State Senator John Liu said, "The Lunar New Year is the most significant time of the year for Asian Americans, and as the fastest growing community in the country, we need to make sure our heritage, culture and traditions are treated with the same respect and reverence as any other American holiday. Declaring Lunar New Year a State holiday is The Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China and many other Asian countries. In China, it’s a public holiday from February 10 through February 17. In September 2023, Governor Hochul today legislation to declare Asian Lunar New Year a public school holiday across New York State. “By designating Lunar New Year as an official school holiday, we are taking an important step in recognizing the importance of New York’s AAPI community and the rich diversity that makes New York so great,” Governor Hochul said. Lunar New Year-- a holiday period that spans more than two weeks -- is set to begin on Feb. 10, with traditions and celebrations that spread far beyond one region.. The holiday, often referred to This year marks the first time a new school holiday is officially observed in New York state. Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, is Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year. It’s considered to be Lunar New Year is not a federal holiday, meaning banks and the stock market stay open, but New York City is among the public school districts that opt to close their doors for the day in Wednesday, Jan. 29 may not be a federal holiday, but the day — Asian Lunar New Year — is a New York public school holiday. The one-day observance — which varies each year and typically comes The Lunar New Year is not a federal holiday in the United States. However, some states, such as California4 and Colorado,5 have passed legislation declaring the Lunar New Year an official holiday, and the state of New York recognizes it as a public school holiday.6 Some cities with The Chinese calendar uses a 60-year cycle known as the sexagenary cycle. The current cycle began in 1984 and ends in 2043. Each cycle consists of one each of the 10 heavenly stems and 12 earthly This also makes New York the first state to mandate school closures for the occasion. Last year, the state holiday’s inception fell on a Saturday, and students weren’t given an additional day off. Last year, for the first time, we recognized Lunar New Year as an official state holiday, inviting everyone to appreciate the traditions of this special holiday. One year after the tragedy in Monterey Park, we also honor the memory of those senselessly taken from us, and hold in our hearts the brave survivors and all those mourning lost friends Chang has introduced a bill this session to designate Lunar New Year as a state holiday. This year carries added significance: it marks the 235th anniversary of the first Asian immigrants arriving CALIFORNIA, USA — A new bill signed by Governor Gavin Newsom is honoring an important cultural holiday in a new way. AB 2596 recognizes Lunar New Year as an official state holiday. Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2596 into effect, which grants state employees eight hours of vacation, annual leave, and personal holiday time to celebrate going forward. Lunar New Year, otherwise known as Chinese New Year, is a cultural celebration of the New Year based on the lunar calendar. It is celebrated in many East Asian countries such China has seven legal holidays in a year, including New Year's Day, Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), Qingming Festival (Tomb-sweeping Day), May Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Day and National Day. Chinese people enjoy 13 days off in total for these official holidays. This Sunday is Lunar New Year, when the moon will enter a new phase and usher in the Year of the Rabbit. And for the first time in California’s history, it’s an official state holiday. The legal holiday is seven days long, from the Lunar New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the first lunar month. Some companies and public institutions enjoy a longer holiday up to 10 days or more, because in common knowledge among Chinese people, the festival lasts longer, from the Lunar New Year's Eve to the 15th day of the first lunar month (Lantern Festival). Assembly Bill (AB) 2596, the legislation which designates Lunar New Year as a state holiday, was introduced by Chinese American Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Campbell) during Chinese New Year in February this year. Commemorating Lunar New Year in New Jersey recognizes the importance of this day for many New Jersey residents, and the value of those who celebrate the occasion in this State.” “Officially recognizing Lunar New Year as a state is more than just celebrating a holiday, it’s embracing a culture and it tells our AAPI neighbors that they are What are the animals of the zodiac? Each year honors an animal based on the Chinese zodiac. The circle of 12 animals — the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig — measure the cycles of time.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |