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Minnesota News
Nicole Ki and Tom Baker

Photos: Lunar New Year celebrated at Asia Mall

A dragon as part of a performance.
A dragon is held up by performers from the Chinese American Association of Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater while they perform the Dragon Dance during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. The Chinese dragon is a creature in Chinese folklore, culture, and mythology. They are seen as a symbol of good luck, power, and nobility.
Tom Baker for MPR News

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Eden Prairie’s Asia Mall kicked off celebrations for the Lunar New Year on Saturday, drawing over 100 people for live music, performances and cultural activities. This year is the Year of the Snake, associated with wisdom and good fortune.

The Lunar New Year begins on Jan. 29 and is celebrated every year by several Asian communities in the Twin Cities, including Chinese and Vietnamese Minnesotans. Festivities are marked by lion dancing, red packets full of money and cultural foods to ring in the new year, based on the lunisolar calendar.

A crowd gathers throughout the Asia Mall.
A Lunar New Year celebration attracts visitors at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. The celebration is being held for two days at Asia Mall and will have live performances, music, food, and cultural activities.
Tom Baker for MPR News
A person holds a small tea container.
Chloe Liu shows Pu’er tea inside a dried kumquat peel while describing how it’s used in a Chinese Tea Ceremony during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. Pu’er tea is a fermented tea from China containing antioxidants and can aid in weight loss, digestion, and stress relief.
Tom Baker for MPR News
A brush paints Chinese characters on a red banner.
Chuansheng Wan writes Chinese calligraphy on banners during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. Wan is a Chinese calligraphy teacher at the Minnesota International Chinese School.
Tom Baker for MPR News
A man paints red banners with black ink using a brush.
Chuansheng Wan writes Chinese calligraphy on banners during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. Wan is a Chinese calligraphy teacher at the Minnesota International Chinese School.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Red banners have calligraphy on them.
Traditional Chinese calligraphy is seen on banners during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. Words of luck, promoting health and happiness, granting well wishes, and blessings can be written on the banners, which can be hung in a family’s home or given as gifts.
Tom Baker for MPR News
A young woman dances on a stage.
Sunlight shines through a skylight onto a member of the Wattanak Dance Troupe's face while she performs a Cambodian folk dance called Robam Jun Por during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. In Cambodian culture, Robam Jun Por is performed at the opening of ceremonies, weddings, and formal occasions to greet and offer blessings and well wishes to the guests.
Tom Baker for MPR News
A young woman dances on a stage.
Emiliya Daoheuang, 14, right, performs a Cambodian folk dance called Robam Jun Por with the Wattanak Dance Troupe during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Decorations hang from the ceiling.
Chinese lanterns hang from the ceiling at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie on Saturday. The mall held a Lunar New Year celebration with live dance performances, music, and cultural activities.
Tom Baker for MPR News
A large gathering watch a choir perform.
Members of the Minhua Chorus perform during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. According to their website, “the Minhua Chorus is a non-profit arts organization whose goal is to maintain and enhance the cultural heritage and identify of the Chinese community in the Twin Cities.”
Tom Baker for MPR News
Children display traditional Chinese art and fashion.
Members of the Minnesota International Chinese School show off traditional outfits as part of the Chinese Festival Costume Fashion Show during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Three women dance on a stage.
Eliana Daoheuang, 13, center, performs a Cambodian folk dance called Neary Chea Chour with the Wattanak Dance Troupe during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
A young child holds an umbrella.
Members of the Minnesota International Chinese School show off traditional outfits as part of the Chinese Festival Costume Fashion Show during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Two women dance on a stage
Everly Vann, 12, right, performs a Cambodian folk dance called Neary Chea Chour with the Wattanak Dance Troupe during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall on Saturday. Neary Chea Chour is a traditional Khmer dance of young Cambodian women wearing colorful costumes, reminding the Khmer people of their rich culture through the generations.
Tom Baker for MPR News
A young child holds up a peace sign.
Andrew Ma, 5, poses for a picture during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. Coming to the celebration “Feels like home,” said Ma’s mother.
Tom Baker for MPR News
A woman conducts the children singing in a choir.
Members of the Minhua Chorus perform the song “Snowflake” during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Two hands hold on to a red envelope.
A “lucky red envelope” containing money is handed out during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
A young child signs as part of a choir.
Members of the Minhua Chorus perform the song “Snowflake” during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
A young girl receives from an older man a red envelop.
Claire Xiong, 8, left, of Shoreview, Minn., receives a “lucky red envelope” containing money from Ken Lau, who is the director of the Minnesota chapter of U.S.-China Peoples Friendship Association, during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie.
Tom Baker for MPR News
A man holds a microphone and speaks to a crowd.
Eden Prairie Mayor Ron Case speaks during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
A group of children cheer on a stage during a performance.
Members of the Minnesota International Chinese School show off traditional outfits as part of the Chinese Festival Costume Fashion Show during a Lunar New Year celebration Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
Children hold up banners with calligraphy.
Children hold up banners with Chinese calligraphy during the Chinese Festival Costume Fashion Show during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday.
Tom Baker for MPR News
A large crowd watches a performance.
Performers from the Chinese American Association of Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater perform the Dragon Dance during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn.
Tom Baker for MPR News
An adult and three children stand in front of a crowd.
Members of the Minnesota International Chinese School show off outfits and costumes as part of the Chinese Festival Costume Fashion Show during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. One of the oldest traditions in China while celebrating the new year is giving children new clothing. In part, it symbolizes the idea of change, new beginnings, and getting rid of the old.
Tom Baker for MPR News
People dance in red garment.
Performers from the Chinese American Association of Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater perform the Dragon Dance during a Lunar New Year celebration at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Saturday. In the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the Year of the Wood Snake, which is associated with themes of renewal, growth, and good fortune.
Tom Baker for MPR News