As the first new moon of the Year of the Fire Horse galloped in, students gathered on the fourth floor of the 618 S. Michigan Ave. building on Wednesday night, Feb. 18 to celebrate Lunar New Year at an event hosted by the Student Diversity and Inclusion office.
Red paper lanterns, known as denglong, and hanging dragon decorations filled the space as music played and students moved between tables and activities.
Most attendees were Columbia students, several of whom said they came out of curiosity and to learn more about Lunar New Year traditions.
“Celebrating the Lunar New Year means celebrating the new year and the community that comes with it,” said Niya Rodriguez, a senior English major. When asked what the Year of the Horse symbolized to her, Rodriguez said it represented momentum and motivation. “It’s about keeping yourself pushing and staying driven,” she said.
Amy Hernandez, a junior film and television major and peer educator with the SDI office, said it was her first time helping organize a Lunar New Year celebration on campus. Hernandez decorated the space, created the playlist and researched traditions associated with the holiday.
“I didn’t grow up celebrating Chinese New Year, but I’m Filipino and it is celebrated there,” Hernandez said. “While researching, I learned about different Lunar New Year traditions. I didn’t know, for example, that Japan doesn’t celebrate it, so that was pretty cool to learn.”
The event featured karaoke, a raffle and red envelopes distributed to attendees. A spread of Chinese American food and drinks, including spring rolls, potstickers and boba tea, was also provided.
Lunar New Year parades will take place in Chicago’s Argyle and Chinatown neighborhoods on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, and Sunday, March 1, 2026.
Copy edited by Venus Tapang
