Researched by MFFCE Staff
For a quarter century, the Oakland Museum of California has opened its doors to one of the Bay Area's most vibrant community traditions. This February 21, 2026, OMCA's 25th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration invites families, artists, and culture enthusiasts to gallop into the Year of the Fire Horse with performances, hands-on activities, and food that honors Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage across Oakland and beyond.
The celebration isn't just about lion dances and red envelopes: though those are spectacular. It's about building connections across cultures, honoring traditions that stretch back thousands of years, and creating space for the next generation to carry these stories forward. For just $10, visitors get all-day access to performances, workshops, gallery exhibitions, and local AAPI chef-prepared food stalls. Museum members can snag limited free tickets at the door. Whether you celebrate Chūn Jié, Seollal, or Têt, this event delivers community energy that Oakland does best: inclusive, educational, and deeply rooted in the neighborhoods we serve.
At the McFadden Finch Foundation for Community Enrichment, we champion community leadership and cultural programming that strengthens Oakland's social fabric. OMCA's Lunar New Year Celebration exemplifies how cultural institutions can become gathering places that educate, empower, and celebrate diversity.
Why the Lunar New Year Matters
The Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays for billions of people worldwide. Families mark the occasion by cleaning their homes to sweep away bad luck, preparing feasts to honor ancestors, wearing new clothes to symbolize fresh beginnings, and decorating with red and gold to attract prosperity and ward off evil spirits Oakland Museum of California [1].
Different cultures celebrate under different names. In China, it's called Chūn Jié (Spring Festival). In Korea, families gather for Seollal, where children perform deep bows to elders and receive blessings. In Vietnam, Têt marks the arrival of spring with family reunions and traditional foods like bánh chưng. Despite regional variations, the core values remain consistent: honoring ancestors, strengthening family bonds, and welcoming good fortune for the year ahead Oakland Museum of California [1].
The 2026 celebration honors the Year of the Fire Horse, a zodiac sign associated with energy, passion, and independence. Those born under the Horse are known for being free-spirited, ambitious, and warm-hearted: qualities that resonate deeply with Oakland's entrepreneurial and creative communities.
What to Expect at OMCA's 25th Anniversary Celebration
OMCA's celebration runs from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 1000 Oak Street in Oakland Oakland Museum of California [4]. Festival access begins at 11 am, with the main performance schedule kicking off at noon Oakland Museum of California [3].
Performance Lineup
The day features a dynamic cultural showcase across OMCA's seven-acre campus Oakland Museum of California [2]:
- 12:00–12:20 pm: Opening lucky lion dance by LionDanceME to chase away evil spirits and welcome prosperity
- 12:45–1:30 pm: Hansamo's Nanta, Pungmul, and Pan-Gut dance performances celebrating Korean heritage
- 1:35–2:05 pm: Music & Meditation with seiji oda, blending mindfulness with lofi-hyphy beats
- 2:35–3:20 pm: KULARTS presents kulintang music and Filipino dance, showcasing contemporary and traditional diasporic performances
- 3:30–4:00 pm: Closing celebration featuring UC Berkeley's Vietnamese Student Association Lion and Dragon Dance Team
All Garden Stage performances will include ASL interpretation Oakland Museum of California [6].
Hands-On Activities for Families
Beyond the performances, families can dive into interactive workshops. Kids can create horse puppets to celebrate the zodiac animal, decorate red envelopes (hóngbāo) for good luck, and contribute wishes to a collective wishing tree Oakland Museum of California [1]. K-pop dance lessons let visitors learn popular moves, while a self-guided Lunar New Year Zodiac Animal Quest encourages exploration of OMCA's galleries Oakland Museum of California [2].
Author Benson Shum and the Oakland Public Library will host storytimes throughout the day, sharing tales that connect younger generations to cultural roots Oakland Museum of California [3]. Informal Gallery Chats offer deeper dives into artwork and traditions displayed across the museum.
Food and Artisan Support
Local AAPI chefs prepare food stalls featuring traditional dishes and modern fusion creations. The event also highlights AAPI artisans, giving visitors opportunities to purchase handmade goods while directly supporting small business owners: a mission that aligns with our small business and economic development priorities.
A Case for Cultural Celebrations as Community Infrastructure
Last year, the Nguyen family from East Oakland attended OMCA's Lunar New Year event for the first time. Parents Mai and Thanh brought their three children, ages 5 to 12, hoping to reconnect with Vietnamese traditions while navigating busy work schedules and Oakland's high cost of living.
"We don't always have time to cook traditional Têt foods or visit extended family," Mai shared. "But at OMCA, my kids saw other Vietnamese families, heard our language, and watched the lion dance. My youngest asked to learn more about our ancestors. That's priceless."
The Nguyens returned home with handmade red envelopes, horse puppets, and memories that sparked ongoing conversations about heritage. For $10 per person, they accessed programming that would cost hundreds of dollars if purchased separately through private cultural classes. Events like OMCA's Lunar New Year Celebration function as vital community infrastructure: accessible, educational, and inclusive spaces where culture thrives without economic barriers.
This is the kind of community leadership work we support at MFFCE: initiatives that strengthen social bonds, celebrate diversity, and create opportunities for all Oakland families to participate in cultural life.
Practical Details: Getting There and Getting In
Location: Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Time: 11 am–4 pm (performances start at noon)
Admission: $10 general, free for OMCA members (limited availability at the door)
Parking: OMCA's Oak Street Garage ($10/day) or overflow at Alco Park, 165 13th Street ($7/day) Oakland Museum of California [6]
Tickets include festival access plus entry to all OMCA galleries and special exhibitions Oakland Museum of California [4].
Key Takeaways
- Mark your calendar: OMCA's 25th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration happens February 21, 2026, from 11 am to 4 pm.
- Affordable access: $10 admission covers performances, workshops, food, and gallery access: free for members.
- Cultural education: Learn about Chūn Jié, Seollal, and Têt traditions while celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse.
- Family-friendly programming: Horse puppet-making, K-pop dance lessons, storytimes, and a zodiac animal quest engage all ages.
- Support AAPI artisans: Purchase handmade goods directly from local creators while enjoying chef-prepared food.
- Accessible celebration: ASL interpretation, central Oakland location, and affordable parking make the event inclusive.
- Community connection: Join thousands of Bay Area residents in honoring traditions and building cross-cultural understanding.
- Quarter-century milestone: OMCA's 25th year hosting this celebration reflects Oakland's long-standing commitment to cultural diversity.
Addressing Concerns: Cultural Appropriation vs. Cultural Appreciation
Some may wonder whether non-Asian attendees should participate in Lunar New Year celebrations. This concern reflects important conversations about cultural appropriation. However, events like OMCA's celebration are explicitly designed as spaces for cross-cultural learning and appreciation.
Cultural appropriation involves taking elements of a culture without permission, often for profit or without understanding their significance. Cultural appreciation, by contrast, involves respectful engagement, learning from community members, and supporting cultural preservation. When AAPI organizations and artists lead programming: as they do at OMCA: and when attendees participate with genuine interest and respect, everyone benefits.
The Lunar New Year celebration welcomes all Oakland residents to learn, ask questions, and honor traditions alongside AAPI communities. This inclusive approach strengthens neighborhoods, builds empathy, and ensures younger generations: regardless of background: understand the rich cultural tapestry that makes Oakland thrive.
Join the Celebration and Support Oakland's Cultural Future
OMCA's 25th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration represents more than a single day of performances and activities. It's an investment in Oakland's cultural infrastructure, a model for inclusive programming, and a reminder that traditions flourish when communities gather to honor them together.
Whether you celebrate the Lunar New Year at home or you're learning about these traditions for the first time, OMCA's event offers something meaningful. Bring your family, invite neighbors, and prepare to be moved by performances that connect past and present.
Primary CTA: Reserve February 21, 2026, for OMCA's Lunar New Year Celebration. Visit the Oakland Museum of California for tickets and updates.
Secondary CTA: The McFadden Finch Foundation for Community Enrichment supports cultural programming, community leadership, and economic development initiatives across Oakland. Learn how you can support our work or explore our program areas to see how community investment creates measurable impact.
Sources
[1] Oakland Museum of California, '25th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration', OMCA, 2026, https://museumca.org/event/25th-annual-lunar-new-year-celebration, Accessed February 9, 2026.
[2] Oakland Museum of California, 'Lunar New Year Zodiac Animal Quest', OMCA, 2026, https://museumca.org/event/25th-annual-lunar-new-year-celebration, Accessed February 9, 2026.
[3] Oakland Museum of California, 'Performance Schedule – Lunar New Year 2026', OMCA, 2026, https://museumca.org/event/25th-annual-lunar-new-year-celebration, Accessed February 9, 2026.
[4] Oakland Museum of California, 'Event Details – 25th Annual Lunar New Year', OMCA, 2026, https://museumca.org/event/25th-annual-lunar-new-year-celebration, Accessed February 9, 2026.
[5] Oakland Museum of California, 'Year of the Fire Horse Celebration', OMCA, 2026, https://museumca.org/event/25th-annual-lunar-new-year-celebration, Accessed February 9, 2026.
[6] Oakland Museum of California, 'Parking and Accessibility Information', OMCA, 2026, https://museumca.org/event/25th-annual-lunar-new-year-celebration, Accessed February 9, 2026.
About McFadden Finch Foundation for Community Enrichment
The McFadden Finch Foundation for Community Enrichment strengthens Oakland neighborhoods through strategic investments in affordable housing, education, economic development, and cultural programming. We believe thriving communities require both economic opportunity and spaces for cultural celebration.
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1999 Harrison Street, Suite 1872-73
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 941-1421
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Story researched by MFFCE Staff. Event information provided by Oakland Museum of California.