Lunar New Year, often a time of lavish feasts and customs, is one of the most important cultural observances in many Asian communities. Falling in January or February, the holiday is typically celebrated during the second new moon after the winter solstice; the dates fluctuate based on the lunar calendar. 

A host of Purdue’s academic departments, residence halls, and cultural organizations — including the Confucius Institute, School of Languages and Cultures, Vietnamese Student Association, VariAsian dance group, and Purdue University Chinese Students and Scholars Association — have taken part in the Lunar New Year festivities that have been held on campus for more than a decade.

Since its inception in 2015, Purdue’s Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center (AAARCC) has organized annual Lunar New Year events. During the lively commemorations, Students, staff, and local residents have enjoyed film viewings, seminars, myriad performances, hands-on activities, and an abundance of food. 

The 2020 celebration featured demonstrations of the Chinese lion dance and tae kwon do and included artistic presentations by the Purdue Chinese Performing Arts Troupe, Okinawa YuYuKai, and the Burmese American Community Institute.