Ways to Celebrate Lunar New Year in Memphis
Celebrate Memphis' AAPI community this Lunar New Year with traditional lion dances, food specials, live music, and more.
Celebrate Memphis' AAPI community this Lunar New Year with traditional lion dances, food specials, live music, and more.
The Lunar New Year starts on Wednesday, January 29. This year welcomes the Year of the Wood Snake bringing in a time of wisdom, intuition, growth, and harmony.
There's an incredible roundup of events to celebrate in Memphis to mark the occasion.
Lunar New Year Celebrations
Lunar New Year Celebrations
1. Attend Good Fortune's Lunar New Year Celebration
A month-long celebration kicks off at Good Fortune, in South Main, on February 1 with a free family-friendly celebration of food specials, door prizes, a Lion Dance performance, and a "mystery guest" performance. The fun continues with a Year of the Snake Bar Crawl where if you visit three locally-owned Asian spots and try their signature cocktails, you'll earn a limited-edition t-shirt. The month's events also include a rare Baijiu Tasting, a Chef’s Party Lantern Festival Celebration, and a Vegan Lunar New Year Dinner with David Quarles IV (sold out).
2. Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Brooks Museum
Spend a day filled with celebration, exciting performances, live music, art making for all ages, authentic food, and more. The Brooks Museum is hosting this free annual LNY celebration on January 25. Enjoy a performance of a traditional Chinese Fan Dance or the culminating performance of the Vietnamese Lion Dancers. There will also be art-making sessions, Dim Sum and Tea in the Terrace Room and three live music sets in Rotunda.
The Brooks Museum will also host traditional Chinese brush painting workshop on January 26. The workshop will be led by teaching artist Changzhi Yu, as you learn foundational techniques and create your own bamboo painting inspired by this centuries-old tradition. Tickets are $30/person.
3. Order the Lunar New Year Tasting Menu at Amelia Gene's
Amelia Gene's has an incredible Thursday tasting menu experience (our team raves about it!). The five-course tasting menu will get a Lunar New Year refresh using fresh, vibrant ingredients and bold Asian-inspired flavors for a limited time. It's only available Thursday, January 23, 30, and February 6. The menu will feature plates like Bo Bia, a delicate vegetable and egg summer roll, grilled Beef Heart, served Peking Duck-style with bao buns, and more. If a delicious LNY meal wasn't enough to entice you, did we mention it's only $60/person? Reserve your spot now.
4. Partake in this Free Vietnamese Lunar New Year Celebration
An annual celebration put together by the Vietnamese American Community West Tennessee. On January 26, this free and family-friendly celebration will have exciting performances like a Lion Dance, Dragon Dance, an Ao Dai Fashion show, and traditional music, singing, and dances. Plus, authentic food and a lot more! This event is put on by the same great organizers of the Asian Night Market.
5. Hit the Memphis Lunar New Year Fair
Held at Agricenter International, this fair brings the spirit of the Lunar New Year to the Mid-South on February 8. Expect traditional Lion and Dragon dances, live performances, Asian arts and crafts, and a variety of delicious foods. It serves as a platform to promote and share the rich heritage of Asian cultures with the broader Memphis community. Free for children 10 years and under. $15/ticket.
6. Finally Learn How to Play Mahjong
Mahjong is the latest craze. There have been countless pop-ups around the city offering lessons or communal competitions. If you have yet to learn how to play, now is your chance! The Brooks Museum is hosting Mahjong at the Museum: Lessons and Open Play on February 9.
7. Go to a Film Screening of Bluff City Chinese
Join the Dixon Gallery & Gardens on Thursday, January 30, at 5:30 PM for a screening of Bluff City Chinese, a documentary uncovering the history of Chinese American immigrants in Memphis, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers led by Indie Memphis' Sarah Dehena.
8. Sample Drinks at a Cocktail Competition
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a cocktail competition at Old Dominick Distillery. Sample six off-menu, themed cocktails and vote for your favorite to earn a spot on the bar menu. Tickets are $10 and include a welcome cocktail, samples, and entry into the Red Envelope Raffle. Save your spot!
9. Support Asian-owned Businesses!
You don't need an event to celebrate our rich Asian community here in Memphis. With a plethora of great restaurants, bakeries, and businesses—you'll have no problem finding a spot to go to. It certainly won't account for everything but check out this Big Guide to Memphis' Best Asian Restaurants that offers 65+ options!
