The Asian celebration is a time to wish for good luck and prosperity in the new year. In the Alamo City, multiple organizations are holding events.
SAN ANTONIO — Millions around the world are commemorating the Lunar New Year this week, celebrating the major Asian festival that comes complete with carnivals, family gatherings, parades, traditional food and fireworks.
2025 marks the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac, where they are known as “little dragons” that symbolize good luck, rebirth and regeneration. This year, merchants in China and elsewhere are producing lanterns, soft toys and other products where the snakes have googly eyes and goofy smiles so they appear cute and cuddly, and don’t scare away young celebrants.
The Lunar New Year is a time to wish for good luck and prosperity in the coming year for oneself and others. And here in San Antonio, many organizations are celebrating this weekend.
San Antonio Museum of Art
The Alamo City’s downtown art institution is kicking things off with Art on Tap: Year of the Snake from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, offering visitors a “casual evening of themed tours, artmaking and a performance by the San Antonio Chinese Alliance Dragon Dance Team.”
SAMA members get in free, admission for everyone else in include in your museum ticket ($22 for adults, children 12 and under get in free), and food and cocktails are available for purchase.
Rolling Oaks Mall
Over on the northeast side, revelers can take advantage of two days days of San Antonio Asian New Year Festival celebration. Rolling Oaks Mall will be in celebration mode from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, complete with cosplay contests, anime dealers, sumo wrestling competition, cultural performances and more to celebrate the city’s diversity.
Admission and parking are free.
Carver Community Cultural Center
The east-side cultural center’s Jo Long Theatre will play host Sunday afternoon to the San Antonio Chinese Alliance Lunar New Year Gala from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Local artists and performers will be on hand for “a vibrant show filled with singing, dancing and a variety of performances” that happens just once a year.
The Pearl
At one of central San Antonio’s favorite hangout spots, families can enjoy “traditional dragon parades, performances, red lanterns” and other customs befitting the start of the Lunar New Year. The Pearl’s celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.