Celebrating Lunar New Year 2025, The Year of the Snake
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Traditional Lion Dance at Lunar Fest NJ
Gong Hay Fat Choy! January 29 marks the beginning of Lunar New Year -- Chinese Chunjie, Vietnamese Tet, Korean Solnal, Tibetan Losar and Spring Festival, which celebrates the arrival of the new year in Asia and ends 16 days later with the first full moon. 2025 is the Year of the Snake, which symbolizes elegance, wisdom, passion and transformation.
On Sunday, January 26, Seton Hall University partnered with South Orange Maplewood Cross-Cultural Works to sponsor Lunar Fest NJ 2025 at The Woodland in Maplewood, NJ.
Approximately 1,000 community members gathered for an exciting afternoon of performances, including a lion dance, traditional dances from FA Academy and the Woorigarek Korean Cultural Art Center, martial arts demonstrations, and drumming exhibitions. Local food vendors, including Kung Fu Tea, Fomo Momo, Pandang, Qsina8, K-Town Hero and Keo Ku served homemade, traditional Asian cuisine.
Outdoor activities at Lunar Fest NJ
Monica Burnette, Ph.D., vice president of Student Services and co-chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, provided welcoming remarks and was featured on CBS News – New York. "I'm honored to serve as the first Asian-American Vice President of Student Services at Seton Hall and also a proud member of the South Orange Maplewood community. Seton Hall is not only committed to education and student success but also to creating and fostering a welcoming, inclusive, supportive community on campus and beyond. One of the ways we accomplish this goal is through our partnerships and collaborations with our local community. We thank SOMA CCW for once again inviting Seton Hall University to sponsor Lunar Fest NJ this year."
Additional speakers included the Mayor of Maplewood Nancy Adams, Mayor of South Orange and Seton Hall alum Sheena Collum, and Bergen County Assemblywoman Ellen J. Park.
Lunar Fest NJ Festival Director Ms. Lanny Cheuk shared, "Seton Hall's commitment to diversity and bringing cultural experiences to our community is unparalleled. [Through the] performances, activities, and delicious offerings, we hope you can see the fruition of [Seton Hall's] wonderful support of Lunar Fest NJ!" Lunar Fest NJ 2025 was also featured on News 12 - NJ.
Additional Local Lunar New Year Celebrations
Continue to check the University Calendar for additional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Events.
If you are interested in helping to plan Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month in May 2025, please fill out our interest form or email [email protected].
Categories: Arts and Culture
