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, this festival has grown into a cherished annual gathering for the local community.
This third annual celebration happens on March 1, from 3 to 6 pm at the CH2M HILL Alumni Center. Free and open to all, this vibrant cultural event marks the traditional conclusion of the two-week Lunar New Year season and welcomes the start of a new year with joy, renewal, and shared connection.
Welcoming the Year of the “Fire Horse”
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:
Lion Dance: A traditional lion dance symbolizing good fortune and protection.
Folk Skill: A diabolo (Chinese yo-yo) folk art demonstration showcasing centuries-old skill.
Modern Dance: A modern dance performance blending contemporary movement with traditional costume and martial-arts-inspired heritage elements.
Music: A live band bridging cultural and contemporary musical styles.
Returning Beloved Traditions
Alongside new performances, the festival continues its most popular and interactive experiences:
Activities: Live calligraphy and paper-cutting activities engaging the entire audience.
Traditional Dance: A lively traditional folk dance filled with festive celebration.
More Music: Violin and piano recitals featuring solo and ensemble performances.
Lantern Riddles: A classic interactive holiday tradition also returns.
Food: Tastings featuring spring rolls and golden sesame balls, symbolizing prosperity and the arrival of spring.
An Immersive Festive Experience
Beyond performances, the festival recreates the authentic atmosphere of a traditional Lunar New Year gathering. Attendees are seated at round tables — a symbol of unity and togetherness — filled with festive snacks and drinks reflecting classic holiday colors of red and gold.
Decorations throughout the venue feature calligraphy banners, traditional couplets, and lantern displays, creating an immersive cultural setting where guests can enjoy food, conversation, and live performances simultaneously.
From the visual design to the refreshments and concluding food tastings, every element of the event reflects the central themes of the Lunar New Year — joy, harmony, renewal, and hopeful beginnings.
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.
The celebration is made possible with strong support from the venue partner, CH2M HILL Alumni Center, whose generous collaboration has helped bring the event to life. This year, the Office of International Services (OIS) of Oregon State University also joins as a special partner by helping share and promote the festival.
Together, these collaborations reflect the strength of community organizations working collectively to create meaningful shared cultural experiences.
A Celebration of Renewal and Connection
Traditionally observed on the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, the Lantern Festival marks the joyful conclusion of the holiday season and the beginning of a new year’s journey. In Corvallis, this celebration has become a beloved annual tradition where residents of all backgrounds gather to experience heritage traditions, build connections, and welcome the year ahead together.
As the Year of the Fire Horse approaches, organizers hope the festival will inspire a spirit of warmth, vitality, and shared renewal — lighting the way for a hopeful, connected, and vibrant year for the entire Corvallis community.
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