Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, is the most significant traditional festival in many Asian cultures. In 2025, it falls on Wednesday, Jan. 29, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake.

The festival's origins trace back over 4,000 years to ancient China, where it was celebrated to honor deities and ancestors, as well as to mark the end of winter and the arrival of spring. Over time, it has evolved into a vibrant celebration of family, prosperity, and cultural heritage.

Traditions during Lunar New Year include family reunions, feasting on symbolic foods, giving red envelopes (hong bao) containing money for good luck, and participating in lion and dragon dances. These customs are believed to bring good fortune and drive away evil spirits.

In Las Vegas and Henderson, the Lunar New Year is celebrated with various events. The “Chinese New Year in the Desert” festival, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 30 to Friday, Feb. 1, features cultural performances, parades, and culinary experiences. Click HERE to learn more about this festival.

You can also celebrate the Lunar New Year in Downtown Summerlin on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Festivities start at 5:30 p.m., followed by a parade at 6 p.m. that runs along Park Center Drive. Click HERE to learn more about the Downtown Summerlin celebration.

Downtown Summerlin Lunar New Year Parade

Additionally, local casinos and restaurants offer special promotions and decorations to commemorate the occasion.

Celebrating Lunar New Year fosters community spirit and preserves cultural traditions, offering a meaningful way to start the year with hope and joy.