This month, there are a variety of special occasions celebrating the Year of the Wood Snake, leading up to the Lunar New Year in Philadelphia on Jan. 29. The event is also called (by some) the Chinese New Year, although to others, the two hold different meanings. According to history.com, the Chinese New Year is based on the Chinese lunar calendar, which is based on complete cycles of the Moon’s phases.
In the easiest of terms, the Chinese New Year marks the start of a new lunar year, so although there is some debate, it’s not completely out of left field to correlate the two. To celebrate the festive holiday, Philly spots are hosting special events and delicious treats. Here are a few places to celebrate in 2025.
Ember & Ash
For the fourth year in a row, husband-and-wife team Scott and Lulu Calhoun (Ember & Ash) will be celebrating the Lunar New Year with a series of themed dishes, available from Monday, Jan. 27, through Friday, Jan. 31. As a release notes, all week long, Chef Calhoun will be cooking recipes close to Lulu’s heart, including her grandmother’s dumplings, noodles (which symbolize longevity), turnip cakes, and a special dessert to celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake. There will also be themed cocktails available for the occasion.
Reservations are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. The restaurant’s regular menu will also be available during this time. Then, on Thursday, Jan. 30, Ember & Ash will host Dan Tsao’s EMei (a Chinatown favorite) for a feast titled “Fire & Fortune.” Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the meal will feature a multi-course experience highlighting street foods and dim sum traditions, followed by five fusion dishes crafted to highlight the talents of both kitchens.
“This collaboration is especially meaningful to me as a Chinese immigrant raising bicultural children,” said Lulu in a statement. “Lunar New Year is a time to honor tradition and family, and this dinner reflects that beautifully. Layla and Wilder are a blend of our two cultures, and this celebration is a way to share that love and connection with our guests.”
The dinner is $75 per person (plus tax and gratuity), and can be booked via Resy.
1520 East Passyunk Ave., emberandashphilly.com
44th Annual CultureFest! Lunar New Year
Penn Museum always goes all out for the Lunar New Year in Philadelphia, and that rings true in 2025. In partnership with the American Center for Asian Students and the Center for East Asian Students, this annual occasion will be in full swing on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Highlights include a performance by the Little Mulan Dance Troupe, a Tai Chi class in Widener Auditorium, Lion Dances in the outdoor Warden Garden, a Korean Fan Dance and much more. As the release notes, all CultureFest! Lunar New Year activities are included with Museum admission. Children ages five and under, teachers, U.S. military veterans with identification, Penn Museum members, PennCard holders, Penn Medicine patients/families, and staff visit for free.
And as a welcome gift for attendees, each visiting group or family will receive a lucky red envelope containing a special offer from the museum shop upon arrival.
3260 South St., penn.museum
Kampar
As a release notes, Kampar is offering a special four-course Chinese New Year tasting menu to usher in the Year of the Wood Snake. Priced at $138 per person (tax, gratuity, and beverages not included) Philadelphians can indulge in Yee Sang aka a “Prosperity Salad” (an 18 ingredient salad), Poon Choy (a classic feast consisting of 9 different dishes presented as one big dish), Salted Fish Fried Rice and Tong Sui (a lightly sweetened and delicate dessert soup with longan fruit and snow fungus.)
The special menu (available from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1) is based on centuries of Chinese-Malaysian food traditions meant to bring prosperity, good fortune, and health in the New Year. The restaurant will be offering the regular a la carte menu during this time as well.
Reservations are available via Tock.
611 S 7th St., kamparphilly.com
