Thank you to our contributor, Jen Le, for writing this blog for The Gulf Coast Mom!

Lunar New Year, also known as Tết locally here on the Gulf Coast with the large Vietnamese community, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated holidays in many Asian cultures. The holiday marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is observed with grand festivities, rich traditions, and a deep sense of cultural heritage. It usually falls between late January and mid-February, depending on the lunar cycle. This year of the Wooden Snake 2025, the celebrated dates starts on Wednesday, January 29th through January 31st. Some countries even celebrate it up to 15 days.

As the new year is arriving, families are in preparation and following customs.

Remember last year’s post? The customs continues…

Cleaning the House: Before the new year begins, families thoroughly clean their homes to sweep away bad luck and make room for good fortune.
Decorations: Red is the dominant color during the celebrations, symbolizing good luck and warding off evil spirits. Homes are adorned with red lanterns, couplets, and paper cuttings featuring auspicious phrases.
Reunion Dinner: On New Year's Eve, families gather for a lavish feast featuring symbolic foods such as dumplings (wealth), fish (abundance), and glutinous rice cakes (progress).
Giving Red Envelopes Li Xi (Lee-See): Elders give red envelopes filled with money to children and unmarried adults as a gesture of blessing and good fortune.
Fireworks and Lion Dances: Firecrackers and fireworks are set off to scare away evil spirits, while lion and dragon dances bring energy and prosperity to communities.

Lunar New Year is more than just a holiday; it is a time for family reunions, cultural reflection, and hopeful beginnings. Families and friends come together to celebrate, the spirit of renewal, prosperity, and togetherness continues to thrive, making Lunar New Year a cherished tradition that transcends generations.

Wear red for good fortune and come out to celebrate the Lunar New Year below:

Follow Biloxi local lion team: White Tiger Lion Dance’s schedule