Chinese New Year in Columbus 2025, Ohio

Colorful annual festivities at Ohio State University and around Columbus

Dates: January 30–31, 2025

Columbus, with its large student community offers plenty of options to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Experience firecrackers, lion dances, and delicious holiday foods all over the city. The largest celebration is hosted by the Ohio State University at Hagerty Hall. It features a lion dance, calligraphy demonstrations, Chinese cultural displays, music, and various performances. Also, there are Chinese lanterns and plenty of traditional Chinese food to try.

OSU Lunar New Year Party (January 31, 2025)

Ohio State University’s Lunar New Year Party, hosted by International Friendships Inc. (IFI), is a vibrant celebration welcoming people from diverse backgrounds. Attendees can enjoy authentic Chinese food, a performance by the OSU Chinese Folk Music Orchestra, and a thrilling dragon dance. The event also features games with exciting prizes and a cultural message offering insights into the holiday from a faith perspective. Guests are encouraged to wear traditional Lunar New Year attire or their own cultural dress, making it a festive and inclusive gathering. The party will run from 6:30 to 9 pm on January 31, 2025.

A Culinary Adventure for Chinese New Year (January 30, 2025)

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with a hands-on culinary experience at Mitchell Hall, Columbus State Community College, on January 30, 2025, at 6 pm. Led by chef-instructor Shawnie Kelley, this two-hour class teaches participants to create symbolic Lunar New Year dishes like dumplings for prosperity, long noodles for longevity, Buddha’s Delight for health, and almond cookies for good luck. Enjoy your creations with a glass of wine in this fun and engaging class. Tickets are $90, making it a perfect gift for food enthusiasts.

Restaurant specials

In addition to that, many Chinese restaurants in Columbus host their own celebrations and specials. Sunflower Chinese Restaurant, Yau’s Chinese Bistro, Sun Tong Luck Asian Cuisine, and Peking Dynasty prepare a wide range of special dishes to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Molly Woo’s Bistro at the Polaris Fashion Place and Ching Ter Maitreya Temple also typically hold some festive performances that include lion dances and family-friendly activities.