Families gather to celebrate the Lunar New Year Festival in Austin, enjoying food, crafts, and cultural performances.
The City of Austin is set to celebrate the fourth annual Lunar New Year Festival on February 2nd, featuring over 40 Asian vendors, family-friendly activities, and cultural performances. This vibrant event promotes community unity and diversity amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendees can enjoy delicious food, unique crafts, and special lion performances while supporting local businesses and charities. Bring the family to celebrate the festive spirit and the new beginnings that the Lunar New Year represents.
Get ready, Austin! The vibrant and exciting fourth annual Lunar New Year Festival is just around the corner, happening on Sunday, February 2nd, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The action will unfold at the Paper + Craft Pantry, located at 1023 Springdale Road, 6A, in the heart of East Austin.
This year’s festival promises to be one of the biggest yet, featuring more than 40 Asian-owned food, drink, and artisan vendors. Whether you’re in the mood for delicious snacks or unique arts and crafts, there’s something for everyone! Some notable vendor highlights include popular names like Greater Goods Coffee, Lao’d Bar, Saigon Hospitality, Sate Texas Indonesian BBQ, Thai Fresh, Cookie Wookie Kitchen, and Pippa’s Homebakery.
Keep an eye out for some special Lunar New Year-themed baked goods, including delightful White Rabbit Madeleines and boxes bursting with flavors from Asian-inspired cookies. Your taste buds are in for a treat!
The festival is more than just a marketplace. Its creators, inspired by the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and rising anti-Asian sentiments, aimed to create a space that promotes unity and support for the Asian community. The first festival held in 2020 attracted around 1,500 attendees, most of whom reserved their tickets in advance. This year, the festival is set to welcome even more visitors, despite some initial concerns about attendance, especially since previous Lunar New Year celebrations were primarily in North Austin.
Bring the whole family along, as the festival includes plenty of family-friendly activities! Kids can unleash their creativity through arts and crafts, enjoy bilingual book readings from local authors, and experience the joy of face painting.
As part of the festivities, two captivating lion performances are scheduled at noon and 2 p.m. These lively shows are not to be missed!
For those seeking a more exclusive experience, there’s a VIP ticket option priced at $45, granting access to prime viewing spots, but keep in mind that these tickets have already sold out. General admission is donation-based, ensuring everyone can join in on the fun and festivities.
In true community spirit, proceeds from the festival will be shared with the Asian Family Support Services of Austin and the Austin Against Hate platform, We All Belong, ensuring that a portion of the funds goes toward supporting vital services and initiatives.
This year’s gathering is focused on celebrating and uplifting makers and small business owners of all genders within the diverse Asian diaspora. Highlighting cultural diversity is particularly important during these tumultuous times, fostering understanding and kinship within our community.
The Lunar New Year Festival stands as a celebration of the lunar calendar’s fresh start and the onset of spring—a season rich with symbolism representing new beginnings and community bonding. So, dust off your best festive attire, invite your friends, and come out to celebrate this exciting event with the lovely folks at East Austin. This festival is not only a feast for the senses; it’s a celebration of togetherness, diversity, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Don’t miss out on what promises to be a joyous occasion, bringing together flavors, creativity, and community spirit in the heart of Austin! See you there!
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