Firecrackers bursting in the air with the smell of delicious food filling the streets. The Aurora community gathers to celebrate Lunar New Year. But what exactly does that mean?

Lunar New Year is a holiday that happens annually and lasts around 15 days. This event is usually celebrated from January to February in China and Korea. This year is the Year of the Snake and the holiday started on January 29th. It will last until between February 12th or 16th, depending on the culture. .

For the local Asian community here in Aurora, the Lunar New Year means much more than just a holiday, instead as a festival of community gathering and celebration.

This was especially true on Havana Street, where a cluster of Asian businesses are located. Despite different backgrounds, celebrations of music, food, and dance culminated to create a perfect celebration. Businesses all across Aurora came together to Stampede for an early celebration of the Lunar New Year.

“This incredible success would not have been possible without the support of the broader Asian community,” Chance Horiuchi, executive director of On Havana Street said.

 Traditional musical performances that included Japanese taiko drumming, the Korean gayageum, and even Chinese lion dancing with traditional music were highlights of the event.

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GVTV Editor Kylev Almare participated in the Hanbok wearing activity hosted by 2nd Home Community

Other features included more modern performances from Meta Sarmiento (a Filipino hip hop artist) and other K-pop performances. It wasn’t all music though, with a taekwondo demonstration held inside and firecracker shows held outside accompanied by food vendors. 

Additional cultural activities also included a hanbok try on event and a Korean calligraphy writing activity.

Members from the Aurora government even participated such as the Aurora Police Department hosting family friendly activities. Additionally, current Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman spoke about the community and the holiday.

“The number of visitors has more than doubled compared to last year, making this an even more meaningful event. We are already looking forward to next year’s celebration,” Jennifer Kim, Co-Chair of Aurora Sister Cities Korea Committee said.

Kims statement is proven by the ultimate show out- with this event being larger than ever with thousands of attendees. 

However, this is not the only event to celebrate the New Year. On February 2nd at Nana’s Guiding Mountain Dragon & Lion Dance Association lion dance was performed. The group will be performing the Lion Dance all throughout Lunar New Year and throughout Colorado. Denver Taiko will also be hosting performances throughout the New Year.