.
Windows and doors will be decorated with red color paper-cuts and couplets with popular themes of “good fortune” or “happiness”, “wealth”, and “longevity.”

Other activities include lighting firecrackers and giving money in red paper envelopes.

ABOUT LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION 

Join Us for the 29th Annual Texas Lunar Festival – A Celebration of Culture and Community

We are thrilled to announce that the 29th Annual Texas Lunar Festival will take place on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Alief Career Center, located at 12160 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77082.

This vibrant festival features live cultural performances from across Asia and beyond, showcasing the rich tapestry of international traditions. The event will be broadcast on STV Channel 21.8, available both locally and online at scdaily.com, and through our Southern News TV mobile app, making it accessible to audiences around the globe.

In alignment with the Chinese lunar calendar, 2026 marks the Year of the Horse, a symbol of ifortune, wealth and love.  Each year, the Texas Lunar Festival celebrates not only the Chinese New Year but also the diverse and impressive heritage of various international communities.

For nearly three decades, this event has brought together community leaders, volunteers, and attendees from all over Texas, united in the spirit of cultural appreciation and friendship. Thanks to advancements in technology, this year's celebration promises to reach an even broader audience, both locally and worldwide.

The festival is spearheaded by the ITC Cultural & Education Foundation in collaboration with Southern News Group, Chinese New Year Festival Inc., the Alief Independent School District, the International Management District, and STV 21.8.

Over the years, ITC and Southern News Group have been dedicated to enriching our community through various initiatives such as:

Texas Lunar New Year Festival

McDonald's Education Workshops

Texas African Summit

Additionally, they have produced numerous educational, cultural, and business programs on STV 21.8, and hosted over 200 international business events at the International Trade Center.

For more details or media inquiries, please contact:
Jennifer Lopez
📞 281-983-8152
📧 jennifer@scdaily.com

We look forward to celebrating with you!