Lunar New Year kicked off on January 29, 2025, ushering the year of the Snake. This is one of the biggest celebrations for many Asian countries including China, Korea, and Vietnam. With the Garden Grove Unified School District having a significant Asian American population, it is important to acknowledge their heritage and share the joy of this celebration with all of Pacifica’s students!
What is Lunar New Year exactly and how does it differ from our western version of New Year’s? Lunar New Year is based on the lunar calendar, which is the night when the first new moon arrives. While each country has its own way of celebrating the New Year, they all share these hopes in common: encouraging prosperity, bringing good fortune, and fostering new beginnings. People exchange well wishes like “Xīnnián kuàilè” (新年快乐) in Mandarin, “Saehae bok mani badeuseyo” (새해 복 많이 받으세요) in Korean, “Gong hei fat choy” (恭喜发财) in Cantonese, and “Chúc mừng năm mới” in Vietnamese to spread joy and fortune. While it is not a federal holiday in the U.S., many schools across the state of New York have closed in recognition of this important occasion.
So, how did Pacifica decide to celebrate Lunar New Year this year? Our school hosted a week-long lineup of lunch time activities, highlighting Vietnamese and Korean traditions. Here’s a look at how we brought the New Year spirit!
Monday: Students tested their luck with a Red Envelope Toss and got creative at an origami station!
Tuesday: The Korean Culture Club brought the fun with traditional Korean games like Gonggi, Jegichagi, and Red Light, Green Light!
Wednesday: A hands-on craft station let students create their own colorful paper lanterns!
Thursday: The Korean Culture Club set the stage with an exciting K-pop dance performance!
Friday: The Vietnamese Student Association wrapped up the week through multiple beautiful performances like the Lion Dance and loud drumming to drive away bad luck, accompanied with stunning fan and hat dances.
With a week full of laughter, creativity, and cultural appreciation, Pacifica’s Lunar New Year Celebration really brought our community together. Let’s let go of all the bad luck and start strong for this New Year. Happy Year of the Snake, Mariners, and see you next time for the Year of the Horse!