Join us for performances, storytelling and art making as we celebrate Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit! Take a tour through Yin Yu Tang, PEM's 200-year old Chinese home, and check out programs with our featured collaborators Gund Kwok and Limin Mo.

Lunar New Year is celebrated in many Asian countries, including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. While some traditions are shared across countries, others are unique to one region, community or national cultural identity. Our programming this year focuses on Chinese cultural traditions.

Schedule of Events

Self-Guided Tours

10:15 am-4:15 pm: Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home
Every 30 minutes
Reservations Required. Tickets available at Admission and Info Desks

Storytelling

10:30–11:00 am: PEM Pals with Limin Mo at Garden Atrium, Gallery 115

Join us for a Lunar New Year-themed PEM Pals with special guest Limin Mo, an award-winning writer, artist and storyteller. Limin will be taking over the East India Marine Hall for a storytelling performance of Chinese folktales. This special PEM Pals event is recommended for children 12 and under.

Designed for children and their caregivers, PEM Pals aims to engage and excite all of the senses through books, movement, music, art and hands-on activities. This ongoing program is held once a month on a Friday at 10:30 am.

Art Making

11:00 am-1:00 pm: Chinese Calligraphy and Zodiac Animal Bookmarks at Garden Atrium

Recommended for all ages

People all over the world will celebrate Lunar New Year by writing cheerful couplets to adorn their doors and homes. Watch a calligraphy demonstration from Limin Mo, then learn to write "rabbit" and other characters that represent happiness, peace and good luck in the new year!

Did you know that each year has its own zodiac animal? Discover what your animal is and create your own bookmark!

Dance Performance

11:30 am-12:30 pm: Gund Kwok: Asian Women's Lion Dance Troupe at Main Atrium

Join us as we welcome back Gund Kwok, the only all-Asian women's Lion Dance troupe in the United States! Gund Kwok, which means heroine in Chinese, empowers Asian women to show their creativity, power and strength through Lion and Dragon Dance. Watch our Main Atrium come to life with dynamic dance and drumming to ring in the new year!

Drop-In Art Making

1–3 pm: Screenprinted Tote Bags at Create Space Studios

Recommended for all ages

2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, who is known for being clever, swift and a symbol of peace and good luck. Screenprint a tote bag with us to celebrate new beginnings while creating a sustainable way to carry your groceries!

Date: January 28, 2023

Time: 10 am-4 pm

Location:
Peabody Essex Museum,
161 Essex Street,
Salem, MA 01970.

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