SAN JOSE, CALIF. — Students at Silver Creek High School are getting ready to celebrate Lunar New Year with family, fun activities, and wishes for blessings.

Events of this holiday celebration will officially begin on Jan. 29, lasting for 15 days and concluding with the Lantern Festival. This holiday is celebrated by a large number of Asian cultures, including Chinese, Koreans, Japanese and Vietnamese. 

“Lunar New Year is my favorite holiday because I love receiving red envelopes,” said Nhi Chau, a junior at Silver Creek High School. The red envelopes are filled with money and represent good fortune and blessings for the new year.

Traditions can vary from each family; however, they are commonly about new starts and family gatherings. 

“To celebrate Lunar New Year, my family takes time to visit temples in the morning for blessings, then share a meal at home, exchange red envelopes, and later visit Vietnam Town to watch fireworks,” said Chau. All these activities celebrate faith, family, and happiness, which are essential to this holiday.

Jenny Thach, a senior at Silver Creek High, shared her passion for one of the most iconic Lunar New Year traditions: lion dancing. “I really love lion dancing. It’s one of my biggest passions, and it started my sticker business [which focuses on lion dance genres.] It taught me a lot about resilience and hard work, and also a lot of appreciation for the culture and history built up,” said Thach. 

Adding how it drove her to be a role model, especially since she is one of the few girls who can “stunt”, or  prevent from growing or developing properly.

“I really want to inspire other people that they can do it too and not be discouraged, since I also had that influence when I first saw LDC as a freshman,” said Thach.

For many Silver Creek students, Lunar New Year is not only a matter of tradition but also a way to remember their culture and family history. 

Whether it’s the traditional foods like Bánh tét, Bánh chưng, wearing red for good luck or watching lion dances, there is something exciting and meaningful about the Spring Festival for people who celebrate it.