On January 31, 2026 (Saturday), the Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania held the 45th annual Chinese Lunar New Year celebration “CultureFest!” to welcome the Year of the Horse. The day-long event took place at the museum and its surrounding areas, attracting a large number of families, students, and community members.
The festival, co-hosted by the American Center for Asian Students and the East Asian Studies Center, featured a variety of activities that showcased the diverse cultural heritage of Asia. The event included storytelling sessions, traditional art and craft demonstrations, Tai Chi experiences, live music and dance performances, as well as a special market, providing attendees with an immersive experience of both traditional customs and modern innovations of the Lunar New Year.
Throughout the day, performances of Chinese dances and handicraft demonstrations by different schools and groups highlighted the vibrancy and diversity of Asian culture. The lion dance and the “eye-dotting” ceremony at the end of the event were the highlights, symbolizing warding off evil spirits, welcoming good luck for the new year, and greatly enjoyed by family audiences, especially children.
The organizers emphasized that the festival was not only a celebration of the holiday but also aimed to promote public understanding and respect for the various cultural backgrounds of Asia through cultural education, serving as a platform for cross-cultural exchange.
Dr. David Barr from Philadelphia and his Chinese wife brought their children to participate in the event. Dr. Barr expressed his hope for his children to embrace Chinese culture, stating, “I hope my children can be exposed to Chinese culture and better understand their roots because their mother is Chinese.”
Barr expressed his delight in the various performances, saying, “Being able to appreciate the beauty before us is very exciting. I really enjoyed the performances we saw and everything here. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here.”
Francine Vonaccorsi, a pharmacist from New Jersey, visited Philadelphia to see her daughter. Vonaccorsi’s daughter is married to a Vietnamese-American, sparking Vonaccorsi’s interest in Asian culture. She shared, “My son-in-law’s parents came from California, so we are here celebrating the lunar New Year together. They told me that in California, there are about two weeks of celebrations with markets, lanterns, and various pre-New Year activities.”
Vonaccorsi mentioned that she has many Asian colleagues and enjoys Asian cuisine, saying, “I actually work with many Chinese and Vietnamese people, so I can taste a lot of their food. I have learned a lot from them.”