Get ready for fun cultural activities, colorful performances, traditional food and more as Lunar New Year — celebrated as Chinese New Year within Chinese culture — gets underway on Jan. 29 and includes celebrations for the next several days. The holiday is important in many Asian countries and is also celebrated around the world as it marks the New Year according to the historic Chinese calendar, which is determined by the sun and the moon. This calendar also has a repeating 12-year cycle, with each year representing an animal in the Chinese zodiac. 2025 is the Year of the Snake.
Lunar New Year is marked by celebrations and spending time with family and friends, with the following Atlanta events offering the perfect chance to do both.
Lunar New Year Festival at Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain Park’s third annual Lunar New Year Festival includes a special drone and light show, a lighted parade, cultural craft activities, live entertainment and more.
Credit: Courtesy of Stone Mountain Park
Credit: Courtesy of Stone Mountain Park
4 p.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25-Sunday, Jan. 26, Feb. 1-2 and Feb. 8-9. $19.99 festival and select attractions ticket for ages three and up (online only offer,) $24.99 ticket includes festival, select attractions and skyride (online only.) Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. 478-478-6686. stonemountainpark.com/activity/events/lunar-new-year.
Lunar New Year Fortune Run 5K/10K/13.1 Mile Half Marathon
Choose your race length and run to honor the traditions and cultural heritage of Lunar New Year. Mini lanterns will be available at the finish.
Waves starting at 7:30 a.m., 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. 5K $37, 10K $42, 13.1 half marathon $45, 1-mile family fun run $35. S. Peachtree Creek Trail, Atlanta. runsignup.com/Race/GA/Atlanta/LunarNewYearFortuneRunKKATLANTA.
Atlanta Chinese Dance Company performance
An Atlanta Chinese Dance Company performance guides you through the Lunar New Year holiday with traditional music and dance, and audience members will have the chance to participate in the show. The performance is suitable for all ages and is part of the Aurora Theatre’s Children’s Playhouse series.
11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25. $7. Lawrenceville Arts Center, 125 N. Clayton St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222.
auroratheatre.com/productions-and-programs/view/lunar.
Decatur Lunar New Year Festival
Learn about the diverse heritage and cultures that celebrate Lunar New Year, visit craft booths, get tasty treats from food vendors and enjoy the lion dance performed by Sang Anh Durong dance team at 3 p.m. This event is a fundraiser for Asian American Voices for Education.
Credit: Courtesy of Decatur Lunar New Year
Credit: Courtesy of Decatur Lunar New Year
1 p.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 2. Adults $10, free for children under 18. Ebster Courtyard at Beacon Municipal Center, 404 W. Trinity Place, Decatur. decaturlny.com.
City of Johns Creek celebration
Food, performances and Chika Takai, an official DJ of the Atlanta Hawks, are some of the highlights of Johns Creek’s celebration.
Noon-4 p.m. Feb. 1. Free admission. Atlanta Athletic Club fields, 1930 Bobby Jones Dr., Johns Creek.
johnscreekga.gov/recreation-parks/special-events/lunar-new-year.
Credit: Courtesy of city of Johns Creek
Credit: Courtesy of city of Johns Creek
Lunar New Year at the Capitol
The Georgia Legislative Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus hosts a festive celebration with a lion dance.
Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29. Free, with online reservations available. Georgia State Capitol, Capitol Square SW, Atlanta. eventbrite.com/e/lunar-new-year-at-the-capitol-tickets-1141705043519.
Fortune cookie prizes
Enjoy a meal at Doc Chey’s Noodle House and get a special fortune cookie with a prize inside. Every cookie wins, and prizes include Atlanta United tickets and Peace Love Noodles gear.
Tuesday, Jan. 28-Thursday, Jan. 30. 1424 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. 404-888-0777. doccheys.com/news/lunarnewyear25.
Stories, songs and crafts
Families of children ages 2-12 are invited to explore Lunar New Year traditions through stories, songs, traditional riddles and festive crafts.
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. Mountain View Regional Library, 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. 770-509-2725. The program is presented by East Cobb Chinese Moms. cobbcounty.org/events/lunar-new-year-celebration.
Atlanta Chinese Dance Company
Celebrate the year of the snake with a special performance from the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company.
11 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 2. Free with museum admission of $19.95 for members, free for nonmembers. Children’s Museum of Atlanta, 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. NW, Atlanta. 404-659-5437. childrensmuseumatlanta.org/programs/celebrate-lunar-new-year.
Journey Through Time: Magic Eastern Ensemble
Magic Eastern Ensemble presents a concert that blends traditional Chinese instruments with modern artistry as it merges music with dance.
7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25. $25, $20 student/military/first responder, $15 groups of 10 or more. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. 770-594-6232. roswellcac.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=152.
National Association of Chinese Americans celebration
Celebrate Lunar New Year with a reception followed by dinner.
6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner. Feb. 22. $125 members, $200 nonmembers. New Canton Hall Restaurant & Event Hall, 2255 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth. 678-770-0107. naca-atlanta.org/2025-lunar-new-year.
Hội Chợ Tết Atlanta Lunar New Year Celebration
Enjoy traditional Vietnamese music, dance and food and shop for unique crafts and clothing in a lively marketplace.
10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26. Space Ballroom, 6100 Live Oak Parkway, Norcross. 770-910-4500. hoichotetatlanta.com.
Lunar New Year Festival
Enjoy food and performances and receive the New Year blessing.
6 p.m.-9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27. Free. Good News Atlanta Church, 11000 Rogers Circle, Duluth. 470-448-6819. .eventbrite.com/e/2025-lunar-new-year-festival-tickets-1135130057559.
City of Morrow celebration
Experience delicious food, live music, a Lunar New Year’s pageant and a singing contest.
Saturday, Jan, 25-Sunday, Jan. 26. Free admission. Morrow Center Exhibition Hall, 1180 Southlake Circle, Morrow. 678-902-0939. morrowga.gov/event/3242.
Story Time
Listen to “New Year’s Day” by Aram Kim, a Korean tale that celebrates the traditions and excitement of Lunar New Year. This event is recommended for ages 8and under.
11 a.m.-11:20 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 26. Included with general admission of $23.95-$25.95, free with membership. Fernbank natural history museum, 767 Clifton Road, Atlanta. 404-929-6300. fernbankmuseum.org/events/calendar-of-events/2025/01/26-story-time.
