Across East and Southeast Asia, communities celebrate the arrival of spring by celebrating the beginning of the new year on the lunar calendar. The Lunar New Year in 2026 welcomes the Year of the Horse, symbolizing adventure, vitality, and momentum.

The Center for Asian and Pacific Studies and International Programs, together with Asian and Slavic Languages and Literature, will host the 2026 Lunar New Year celebration on Friday, February 13, from 4–6 p.m. (CST). The event will be held in the Center for Language and Culture Learning, 120 Phillips Hall.

“Our Lunar New Year Celebration is an exciting annual event that brings the entire UI community together to celebrate the ageless tradition to toast unity and to connect meaningfully as we look forward to a happy year ahead,” said Cynthia Chou, professor of anthropology, C. Maxwell and Elizabeth M. Stanley Family Chair of Asian Studies, and director of the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies.

This year’s program will feature faculty members exploring symbolic dishes, ancestral traditions, and celebratory practices that welcome prosperity and good fortune in the new year.

Russ Ganim, associate provost and dean of International Programs, emphasized how events like this underscore the importance of global connections and community at Iowa.

“Our Lunar New Year Celebration not only highlights the rich cultural traditions of Asia but also is a vibrant reminder of how shared celebrations can bring people together.”

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Dongwang Liu in advance at 319-335-1305 or dongwang-liu@uiowa.edu.