REGINA — Drums will thunder, lions will dance and cultures from across Asia will take centre stage as Regina gathers to welcome the Lunar New Year together.
A free Lunar New Year celebration is set for Sunday, Feb. 8, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Central and Children’s Branch of the Regina Public Library. The event is hosted by the Wascana Women and Children Centre. The afternoon promises a vibrant mix of performance, food, games and interactive cultural experiences designed for all ages. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome.
The celebration opens with a lion dance, a traditional symbol of good fortune, protection and renewal.
“This is a family-friendly, multicultural event where people from all backgrounds are welcome,” said Peggy Zhong, communications organizer with the Wascana Women and Children Centre. “The idea is to celebrate together, learn from one another and create a joyful community space.”
Now in its third year, the event has grown alongside Regina’s newcomer population. Zhong said the celebration fills an important gap for families looking for accessible ways to experience culture together.
“Regina is home to many newcomer families, and they are really looking forward to meaningful opportunities to celebrate traditions,” she said. “Lunar New Year is the most important festival of the year for many of us. It’s about gathering with family and friends, sharing food and passing down traditions.”
This year’s event expands its scope, bringing together performers and cultural groups from Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese communities.
The program is split into two main parts. The first features live cultural performances, including dance, music and language-based presentations on stage. The second transforms the library into a hands-on cultural fair, where families can move, create and explore.
“Kids won’t just be watching,” Zhong said. “They can try calligraphy, paper cutting, traditional games, crafts, face painting, cultural food tasting and take photos in decorated spaces. It’s very interactive.”
Throughout many Asian cultures, Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is associated with renewal, hope and good fortune. Homes are traditionally decorated in red to symbolize luck and prosperity, families gather to share meals such as dumplings, and elders pass down customs that reinforce connection and belonging.
“For people from Asian backgrounds, this celebration is deeply personal,” Zhong said. “But for people from other cultures, it’s also a chance to see how traditions shape identity and community.”
She said that shared understanding is what makes events like this especially meaningful in Canada.
“Canada is a multicultural and inclusive place,” Zhong said. “Different cultures, perspectives and stories are welcomed. This event reflects that spirit of collaboration, respect and love.”
Attendees can expect traditional foods, including dumplings and sweets, along with prize draws throughout the afternoon. Everything is designed to be welcoming, accessible and free.
“Lunar New Year is about renewal, connection and hope,” Zhong said. “That’s exactly what we hope people feel when they come. Bring your kids, bring your friends, and celebrate culture, creativity and community together.”
