Each year, Asian Pacific Student Services and the Office for International Students and Scholars hosts LMU’s annual Lunar New Year celebration. This year, LMU will come together to celebrate the Year of the Snake on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Lawton Plaza.
Lunar New Year signals the beginning of the lunisolar calendar and the arrival of spring. An important holiday in many countries, this event is also widely celebrated in China, Bhutan, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Tibet, and Vietnam. According to the Chinese animal zodiac, 2025 is the Year of the Snake. While official dates may vary, this celebration draws strong ties to reuniting with immediate and extended family.
To kick off the celebration this week, on Monday, Jan. 27, LMU Dining Services hosted a special lunch and dinner menu featuring delicious Korean dishes like Tteokguk (rice cake soup), Bulgogi, Mandu (dumplings), and Kimchi. In addition to offering a free dumpling-making class.
On Thursday, the celebration will include traditional games and activities, and free food, in partnerships with:
- Korean American Student Association: Crafting good fortune – DIY wishing bok (Luck);
- Han Tao: Papercraft Creations: Red envelopes and dragons for prosperity;
- Chinese Students and Scholars Association: Chinese paper cutting – Timeless art for window décor;
- Modern Languages and Literatures Department: Brush strokes of fortune – calligraphy for good luck wishes;
- Nikkei Student Union: Bean throwing (Mame) – Casting away bad spirits;
- Vietnamese Student Association: Bầu Cua Cá Cọp – A memory matching game of fortune.
In addition to the Lunar New Year Celebration, APSS will be hosting and collaborating on several programs during the spring semester, including:
- Feb. 17-22: The Asian American Symposium with Asian American Studies;
- Feb. 22: A Fireside Chat with Julian Keikilani Ako, as he discusses his identity as a native Hawaiian in a world where the dominant worldview is different. The event is free for LMU students, staff, and faculty. Get tickets here;
- March: Sophia University Scholars will be visiting LMU;
- March 16: Han Tao’s Chinese Cultural Night;
- March 23: Nikkei Student Union’s Japanese Cultural Night;
- March 28: Vietnamese Student Association’s Vietnamese Cultural Night;
- March 29: Korean American Student Association’s Korean Cultural Night;
- April 5: Isang Bansa’s 33rd Pilipino Cultural Night;
- April 12: Nā Kōlea’s 51st Lu’au;
- May 15: APIDA Graduation, from 3-7 p.m.;
- May: APIDA Heritage Month, which includes programming throughout the month like a library exhibit, dining collaboration, a Community Climb Night, and more);
- TBD: Holi Festival with the South Asian Student Association.
For more information and the latest updates, visit APSS on LEO or on Instagram @lmuapss.
