Happy (almost) Lunar New Year. This Saturday, Feb. 10, one of the biggest celebrations of the year among East and Southeast Asian cultures begins. 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.
If you were born in 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, or 2012 — 2024 is your year. It’s the Year of the Wood Dragon, which represents “strong and independent figures who are goal-oriented, yet idealistic and romantic + a visionary leader,” according to Chinese New Year.
Benyue Restaurant reopened in its new Castleton spot in early 2023 and offers dim sum.
Photo by @rdklove
We’re sharing some events around Indy to celebrate Lunar New Year.
- Lunar New Year Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 6-10 p.m. | Tube Factory artspace, 1125 Cruft St., Indianapolis | $12 | Celebrate with traditional dance performances, fireworks, activities like cut paper art, lantern painting, and origami — plus, The Bay Area Bistro will have food for purchase.
- Welcome The Dragon: Lunar New Year Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 1-6 p.m. | Well of Being, 7771 Spring Mill Rd., Indianapolis | $44 | The magical space of Well of Being will be host to music, movement, meditation, and comedy.
- Lunar New Year Festival 2024 | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 12-4 p.m. | Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St., Indianapolis | Registration required | Enjoy a stage performance featuring a Chinese-American traditional-style lion dance, Chinese orchestra music, and Tai Chi exercise presentations, plus a Chinese + Japanese calligraphy activity for all ages. Bonus: The first 20 people who arrive can receive a complimentary copy of “Lunar New Year: Celebrating Lunar New year in 5 Asian Communities” by Yobe Qiu.
You can also get a special Lunar New Year box of six donuts from Mochi Joy and pick it up at six different Asian-owned businesses around central Indiana. Pre-order by Friday, Feb. 9 at 4 p.m. to pick up Saturday, Feb. 10.
