Lunar New Year 2025: Celebrating the Year of the Snake
What is Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year, also called Chinese New Year and Spring Festival, is the most important celebration in China and Chinese communities. The event occurs at the beginning of the year based on the lunar and lunisolar calendar used in China and many Asian countries. It is also considered the start of spring.
Lunar New Year has been celebrated for thousands of years and spans 15 days. An animal on the Chinese zodiac represents each new year, 2025 being the Year of the Snake. Many other countries celebrate the new year as well. For example, in Vietnam, a similar celebration is called Tết.
How do people celebrate?
Before the start of the year, people thoroughly clean their homes to begin the year in a space cleared of the prior year’s bad luck. Although there are no set rules for how to celebrate, festivities often include large family gatherings, where younger family members are presented with red envelopes of money. Other festivities include firecrackers, parades, and the now-familiar lion dance.
Lunar New Year in Boston
Almost 10% of the population of Boston is Asian, according to the latest census, and the Chinatown district of the city holds a great deal of cultural and historic significance for the Chinese population. Multiple community groups host festivities in Boston for the Lunar New Year.
The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association hosts an annual Lion Dance Parade in Chinatown, this year on February 9 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Parades traditionally include drum and gong music, a Buddha clown, and lion dancers. Businesses in the district often decorate their storefronts with red paper lanterns and leave oranges and cabbages on small tables outside their door for the lions.
Chinatown Main Street will hold a Chinese New Year market from January 24 to 28 at the Chinatown Trade Center, 2 Boylston Street, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Following the Lion Dance Parade on February 9, they will host a Chinese New Year Cultural Village at the same location.
Lunar New Year at 2Life Communities
Over 32% of 2Life’s residents identify as Asian, so Lunar New Year is celebrated in a big way here. Because we foster inclusivity and encourage lifelong learning, all residents are encouraged to participate in the fun. Below are some of the Lunar New Year events at 2Life locations.
Brighton Campus:
- Festivities will kick off with a visit from the Carnation Choir on January 15. Their show is a mix of music, dancing, and singing, so there is something for everyone. Residents are then invited to attend a Lunar New Year luncheon on January 27 with catering from Winsor Dim Sum.
- To close out the occasion, an Expressive Therapies Pop-up will occur on January 28. Residents will be entertained with music while they participate in crafting and enjoy traditional snacks.
Brown Family House (Brookline):
- During their celebration on January 23, 2Life Joyful Connections program Coordinator Shixuan Ai will present the history of the new year, play music, and teach residents how to make paper lanterns while they enjoy snacks.
- Joyful Connections is a culturally sensitive therapeutic program that combines movement, art, and music to address the needs of residents on the memory loss spectrum. Shixuan coordinates the Joyful Connections program at 2Life’s Brighton Campus and works closely with 2Life’s Therapeutic Arts Coordinator to facilitate music, art, and other expressive therapy programs on all 2Life campuses.
Coleman House (Newton):
- Festivities will span two days for residents at Coleman House. On February 6, residents will enjoy Chinese New Year songs and craft lanterns while they express wishes of happiness and good fortune for the year. The following day will feature entertainment and a spread of delicious treats.
Golda Meir House (Newton):
- During their celebration on January 29, the Golda Mandarin Singing Group will entertain fellow residents while they enjoy treats such as mango cake, clementines, chocolates, and ginger candy. Residents are then invited to a Creative Connections activity where they can make moon-themed puzzles that will be featured in an upcoming onsite exhibit.
Shillman House (Framingham):
- On February 7, Shillman residents will create paper cutouts to hang in windows with Joyful Connections Coordinator Shixuan Ai while enjoying traditional music with snacks and tea.
