Tag Archives: chinese new year

Chinese New Year on Maui 2026: Where to Celebrate the Year of the Horse

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Chinese New Year is almost here, and Maui is ready to welcome the Year of the Horse with cultural celebrations, lion dances, family activities, and plenty of festive energy.

In 2026, Lunar New Year begins on Tuesday, February 17, and while Maui’s events aren’t as large as Honolulu’s Chinatown festivities, there are still meaningful and fun celebrations happening across the island.

Here’s your guide to what’s happening.

🐎 Chinese New Year – Official Start

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

This marks the first day of the Lunar New Year and the beginning of the Year of the Horse. Traditionally, this is a time focused on renewal, prosperity, family gatherings, and welcoming good fortune.

You may see smaller celebrations, lion dance appearances, or restaurant specials around the island during this week.

🎉 Maui Chinese New Year Festival

Saturday, February 21, 2026
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Maui Mall Village, Kahului

This is Maui’s largest Chinese New Year celebration and a must-attend event for families.

The festival typically includes:

  • Lion dance performances (often multiple showings)
  • Martial arts demonstrations including Tai Chi
  • Dragon and ribbon dance performances
  • Keiki crafts and cultural activities
  • Chinese calligraphy and heritage displays
  • Local food vendors and festival booths

It’s free, family-friendly, and filled with color, music, and cultural tradition.

What to Expect at a Maui Lunar New Year Celebration

Lion dances are often the highlight. The lion symbolizes strength and good fortune, and performances traditionally “chase away” bad luck while inviting prosperity for the year ahead.

If you see the lion dancers, you can participate in the tradition of offering a small red envelope donation to “feed the lion” — a fun and symbolic gesture.

Happy Chinese New Year!

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Excitement is building as Oahu’s China Town sets plans to celebrate Chinese New Year starting tonight with Chinese dragons performing the Dragon Lantern Dance bringing all that feed them luck.

Year Of The Tiger

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Chinese New Year 2022 is Year of the Tiger starting today, February 1st. Chinese New Year celebrations may last up to 10 days. During this time, families come together to celebrate by cooking and giving gifts. The ideal gift is a red envelope containing money. Big family celebrations bring good Qi for the year! A great way to start 2022! Enjoy!

Happy Chinese New Year!

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This is the year of the Ox. Anyone born in the year of the Ox is thought to be dependable and strong. Lucky numbers are 5 and 6! Lucky colors are believed to be yellow and green! Happy 2021 Chinese New Year!

Chinese New Year 2019

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Happy Chinese New Year! 2019 is the year of the Pig! Chinese New Year officially kicks off today February 5th. The zodiac symbols repeat every 12 years. The next time you will have a year of the Pig will be in 2031.

The symbolic feeding the dragon is a tradition done to bring good luck. Red envelopes are fed to the dragon by those seeking good fortune. If you’ve never had a chance to experience this it is truly a fun sight to see!

A full day of celebration is scheduled to take place on February 8th in Lahaina. Lions will dance through the streets of Lahaina and there will be plenty of festivities at the Wo Hing Museum and Cookhouse at 858 Front St. Chinese New Year exhibits will be on display beginning Monday, February 4th through Thursday, February 7th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Wo Hing Museum.

On Saturday, February 9th Lahaina Cannery will have the traditional “feeding of the lions” from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Martial arts display an firecrackers during the celebration, or come out at 1:00 pm for a pre-celebration hula performance!

On Sunday February 10th the Tiki Terrace Restaurant located at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel will host the Year of the Pig brunch buffet. Buffet will include shrimp egg fu young, braised short ribs and noodles. Reservations are a must!

Queen Kaahumanu Center will be hosting two different events for Chinese New Year. First event will be held on Sunday, February 10th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The annual event will consist of martial arts demonstration, fireworks, lion dance, and crafts for keiki under the age of 12. On Saturday, February 16th from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm the Chinese New Year Festival will be held at the Queen Kaahumanu Center. Activities include good luck photos with ancient lion head, calligraphy writing, keiki ribbon dancing, plus so much more! This will be a fun event for the entire family!

The Grand Wailea Hotel has posted via their website that you can experience the Lion Dance in the resort lobby tomorrow, Wednesday February 6th at 4:00 pm.

In Paia, Maui Mediation Services will be celebrating tonight from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Flatbread Co. This annual fundraiser will feature a silent auction with items from Grand Wailea, Maui Laser Tag, and many others! A portion of all pizza sales throughout the evening will be donated to Maui Mediation Services.

So many events its impossible to choose just one! As more events unfold we will keep you updated! Enjoy the celebrations! Gong hei fat choy!