
Lunar New Year denotes the start of the lunisolar calendar, and falls on January 29th this year. Lunar New Year is celebrated in many Asian and Asian diasporic cultures including Vietnamese (Tết Nguyên Đán), Korean (Seollal), Chinese (The Spring Festival or Chinese New Year), Taiwanese, Malay and many others, and is one of the most important holidays in the year. While Lunar New Year celebrations vary depending on region, religion, and culture, many observances share an emphasis on family and ancestors, the colors red for luck or white for purity, and eating special foods such as sticky rice cakes, noodles, whole fish and dumplings. According to the zodiac, 2025 will be the year of the wood snake, a symbol of wisdom, resourcefulness and transformation.
From a staff member:
“Lunar New Year has always been my favorite holiday because it’s about family, tradition, and hope for the year ahead. At home, we’d start the day by wearing new clothes, paying respects to our elders, and sharing a massive feast. Dishes like steamed fish symbolize abundance, and dumplings folded to look like gold ingots represent wealth. My favorite is always the tangyuan (sweet rice balls) because they symbolize family togetherness and sweet blessings. At UW, I celebrate by sharing treats with friends, decorating with red paper cutouts, and video calling my family to stay connected. I wish more people knew that Lunar New Year is about more than just food and festivities—it’s a time to reflect on the past, honor loved ones, and welcome the future with joy and optimism.“
Scroll down to learn about UW–Madison academic policy, celebrations, and more campus and community resources.
Academic policies
Existing policy and Academic Calendar guidance on Religious Observances note that:
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Fishball skewer snacks and cups of boba tea at a Lunar New Year celebration hosted by the Malaysian Student Association (MSA) in the Red Gym on Feb. 5, 2022. Instructors should not schedule exams and other mandatory academic requirements on days when religious observances may cause substantial student absences. A non-exhaustive list of cultural, religious, and ethnic holidays is provided by the Office of the Secretary of the Faculty. Additional observances may exist that are not included on this list.
- Students should notify the course instructor within the first two weeks of the semester/term of the specific dates conflicting with an exam or assignment.
- Per policy, any student with a conflict between an academic requirement and any religious observance must be given an alternative for meeting the academic requirement.
- Instructors received this memo at the start of the academic year regarding religious observances.
Students can use this email template to connect with professors to request flexibility on classwork or evening exams.
Highlighted Events
Tết Đong Đầy with Vietnamese Student Association and Vietnamese International Student Association
Lunar New Year with Chinese American Student Association
