Lunar New Year | Jan/Feb

University Libraries  at The University of Akron is celebrating Lunar New Year by highlighting select print books, streaming videos, eBooks, and streaming audio, and other materials from our collections.

Lunar New Year 2025 will begin January 29th and end on February 12th. This year is represented by the Wooden Snake according to the Chinese Zodiac.

While the United States celebrates the New Year based on the Gregorian calendar, the Lunar New Year is based on the lunar calendar historically used in many Asian countries, thereby explaining the disparity. Lunar New Years will occur anytime between January 21st and February 20th. Many families will prepare weeks leading up to New Years and then spend multiple days celebrating. The festivities end on the 15th day of the first lunar month with a Lantern Festival.

"The Lunar New Year or Spring Festival is commonly referred to as Chinese New Year, Tết in Vietnamese, Seollal (설날)  in Korean, Losar ལོ་གསར in Tibet, and Tsagaan Sar in Mongolian 1."

Each culture has their own unique celebrations for Lunar New Year, and their own special foods for the holiday.

Explore this libguide for illustrations, books, and songs that demonstrate some of the celebrations for Lunar New Years. You can also check out Events for local celebrations including Lion Dances and Lantern festivals.

1. Lunar New Year: The Year of the Dragon. (2024, January 11). Asiatown Cleveland. Retrieved January 14, 2025, from https://www.asiatowncleveland.org/lunarnewyear/