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It’s time to usher in the Year of the Snake. Lunar New Year officially falls on Jan. 29, with events ongoing around the Peninsula now through February. From special storytimes and art workshops to lion dance performances, unique meals and traditional music, here’s how to celebrate Lunar New Year in Silicon Valley.
Lunar New Year at San Mateo County Libraries: Events include a family storytime with author Oliver Chin reading his newest children’s picture book; craft activities like making paper plate snakes and clothespin puppets; traditional lion dancing performed by Leung’s White Crane; concerts by the Firebird Youth Chinese Orchestra; and Intro to Illustration workshops with illustrator and writer Minnie Phan. Participating libraries include Woodside, Pacifica Sanchez, Brisbane, San Carlos, Half Moon Bay, Atherton, North Fair Oaks, Millbrae, Foster City, Pacifica Sharp Park and Portola Valley.
Through Feb. 27, times and locations vary. Free. For full details, visit
tinyurl.com/smclibrarylunarnewyear.
Cupertino Library Festivities: The library’s Lunar New Year events include kids’ arts and crafts making origami and how to finger-knit a snake; a culinary demonstration and meet-and-greet from chef Martin Yan; a lion dance with Buu Kim Tu Dragon and Lion Dance Association; a performance from the Firebird Youth Chinese Orchestra; and Chinese brush painting for teens.
Jan. 22-Feb. 15, times vary. Cupertino Library, 10800 Torre Ave., Cupertino. Free. For complete information, visit tinyurl.com/cupertinolibraryevents.
Palo Alto Library Storytimes: Head to the city of Palo Alto’s Downtown Library Jan. 24 or the Children’s Library Jan. 28 for a Lunar New Year-themed family storytime geared toward kids 2 and up. The Children’s Library will also host a celebratory Little Ones Storytime Jan. 29 for children under 2 and their caregivers.
Family Storytime is Jan. 24, 11-11:30 a.m. at the Downtown Library, 270 Forest Ave., Palo Alto, and Jan. 28, 11-11:30 a.m. at the Children’s Library, 1276 Harriet St., Palo Alto. Little Ones Storytime is Jan. 29, 10:30-11 a.m. at the Children’s Library. Free. tinyurl.com/paloaltostorytimes.
Lunar New Year in Downtown San Mateo: This event will include a lion dance performance and parade by Lion DanceME, plus community booths with activities, red envelopes and giveaways.
Jan. 25, noon to 2 p.m. (lion dance performance at noon, parade at 1 p.m.) on B Street between 1st and 2nd avenues, San Mateo. Free. dsma.org/event/2025lunar-new-year.
Mandarin Storytime and Lion Dancers: The Burlingame Public Library hosts a special Mandarin storytime with Jamie Chiahui Gao, children’s book author and founder of Mandarin Speaking Playground. A celebration with lion dancers at the front of the library will follow.
Jan. 25, Mandarin Storytime at 2 p.m. in the Children’s Room, lion dancers on the front lawn of the library at 3 p.m., Burlingame Public Library, 480 Primrose Road, Burlingame. Free. burlingame.libcal.com/event/13822323.
Craftsman Coffee Pop-Up: The Pacifica coffee shop will host pastry chef Mark Lieuw, owner and chocolatier behind Stay Sweet SF. Four new flavors will be available in limited quantities – Golden Sesame Praline, Lychee Strawberry, Satsuma Mandarin and Emperor’s Jasmine Tea.
Jan. 25, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or while supplies last at Craftsman Coffee, 1750 Francisco Blvd., Pacifica. All bars are $12 each. instagram.com/craftsman_coffee.
Macaron de Jayne Pop-Up: Grab a six-piece box of Lunar New Year-themed macarons while supplies last during Macaron de Jayne’s pop-up at Nirvana Soul Coffee Cupertino. Flavors include matcha green tea, hojicha (roasted green tea), brown sugar milk tea, Thai tea, black sesame and White Rabbit Candy. Additional flavors available separately.
Jan. 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or while supplies last at Nirvana Soul Coffee, 19700 Vallco Parkway, Suite 190, Cupertino. Prices vary. macarondejayne.com/events.
Sunnyvale Public Library Celebration: Activities will include a scavenger hunt for kids plus crafts for children and teens. Scheduled performances include Red Panda Acrobats at 1:45 p.m., a Things that Creep Snake Show at 3 p.m. and Lion DanceME at 4:15 p.m. Registration is not required, but space and supplies are limited.
Jan. 25, 1:30-4:45 p.m. at the Sunnyvale Public Library, 665 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale. Free. library.sunnyvale.ca.gov/events.
Millbrae Lunar New Year Festival: This two-day festival includes over 100 vendors selling art, crafts and food, plus dance and martial arts performances, lion dances and firecrackers.
Jan. 25-26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 200-400 blocks of Broadway, Millbrae. Free admission. tinyurl.com/millbraelunarnewyear.
Peninsula Book Collaborative Storytime: Local author of “Doubly Happy” and “Doubly Lucky,” Anna Wong, will lead a storytime and activity with Peninsula Book volunteers. Suitable for ages 3 and up.
Jan. 26, 3 to 4 p.m. at Peninsula Book Collaborative, 441 Westlake Center, Daly City. Free. instagram.com/peninsulabookcollaborative.
Woodland Branch Library Family Storytime: Families are invited for fingerplays, stories and songs with a Lunar New Year theme on the library’s backyard patio. Inclement weather will move the event indoors.
Jan. 26, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Woodland Branch Library, 1975 Grant Road, Los Altos. Free. tinyurl.com/woodlandstorytime.
Lunar New Year Puppet Show: The show tells the story of Mae Lin, a young girl with a brush that can bring her drawings to life who has to use her power to restore peace to her village.
Jan. 26, 2-2:45 p.m. at the Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos. Free. tinyurl.com/librarypuppetshow.
Palo Alto Lunar New Year Fair: Enjoy a day filled with delicious food, traditional crafts, performances and more.
Jan. 26, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Free admission. tinyurl.com/paloaltolunarnewyear.
Filoli Lunar New Year 2025: Festivities at the Woodside estate will include highlights from its Asian art collection, ballroom performances with pianist Connie Han, a Lunar New Year Family Day with traditional Chinese lion dance performances and a special storytime, and a panel on Lunar New Year food traditions.
Jan. 29-Feb. 12. Ballroom performances with Connie Han Jan. 29-31 from 7:30-9:30 p.m., tickets $75-$105. Family Day is Feb. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free with Filoli admission. Stories in Bloom: Lunar New Year Food Traditions is Feb. 9 from 2-3 p.m., free with Filoli admission; reservation required. Admission is $34 for adults, $32 for seniors 65 and up, $30 for students, teachers and military members, $24 for children ages 5-17 and free for kids under 5. tinyurl.com/filolilunarnewyear.
Westlake Shopping Center Celebration: The evening will include dance performances by Helen Dance Academy, an interactive lion dance, a local drum troupe, a kids’ craft activity, a storytime with bilingual readings in English and Mandarin and a stilt walker. Attendees can write their new year wishes on a card that will be placed in a red envelope on the center’s Wishing Tree for good luck. There will also be complimentary cookies and a Chinese calligraphy keepsake fan or couplet while supplies last.
Jan. 31, 4-6 p.m. on Main Street, Daly City. Free. westlake.shopkimco.com/events.
Lunar New Year in Mountain View: The city’s annual celebration will include traditional performances, hands-on crafts, bites from food trucks, games and community booths.
Feb. 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mountain View Community Center, 201 S. Rengstorff Ave., Mountain View. Free admission. tinyurl.com/mvlunarnewyear.
Redwood City Lunar New Year Celebration: Celebrate the Year of the Snake with lion dancers, martial artists, taiko drummers and other live performances at Courthouse Square. Enjoy free admission to the San Mateo County History Museum, where there will be kids’ arts and crafts during the event.
Feb. 1, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Courthouse Square, Redwood City. Free admission. redwoodcity.org/residents/redwood-city-events.
Daly City Lunar New Year Celebration: The city of Daly City’s second annual celebration of Lunar New Year will include special performances, traditional music, food and family-friendly activities.
Feb. 1, 10 a.m. to noon at City Hall (second floor), 333 90th St., Daly City. Free. tinyurl.com/dalycitylunarnewyear.
Tea Tasting: The Clay Lounge hosts gong fu cha loose-leaf tea steeping demos led by VC Tang of Stir Fry Stories. Space is limited.
Feb. 1, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at The Clay Lounge, 620 El Camino Real, San Carlos. $55.20 per ticket. tinyurl.com/sancarlosteatasting.
Hillsdale Shopping Center Lunar New Year Celebration: Enjoy lion dance performances from Lion DanceME, calligraphers, fan dancers and more. The first 2,000 shoppers will receive a scratch-off for a chance at a prize.
Feb. 1, noon to 3 p.m. at Macy’s Center Court, Hillsdale Shopping Center, 60 31st Ave., San Mateo. Free. hillsdale.com/events/hillsdale-shopping-center-lunar-new-year-celebration.
Stanford Shopping Center Lunar New Year Celebration: Stop by for performances from Stanford Taiko, the Joyous Spring Lion Dance Troupe and Mua Lac Hong from Stanford University.
Feb. 1, noon to 2 p.m. at the Center Pavilion, Stanford Shopping Center, 660 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto. tinyurl.com/stanfordshoppingcenter.
Dim Sum Brunch and Lion Dance: Quattro Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley hosts a two-day brunch with 15 dim sum dishes, including prawn ha gao, egg custard bao and Shanghai pork dumplings. Traditional lion dance performances are also part of the celebration.
Feb. 1-2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (lion dance at 12:45 p.m.) at the Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley, 2050 University Ave., East Palo Alto. Tickets are $75 apiece plus 20% gratuity and include up to 15 pieces of dim sum. Extra pieces are $5 each. tinyurl.com/quattrobrunch.
Navio Lunar New Year Brunch: The fine-dining restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay will offer brunch featuring Chinese-inspired specials and decor.
Feb. 1-2, available times vary, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, 1 Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay. $255 per guest. exploretock.com/navio.
Westfield Valley Fair Lunar New Year Celebration: The Santa Clara shopping center will have performances featuring traditional lion dances, ribbon dancers, folk dancers, a Korean drumming ensemble, a martial arts group, a DJ and more. Traditional red envelopes with chocolate coins and retailer promotions will be passed out during performances. Find the complete schedule of events online.
Feb. 2, noon to 4 p.m. at Westfield Valley Fair, 2855 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara. Free. tinyurl.com/valleyfairlunarnewyear.
Belmont Lunar New Year Celebration: The afternoon will include traditional Chinese dancers, musicians, poetry, crafts, a lion dance performance and tai chi. Attendees are encouraged to wear red for good luck in the new year.
Feb. 2, 2-4:30 p.m. at the Twin Pines Senior & Community Center, 20 Twin Pines Lane, Belmont. Free. tinyurl.com/belmontlunarnewyear.
Create Chinese Brush Art: Learn how to paint seasonal flowers and small animals in a Lunar New Year workshop taught by Pauline Tsui, an artist, writer and docent at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Art supplies will be provided. The workshop is suitable for adults and kids 6 and above. No preregistration, but supplies are limited. Free tickets will be available 30 minutes before start time.
Feb. 4, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave., Menlo Park. Free. tinyurl.com/chinesebrushart.
First Friday Nights at CuriOdyssey: The San Mateo science museum and zoo hosts a Lunar New Year-themed evening with food from Dumpling King and Kabob Trolley, a dance party, a lion dance performance and a paper lantern craft activity.
Feb. 7, 5-8 p.m. at CuriOdyssey, 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo. General admission tickets are $22.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors 62 and older, students and children 18 months and above, free for kids 17 months and younger. curiodyssey.org/exhibits-events/first-friday-nights.
Lunar New Year Concert: Firebird Youth Chinese Orchestra musicians will play classic folk pieces with Chinese instruments. No registration required; all ages welcome.
Feb. 8, 11 a.m. to noon at Orchard City Banquet Hall, Campbell Community Center, 1 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell. Free. tinyurl.com/firebirdconcert.
February Second Saturday: Gamble Garden will celebrate Lunar New Year during its monthly Second Saturday event, featuring a Chinese lion dance, crafts and hands-on activities. Guided nature hunts, ideal for families with children ages 3-12, and guided garden and house tours for adults will also be offered. Advance registration required.
Feb. 8, 10 a.m. to noon at Gamble Garden, 1431 Waverley St., Palo Alto. Free, optional donation encouraged. gamblegarden.org/event/feb-second-sat-2025.
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