Though its official dates vary across different Asian cultures, the Lunar New Year is a celebration of the start of spring and a new year on the lunisolar calendar.

2025 is the Year of the Snake, an animal representing sensitivity, adaptability, and calm + collective nature.

Expect plenty of lion dances, firecrackers, gifts of money in red envelopes, and other festivities around the Madison area in the coming weeks. Here are just a few Lunar New Year events to check out.

Lion dances

Since 1995, the Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association (ZYKFA) has been helping the community celebrate the Lunar New Year and learn traditional Chinese martial arts.

Throughout the next few weeks, the organization will be performing Lion Dances around the 608 in honor of the holiday. Lion Dances are often performed to bring good luck to the community.

Under each costume, there are two members of the troupe — one controlling the head, one controlling the body — who theatrically operate the costume while red envelopes are “fed” to them by spectators.

These red envelopes contain monetary offerings for the lions who will, in turn, bless the people and/or businesses to ensure good fortune in the coming year.

Other local happenings

Lunar New Year Festival | Saturday, Feb. 8 | 12 p.m. | Lisa Link Peace Park | Free | Watch as the Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association lion dancers bless storefronts along State Street.
Lunar New Year Party | Sunday, Feb. 9 | 1-4 p.m. | Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association Club | Free | Enjoy another chance to see the incredible dancers along with martial arts demonstrations, special treats, family activities, and other cultural opportunities.
Year of the Snake cookie boxes | Pick-up times vary | Bloom Bake Shop | Price of purchase | Head baker Christy shares her family traditions with Madisonians through an annual Lunar New Year treat box. This year's goodies include sugar cookies, Hup Toh Soh walnut cookies, and Nin Gau squares.