The Lunar New Year Lantern Festival continues its tradition in Corvallis this season as a long-anticipated, once-a-year celebration that brings families together to welcome the new year with joy, culture, and shared traditions. Blending heritage arts with contemporary creativity, the festival has grown into a cherished annual gathering for the local community.

Welcoming the Year of the “Fire Horse”

In the traditional Chinese zodiac system, each year is represented by both an animal and one of five elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water — forming a 60-year cycle.

2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse. The Horse symbolizes movement, strength, and collective energy, while the Fire element represents vitality, passion, and forward momentum. Together, they reflect themes of optimism, creativity, and renewal — qualities that resonate strongly with this year’s festival spirit.

New This Year: Dynamic Cultural Performances Take the Stage

This year introduces exciting new program features that highlight the vibrant blending of tradition and modern creativity:

• A traditional lion dance symbolizing good fortune and protection
• A diabolo (Chinese yo-yo) folk art demonstration showcasing centuries-old skill
• A modern dance performance blending contemporary movement with traditional costume and martial-arts-inspired heritage elements
• A live band performance bridging cultural and contemporary musical styles
  

Returning Beloved Traditions

Alongside new performances, the festival continues its most popular and interactive experiences:

•  Live calligraphy and paper-cutting activities engaging the entire audience
• A lively traditional folk dance filled with festive celebration
• Violin and piano recitals featuring solo and ensemble performances
• Lantern riddles, a classic interactive holiday tradition
• Food tasting featuring spring rolls and golden sesame balls, symbolizing prosperity and the arrival of spring
  

A Cherished Festival Custom: Red Envelopes (“Lucky Money”)

As a special tradition, the first 50 children attending will receive a red envelope — a symbolic New Year gift wishing health, happiness, and good fortune.

These envelopes traditionally contain small amounts of cash, known as “lucky money,” given to children as a way to protect against misfortune and bless them with a joyful year ahead. Performers will also receive red envelopes as a gesture of appreciation and well wishes.

A Community-Led Celebration

The festival was founded and is led by Dr. Qinghua Chen, a Corvallis-based multicultural community volunteer dedicated to promoting cultural understanding and inclusion. Since its inception, the event has been co-hosted by the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library and the Corvallis Multicultural Literacy Center, whose continued partnership has been central to its success.