Lunar New Year 2023: Your guide to celebrating the Year of the Rabbit across Oklahoma City

JaNae Williams, Oklahoman
·3 min read
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The Year of the Tiger is passing as we make way for the Year of the Rabbit to begin Jan. 22.

You may have heard the holiday referred to as Chinese New Year or Year of the Rabbit based on the Chinese zodiac. In the Vietnamese zodiac, the rabbit is replaced by the cat and the ox by the water buffalo, making 2023 the Year of the Cat, rather than the rabbit for those who celebrate the holiday as Tet.

Lunar New Year is celebrated by many Asian cultures. Its beginning is marked by the first new moon on the lunar calendar, which typically occurs between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20. Called Tet by the Vietnamese, Chunjie by the Chinese, Solnal in Korean, and Losar in Tibetan, the event lasts for several days, concluding on the first full moon of the lunar calendar.

People watch as GQ Lion Dance from the Giac Quang Temple perform during a Tet, or Vietnamese New Year, celebration hosted by the Vietnamese American Community of Oklahoma at the Dove Event Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.
People watch as GQ Lion Dance from the Giac Quang Temple perform during a Tet, or Vietnamese New Year, celebration hosted by the Vietnamese American Community of Oklahoma at the Dove Event Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.

There are several chances to celebrate throughout Oklahoma City from Jan. 21 through Jan. 30.

Lunar New Year 2023: When is the holiday and what does the Year of the Rabbit represent?

Check out the list of events below, and read our full story on the food and traditions of Tet, as explained to me by several members of Oklahoma city's Vietnamese community.

Jan. 21: Lunar New Year in the Gardens, Myriad Botanical Gardens

Oklahoma City residents can join the festivities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. as Myriad Gardens and the Asian District Cultural Association provide an opportunity for families to learn more about the Lunar New Year holiday.

The event will feature performances by the Hung Viet Lion Dancers, Golden Tiger martial arts studio, RACE Dance Collective and other groups. Kids can enjoy crafts and face painting, learn samurai sword skills and calligraphy. Limited commemorative Lunar New Year Lion t-shirts will be available for purchase.

More:Oklahomans ready to celebrate Tet, Lunar New Year 2023 with food and customs

Jan. 22: Lunar New Year begins

This is the official start of Lunar New Year. Unlike the customary new year celebrations undertaken for the beginning of the gregorian calendar, most people do not go out.

Tradition holds that the day should be spent visiting your family, beginning with the eldest members first and wishing them a happy new year. Purchase a traditional rice cake, Banh Tet or Banh Chung, from Super Cao Nguyen or Lee's Sandwiches in advance and share a meal with family and close friends at home.

Over the course of the days that follow, you can visit the other members of your family, your friends, your community and the businesses around you to wish them all a year filled with luck and prosperity.

Jan. 28 - 29: Asian District Lunar New Year Celebration

A child in a lion costume watches GQ Lion Dance from the Giac Quang Temple perform during a Lunar New Year celebration hosted by the Vietnamese American Community of Oklahoma at the Dove Event Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.
A child in a lion costume watches GQ Lion Dance from the Giac Quang Temple perform during a Lunar New Year celebration hosted by the Vietnamese American Community of Oklahoma at the Dove Event Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023.

By Jan. 28, members of Oklahoma City's Asian communities will be celebrating the new year in full swing and you can join them. Super Cao Nguyen, 2668 N Military Ave., has plans to set off over 1 million firecrackers, as lion dance teams come onsite there and at other businesses throughout the Asian District, to chase away the bad spirits and usher in positivity and prosperity for the year ahead.

Events will take place throughout the day on Jan. 28 and 29. Check with Super Cao Nguyen in person, via Facebook or by calling 405-525-7650.

Make plans to visit a restaurant in the district, such as Lee's Sandwiches, 3300 N Classen Blvd., Grand House, 2701 N. Classen Blvd., Golden Phoenix, 2728 N. Classen Blvd., Pho Lien Hoa, 901 NW 23rd Street or others, along with other businesses to enjoy a meal and support the community.

Jan. 30: Oklahoma City Thunder Lunar New Year game

The Oklahoma City Thunder continue an NBA tradition that dates back to 2012 with an official game honoring Lunar New Year scheduled Jan. 30. According to Thunder promotions for the game, it will "recognize Asian-American Oklahomans and their influence on the cultural fabric of our state."

The night is set to include displays throughout the Paycom Center and in-game performances by local Asian-American artists. The game tips off at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Lunar New Year 2023 in OKC: When, where and how to celebrate