Lunar New Year 2026

This Sunday, Feb 8th, Mercer Island will come alive with the sights, sounds, and warmth of Lunar New Year, as families gather at the Mercer Island Community & Event Center for a celebration co-organized by the Mercer Island Chinese Association and the City of Mercer Island.

Designed to reflect how Lunar New Year is traditionally celebrated, the event will feel like a lively festival or “庙会” (miao hui) — a community carnival filled with culture, connection, and joy. The afternoon will feature cultural performances such as traditional dances and Peking opera, along with hands-on activities and games for the whole family. Guests will be invited to make lanterns, learn how dumplings are traditionally prepared, and take part in festive games that generations have enjoyed during Lunar New Year celebrations.

For many of us, Lunar New Year is not just a date on the calendar — it is a feeling.

Growing up, Lunar New Year was the most important time of the year for my family. It meant returning home, sitting around a table with parents and grandparents, sharing food that carried memory and meaning, and starting the year together with hope. No matter how busy life became, this was the moment when we paused, reflected, and wished one another health, peace, and good fortune.

That sense of renewal and togetherness is at the heart of Lunar New Year, and it is what we hope to share with the broader Mercer Island community this Sunday. Through this celebration, we aim to create a welcoming, joyful space where families of all backgrounds can come together to experience traditions that emphasize connection, gratitude, and new beginnings.

For immigrant families — especially seniors — events like this carry extra meaning. They offer comfort, familiarity, and a reminder that even far from one’s birthplace, traditions can still be honored and shared. For children, these moments can spark pride and belonging — a chance to see their culture celebrated openly and embraced by their community. And for neighbors who may be new to Lunar New Year, it is an invitation to learn, participate, and feel included.

We are grateful to live in a community that values cultural exchange and belonging. Lunar New Year reminds us that while traditions may come from different places, the values behind them — family, kindness, hope, and renewal — are universal.

As we celebrate the beginning of the lunar year, we also look ahead to another cherished tradition. Please save the date for the Mid-Autumn Festival on September 20, when we will once again gather to celebrate family, togetherness, and community under the full moon.

Click here for more information!

Fan Yuan
President, Mercer Island Chinese Association

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