UC Irvine Lunar New Year Celebration

Join us in honoring more than a decade of tradition, community, and cultural vibrance at UC Irvine’s Lunar New Year Celebration - where cherished customs, artistic expression, and shared experience bring campus and community together.

In the Year of the Horse, a symbol of vitality, momentum, and renewal, the celebration reflects the energy and spirit that have defined this tradition for more than a decade.

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Opening Program | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
A Celebration of Story, Society & the Collective Journey
featuring Janet Yang, Cultural Leader, and Advocate for Cross-Cultural Understanding
in conversation with Bill Maurer, Dean, UC Irvine School of Social Sciences

presented by the UC Irvine Long-U.S. China Institute

In the Year of the Fire Horse - a symbol of vitality, momentum and new beginnings - the UC Irvine Lunar New Year Celebration is honored to partner with Janet Yang, whose work has long bridged cultures, industries, and generations through story telling.

A producer, cultural leader, and advocate for cross-cultural understanding, Janet has shaped conversations at the intersection of art, identity, and society. Through leadership roles with organizations including Gold House, Committee of 100, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, she has helped expand the visibility of Asian and Asian American voices while convening artists, executives, and communities around shared purpose.

Through this collaboration with the UC Irvine Long U.S.-China Institute, Janet anchors the 2026 Lunar New Year educational program - elevating the celebration as both a cultural tradition and a moment of collective reflection, dialogue, and belonging.

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UC Irvine Lunar New Year Celebration | 3:30 - 6:00 p.m.
UCI Lunar New Year Festival
*The feeding of the lions begins at 3:45 p.m.*

The UCI Lunar New Year Festival transforms The Barclay into a vibrant celebration of culture, movement, and community. In the Year of the Horse, the festival comes alive with dynamic performances and time-honored traditions - from the exhilarating Dragon Dance and the ceremonial Feeding of the Lions to the powerful rhythms of UCI Hansori, Hikari Taiko Drummers, and UCI KKAP.

At the beloved Wishing Tree, guests are invited to write wishes for health, prosperity, and good fortune on colorful ribbons, creating a striking display of shared hopes for the year ahead. The experience is joyful, immersive, and rich with meaning - one that resonates long after the festival concludes.

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UCI's Lunar New Year Celebration is made possible through the generous support of the UC Irvine Long U.S.-China Institute, in partnership with the School of Social Sciences, School of Law, and The Paul Merage School of Business, in collaboration with the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, UCI Libraries, School of Humanities, School of Ph*rm*cy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Social Ecology, Center for Critical Korean Studies, and the Office of Vice Chancellor Brian Hervey.

With gratitude to our sponsors:
Janet Yang • South Coast Plaza • Long Family Foundation • Eugene and Carol Choi • UC Irvine Long U.S.-China Institute

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Arriving early is encouraged to secure seating for the Dragon Dance and Feeding of the Lions. This event is open to the public. Guest parking is available in the Student Center Parking Structure and Social Science Parking Structure.

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• Contact: Melissa Churlonis, [email protected]

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Host or Publisher UCI Long US-China Institute