It’s around that time of year that many Asian-Americans celebrate their second New Year. While much of the world welcomed 2026 on January 1, Asians will be celebrating it February 17. In my home country, Vietnam, it is called Tết, though it is more widely known as Lunar New Year. It’s a tradition to pray for luck and prosperity for the coming year, cleaning and decorating homes with red-themed decorations, and avoiding certain actions such as sweeping, using scissors, or arguing, as these are believed to bring bad luck and disrupt harmony for the year ahead. 

 For many people, the main highlight of the holiday is the lively festivals. Children receive red envelopes filled with cash as families gather to enjoy food stalls, performances, fireworks, and—most importantly—the lion dances.

 On February 6, 2026, the Asian Student Association will be bringing Asia’s traditions into South High, hosting its second annual Lunar New Year Festival.

With an entry price of $12, students can enjoy unlimited Chinese food—including egg rolls, spring rolls, lo mein, fried rice, etc—catered by local restaurants. Those twelve dollars also come in handy as there will also be performances, games, and vendors such as Gong Cha, Kaffe In, and Yoway. By attending you will get a glimpse of one of Asia’s biggest celebrated holidays. To buy a ticket, students can email or talk to Ms. Toy to fill out this form – and, tickets will be available at the door!