TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The Year of the Rabbit is almost here, ushering in a new year according to the lunar calendar.
The Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, this year falls on Sunday, Jan. 22. The exact date of the holiday changes from year to year, as it is tied to the moon's cycles, but the celebrations that occur annually stay the same: Lion dancers are customary, and the celebrations typically extend about two weeks past the start of the new year.
For those looking to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Tucson, a few events coming up will help you usher in the Year of the Rabbit:
Seven Cups
- Sunday, Jan. 22 | 11:30 a.m.
- 2510 E. Fort Lowell Rd.
Seven Cups will have live traditional guzheng Chinese music by musician Paul Amiel beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. They will also have tea and baked sticky rice cakes, nian gao, free for visitors to welcome the new year.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Mission Garden
- Saturday, Jan. 28 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- 946 W. Mission Ln.
Tucson Chinese Cultural Center (TCCC) and Mission Garden are partnering for this outdoor Year of the Rabbit celebration. Among the festivities:
- Dena Cowan, Mission Garden's Curator of Collections, will deliver a talk about Lunar New Year Traditions
- Items for sale by TCCC
- Chinese calligraphy demonstration table
- Lion Dance
- Chinese vegetable cooking class (registration required, limited space)
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Anne Simmons is the digital executive producer for KGUN 9. Anne got her start in television while still a student at the University of Arizona. Before joining KGUN, she managed multiple public access television stations in the Bay Area and has worked as a video producer in the non-profit sector. Share your story ideas and important issues with Anne by emailing anne.simmons@kgun9.com or by connecting on Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.
