Lunar New Year: Free Registration + Gator Cash
You’re invited to celebrate Lunar New Year 2025 at Riverglades! Entrance to the event is FREE, but your registration helps us ensure that we have enough supplies for all our families to enjoy.
Friday, January 24
5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
at Riverglades Elementary
Bring the entire family for a colorful night learning about this major cultural holiday, celebrated by over 2 billion people around the world. (If this your first Lunar New Year celebration, don’t worry - check out our program of events and Q&A here so you won’t miss a thing!) The event will feature:
Lion dance - an exciting and acrobatic performance followed by photo ops and a chance to interact with the “lions”!
Lunar New Year Marketplace where kids can create educational crafts; taste traditional foods; and “shop” with Gator cash for New Year’s supplies like candy, flowers, toys, and more! Note: Gator cash pre-orders closed on January 17, but gator cash will also be available for “currency exchange” at the event.
Traditional musical performance featuring guzheng (a plucked string instrument similar to a zither)
Chinese fan dance performance
Martial arts demonstration
DJ GQ
Food, artwork, music, and more!
REGISTER EARLY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN!
Register before winter break (by December 20) for a chance to win a Mathnasium gift basket valued at $400+
Register by January 10 for a chance to win a $50 Footopia gift card
Register by January 17 for a chance to win a dragon toy basket (including a Squishmallow dragon, dragon fidget toy, and a dragon dance ribbon streamer)
PREORDER YOUR DINNER BY JANUARY 16!
Skip the dinner line and pre-order your dinner by January 16 at noon for pick-up at the event. (A limited amount of food will be available for walk-up purchases at the event, first come first served.)
We can't wait to see you there! Questions? Email lny@rivergladespta.com
Lunar New Year Q&A
(Everything you ever wanted to know about LNY!)
What is Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, marks the beginning of the lunar calendar year. It is celebrated by various cultures and countries, including China, Vietnam, Korea, and others in East Asia and Southeast Asia. Each culture has its unique traditions, but common themes include family reunions, feasting, honoring ancestors, and the hope for prosperity and good fortune in the coming year.
It’s characterized by festivities such as dragon and lion dances, fireworks, and the giving of red envelopes filled with “lucky money,” symbolizing good luck and prosperity. Special dishes are prepared, with various foods believed to bring good fortune, such as fish, dumplings, rice cakes, and oranges.
Each year is associated with one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, which influences the characteristics of the year. This coming year will be the Year of the Snake!
Why isn’t it celebrated on January 1st?
Lunar New Year is not celebrated on January 1st because it follows a lunisolar calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar, which is the standard calendar used in most of the world. The exact date of Lunar New Year varies each year, typically falling between January 21 and February 20.
What is a lion dance?
The dance features two performers who mimic a lion's movements while wearing a lion costume, which consists of a detailed and colorful head and a flowing body. It’s characterized by its energetic and rhythmic movements, often accompanied by music played with drums, cymbals, and gongs. The lion is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits — especially when you “feed” them the traditional offerings of oranges and lettuce… and some lucky money!
What is a Lunar New Year Marketplace?
It’s a vibrant marketplace where communities gather to purchase their supplies to celebrate the new year! Vendors sell decorations, including fresh flowers, red lanterns, couplets with auspicious phrases, and other items that symbolize prosperity and happiness. Visitors can also typically find traditional foods such as dumplings, rice cakes, fruit, and various snacks and sweets. The markets are festive, featuring performances such as lion dances and traditional music.
What is lucky money?
Lucky money is a traditional gift in various Asian cultures, particularly during celebrations such as Lunar New Year, weddings, and other significant events. The money is typically placed inside a red envelope, which symbolizes good fortune and happiness. It is often given by elders to children, unmarried individuals, or younger family members.
What is the significance of the colors and symbols of Lunar New Year?
The most prominent color associated with this festival is red, which symbolizes good fortune and happiness. That’s why you will see so many red decorations, such as lanterns, banners, and couplets. Gold is another important color, representing wealth and prosperity.
The dragon is a powerful symbol, representing strength, good luck, and authority. Dragon dances are a common sight during the New Year celebrations. The phoenix is another symbol, signifying renewal and renewal.
The character "Fu" (福), meaning happiness or good fortune, is often displayed upside down during the New Year, symbolizing that good luck is arriving. Other symbols include oranges, whose golden color represents prosperity; peaches, which stand for longevity; and the lotus flower, symbolizing purity and enlightenment.
You will also see lots of fireworks in traditional celebrations, because the loud bangs and bright lights are supposed to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck!
What should we wear?
There is no dress code and families may wear anything they like! For extra good luck, we invite you to wear red, which is an important color in Lunar New Year celebrations and symbolizes good fortune and happiness. Gold is also a great choice, representing wealth and prosperity. Traditional attire is also welcomed, if you have it!
How much Gator Cash should I order?
All Marketplace items (flowers, candies, toys, etc.) will be priced between $1 and $5, so pre-order your Gator Cash accordingly. A Gator Cash exchange kiosk will also be available at the event.
You’re invited to celebrate Lunar New Year 2025 at Riverglades! Entrance to the event is FREE, but your registration helps us ensure that we have enough supplies for all our families to enjoy.
Friday, January 24
5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
at Riverglades Elementary
Bring the entire family for a colorful night learning about this major cultural holiday, celebrated by over 2 billion people around the world. (If this your first Lunar New Year celebration, don’t worry - check out our program of events and Q&A here so you won’t miss a thing!) The event will feature:
Lion dance - an exciting and acrobatic performance followed by photo ops and a chance to interact with the “lions”!
Lunar New Year Marketplace where kids can create educational crafts; taste traditional foods; and “shop” with Gator cash for New Year’s supplies like candy, flowers, toys, and more! Note: Gator cash pre-orders closed on January 17, but gator cash will also be available for “currency exchange” at the event.
Traditional musical performance featuring guzheng (a plucked string instrument similar to a zither)
Chinese fan dance performance
Martial arts demonstration
DJ GQ
Food, artwork, music, and more!
REGISTER EARLY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN!
Register before winter break (by December 20) for a chance to win a Mathnasium gift basket valued at $400+
Register by January 10 for a chance to win a $50 Footopia gift card
Register by January 17 for a chance to win a dragon toy basket (including a Squishmallow dragon, dragon fidget toy, and a dragon dance ribbon streamer)
PREORDER YOUR DINNER BY JANUARY 16!
Skip the dinner line and pre-order your dinner by January 16 at noon for pick-up at the event. (A limited amount of food will be available for walk-up purchases at the event, first come first served.)
We can't wait to see you there! Questions? Email lny@rivergladespta.com
Lunar New Year Q&A
(Everything you ever wanted to know about LNY!)
What is Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, marks the beginning of the lunar calendar year. It is celebrated by various cultures and countries, including China, Vietnam, Korea, and others in East Asia and Southeast Asia. Each culture has its unique traditions, but common themes include family reunions, feasting, honoring ancestors, and the hope for prosperity and good fortune in the coming year.
It’s characterized by festivities such as dragon and lion dances, fireworks, and the giving of red envelopes filled with “lucky money,” symbolizing good luck and prosperity. Special dishes are prepared, with various foods believed to bring good fortune, such as fish, dumplings, rice cakes, and oranges.
Each year is associated with one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, which influences the characteristics of the year. This coming year will be the Year of the Snake!
Why isn’t it celebrated on January 1st?
Lunar New Year is not celebrated on January 1st because it follows a lunisolar calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar, which is the standard calendar used in most of the world. The exact date of Lunar New Year varies each year, typically falling between January 21 and February 20.
What is a lion dance?
The dance features two performers who mimic a lion's movements while wearing a lion costume, which consists of a detailed and colorful head and a flowing body. It’s characterized by its energetic and rhythmic movements, often accompanied by music played with drums, cymbals, and gongs. The lion is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits — especially when you “feed” them the traditional offerings of oranges and lettuce… and some lucky money!
What is a Lunar New Year Marketplace?
It’s a vibrant marketplace where communities gather to purchase their supplies to celebrate the new year! Vendors sell decorations, including fresh flowers, red lanterns, couplets with auspicious phrases, and other items that symbolize prosperity and happiness. Visitors can also typically find traditional foods such as dumplings, rice cakes, fruit, and various snacks and sweets. The markets are festive, featuring performances such as lion dances and traditional music.
What is lucky money?
Lucky money is a traditional gift in various Asian cultures, particularly during celebrations such as Lunar New Year, weddings, and other significant events. The money is typically placed inside a red envelope, which symbolizes good fortune and happiness. It is often given by elders to children, unmarried individuals, or younger family members.
What is the significance of the colors and symbols of Lunar New Year?
The most prominent color associated with this festival is red, which symbolizes good fortune and happiness. That’s why you will see so many red decorations, such as lanterns, banners, and couplets. Gold is another important color, representing wealth and prosperity.
The dragon is a powerful symbol, representing strength, good luck, and authority. Dragon dances are a common sight during the New Year celebrations. The phoenix is another symbol, signifying renewal and renewal.
The character "Fu" (福), meaning happiness or good fortune, is often displayed upside down during the New Year, symbolizing that good luck is arriving. Other symbols include oranges, whose golden color represents prosperity; peaches, which stand for longevity; and the lotus flower, symbolizing purity and enlightenment.
You will also see lots of fireworks in traditional celebrations, because the loud bangs and bright lights are supposed to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck!
What should we wear?
There is no dress code and families may wear anything they like! For extra good luck, we invite you to wear red, which is an important color in Lunar New Year celebrations and symbolizes good fortune and happiness. Gold is also a great choice, representing wealth and prosperity. Traditional attire is also welcomed, if you have it!
How much Gator Cash should I order?
All Marketplace items (flowers, candies, toys, etc.) will be priced between $1 and $5, so pre-order your Gator Cash accordingly. A Gator Cash exchange kiosk will also be available at the event.
You’re invited to celebrate Lunar New Year 2025 at Riverglades! Entrance to the event is FREE, but your registration helps us ensure that we have enough supplies for all our families to enjoy.
Friday, January 24
5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
at Riverglades Elementary
Bring the entire family for a colorful night learning about this major cultural holiday, celebrated by over 2 billion people around the world. (If this your first Lunar New Year celebration, don’t worry - check out our program of events and Q&A here so you won’t miss a thing!) The event will feature:
Lion dance - an exciting and acrobatic performance followed by photo ops and a chance to interact with the “lions”!
Lunar New Year Marketplace where kids can create educational crafts; taste traditional foods; and “shop” with Gator cash for New Year’s supplies like candy, flowers, toys, and more! Note: Gator cash pre-orders closed on January 17, but gator cash will also be available for “currency exchange” at the event.
Traditional musical performance featuring guzheng (a plucked string instrument similar to a zither)
Chinese fan dance performance
Martial arts demonstration
DJ GQ
Food, artwork, music, and more!
REGISTER EARLY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN!
Register before winter break (by December 20) for a chance to win a Mathnasium gift basket valued at $400+
Register by January 10 for a chance to win a $50 Footopia gift card
Register by January 17 for a chance to win a dragon toy basket (including a Squishmallow dragon, dragon fidget toy, and a dragon dance ribbon streamer)
PREORDER YOUR DINNER BY JANUARY 16!
Skip the dinner line and pre-order your dinner by January 16 at noon for pick-up at the event. (A limited amount of food will be available for walk-up purchases at the event, first come first served.)
We can't wait to see you there! Questions? Email lny@rivergladespta.com
Lunar New Year Q&A
(Everything you ever wanted to know about LNY!)
What is Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, marks the beginning of the lunar calendar year. It is celebrated by various cultures and countries, including China, Vietnam, Korea, and others in East Asia and Southeast Asia. Each culture has its unique traditions, but common themes include family reunions, feasting, honoring ancestors, and the hope for prosperity and good fortune in the coming year.
It’s characterized by festivities such as dragon and lion dances, fireworks, and the giving of red envelopes filled with “lucky money,” symbolizing good luck and prosperity. Special dishes are prepared, with various foods believed to bring good fortune, such as fish, dumplings, rice cakes, and oranges.
Each year is associated with one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, which influences the characteristics of the year. This coming year will be the Year of the Snake!
Why isn’t it celebrated on January 1st?
Lunar New Year is not celebrated on January 1st because it follows a lunisolar calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar, which is the standard calendar used in most of the world. The exact date of Lunar New Year varies each year, typically falling between January 21 and February 20.
What is a lion dance?
The dance features two performers who mimic a lion's movements while wearing a lion costume, which consists of a detailed and colorful head and a flowing body. It’s characterized by its energetic and rhythmic movements, often accompanied by music played with drums, cymbals, and gongs. The lion is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits — especially when you “feed” them the traditional offerings of oranges and lettuce… and some lucky money!
What is a Lunar New Year Marketplace?
It’s a vibrant marketplace where communities gather to purchase their supplies to celebrate the new year! Vendors sell decorations, including fresh flowers, red lanterns, couplets with auspicious phrases, and other items that symbolize prosperity and happiness. Visitors can also typically find traditional foods such as dumplings, rice cakes, fruit, and various snacks and sweets. The markets are festive, featuring performances such as lion dances and traditional music.
What is lucky money?
Lucky money is a traditional gift in various Asian cultures, particularly during celebrations such as Lunar New Year, weddings, and other significant events. The money is typically placed inside a red envelope, which symbolizes good fortune and happiness. It is often given by elders to children, unmarried individuals, or younger family members.
What is the significance of the colors and symbols of Lunar New Year?
The most prominent color associated with this festival is red, which symbolizes good fortune and happiness. That’s why you will see so many red decorations, such as lanterns, banners, and couplets. Gold is another important color, representing wealth and prosperity.
The dragon is a powerful symbol, representing strength, good luck, and authority. Dragon dances are a common sight during the New Year celebrations. The phoenix is another symbol, signifying renewal and renewal.
The character "Fu" (福), meaning happiness or good fortune, is often displayed upside down during the New Year, symbolizing that good luck is arriving. Other symbols include oranges, whose golden color represents prosperity; peaches, which stand for longevity; and the lotus flower, symbolizing purity and enlightenment.
You will also see lots of fireworks in traditional celebrations, because the loud bangs and bright lights are supposed to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck!
What should we wear?
There is no dress code and families may wear anything they like! For extra good luck, we invite you to wear red, which is an important color in Lunar New Year celebrations and symbolizes good fortune and happiness. Gold is also a great choice, representing wealth and prosperity. Traditional attire is also welcomed, if you have it!
How much Gator Cash should I order?
All Marketplace items (flowers, candies, toys, etc.) will be priced between $1 and $5, so pre-order your Gator Cash accordingly. A Gator Cash exchange kiosk will also be available at the event.
