The Year of the Snake is approaching! Lunar New Year is a time of celebration for Asian cultures that follow the lunar calendar, and that often involves performances, games and, of course, food. This year, the holiday falls on Wednesday, January 29, with celebrations running for most of February. Here’s a a list of how to celebrate in Houston, and it features a mix of festivals, parties, markets and food specials.

Updated, 1/23/24, 2:21 p.m.: We’ve listed the events in date order from what’s happening soonest to latest.

Houston Botanic Garden, 1 Botanic: From now until February 23, you can visit to see Radiant Nature, an artistic exhibit that also serves as a Chinese lantern festival. The pathways at the Botanic Garden are lined with massive, detailed and colorful paper lanterns with themes including Chinese wild and plant life, architecture, history and folklore. Last year, my evening, walking the garden, sipping hot chocolate and taking in the visuals, was the highlight of my winter season. If hot chocolate isn’t your thing, a few other beverage and snack vendors are available along the trail.

Chef Kang’s Homecook, 1249 Blalock: This small and hidden but popular Korean market sells delicious box lunches, housemade snacks, kimchi and sauces for cooking, as well as some Korean goods. Available to order now, the café is selling a take-home dinner kit, with eight dishes including bulgogi, beef bone sop, japchae and tteokguk, a rice cake soup traditionally served on New Year, all for only $120.

Saigon Hustle/Sunday Social, 10887 Wilcrest/3315 Ella: This is a collaboration between a few Asian-American-owned businesses: Lena’s Asian Kitchen (a catering company), Sunday Social and Saigon Hustle. For every $10 spent, patrons will get a raffle ticket in Lena’s Lottery. Prizes include gift cards from businesses around Houston, including Blood Brothers BBQ, Roostar Vietnamese Grill, Kim Son, The Blind Goat and more. Winners will be announced on February 1 at the Sunday Social Lunar New Year party.

Lunar New Year Bake Box, 9889 Bellaire: A group of local dessert specialists are coming together for a pastry pre-order pop-up. For only $40, you get seven sweet treats, such as persimmon berry dacquoise, pandan coconut cake, strawberry shortcake and an almond matcha cookie. Pick-up will be on Sunday, January 26 at the Bellaire location of Sharetea.

Xiaolongkan, 9600 Bellaire: The Sichuanese hotpot stop usually has fun with holidays, and this Lunar New Year is no exception. The God of Wealth event runs from January 25 to February 2, and diners can test their luck by spinning a prize wheel to win snacks, drinks or gift vouchers worth up to $100. If you take a photo with the God of Wealth and post it to social media, you will receive a free snack or drink.

Sambal Chef, 6833 Sam Houston Parkway: This Malaysian restaurant is currently offering pre-orders on yee sang, a raw fish salad, traditionally served for Lunar New Year. Two sizes are available: one with 4 to 5 servings for $48 and a larger one with 8 to 10 servings for $88. To place your order, call the restaurant at (281) 888-7066. If you haven’t tried Sambal Chef before, the crispy garlic Hainanese chicken, salted egg yolk calamari and salted fish fried rice are all delicious options to add onto your order.

Katy Asian Town, 23119 Colonial, Katy: Starting with Taste of Asia, running from January 25 to February 16, guests can use their dining experiences at Katy Asia Town to get raffle tickets and win prizes. On February 1 and 2, there will be lion dances and a Lunarfest Marketplace with activities, goods and food.

Korean American Society of Houston/Korean American Chamber of Commerce,  9501 Long Point: One Shot Pocha is the host for this Korean Lunar New Year or Seollal celebration on Tuesday, January 28 from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets, available online, include networking sessions, games, performances and food. Alcoholic beverages are available for sale separately.

Kim Son, 2001 Jefferson and 10603 Bellaire: Both locations are hosting a series of lion dances from January 29 through February 2. If you have never been to the Bellaire location to try the buffet of Vietnamese cuisine and dim sum, this is a great time.

Annual Fried Rice Cookoff, 1919 West Alabama: Few things are more enjoyable than fried rice — especially when you get to consume it in large quantities for a good cause! As was the case last year, the annual Fried Rice Cookoff is taking over West Alabama Ice house for an enthusiastic-but-friendly competition between chefs and competitive teams. Each will put their own culinary flair on the versatile dish. It’s all happening on Saturday, February 1 from noon to 5 p.m. — and our own writer and editor Phaedra Cook is one of the judges. Proceeds go to the Friends of the Phoenix Emergency Fund, a non-profit that gives back to Houston. Tickets are $30, and available online.

Asia Society Texas, 1370 Southmore: The Asia Society has a few events planned to usher in the year of the snake. On February 1, 2, 8 and 9, the organization will be hosting events at the Galleria. On Saturday, February 1, the Asia Society is also hosting a celebration of its own. The cultural center and gallery’s Lunar New Year event will feature performances, music, arts and crafts, games and food, as well as the Lucky Lunar Mission that will tie into one of the current exhibits, Space City: Art in the Age of Artemis. Entry is free, but you still need to register ahead of time, and certain music and dance performances will require tickets. Both are available at the Asia Society website.

Chinese Community Center, 9800 Town Park: The center’s Lunar New Year Festival is on Saturday, February 1, and is free to attend. The show is centered around the Dragon and Tiger Stage, which will have a full schedule of performances from lion and dragon dancers, kung fu practitioners, a traditional Chinese orchestra and more. The is a dedicated area for cultural arts and crafts, and the Outdoor Lucky Find Bazaar’s vendors include local restaurants, food trucks and small businesses.

Linda’s Tropical Fruits, 10600 Bellaire: If you’re unfamiliar with the area, you may overlook the small strip center at 10600 Bellaire, but it is home to Golden Dim Sum, my favorite sushi at Miyagi and a unique produce shop, Linda’s Tropical Fruits. On Saturday, February 1, it will have specials, food and fun,  including a Lion Dance Party.

MÈO, 1848 Airline: Wokker’s hidden, cat-themed cocktail bar is having a Lunar New Year party on Saturday, February 1. The night will feature lion dances, food and drink specials and giveaways.

Phat Eatery, 23119 Colonial Parkway, Katy and 2290 Buckthorne Place, The Woodlands: Both locations of this acclaimed Malaysian restaurant are hosting Year of the Snake Feasts & Lion Dances. The Katy events are on Wednesday, January 29 at 7 p.m., Friday, January 31 at 7 p.m., Saturday, February 1 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, February 2 at 11:30 a.m. At The Woodlands, the celebration happens only on Saturday, February 1 at 7:30 p.m. Reservations are required — no walk-ins — and you can make them online. (Go to the Phat Eatery homepage and scroll down a bit to see the locations and times.) Early arrival is recommended, as Lee’s Golden Dragon will perform at the beginning of each event. Following that is a multi-course, family-style meal that includes a yu sheng “Prosperity Toss” salad. The cost is $88 per person plus tax and gratuity.

West on West, 12220 Westheimer: This is a rapidly developing strip center filled with a diverse selection of Asian shops and restaurants and anchored by a Ranch 99 Market. On Saturday, February 1, the shops will host lion dances, balloon artists, face painting, caricatures and calligraphy. If you get hungry, there are several restaurants to stop at, including Gen Korean Barbecue, Sushi Ginza Onadera, Osha Thai and more.

Have a Nice Day, 4201 Main: The recurring pop-up marketplace was created to help elevate AAPI small businesses and will be hosting its Lunar New Year market at the The Ion on Sunday, February 6. Vendors for this upcoming market have yet to be announced, but you can expect a variety of locally made goods, pastries and savory bites.

No Label Brewing, 53511st Street, Katy: Starting at noon on Saturday, February 8, the Katy taproom will host a party with food from Phat Eatery, Rock N Cajun and a variety of food trucks. Additionally, there will be dragon dancers and local vendors.

Otaku Food Festival, 2032 Karbach: On February 8 and 9, Karbach Brewery is once again hosting the Otaku Food Festival for a Lunar New Year market and festival. I have attended a few of the Otaku Food Festival events (including the Lunar New Year) in the past and had a great time. The event showcases a variety of food pop-ups from different cultures, both trendy and on the rustic side. Additionally, the market features many local art and goods vendors, most of which stick to Japanese or anime themes. The entertainment line-up has not been announced yet, but previous events have had dance groups, sumo wrestlers, voice actor meet-and-greets, photo ops and lion dancers.

2025 Pearland Lunar New Year Festival, 4141 Bayley, Pearland: On Sunday, February 16, the Pearland Chinese Association is organizing a celebration at the Pearland Recreation Center. Tickets are free, and there will be lion and dragon dancers, calligraphy, costumes, painting, fencing, music and more. Alongside the festivities, there will be a marketplace and food court.

Museum of Fine Arts Houston, 5101 Montrose: The art museum tends to go all out on cultural celebrations, and on February 23, the Winter Festival: Year of the Snake event will bring a variety of activities and performances to the courtyard and area around the sculpture garden. Several Asian-American food pop-ups will be on-site, including Dumpling Haus, Chi’lantro and Pudgy’s Fine Cookies.

Ryan Kasey Baker