Lunar New Year is an important holiday to millions of people and is celebrated as a national holiday in countries across Asia. Although specific celebrations of Lunar New Year vary, there are many similarities also, particularly an emphasis on family and reuniting with relatives.Harvard University's Heritage Months calendar acknowledges Lunar New Year and welcomes you to learn more about the diverse Asian regions and cultures celebrating.
Join the Celebration
Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Student Center fellows and group leaders are hosting a series of online events in February. See the full events listing.
Locally in 2022, Boston's Chinatown will host an annual New Year Parade on February 13. Tet in Boston is an annual Vietnamese Lunar New Year Festival on February 6. The Museum of Fine Arts Boston is highlighting galleries and is hosting activities on February 5.
The Massachusetts Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission (AAPIC), Asia Society, and Smithsonian Magazine provide details about celebrations in each country, or attend on of the National Museum of Asian Art's free, online celebrations.
Learn More About Lunar New Year
Although the holiday has sometimes been called Chinese New Year, it is actually much more diverse and an important tradition, especially in East, South, and Southeast Asian cultures in countries including Vietnam, South Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Tibet, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, and others. Lunar New Year is also part of Hindu-Buddhist calendars in South and Southeast Asia, and the Islamic calendar and the Jewish calendar.
In 2022, Lunar New Year begins on Tuesday, February 1. Celebrations last up to 16 days, but often only the first 7 days are considered a public holiday. Some celebrations may culminate with a Lantern Festival.