7 Ways to Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Austin

Out with the rabbit and in with the dragon. That’s what this year’s Lunar New Year celebration is all about, as we approach the beginning of the Chinese New Year on February 10. The holiday is celebrated across many Asian cultures that follow a lunar calendar based on the moon’s 12 phases.

The popular Austin restaurants, Peached Tortilla and Bar Peached, known for their Southern-Asian Fusion cuisine will be celebrating the Lunar New Year with specialty menu items available February 9-11. Stop by one of the locations and enjoy tamarind pork spare ribs, char siu, soy sauce chicken and more, paired with a special drink for the occasion.

Wu Chow is gearing up to throw their annual Lunar New Year party on February 12 from 5-9 p.m. Guests will enjoy complimentary chicken and taro eggrolls, chicken dumplings, and a specialty cocktail as they watch a performance by lion dancers. The event is free to the public with a suggested $10 donation supporting Austin Pets Alive.

The UMLAUF After Dark series is presenting their Lunar New Year extravaganza, featuring a night full of art and celebration on February 6 from 6-8 p.m. Austinities should arrive ready for karaoke, dance, an open bar, and the opportunity to shop from art venders.

Blue Owl Brewing is offering a beginner-friendly candle-pouring class on February 10 from 6-7 p.m. to honor the holiday season. The tutorial will guide guests through creating a soy wax candle in a red owl jar, decorated with a good luck charm. Four complimentary beers will be provided to sip on while you craft.

Korean-American restaurant Oseyo will host their annual Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, February 10 from 5-10 p.m., with traditional food specials for good luck, such as Oseyo’s dumpling and rice cake soup, the launch of their newest beer collaboration with Hold Out Brewing, a Korean-style rice lager, and a complimentary soju tasting from Yobo Soju. Guests will have the opportunity to write intentions for the new year on ribbons that will be displayed on the Oseyo patio, as well as a fire pit to burn any written thoughts guests wish to let go of going into the new year.

The Asian American Resource Center is celebrating the Lunar New Year with an Asian American makers market on February 3 from 1-4 p.m. The free event is curated with a lineup of local Asian American creatives and will have a dragon and lion dance to bring in the Year of the Dragon.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Zoé Tong and Tatsumi will be teaming up for an exquisite, one-night-only prix-fixe menu featuring a 15+2 course tasting menu honoring Chinese and Japanese dishes known to bring good luck in the new year. The event is on February 10 and tickets start at $188 per person. Book your reservation here.