Oregonians are preparing for the exciting beginning of the Year of the Snake, which starts on January 29 this year, as the Year of the Dragon draws to a conclusion. There are several ways to celebrate Lunar New Year around the state, ranging from traditional folk performances to dragon dances that are 150 feet long.
Lunar New Year, which begins the year on the lunar calendar, is a holiday observed in many Asian civilizations. One of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs corresponds to a new animal every year. The snake is linked to rebirth and metamorphosis this year.
Find events celebrating the Lunar New Year with vibrant performances, interactive activities, lantern gazing events, and vendor marketplaces, whether you’re in Portland, McMinnville, Jacksonville, or somewhere else.
These are just a few of the numerous festivities taking place throughout Oregon.
The Community Center in Milwaukie
This Lunar New Year celebration at Milwaukie Community Center honors Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese history. Live lion dance performances with drummers, interactive exercises, crafts, music, and dancing are all part of the entertainment.
Milwaukie Community Center, 5440 S.E. Kellogg Creek Drive, Milwaukie, January 26 from 1-3 p.m.; $5 suggested donation for attendees aged 18 and over; ncprd.com/event/lunar-new-year
Chinese Garden Lan Su
Lan Su will celebrate for a month by transforming its gardens with dragon dances and lantern displays.On some event evenings, the Portland Lee’s Association Dragon & Lion Dance Team will lead an illuminated dragon dance procession. Additionally, Lantern watching Evenings will be returning to the garden with a range of options, such as a sensory-friendly night, a 21 and over night, and a peaceful midnight watching.
Lan Su Chinese Garden, 239 N.W. Everett St., January 29–February 23; admission costs vary by event; lansugarden.org/things-to-do/events/lunar-new-year
T t t T 2025
Join the Vietnamese Community of Oregon on February 1st to celebrate the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, or T t t T. In addition to traditional dances, a medical fair, live music, a fashion show, and cultural performances by students and community groups, the event offers a variety of community activities and entertainment for all ages.
Leodis V. McDaniel High School, 2735 N.E. 82nd Ave., 10 a.m.–10 p.m., February 1; vncousa.com
Cultural Fair for the Chinese New Year
A vibrant celebration of both traditional and modern Chinese culture is provided by the Portland Chinese Times, the Portland Art & Cultural Center, and the Oregon Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association’s annual Chinese New Year Cultural Fair. A Lion Dance, Chinese folk dances, live instrumental music, calligraphy demonstrations, martial arts exhibits, kid-friendly activities, and a vendor fair are all part of the event.
Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., February 1, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Tickets start at $11; oregoncc.evenue.net/events/OCNY
Village of Bridgeport
The Year of the Snake will be celebrated at Bridgeport Village with crafts, cultural events, and joyous shopping. Highlights include the White Lotus Lion Dance, traditional dances performed by the Oregon Chinese Coalition, and martial arts taught by Summit Wushu Academy. Ongoing events include calligraphy, origami, and puppetry, while participating stores are offering Lunar New Year promotions.
7455 S.W. Bridgeport Road, Tigard; Village Green; 1-4 p.m. Feb. 1; free to attend;bridgeport-village.com/event/Lunar-New-Year-Celebration/2145579489/
Center for the Arts at Sherwood
In addition to a display of about 300 lanterns that represent aspirations and goals for the upcoming year, Sherwood’s annual Lantern Festival is back with live performances, interactive games, and snacks. To be included in the installation that will be on display throughout February, you can pick up a lantern at the Sherwood Center for the Arts beginning on January 3, decorate it with drawings or messages, and return it by January 21.
The Lunar New Year Lantern Festival is free to attend and will take place on February 1 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Sherwood Center for the Arts, located at 22689 S.W. Pine St. in Sherwood.
Portland’s Chinese Friendship Association
On February 1, the Keller Auditorium will host the 2025 Oregon Lunar New Year Gala, which is regarded as the state’s most esteemed and genuine Asian cultural event. Joe Wong, a Chinese American comedian and talk show host, a dance recreation of Wang Zhaojun’s story, the Peony Flower Dance, the Korean Nanta drumming dance, and a rhythmic gymnastic and martial arts demonstration are among the event’s highlights, which feature over 300 performers.
Keller Auditorium, 777 S.W. Clay St., 7:30 p.m., February 1; admission is $29; www.portland5.com/events/keller-auditorium
High School at Lakeridge
This free celebration, which is organized by the Lakeridge Asian American and Pacific Islander Student Union, features food, entertainment, cultural performances, and vendors.
Free to attend; search for Lakeridge on Eventbrite.com; February 2, 1-4:30 p.m.; Lakeridge High School, 1235 Overlook Drive, Lake Oswego
The McMinnville Community Center
On February 2, the City of McMinnville and the Asian Heritage Association will conduct the city’s third annual Lunar New Year celebration. A variety of Asian American merchants will be offering Chinese medicine readings, baked products, handmade jewelry, and meals at the event. Children’s activities and dragon and lion dance performances will also be featured at the event.
Free to attend; ahayc.org/lny-2025; McMinnville Community Center, 1205 N.E. Irvine St., McMinnville, February 2, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Beaverton, Uwajimaya
For Lunar New Year, Beaverton’s Uwajimaya, an Asian grocery store company, will perform a traditional Lion Dance. The joyous event invites guests to bring friends and family and wishes them luck and prosperity in the upcoming year.
1:30-2 p.m. Feb. 2; Uwajimaya Beaverton; 10500 S.W. Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy., Beaverton; free to attend;eventbrite.com, search Uwajimaya Beaverton
The Chinatown Museum in Portland
On February 8, the ninth annual Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration will be held at the Portland Chinatown Museum. The parade, led by a 150-foot dragon, will wind through downtown Portland, featuring lion dances and traditional red envelope giveaways. Starting at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, the event concludes at the Park Plaza of the Oregon Historical Society.
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 8; beginning at Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, 315 N.W. Davis St.; free to attend;portlandchinatownmuseum.org/events
Washington Square
A Lunar New Year festival with interactive games and cultural performances is being held at Washington Square and Explore Tualatin Valley. The event will include performances by Summit WuShu Martial Arts, the Portland Puppet Museum and the White Lotus Lion Dance. Families can also visit the FLIP Museum’s children’s mobile exhibit and engage in traditional crafts.
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 8; Washington Square; 9585 S.W. Washington Square Road, Tigard; free to attend;shopwashingtonsquare.com/Events/Details/576951
Chinese Cultural Association of Southern Oregon
TheSouthern Oregon Chinese Cultural Associationwill present its annual Lunar New Year celebration on Feb. 15, marking the Year of the Snake. The event will take place across Jacksonville s new City Hall, Community Center, library, and The Miners Bazaar, offering a day of cultural activities and performances. Highlights include lion and junior dragon dances, martial arts demonstrations, Taiko drumming, a Chinese historical fashion show and Tai Chi practice. Children can enjoy hands-on activities like calligraphy, origami, puppet play and storytelling.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 15; various venues in Jacksonville; free to attend;socca.us
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Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327;[email protected]@chiaraprofenna.
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