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Public Library

2025 Lunar New Year

San Diego Public Library celebrates Lunar New Year. Red text reads, “Happy Lunar New Year.” A group of three figures, all dressed in red and gold, march in procession, holding up a traditional lion dance costume. A fourth figure carries an ornate red paper lantern, leading the way.
Lunar New Year is a festival that recognizes the beginning of the year based on a lunar and solar calendar. An important Chinese cultural holiday, it is celebrated worldwide across East Asia and Southeast Asia as well as Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In the Chinese and Vietnamese astrology, there are a total of 12 zodiac animals, each one associated with an element such as metal, wood, water, fire, earth. As we move through the zodiac cycle, each animal and its affiliated element reappears after 12 years. This year, the San Diego Public Library is proud to celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake. 
 
 

Lunar New Year Celebrations

An intergenerational group of figures gathers to celebrate Lunar New Year. They are dressed in shades of red and gold and smile together, as if being photographed.

SD Lunar New Year Festival at City Heights
Jan. 24—26 | Rosa Parks Field | All Ages
This 3-day celebration features festive decor, a lineup of cultural performances, exhibitions, lion dances, firecrackers and plenty of fun activities for all ages. The festival takes place directly behind the City Heights/Weingart Library and Performance Annex.

Friends of Oak Park Library present Lunar New Year!
Saturday, Jan. 25 | 11 a.m. | Oak Park Library

Lunar New Year Celebration at Carmel Valley Library
Saturday, Jan. 25 | 12 p.m. | Carmel Valley Library

 

Lion Dances

Crafts

 

Lunar New Year Storytimes

 

Other Programs

A green snake peaks out from a red coin pouch, holding a red envelop in its mouth.  This Lunar New Year ushers in the Year of the Wood Snake.

STEM Lecture Series: Pre-20th Century Chinese Contributions to Science & Technology
Tuesday, Jan. 21 | 6 p.m. | La Jolla/Riford Library | Adults

Ikebana Floral Design
Tuesday, Jan. 28 | 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. | Mission Valley Library | Adults

Learn the Japanese art of flower arrangement—a disciplined art form that breathes life into each composition, harmonizing the elements of nature and humanity—in this weekly workshop series, extending through the first week of June.

THE GREEN SNAKE Presented by Asian Story Theatre
Tuesday, Feb. 4 | 6:30 p.m. | Pacific Highlands Ranch Library

A young girl discovers how important it is to think for herself and that just because someone is big and loud, doesn’t make them right. Based on a popular character from Chinese folklore and a little bit on the story of Wizard of Oz, The Green Snake by Asian Story Theatre features martial arts, ribbon dancing and a giant puppet. It’s a classic story with a modern twist and fun for all ages.

 

Video

Storytime with local author Helen H. Wu



California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick comes to San Diego
Conversations with Poets presented by San Diego Public Library, San Diego Poetry Annual and the San Diego Entertainment & Arts Guild


Japanese Americans in SD | Let's Talk San Diego History with Susan Hasegawa
Rebellious Miss Breed: San Diego Public Library & the Japanese American Incarceration


 

Resources

 

Book Lists