Culture

How to celebrate Lunar New Year in Greenville, SC

Ring in the year of the snake at these festivals and celebrations.

January 26, 2025 • 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Lunar_New_Year_JAN2023

Red envelopes (stuffed with money) are a traditional Chinese gift during Lunar New Year. | Photo by @swamprabbitcafe

Table of Contents
Wednesday, Jan. 29
Friday, Jan. 31
Sunday, Feb. 2
Celebrate at home

Happy (almost) Lunar New Year. Wednesday, Jan. 29 kicks off one of the biggest celebrations of the year among East and Southeast Asian cultures begins, and Greenville is ready to party.

China’s Lunar New Year is known as the Spring Festival or Chūnjié in Mandarin, while Koreans call it Seollal and the Vietnamese refer to it as Tết. No matter what it’s called, it’s always rung in with the first new moon and spans the first 15 days of the first month of the lunar calendar, until the full moon arrives.

Here’s where you can celebrate in Greenville:

Wednesday, Jan. 29

The Children’s Museum of the Upstate | 9 a.m. | $0+ | Enjoy a special story time, snake-themed activities, Lunar New Year crafts, and learn about the moon’s phases.

Friday, Jan. 31

Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery | 3-7 p.m. | Free entry | Indulge in bites from Salome’s Cuisine, The Noodle Lady, and TruBroth as you shop cafe and bakery specials, enjoy red envelope giveaways, and eat giant fortune cookies.

Sunday, Feb. 2

Sum Bar | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Free entry | Watch traditional performances, enjoy local food, shop local vendors, and enjoy family-fun traditions as you wish each other luck and prosperity in the new year.

Celebrate at home

Bring Lunar New Year to you by stocking up on supplies at one of these local Greenville businesses:

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