Wed Jan 29 02:24:01 UTC 2025: ## California Celebrates Lunar New Year: Year of the Snake Brings Festivities and Official Recognition
**SAN FRANCISCO –** The Year of the Snake, beginning January 29th, 2025, marks the arrival of Lunar New Year, a vibrant celebration across Asian communities globally. Known by various names, including Chinese New Year, Tet, Solnal, and Losar, the festival, lasting 15 days culminating in a Lantern Festival, is rich in tradition. This year, KGO-TV in San Francisco will broadcast the annual Chinese New Year Parade on February 15th.
Celebrations vary regionally, from visits to the White Snake Temple in Taiwan to dragon puppet shows in Indonesia. While snakes symbolize both fear and good fortune in Chinese culture, this year’s festivities feature cute, cuddly snake imagery to appeal to all ages. Traditional practices include spring cleaning to welcome good luck, staying up late on New Year’s Eve, and using fireworks to ward off evil spirits. The exchange of red envelopes containing money also plays a significant role.
Specific foods, such as noodles for good luck and fish symbolizing abundance, are central to many meals. Family gatherings and well-wishes for health and prosperity are paramount, mirroring the spirit of American Thanksgiving.
California’s official recognition of Lunar New Year as a state holiday since 2022 underscores its commitment to celebrating the state’s diverse Asian American communities. This recognition, enacted in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, highlights the cultural significance of the holiday and provides an opportunity for all Californians to participate.
First Piper 