A warm glow radiating from red lanterns, the wafting smell of peanuts and dried fruit, loud festive music filling the College Nine/John R. Lewis Multipurpose Room — this is the scene of Lunar New Year at UC Santa Cruz. 

Students filled the room on Feb. 18, transforming the space into a scene of tradition and a celebration of heritage. A holiday celebrated by East and Southeast Asian countries like China, Taiwan and Singapore, Lunar New Year is a reminder of culture and home for many UCSC community members.

Students line up to grab confectionaries upon entering the multipurpose room attached to the College Nine and John R. Lewis Dining Hall.

“Lunar New Year is celebrated amongst many students, staff and faculty members,” shared Andy Ng, assistant director of international students services and programming (ISSP). “It’s a way to celebrate not just the Lunar New Year, but to bring fortune and prosperity among others.” 

On a campus where 29 percent of undergraduate students are Asian, ISSP, in collaboration with College Nine, organized a Lunar New Year celebration where students could honor cultural traditions and build community on campus. 

The holiday centers on themes of reunion, renewal and prosperity, often observed through red decorations, special meals, gift-giving and cultural performances. 

At the event, Ng expressed that recognizing the holiday at an institutional level creates a space for more students to feel comfortable away from home. 

“Collaborating with College Nine, whose theme is global international perspectives,” Ng began, “was a really good way of tapping into that student population that really resonates and benefits from the celebration.” 

The first Lunar New Year event at UCSC, hosted by ISSP, was held in 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. ISSP started this event in an effort to reach students who feel distant from home. 

This year, activity tables lined the venue, where students could sample fragrant teas, craft bookmarks and taste an array of traditional snacks, such as pineapple cake and sesame balls, commonly enjoyed during the holiday. As attendees moved from table to table, the space filled with conversation about the significance of what was in front of them.  

Jasmine and oolong tea, coloring sheets and traditional calligraphy stations are available to attendees, in addition to various snack options. Photo by Nidhi Bhat 

Organizers also hosted a raffle featuring “Year of the Horse” themed prizes, referencing the Chinese zodiac cycle in which each lunar year is represented by one of 12 animals. In the zodiac tradition, the Year of the Horse is symbolized by energy, independence and perseverance. The animal is also seen as spirited and ambitious, making it a fitting emblem for a celebration rooted in good fortune and new beginnings. 

Leo Li, a third-year computer science major who helped organize the event, said, “[This event] is mainly for celebrating Lunar New Year and fostering a more diverse community. A lot of students may not be able to go back home during the middle of a quarter, so we host this event to make students who celebrate this holiday feel more at home.” 

Li also empathizes with those who aren’t able to spend the Lunar New Year with their families.

“I can’t go back home to celebrate this New Year with my family,” he expressed. “Having one of these events does make me feel better.” 

While Lunar New Year traditions can vary across cultures and regions, wishes for prosperity and reunion are among the common themes. 

“I would love for folks to take away a sense of community,” Andy Ng said. “I hope [attendees]  leave knowing there are events like this on campus to support students and celebrate culture together.” 

Organizers of the event partake in traditional calligraphy, perform to a viral song and take the stage as emcees. Photo by Nidhi Bhat