Lunar New Year Family Festival
Join Santa Barbara Chinese School (SBCS) and Santa Barbara Public Library for a vibrant celebration of the Lunar New Year and the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse on the Michael Towbes Library Plaza and throughout the Main Level of Central Library. This all-ages event will feature free activities, snacks, crafts, prizes, a Chinese book exchange, and Library scavenger hunt. Attendees will also enjoy musical performances by Santa Barbara students studying Asian languages, along with Lunar New Year food tastings from local businesses.
The celebration will also include a Chinese brush painting art exhibit created by Santa Barbara Chinese School students and sponsored by StudioYU.org. On display in Central Library’s Fireplace Room throughout February, the exhibit showcases student artwork created using sustainable materials, including rice paper and ink made with natural water-based color pigments.
Santa Barbara Chinese School, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in December 2025, is a longstanding local institution offering learner-centered Chinese language instruction that highlights the evolving richness of Chinese language and culture. Now in its second year, the Lunar New Year Family Festival honors one of the most widely celebrated holidays in Asia while also recognizing Santa Barbara Chinese School’s enduring legacy in the Santa Barbara community.
Lunar New Year Family Festival
Sunday, February 22, 2026
1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Michael Towbes Library Plaza (40 E. Anapamu St.)
Parking is available adjacent to Central Library in City Lots 6 and 7. The first 75 minutes are free. Each additional hour or part is $3.00.
Event Info
Participating Local Asian American Businesses:
- Nu Best
- NTNU Taiwan Huayu BEST Program
- MBTS Team
- Transamerica
This event is made possible thanks to:
- The Santa Barbara Chinese American Association