The Lunar New Year begins this Saturday, February 10, and there are some amazing family-friendly events planned in Austin! 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, which represents prosperity, and harmony. If you’re looking to get out and celebrate the Lunar New Year, here’s your round-up, as well as some local spots for delicious, traditional cuisine and treats.
Local Events
— UMLAUF After Dark: Lunar New Year
Tuesday, Feb. 6 | 6 pm – 8 pm | FREE for members, $12 for non-members
Get ready to usher in the Lunar New Year with an unforgettable evening of art, culture, and celebration at UMLAUF After Dark! Our Lunar New Year Extravaganza promises a night filled with vibrant experiences that honor traditions, showcase contemporary art, and embrace the spirit of new beginnings. Get more info and register here.
— Lunar New Year Celebration @ Austin Beerworks
Saturday, Feb. 10 | 11 am – 5 pm
Join Austin Beerworks to celebrate the 2024 Lunar New Year at their Sprinkle Valley taproom. It’s the year of the Dragon and this year’s release, Power & Elegance is a light and simple Jasmine Rice Lager with Tawainese Oolong tea and a Dragon Ball Tea. There will be Asian-inspired food offered by Yellow Bell Tacos, as well as two Asian Fusion Cuisine Food Trucks, as well as ABW Can-tina will be on-site with Chef Enma. Summit Lion and Dragon Dance Team performance at 1:30 pm and Austin Flea will be set up from 11 am to 5 pm featuring a ton of local vendors. Get more info here.
— Lunar New Year Festival @ ACC Northridge Campus
Saturday, Feb. 10 | 1pm – 2 pm |
Experience an afternoon of enchanting performances, including a Lion Dance by the Texas Dragon/Lion Dance Team, live dance and music, and a Tai Chi demonstration by Aiping Tai Chi. The festival will include performances and you can get more info here.
— 2024 Lunar New Year @ Vandegrift High School
Sat. Feb 10 | 7 pm – 9 pm | $10/ticket with a discount for groups here
Join us to celebrate Lunar New Year with performances of Chinese traditional and modern music, dance, and singing. There will be Kung Fu (martial arts) and other performances from talented local artists, as well as prize drawing and more.
— Family Day: Lunar New Year @ UMLAUF
Sunday, Feb. 11 | 11 am – 4 pm | FREE with registration here
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at UMLAUF’s Family Day! Head to UMLAUF for a day of creativity and cultural exploration with mini dumpling sculpture making, West China Tea Ceremony Demonstrations, and engaging sculpture searches. This event is open and free to all, promising a delightful blend of festive traditions and artistic experiences. Register here.
— Lunar New Year Festival @ The Paper + Craft Pantry
Sunday, Feb. 18 | 11 am – 5 pm (VIP begins at 10 am) | Tickets start at $10 here
This annual family-friendly event features 30+ vendors of Asian descent, lion and dragon dance performances, kid-story time, face painting and so much more fun! Bring a blanket or chair for your little one for story time and get all the info and tickets here.
Check out even more Lunar New Year Events from our friend at Do512
Delicious Food
This list comes from our friends at Do512 and was originally contributed by Simone Vidauri.
— Asia Cafe (8650 Spicewood Springs Rd)
Asia Cafe offers American Chinese classics like General Tso’s chicken, always crispy, and some more authentic flavors like Mapo Tofu. With something on the menu for everyone, this establishment consistently serves up food that hits the spot.
— Bar Peached
Bar Peached will have a special menu for the New Year on Feb. 9-10, 2024. Check out their special menu here and regular menu here.
— Bao’d Up (Various Locations)
Quick service, wallet-friendly prices, and (most importantly) mouthwatering bao combine to create a scrumptious steamed-up situation. It’s sure to satisfy any cravings and leave you wanting more. Taste the pork belly or BBQ buns to understand the hype.
— Chinatown (2 locations: 2712 Bee Cave Rd, Suite 124 and North at 3407 Greystone Drive)
This upscale restaurant has traditional Chinese dishes as well as sushi. They’re also amazing with tofu and can make vegetarians just about anything off their regular menu and sub in soy. They’re also excellent at takeout and delivery.
— Din Ho Chinese BBQ (8557 Research Blvd, Ste 116)
This locally owned and operated Chinese restaurant offers an extensive menu of traditional dishes. With ducks, chickens, and pigs hanging by the window and tanks filled with live lobsters and crabs, Din Ho offers a very authentic experience.
— Fat Dragon (8650 Spicewood Springs Rd #109)
Located next to Asia Cafe, this Asian fusion bistro has great soup dumplings and is quickly becoming a sought-after eating experience.
— Ho Ho Chinese (13000 IH 35)
Craving roast duck? BBQ pork? Some of the best flat pan-fried noodles with beef money can buy? Then you’ve found the right place. Ho Ho Chinese is located in North Austin, just off I-35, and specializes in family-style meals abundant with rich flavors.
— Jade Restaurant (3801 N Capital of Texas Hwy)
With Chef William Wong as co-owner, Jade Restaurant provides an upscale location for “traditional Chinese small plates” and Dim Sum. Jade Restaurant is a self-identified Asian Fusion venture that offers delightful food in a chic setting.
— Julie’s Noodle House (8557 Research Blvd #110)
Oodles of handmade noodles and fresh ingredients – that’s what makes Julie’s shine. Located in the same strip mall off Research as Din Ho, this central location offers delicious Beef Stewed Noodle Soup and Soup Dumplings.
— Lin Asian Bar + Dim Sum (1203 W 6th St)
Styled as Austin’s “first Asian Bar Restaurant’, this charming blue house turned restaurant is run by Chef Ling Qi Wu. Chef Ling’s cuisine has been called magical and we’re inclined to agree. You would be missing out if you didn’t try her take on Dim Sum and soup dumplings.
— Little Wu (111 Congress Ave., Suite 010)
Located in The Fareground downtown food hall, Little Wu specializes in dumplings and noodle bowls and is brought to you by the team behind Wu Chow, Swift’s Attic, and Rosedale Kitchen and Bar. Little Wu’s Lamian Chinese noodle bowls, also known as the “original ramen,” are loaded with rich, hearty, and meticulously crafted broths and seasoned meats and vegetables that make for the perfect cozy meal.
— Old Thousand (1000 E. 11th St.)
This trendy hot spot offers scrumptious food with a hint of spice and top-notch service. Old Thousand is perfect for a night out or take out for a delicious dinner at home! Click here for more info.
— OMG Squee (4607 Bolm Rd.)
Get your Lunar New Year pre-orders booked from OMG Squee. We’ve never seen cuter macaroons. Check them out here.
— Red Farm
New Austin restaurant by NYC chef, Joe Ng, whose menu takes a clean, fresh approach to Chinese food.
— Tso’s (3909 N Interstate Hwy 35 Ste E-5 & 9333 Research Blvd Bldg E Ste 402)
Nothing beats classic Chinese takeout, and it’s even better when their delivery service is free. Tso’s Chinese is built for delivery and serves its Americanized Chinese menu to Central and North Austin areas. They also offer a variety of vegan and vegetarian options, from Tofu Double Pan Fried Noodles to their delicious Veggie Delight.
— Wu Chow (500 W 5th St.)
Want something a bit more lavish? WuChow offers elevated farm-to-table favorites and is known for its dim sum and dreamy cocktails. You can also grab your order to go and enjoy it from the comfort of your home. For the Year of the Dragon, Wu Chow has a special drink “Up in Smoke” from Feb 1 – Feb 29 with proceeds benefitting Austin Pets Alive.
— Xian Noodle and Sushi (Various Locations)
There’s nothing that can compare to hand-pulled fresh noodles. Owned by 2 brothers, this string of restaurants has secured its rightful spot on the must-eat list of Austin. These cute modern eateries are perfect for dates or hanging out with friends. We’re going to strongly suggest you savor the Dan Dan noodles for yourself.
— Zoe Tong (1530 Barton Springs Rd)
This new modern Chinese restaurant on Barton Springs Road is available for dine-in, takeout, and delivery here.
