Lunar New Year at Millbrook: A Sensory Experience

The savory smell of hot pot in Casertano Hall, a blast of colorful fireworks in the sky over the Farm, and strains of Mandarin pop music filling the Chelsea Morrison Theater during Monday Assembly—these are just a few highlights of the sensory experience that is Lunar New Year at Millbrook School.

The main holiday in Chinese culture, Lunar New Year is observed in various Asian countries. Millbrook is home to many students who celebrate Lunar New Year, so we go all out to mark the changing of the lunar calendar—which turns to the Year of the Snake in 2025.

The first signs of the holiday began appearing last week in the form of traditional red door hangings around campus. Red represents prosperity and celebration in Chinese culture. The decorations also featured Chinese calligraphy with messages wishing for good fortune in the year ahead.

Festivities started in Assembly on January 27 with a beautiful performance of JJ Lin’s “Jian Nan” by Selina Hung ’27 (piano) and Elena Shan ’26 (vocals). International student leaders then invited some of their classmates to the stage to try their feet at jianzi—a Chinese game similar to hacky sack in which players try to keep a disk with feathers attached to it in the air as long as possible without using their hands.

On Tuesday evening, Lunar New Year’s Eve, the community gathered to watch a spectacular fireworks show in the snow next to the Farm. Then, on the first day of the lunar year, the dining hall staff prepared a feast that included dan dan noodles, char siu pork, tanghulu (candied fruit skewers). And there’s more delicious celebrating coming soon.

On February 16, international students will be treated to a traditional hot pot dinner sponsored by the family of one of our Chinese students. The communal experience of cooking food around a pot of steaming, umami broth is sure to comfort students who miss their families during the holidays.

International Student Program Coordinator Zhaohong Wen worked tirelessly to organize these incredible Lunar New Year activities. The Millbrook community appreciates her efforts and looks forward to celebrating again in 2026.