Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, will be celebrated in many countries throughout Asia (and also here in Indianapolis!) on January 22, 2023.
Lunar New Year is a 15-day celebration that celebrates the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, according to the Chinese zodiac, 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. Lunar New Year is the most important holiday in China, and it is considered a time of the year for feasting, celebrating family and honoring ancestors.
Lunar New Year Events in Indianapolis:
Want to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit, too? Here are some of the Lunar New Year celebrations taking place around Indy!
Lunar New Year Celebration
Date & Time: Jan. 21, 12-4 pm
Location: Global Village Welcome Center, 4233 Lafayette Road, Indianapolis
Website: imcoalition.org
A Lunar New Year celebration with a countdown, performances, and activities! Ring in the Year of the Rabbit with performances from the Indianapolis Chinese Performing Arts, Inc, SAYAW: Philippine Cultural Dance Community, Indiana Association of Chinese Americans, We Have All Music, and more.
Also enjoy learning about Lunar New Year customs and traditions, including a Lunar fashion showcase, New Year wishes, and red envelopes. Additionally, partake in several art and craft activities including making ddakji, origami rabbits, printmaking, Chinese and Japanese brush painting, and calligraphy. Earn coins for each activity and exchange them for Lunar New Year prizes. This event is free and open to the public with plenty of free parking.
Celebrate Lunar New Year at Valkyrie’s Vault
Date & Time: Jan. 22, 11 am-12 pm
Location: Valkyrie’s Vault, 1040 E. Main St., Brownsburg
Website: valkyriesvault.net
Celebrate with our friend Mulan this Saturday! Our Chinese warrior will host a tea party with crafts and stories about her favorite Lunar New Year traditions.
Lunar New Year Celebration
Date & Time: Jan. 22, 2-3 pm
Location: Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St., Carmel
Website: carmelclaylibrary.org
Join local performers from the Indiana Association of Chinese Americans and Indianapolis Chinese Performing Arts, Inc., as they welcome the Lunar New Year with a 60-minute presentation of traditional Chinese music and dance. Registration is required.
Chinese New Year Party
Date & Time: Jan. 23, 4:30-6:30 pm
Location: Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St., Carmel
Website: carmelclaylibrary.org
Carmel High School’s National Chinese Honor Society will be hosting a celebration for the Chinese New Year, and everyone is invited! The party will feature Chinese calligraphy, paper cutting, jianzi, food and more! No registration is required. Drop in any time between 4:30pm and 6:30pm.
Year of the Rabbit Planter Craft
Date & Time: Jan 26, 5-7 pm
Location: Hussey-Mayfield Public Library, 250 N. 5th St., Zionsville
Website: hmmpl.org
2023 is the year of the Rabbit, so celebrate the Lunar New Year by crafting a rabbit planter. Join Crystal and create a garden planter out of a 2-liter bottle in the shape of a rabbit. For adults. Registration required.
Lunar New Year Celebration with WHAM
Date & Time: Feb. 5, 3-4 pm
Location: Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St., Carmel
Website: carmelclaylibrary.org
Lunar New Year is the observance of the start of a new year in a lunar or lunisolar calendar. The phrase is often used to refer to the Lunar New Year celebration held in China and worldwide by people of Chinese heritage, also known as Chinese New Year. WHAM — or We Have All Music — aims to connect high school students to professional events, venues, and opportunities, performing all varieties of genres in music.
