In September of 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation designating Lunar New Year as a school holiday. The following year, the holiday fell on a Saturday, however, this year, Lunar New Year falls on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, therefore New York State schools will not be in session.
In Asian culture, Lunar New Year, sometimes referred to as Chinese New Year, marks a 15-day Spring Festival, which is the most important and widely celebrated festival in China. At its core, the Lunar New Year is a celebration of homecoming and family reunion. It culminates with the Lantern Festival, which occurs this year on February 12th.
Unlike the fixed date of January 1st, Lunar New Year is observed on a different date each year depending on the lunar calendar. Typically, it falls between January 21st and February 20th.
For more information on the origins and traditions of the Lunar New Year, here are some resources.
Lunar New Year: Traditions and Celebrations (Parents.com)
Lunar New Year (nationalgeographic.org)
Lunar New Year Activities to Celebrate | Parenta.com