Lunar New Year is a festival that celebrates beginning of the New Year on the traditional Chinese calendar. The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between January 21s and February 20. In 2021, the first day of the Chinese New Year will be on Friday, February 12, which is the Year of the Ox. Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays in China and has strongly influenced Lunar New Year celebrations, such as the Losar of Tibet and of China's neighboring cultures, including the Korean New Year, and the Tết of Vietnam. Lunar New Year is celebrated worldwide in regions and countries with significant Overseas Chinese populations, including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Mauritius, as well as by many in Europe and the U.S., including our own Palo Alto!
Prepare Your Home
Days before the Lunar New Year, families will often give their homes a thorough cleaning, as doing so sweeps away the bad luck of the previous year and makes their homes ready for good luck.
- Great Books on Cleaning and Getting Organized
- Places to Donate items you no longer need:
- Goodwill of Silicon Valley-Clothes, Household Items, Misc.
- Friends of the Palo Alto Library-Books, Movies, Puzzles, Games
- Hope Services-Clothes, Household Items, etc.
Decorate
Find lots of great Lunar New Year crafts and activities you can do at home on our Lunar New Year board on Pinterest.
PACL @ Home
- Read about Lunar New Year at home with these great books!
- Enjoy stories and songs at a special Lunar New Year Storytime Celebration on Saturday, February 13 at 11am. (Registration Required)
- Join us for a Lunar New Year performance by Leung’s White Crane Association on Tuesday, February 16 at 4pm. (Registration Required)
- Have some Lunar New Year fun with Studio Kicks Palo Alto on Saturday, February 20, at 1:15pm. (Registration Required)
- Attend one of virtual Lunar New Year Storytimes from Tuesday, February 16 to Friday, February 19 on Facebook!
And Don’t Forget...
- If you create anything at home please share your creations with us on Instagram and tag @PaloAltoLibrary!
- Follow Us on all of our social media platforms for more information and inspiration!
Palo Alto City Library wishes everyone a very safe and happy Lunar New Year!
Liz Stewart, Senior Youth Services Librarian, Mitchell Park Library | Follow @LiztheLibrarian on Bibliocommons
