San Jose's Santana Row to Host Lunar New Year

- The upcoming Lunar New Year on February 17, 2026, marks the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse. This specific zodiac combination occurs only once every 60 years and is associated with rapid change, bold action, and transformation. - In Chinese culture, the horse symbolizes strength, perseverance, and success. The Year of the Horse is traditionally seen as a time for decisive action and ambition, contrasting with 2025's more cautious Year of the Snake. - San Jose is a significant location for Lunar New Year celebrations as it has the largest Vietnamese population of any single city outside of Vietnam, with estimates around 145,000 residents. The city's "Little Saigon" is a major cultural and commercial hub for the community. - Other Lunar New Year events in San Jose around the same time include a Têt Festival, a celebration at the San Jose Museum of Art, and a night market at Grand Century Mall. - People born in previous Years of the Horse (such as 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, and 2014) are believed to embody traits like energy, independence, and a love for freedom. - The celebration at Santana Row will feature traditional lion dances, which are performed to bring good fortune and renewal. Attendees can also expect to receive red envelopes, which are a common tradition symbolizing luck and prosperity. - The term "Lunar New Year" is a broad descriptor for a holiday based on a lunisolar calendar, which incorporates both moon cycles and solar patterns. It is celebrated by various Asian cultures, including as Têt in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea.