Lunar New Year (also sometimes called Chinese New Year or Spring Festival) is celebrated in many countries whose new year begins with the lunar calendar’s first full moon. This year, the celebrations will run from January 29, 2025 to February 12, 2025 (the Lantern Festival). It’s celebrated with bright colors, red envelopes, lanterns, and delicious food.
With Chinese New Year events and ideas for in-home celebrations, families can ring in the Year of the Snake with good luck, peace, and hope.
2025 Chinese New Year Events in Chicagoland
Lunar New Year Party (Mount Prospect)
January 4, 2025 | 10:00am – 11:30am
Mount Prospect Public Library hosted traditional festivities on January 4, 2025. Keep this in mind for 2026 celebrations!
Celebration of Lunar New Year (Chicago)
January 11, 2025 | 11:00am – 2:00pm
Visit Dan Ryan Woods to learn more about Lunar New Year celebrations.
Lunar New Year Celebration (Buffalo Grove)
January 18, 2025 | 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Make lanterns, kites and masks at this festive event. Participation is free, but food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Lunar New Year Story & Craft (Aurora Public Library)
January 23, 2025 | 6:00pm – 6:30pm
Located at the Eola Road Branch, local high school students will be helping children make lanterns, learn calligraphy, and more. Programming is intended for children ages 6 and up.
Lunar New Year Dragon (Woodridge Public Library)
January 24, 2025 | 9:30am – 11:30am
Register in advance for a spot to make a dragon craft.
Chinese New Year Storytime (DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville)
January 24, 2025 | 10:30am – 11:00am
Visit the museum for a special storytime. Included in general admission.
Jewel Osco Chinese New Year
January 24, 2025 | 1:00pm – 5:00pm
1340 S. Canal Street
Chicago, IL 60607
Chefs will show you how to prepare delicious food and drink recipes for the upcoming holiday, share about the holiday’s history, and more. Lion dance performance and live traditional Chinese music.
Lunar New Year Celebration (Fashion Outlets of Chicago, Rosemont)
January 25, 2025 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Visit the mall for cultural dance and children’s choir performances. From January 24 – February 16, 2025, stop by Concierge Services to receive your Red Envelope with savings offers from participating stores.
Lunar New Year (Willow Springs)
January 26, 2025 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Visit the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center for special activities. Registration is required.
Children’s Take and Make: Lunar New Year Lucky Cat (Woodridge Public Library)
January 27 – February 1, 2025 | all day
Visit the Circulation Desk for a festive craft kit.
Crafts to Go: Lunar New Year (Warrenville Public Library)
January 27, 2025 | 9:30am – 9:00pm
Visit the Youth Services Desk for a craft kit. While supplies last.
Children’s Lunar New Year (Barrington)
January 29, 2025 | 10:30am – 11:30am
Learn about the holiday with the Crabtree Nature Center.
Lunar New Year Storytime (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
January 29, 2025 | 1:30pm – 2:15pm
All-ages storytime celebrating the Year of the Snake.
Lunar New Year Celebration (Arlington Heights)
January 29, 2025 | 4:15pm – 5:15pm
Enjoy crafts and festive activities with the Arlington Heights Memorial Library.
Lunar New Year Celebration (Bellwood)
January 29, 2025 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Create crafts with the Bellwood Public Library.
Lunar New Year (West Branch, Aurora Public Library)
January 29, 2025 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Make a craft as you learn about the Year of the Snake.
Lunar New Year Party Drop-In (Darien)
January 30, 2025 | 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Visit the Indian Prairie Public Library for Lunar New Year activities. Drop-in.
Global Connections: Lunar New Year (Navy Pier, Chicago)
February 1, 2025 | times TBA
Visit the Aon Grand Ballroom for family-friendly fun. More details to come.
Lunar New Year Storytime and Craft (Palatine Public Library)
February 1, 2025 | 10:00am – 10:30am
Sign up for a spot to enjoy songs and crafts in both English and Mandarin.
First Friday: The Year of the Snake (Santori Library, Aurora)
February 7, 2025 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Join First Friday festivities in celebration of the Lunar New Year.
Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration (Uptown, Chicago)
February 8, 2025 | 10:00pm – 4:00pm
Visit the Uptown neighborhood’s annual Chinese New Year events for a festive parade and family-friendly activities.
Chinese-American Museum of Chicago – Chinese New Year Celebration
February 9, 2025 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
24th Street and Wentworth Avenue to Chinatown Square
Chicago, IL 60616
One of the biggest Chinese New Year events in the Chicago area. Performances include lion dancing, musical performances, calligraphy, storytelling, and more.
Language Labs Presents Language Story Time – Mandarin (Clarendon Hills)
February 28, 2025 | 10:00am – 10:30am
Enjoy a special storytime honoring Chinese New Year with the Clarendon Hills Public Library. Register in advance.
Events Yet to be Announced
These Chinese New Year events were hosted in 2024, but as of January 10, have not yet been announced in 2025.
- Celebrating the Year of the Dragon (Franklin Park)
- Studio 60056: Lunar New Year Edition (Mount Prospect Public Library)
- DePaul 2024 Lunar New Year Celebration
- Lunar New Year (Elmwood Park Public Library)
- Lunar New Year Celebration (Fox Valley Mall, Aurora)
- Lunar New Year Celebration (Pacifica Square, Aurora)
- Lunar New Year Party (North Riverside)
How the Lunar New Year is Celebrated
While traditions vary from country to country and family to family, Lunar New Year activities often include:
- Putting up decorations. Red is the main color of the festival. Families may decorate the house with lanterns, or use calligraphy, poetry, and plants to express hopes for happiness and prosperity.
- Eating reunion dinner with family. What holiday would be complete without a feast? The reunion dinner is an important custom for the family to be together. The reunion dinner is known as the most important family dinner of the year. Check out these ideas for food and drinks!
- Giving red envelopes and other gifts. Adults give kids lucky red envelopes with money for good wishes in the new year.
Is there a Lunar New Year celebration we may have missed? Please share in the comments! If you’re on the lookout for more fun things to do with your family, we’ve got you covered at Kidlist.
