Get ready for an amazing afternoon with the Silk Strings Ensemble! Experience their breathtaking live tunes in person and let the music take you on a journey. Whether you're a string fan or just looking for a chill afternoon, this concert's got you covered. Don't miss out on the vibes and the chance to see these talented musicians up close!
But saving up doesn't mean resigning yourself to weekends full of nothing. Especially in London. Sure, there are countless things in the city that can very easily tempt you to part with your cash, but there are also plenty of art exhibitions, cultural festivals and annual gatherings happening this weekend that are completely free of charge. Even if you're not trying to be money conscious right now, they're worth your time.
An explosion at a fireworks shop in central China's Hubei province has killed at least 12 people, state media reported, marking the second deadly blast linked to fireworks as the country celebrates the Lunar New Year. The explosion tore through the shop in Xiangyang on Wednesday afternoon. Emergency crews extinguished the blaze soon after, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency.
When it comes to great design, there is something so gratifying about cultivating meaning beyond just aesthetics. As much as I love a beautiful tablescape or a well-styled entryway, I'm always drawn to decor that carries intention with it. That's why I've always been drawn to the intersection of culture - particularly feng shui and chi - and home design, especially before the start of Lunar New Year celebrations.
Chinatown literally lit up for the Lunar New Year with the 28th annual Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival at Sara D. Roosevelt Park on Feb. 17. Hundreds of spectators gathered on Chrystie & Grand Streets from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., kicking off the Year of the Horse celebration with a lion dance, music, giveaways, and dignitaries dotted the eye of a dragon, and then fed it lettuce, which symbolizes harvesting wealth and good fortune.
Hoi An lanterns hang sparsely throughout the venue. Dancers glide across the stage in silk tunics. Rows of Bánh Tét, Vietnamese rice cakes enjoyed during Lunar New Year, line display tables. And nearby, inflatable horses and a miniature stable invite children to pose for photos - fitting the Year of the Horse theme. The Lunar New Year - known as Tết in Vietnam - is one of the most significant holidays across several Asian countries and among diaspora communities worldwide.
Participants in the Lunar New Year parade paper dragons through the streets of Manila, Philippines.Ezra Acayan (Getty Images) A crowd of people walk through Manezhnaya Square, decorated with Chinese New Year motifs in Moscow, Russia.Anadolu (Anadolu via Getty Images) A fleet of drones projects the silhouette of a horse to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Yangzhou, China.VCG (VCG via Getty Images)
In the 1960s and 70s, Ruby Lee's parents ran the Pagoda Cafe in Burleigh Heads, a surf town in Queensland. They worked 14-hour days and opened the restaurant year-round, even Christmas. When they did eventually close for one day a year, it was for lunar new year. It was the only day that I can recall ever eating out with the family while growing up, says Lee.
Janyla Amazing Haqq, 19, was charged in San Mateo County court Wednesday for kidnapping a 14-year-old girl in Daly City and taking her to Oakland to be forced into human trafficking. Prosecutors say Haqq convinced the girl and her male friend to get in a car with her and three strangers, when they proceeded to take the girl to International Boulevard in Oakland after dropping the boy off, who told the girl's mother. [KRON4]
On February 17, 2026, billions of people worldwide will celebrate the Lunar New Year (also known as the Spring Festival) following the lunisolar calendar. Though the holiday's origins trace back to ancient China, it's now celebrated across East and Southeast Asia and abroad. Friends and family trade cash-stuffed red envelopes and parade through the streets, while kitchens work overtime. Traditions vary by region and family, but one thing is universal: it's critical to show up hungry.
While at the festive market, Xi picked up a 45 yuan (4.79) bundle of delicacies from Daoxiangcun, a historic bakery known for its traditional snacks. According to the shopkeeper interviewed by Chinese media, Xi plumped for three items: honey-glazed dough twists, cream-filled dough twists and jujube flower pastries, a flakey, flower-shaped cookie with a filling made from red dates. Dough twists are made from fried pastry and are a popular local snack in Beijing.
With Lunar New Year approaching next month, we look at the opportunities on the horizon for advertisers, as well as the challenges these bring about. As the holiday approaches, what should advertisers consider? In just over three weeks, China's Spring Festival, or Lunar New Year (LNY) celebrations will begin for more than a billion people across the APAC region. It's one of the global calendar's biggest holidays of heightened spending, with consumers directing money towards travel and gifts.
Draco Malfoy, one of Harry Potter's most recognisable villains, has become an unlikely lunar new year icon across China, as fans embrace the character for the year of the horse. In Mandarin, Malfoy's name is transliterated as ma er fu. The first character means horse while the final character, fu, means fortune or blessing a powerful symbol found across lunar new year celebrations. Put together, Malfoy's name can be loosely read as horse fortune, making him an unexpectedly auspicious figure for the year ahead.
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese Lunar New Year and Spring Festival, is one of the world's biggest holidays. The 15-day celebration is not only observed in China, Singapore, Malaysia, and other Asian countries but by 2 billion people worldwide. That said, there are other Asian countries with their own, distinct Lunar New Year traditions, and like China's, they've been around for thousands of years.
For those who do not wish to travel far to other parts of the city or the Bay Area for festivity, mark your calendar for a Lunar New Year celebration on Ocean Avenue on Saturday, Feb. 28, between noon and 3 p.m. at Unity Plaza, 1002 Ocean Ave. The event, which doesn't require any admission fees or RSVPs, will offer multicultural performances and various booths from local vendors.
Lunar New Year is an annual seasonal event in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This is a worldwide holiday observed in-game, and it always coincides with the start of the real-world Chinese New Year each year. In this guide, we'll discuss all the festivities and items you can unlock during Lunar New Year. The date for the event varies each year.
The Friday night dance party is geared toward older kids and teens and takes place at the David Rubenstein Atrium at 7:30 pm. It's a DJ-led dance party with music by DJ Gia Fu, set in a loud, high-energy, standing-room environment, and is best suited for teens who enjoy music and dancing. If you have younger children with early bedtimes, skip this and save your energy for Sunday.
Mark the Year of the Horse with a free Lunar New Year Festival on March 14, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at History Park on Phelan Avenue. Organized by History San José and the Chinese Historical & Cultural Project, the event welcomes families to immerse themselves in traditions that showcase Chinese heritage through lively demonstrations and interactive elements.
