Community Day: Lunar New Year, 2020. Photo by Frederick Liang
Celebrate the Lunar New Year
Welcome the Year of the Snake, with artmaking activities, cultural demonstrations, and live performances. This contemporary celebration honors Lunar New Year traditions commemorated around the globe and here in San José. Explore and create with family and friends in this multigenerational event.
Community partners joining in for the celebration include New Ballet, Open Space Authority, and Teatro Visión.
Admission to the Museum is free all day!
Register for tickets in advance to ensure a fast check-in at the admissions desk.
Activities | 11am–4pm
Firework Skyline Table Topper
Fireworks have been used for generations to scare away the demon Nian on New Year's. Learn to draw these magical explosions to create a whimsical table topper celebrating our city.
Felt Dumplings
Dumplings symbolize prosperity in East Asian cultures. Make your own craft dumplings to bring prosperity into your life.
Finger Puppets
Celebrate the Year of the Snake by making a friendly snake puppet or a miniature lion dancer mask.
Performances
1–2PM: Poetry Reading by Brandon Luu
Brandon Luu is a poet from San Jose, California. He received his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from San José State University, and he is a member of the Board of Directors of Poetry Center San José. He also served as a 2022 Creative Ambassador for the City of San Jose. For him, poetry is an opportunity to bring people together, regardless of age or circumstance. "Through language, we attempt to make sense of the human condition, and from there, we begin to understand each other."
2:30–3PM: Fashion Moments in the Galleries
3:30–4PM: Fashion Show presented by Ao Dai Festival in Central Gallery
Join us for THƠ is Poetry in Vietnamese, a poetic presentation of the áo dài created by contemporary designers on the second floor.
The Fashion Show will end with a photo opportunity in front of the Museum at 4pm.
Accessibility
The wheelchair ramp is located on the far right of the building's façade (past the end of the large red banner with the Museum’s name).
Preview the ramp using Google Map's Street View.
The Museum is also wheelchair accessible inside with an elevator connect all three floors. For more information on accessibility for your visit, go to sjmusart.org/accessibility.