Location: 114 Whitney Avenue

Inspiring Strength, Discipline, and Focus: Wushu Demonstrations and Mini-classes, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm, Ballroom

Wu Dang Kung Fu Academy is dedicated to preserving the core value of Chinese Kung Fu, blending traditional techniques with modern teaching approaches to inspire students of all ages. We emphasize building physical strength, cultivating discipline, and sharpening focus, helping students develop confidence and resilience. Come join us and experience the energy and excitement of this timeless martial arts in an engaging and fun way!

Beauty, Health, and Power: Tai Chi and Qigong Demonstrations and Mini-classes, 1:30 pm-2:30pm, Ballroom

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with Aiping Tai Chi! Watch inspiring demonstrations and engage in mini-workshops to experience these ancient practices. Heal your body with therapeutic Qigong movements; strengthen with flowing Tai Chi movements. Learn historically accurate sword fighting techniques (jianfa) and practice twirling the metal fans that Shifu Shirley Chock made famous on TikTok.

Lunar New Year Lantern Workshop, 2:30 pm-4:00 pm, Ballroom

Participate in this hands-on building workshop led by the Eli Whitney Museum apprentices. Make your own lantern featuring the 12 Chinese zodiac animals — just in time for Lantern Festival on February 12!

Chinese Papercutting, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm, Clement Room

Learn the traditional art of Chinese papercutting with YUNA exchange students to bring good luck to your house in the Year of the Snake.

Wishing Tree, 12:00 pm -4:00 pm, Rotunda

Join in this Lunar New Year tradition and hang your wishes for the New Year on New Haven’s own wishing tree.

Location: 170 Whitney Avenue

Year of the Snake Activities, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm, various stations throughout museum

Wriggle and slide into the Lunar New Year at the Peabody. Learn a fun fact about snakes at the activity carts, construct an amusing snake hat, observe a live indigo snake in the Living Lab, and go on a self-guided snake hunting expedition.

Traditional Chinese Dance Performances, 1:00 pm-1:45 pm, Central Gallery

Yale's Red Lantern will perform two dances that weave together traditional Chinese dance elements with storytelling. "The Magpie Bridge" depicts the ancient love story between a cowherd, Nui Lang, and a fairy weaver, Zhi Nu. "Bloom" portrays the arrival of Spring, evoking the beauty of flowers in full bloom and the vibrancy of new beginnings.

“Dancing With the Golden Snake”, Traditional Chinese Music, 2:00 pm-2:45 pm, Central Gallery

Come celebrate the The Year of Snake with the New Haven Chinese Cultural Cooperative. Hear raucous percussion (Chinese drums, gongs, cymbals, bells), along with traditional Chinese instruments (erhu, dizi, guzheng, yangqin, pipa, ruan, and sheng) and enjoy a truly festive ambiance with many Lunar New Year favorites including “Beautiful Flowers and Full Moon,” “Beaming with Joy,” “Rising Higher Step by Step,“ and more.

Location: Ives Branch, 133 Elm Street

Chinese Games Corner , 12:30 pm-2:00 pm, Performing Arts Room

Step right up to the Chinese Games Corner with the Yale-China library fellows and unleash your inner champion! Test your skills with jianzi (shuttlecock kicking) and see how long you can keep it in the air. Spin your way to victory with the dazzling spinning top, and challenge your friends to the timeless fun of catching seven pieces! Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, there’s something for everyone—plus bragging rights if you master them all! Come play, laugh, and celebrate the joy of Lunar New Year traditions!

“The Fairy Serpent” Shadow Puppet Show and Workshop, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm, Performing Arts Room

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with Kimberly Van Aelst and OompaPossum Puppets. Using hand-carved and painted shadow puppets, The Fairy Serpent tells the story about a father, his three daughters and a snake. Following the puppet show, guests are invited to create and then perform with their very own snake puppet.

Lunar New Year Craft, 3:00 pm-4:00 pm

Join Yale-China’s Chinese Teaching Fellows to decorate your own Chinese opera mask! Learn about the long history behind these masks and make one of your very own.

Eli Whitney Museum Take-and-Make Kits, all NHFPL branches

Pick up your Eli Whitney Museum take-and-make kit today! Make your own slithering snake to celebrate the Year of the Snake.

Location: 34 Hillhouse Avenue

Chinese Medicine on the Move, 2:30 pm-4:30 pm, Luce Hall Auditorium

Attend a symposium on traditional Chinese medicine in the U.S.

“Introducing Global Chinese Medicine: Diversification and Practice in the U.S.” - Dr. Dan Li, The Johns Hopkins University

“The Convergence of Western (W) and Eastern (E) Medicines: How WE Medicines Meet Unmet Clinical Needs” - Dr. Yung-Chi Cheng, Yale University

“The Education and Practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the U.S.” - Dr. Robin Ritterman, Licensed Naturopathic Physician and Licensed Acupuncturist

Location: 100 Audubon Street

Lunarfest Artist Market, 11:00 am-3:00 pm, Recital Hall

Shop from local AAPI artists and makers!

This year’s artists and makers include:

Beacon Craft Studio

Chew-Chew

Creampuff Pal

Dinobee Art Studio

Kobo Studio

Rencoco

Yarnshaper, and more!

Co-sponsored by Town Green District

Location: 421 Temple Street

Wing Tsun Self-defense Kung Fu Demonstration and Workshop, Time: TBD, Main Lobby

Watch Club Kung Fu’s demonstration and participate in a workshop to learn a highly effective method of personal defense that is not based on strength or brute force. Instead, Wing Tsun (WT) kung fu relies on a set of fighting and force principles that will work for anyone. Club Kung Fu believes that more is not better, faster is not better; better is better.

Location: 80 Audubon Street

Fan Painting Workshop, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm

Join Yale’s Ancient Chinese Traditions Club for a fan painting workshop. Use Chinese watercolor to paint your own personal fan to ring in the Year of the Snake. Traditionally using silk materials, Chinese fan painting gained popularity during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). 

Location: 55 Whitney Avenue

Lunarfest Drawing and Painting Sessions, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm & 3:00 pm-4:30 pm, Pre-registration required

Join The Giggling Pig for a creative session in celebration of Lunarfest! Two free drawing and painting sessions featuring dragons will be offered. Make sure to register for your space online and unleash your creativity!

Mention the Lunarfest Parade to receive the following discounts on Saturday February 1, 2025.

Affinity Credit Union, 55 Whitney Avenue - Free giveaways during the parade

Connex Credit Union, 2 Whitney Avenue – Visit the vendor table at Connex; each account opened will receive a gift bag and entry for a chance to win a $50 gift card

Cristhian Shoe Repair, 2 Whitney Avenue #103B - 10% off cleaning: shoes, boots, handbags

Good Nature Market, 44 Whitney Avenue - 10% off storewide

Katahdin Furniture, 60 Whitney Avenue - 20% off storewide

Katalina's Bakery, 74 Whitney Avenue - Special Lunarfest cookies and cupcakes for purchase, 9:00 am-3:00 pm

Kennedy & Perkins Opticians, 80 Whitney Avenue - 20% off frame & RX Lenses *no other discount or insurance; 20% off non-prescription sunglasses

MINIPNG, 77 Audubon Street - 15% off storewide

Pokemoto on Audubon, 99 Audubon Street - 20% off storewide

The Giggling Pig, 55 Whitney Avenue - 10% off classes and gift shop purchases

Via Lactea, 2 Whitney Ave - Free Peanut Butter Cookie inspired by Peanut Tangyuan with every purchase of at least one scoop of frozen desserts

Walker Loden, 258 Church Street - 20% off all jewelry

Willoughby's Coffee & Tea, 258 Church Street - Purchase any specialty coffee or tea drink and get one free (not valid on bottled drinks)