SAN FRANCISCO (Azat TV) – Millions across Asia and beyond are ushering in the Lunar New Year, marking the start of the Year of the Horse, with celebrations commencing this week and extending into March 2026. This significant cultural holiday, observed with unique traditions ranging from Vietnam’s Tết Festival to elaborate parades in the United States, highlights a vibrant tapestry of shared festivity while also carrying substantial economic implications, particularly in China.
Diverse Festivities Span the Globe for Lunar New Year
The holiday, known as the Spring Festival in China and Tết in Vietnam, is a time for family reunions, traditional foods, and vibrant cultural displays. In the San Francisco Bay Area, a multitude of events are scheduled, showcasing the holiday’s broad appeal. San Jose will host the largest Vietnamese Lunar New Year for Tết Festival 2026, organized by UStar Productions, featuring live performances and carnival rides from February 20-22. Similarly, San Francisco’s Exploratorium will offer multicultural Lunar New Year traditions with lion dances and traditional crafts on February 19, while Thrive City will host family-friendly activities, food, and performances including a Korean Culture Center Urisawe Drum Performance on February 21, emphasizing the holiday’s pan-Asian reach.
Other regional celebrations include the 25th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration at the Oakland Museum of California on February 21, offering live performances, family storytelling, and local food from AAPI chefs. Redwood City is set to hold its 15th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration on February 28, featuring lion dancing, martial arts, and taiko drum performances. These events collectively underscore the widespread observance and cultural richness of the Lunar New Year.
China’s Economic Ambitions and the ‘Chunyun’ Migration
In China, the Lunar New Year period, officially observed from February 15-23 with New Year’s Day falling on February 17, is not only a cultural cornerstone but also a critical economic driver. Chinese officials anticipate a record 9.5 billion passenger trips across the country during the 40-day Spring Festival travel period, known as ‘chunyun,’ making it the world’s largest mass migration of people, according to The Guardian. The government hopes this extended nine-day holiday, one day longer than usual, will significantly boost domestic spending, a key priority for economic growth.
To stimulate consumption, the central government plans to issue over 360 million yuan ($52 million) in consumer vouchers in February, aiming to ‘unleash the surging vitality that propels China’s economy forward,’ as stated by Jiangsu province’s propaganda department. Beyond human travelers, technology is also playing a role in the festivities, with humanoid robots performing lion dances, martial arts, and Peking Opera at various fairs in Beijing, signaling China’s advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics, NBC Washington reported.
Enduring Traditions and the Symbolism of the Horse
The Year of the Horse, believed to represent optimism and opportunity, guides the spirit of 2026 celebrations. Many traditions associated with the Lunar New Year emphasize renewal and good fortune. Weiwei Zhang, a participant in the Chinese Community Center’s Lunar New Year Gala in Schenectady, New York, highlighted customs such as deep cleaning homes to sweep away misfortune, making dumplings with a hidden coin for luck, and the vibrant dragon dance. These practices, shared across generations and communities, underscore the holiday’s deep cultural roots and its role in fostering community and family bonds.
Major events like the iconic San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade, returning for its annual procession on March 7 with Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu as Grand Marshall, continue a tradition dating back to the 1860s, blending historical significance with contemporary celebration. The San Francisco Symphony will also host its annual Lunar New Year Concert and Banquet on February 28, featuring traditional and modern performances drawing on Asian traditions.
The increasing prominence of ‘Lunar New Year’ as the preferred nomenclature reflects a growing global awareness and appreciation for the holiday’s diverse cultural expressions beyond a single national origin. As communities worldwide embrace and adapt these ancient traditions, the celebrations serve as a powerful affirmation of cultural identity and a bridge for intercultural understanding, moving towards a more inclusive recognition of shared heritage.