Lunar New Year Festival
Jan 26, 2025
10:00 am
–
4:00 pm
Free
Museum admission includes entry to Lunar New Year
Celebrate the Year of the Snake
Observed throughout China and several East and Southeast Asian countries, Lunar New Year is a traditional celebration marking the beginning of the new year on the lunar calendar.
The free Lunar New Year Festival features live performances and demonstrations by local artists, artmaking activities for the whole family, traditional cuisine, and educational experiences in the museum’s Asian art galleries.
Free registration
General admission to the museum and festival is free. Although you may register for admission upon arrival, we encourage advance registration for a more convenient check-in experience.
Parking options
The Nelson-Atkins parking garage is located at 45th and Oak streets. Parking is $14 per vehicle or free for museum members and guests with ADA placards.
Additional free parking is available 9 am-5 pm at the Cherry Street Parking Structure at 5005 Oak Street. ADA compliant shuttles will transport guests to and from the museum.
Decorations
From Jan. 23-27, Bloch Lobby and Rozzelle Court will be outfitted with Lunar New Year decorations. And from Jan. 23-Feb. 10, red lantern displays will be in the Asian Art gallery 224.
Festival Schedule
Performances and demonstrations
- Hourly calligraphy demonstrations and bookmark giveaway* by The Taiwan-America Friendship Association | 10 am–4 pm | Classrooms 4 and 5
*While supplies last
- Yo-Yo demonstration by The Chinese School of Greater Kansas City | 10:15–10:30 am | Noon–12:15 pm | 1–1:15 pm | Kirkwood Hall
- Traditional Chinese Guzheng Music by William, Wen-Hua & Catherine You | 10:30 am–noon & 1–2 pm ǀ Gallery 205 A
- Jasmine Chinese Dance Group | 10:30–11:15 am | Atkins Auditorium
- KU Lion Dance Team | 11-11:15 am | Noon-12:15 pm | 1-1:15 pm | Bloch Lobby
- Fusion Dance by The Chinese School of Greater Kansas City | 11–11:15 am | 2–2:15 pm | Kirkwood Hall
- Chinese Folk Dance, Drum Celebration Dance and Taichi Fun | 11:15–11:40 am | Kirkwood Hall
- Kansas Tatsumaki Yosakoi Japanese Dance Team | 11:45 am–noon | 12:45–1 pm | Kirkwood Hall
- Silk Road Dance Group | Noon–12:30 pm | Atkins Auditorium
- Pipa Music by Chris Stephens | Noon–1 pm ǀ Gallery 205 A
- Painting demonstration by Valda Hsu | Noon–2 pm | Aquila Room
- Jasmine Dance Group Interactive Performance | 12:15–12:30 pm | Kirkwood Hall
- Heart of America Japan-America Society Meet and Greet and Origami demonstration | 1–4 pm ǀ Educator Resource Center
- HK Chinese Folk Dance Group | 1:15–1:30 pm | Kirkwood Hall
- K-pop Teams Performance | 1:30–1:45 pm | Kirkwood Hall
- Sinag-Tala Performing Arts Troupe | 1:30–2:15 pm | Atkins Auditorium
- Kansas Tatsumaki Yosakoi Japanese Dance Team | 1:30–1:45 pm | Bloch Lobby
- Korean Language Institute Performance| 1:45–2 pm | Kirkwood Hall
- Lion Dance by Rockhurst High School Lion Dance Team | 2–2:15 pm | 3–3:15 pm | Bloch Lobby
Dances and parade followed by photo ops - Tae Kwon Do Demonstration | 2:15–2:30 pm | Kirkwood Hall
- K-pop Teams Interactive Performance | 2:30–3 pm | Kirkwood Hall
- Koto Music by Dianne Daugherty | 2:30–3:30 pm ǀ Gallery 205 A
- K-pop Teams Performance| 3:15–3:30 pm | Kirkwood Hall
- Dance and music by Institute of Chinese Language and Culture students | 3:15–4 pm | Atkins Auditorium
Activities
- Preschoolers Welcome! Spotlight Station about Noguchi Court | 10–11 am | Noguchi Court
- Go (traditional board game) and paper cut demonstrations with the Institute of Chinese Language and Culture | 10 am–noon | Rockhill Room
- Year of the Snake art activity | 10 am–4 pm | Lens 2
- Go (traditional board game) with the Chinese School of Greater Kansas City | 10 am–4 pm | Sculpture Hall
- Zodiac Animal Hunt in the Asian Art galleries | 10 am-4 pm | Galleries 201 and 224
View online guide - Docent spotlight: The Art of Ink Rubbings: Impressions of Chinese Culture | 10 am-4 pm | Gallery 222
- Preschool Storytime in Mandarin Chinese and English by the Foreign Language Academy | 11–11:40 am | 2-2:40 pm | Noguchi Court
- Heart of America Japan-America Society Meet and Greet and Origami Demonstration| 1–4 pm ǀ Educator Resource Center
- Lunar New Year activity and special book display | 1–4 pm | Spencer Art Reference Library
- New Year Traditions Meet and Greet with the Korean Language Institute | 1:30–3:30 pm | Rockhill Room
Food and drinks
Asian-inspired cuisine for purchase | 11 am–4 pm | Rozzelle Court Restaurant
Á la carte Asian food selections (while supplies last) | 11 am–3 pm | Bloch Lobby
Cafe Cà Phê Vietnamese coffee and more | 10 am–3 pm | Bloch Lobby
Free festival pins for members
10 am–4 pm | Bloch Lobby Info Desk
Members can stop by to claim their free, limited-edition Lunar New Year enamel pin. Present your member card to collect your pin. If you’re not a member, learn more about membership opportunities.
Museum guidelines
Please help us protect the art by following these important guidelines:
- Stay at least two feet from the art. Do not touch, lean on, or sit on the art, including outdoor sculptures and the reflecting pool.
- Check your backpack at our free coat check in Bloch Lobby. Alternatively, carry your bag or wear it on one shoulder or the front of your body.
- Do not bring food or drinks into the galleries.
Share Your Pictures
If you take photos, tag us!
After the festival, we’ll release official event photos on our Flickr profile:
Thank you
Support for the festival is generously provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.
Nelson-Atkins members and volunteers make festivals like this possible.
Save the Date
Native American Cultural Celebration
Sunday, March 2 | 10 am–4 pm
