AUSTIN, Texas — Central Texans and people around the world are celebrating the first day of the Lunar New Year on Wednesday.
Sometimes referred to as the “Chinese New Year,” the Lunar New Year celebrates the first new moon of the lunar calendar. The celebration lasts for 15 days.
2025 is the Year of the Snake, which means a time for wisdom, transformation and shedding bad energy.
“What I love about it is that a lot of it is about togetherness and getting a fresh start to the new year,” Pei Sim said.
Sim, who owns the local small business The Paper + Craft Pantry, said the hallmarks of the tradition include lucky colors, like red, orange and gold.
She also said she has custom-designed red envelopes this year. The red packets are traditionally filled with money and typically given to children or unmarried people as a way to pass on good luck and fortune.
Sim – who grew up in Singapore – said she never celebrated the tradition outside of her family, but now that she has kids of her own, she said it’s important to have representation.
The Paper + Craft Pantry is hosting its 4th Annual Lunar New Year Festival on Sunday, with traditional lion dances and a vendor market highlighting small Asian-owned businesses.
“Being able to create a festival that is family-friendly, welcoming to everyone, has different aspects that someone will find something that they enjoy is really special,” Sim said. “Also knowing that the younger generations that come – it’s really amazing to see younger children seeing representation and arts in the creative field.”
Sim said there will be many different kinds of Asian artists, bakers and food vendors from all over Texas coming for the celebration.
The Lunar New Year Festival is free to attend, but The Paper + Craft Pantry does have VIP tickets available for purchase. The event is set to happen at 1023 Springdale Road, in front of The Paper + Craft Pantry, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.