Girl Power

Grab your girlfriends for Austin's most adorable Galentine's Day events

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to catch up with friends and the best excuse (if needed) for a girls' day or night out. We’ve gathered the top Galentine's Day events for you and your favorite gal pals. Just ladies celebrating ladies. From book club and shopping to a floral class and drinking brews, you'll love this list. Happy Galentine's Day.

Gypsy Floral Class
Celebrate Galentine’s Day this year with an instructed class from Gypsy Floral. This Wednesday, February 10, take a hands-on floral arrangement course with snippers, flowers, greenery, vases, and more from 6 to 8 pm. Each guest will take home their floral arrangement. Enjoy a complimentary Pink Paloma cocktail, light appetizers, and wonderful company. Reserve your spot here.

Zilker Brewing Company Celebration
This Saturday, February 13, celebrate Galentine’s Day from 1 to 4 pm at Zilker Brewing Company. There's a raffle benefiting SafePlace, a pop-up trunk show, and a special cask tapping. This event is free and open to the public — so save us a seat.

Paper + Craft Pantry Book Club
Celebrate Galentine’s Day post-holiday at The Paper + Craft Pantry book club Wednesday, February 17 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. For this reading, the club has chosen The Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. Be sure to reserve your seat beforehand.

Hotel San Jose Valentine's Pop-Up
Grab the girls and stop by Hotel San Jose this Saturday for the Valentine’s Pop-Up: Shopping for Love from noon to 5 pm. Shop works from makers including Nelson Project, Birch & Goldberry, and Evens in the courtyard lounge. Sip on one of the hotel’s newest cocktails, the Valentine or the San Jose margarita.

Get glam at tenoverten
If you haven’t yet checked out tenoverten, the new nail salon at the South Congress Hotel, book an appointment this week and enjoy special pampering services with friends. For Valentine’s Day, get three of the salon's favorite nail colors (Jane, Carmine, and Fulton) for the price of two polishes. This polish package has a $54 value and is offered at $36 for the holiday. Add the gift of a tenoverten signature manicure to the trio for $61 (typically a $79 value).

Maggie Louise Confections Bash
This Saturday from noon to 4 pm, join chic Austin chocolatier Maggie Louise Confections for a bash at the East Sixth Street boutique. Celebrating the first year of being open, savor sundaes, delicious hand-painted chocolate treats, bubbles, and coffee. Play in Maggie Louise's Valentine’s craft workshop and create love coupons and custom cards. This weekend, treat yourself and your taste buds. It’s a date.

Celebrate Galentine's Day with Austin's chic chocolatier Maggie Louise Confections.

Maggie Louise Confections galentine's day

Photo courtesy of Maggie Louise Confections

Celebrate Galentine's Day with Austin's chic chocolatier Maggie Louise Confections.

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As Luck Would Have It

Enter the year of the snake at 10 Lunar New Year celebrations in Austin

Lunar New Year Festival at Paper + Craft Pantry

Photo by Kelly Zhu Photo

The fourth annual Lunar New Year Festival is returning to the Paper + Craft Pantry.

Contrary to what many believe, New Year celebrations were not over at the strike of midnight on December 31st. The Lunar New Year is one of the most recognized holidays in Asia and Asian communities worldwide. The two-week celebration marks the beginning of the lunar calendar while honoring the upcoming spring season.

In 2025 the Lunar New Year falls on January 29. It's the year of the snake, the Chinese zodiac sign that symbolizes wisdom and transformation. Traditionally, this is a time to embrace new beginnings while surrounded by community and good food.

Here are the best ways to celebrate in Austin, from Lunar New Year festivals to food specials for the luckiest year ahead.

Food

Oseyo x Lao'd Bar
Saturday January 25, and Wednesday, January 29
Oseyo and Lao’d Bar are joining forces for the Lunar New Year with an exciting walk-in-only pop-up. On Saturday, they’ll have a street-style menu featuring Korean and Laotian dishes, plus new tiki cocktails and craft soju flights. Patrons can also snag a limited edition Raw Paw and Oseyo LNY tote bag. On Wednesday, Oseyo celebrates again with more food and drink specials, plus an intention-setting ceremony for the Lunar New Year.

Special Lunar New Year Party at WuChow
Sunday, January 26
WuChow’s Lunar New Year Party has all the good food for a good cause. The event is free to attend with a suggested donation supporting New Hope Animal Rescue. There will be a lion dance performance, appetizers, and special cocktails. Plus, the food specials feature pecking duck, snapper, and some vegan/vegetarian options. They'll be on the menu until February 2. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

Lunar New Year Cooking Class
Wednesday, January 29
Central Market Cooking School is offering this Lunar New Year-themed class to learn all about the ingredients and techniques of dishes symbolizing prosperity, good fortune, and longevity. The menu will include Northen-style dumplings, lo mein, braised fish, and dessert. Guests 21 and up can enjoy a glass of wine with their dinner. Tickets ($85) are available on Eventbrite.

RedFarm
January 29 to February 9
RedFarm will feature special dishes that symbolize longevity and prosperity. The special menu includes truffle chicken dumplings, prosperity-seared tuna, buddha delight, lobster with wide rice noodles, and much more. Guests can enjoy these specials during dinner service and weekend dim sum brunch. Reservations are available at redfarmnyc.com.

Activities

Lunar New Year Run
Saturday, February 1
The annual Lunar New Year Fortune Run hopes to bring together the community and honor the tradition of renewal. There are 5K,10K, and half-marathon routes. In addition to a t-shirt and medal, every runner will receive mini lanterns to celebrate at the finish line. Registration ($33-$41) is available on Eventbrite.

Lunar New Year Festival in East Austin
Sunday, February 2
Support the Austin AANHPI community at the family-friendly fourth annual Lunar New Year Festival. Guests can enjoy a pop-up market featuring more than 30 local Asian artisans, food and drinks, bilingual storytime, face painting, lion and dragon performances, and more. A portion of the event proceeds will go to Asian Family Support Services of Austin. Tickets ($45) are available on Eventbrite.

Lunar New Year Carnival at Xian Yun Temple
Sunday, February 2
North Austin Buddhist temple Xian Yun is celebrating tradition and renewal with a Lunar New Year carnival. Enjoy traditional lion dances and other performances, music, a pop-up market with souvenirs, and vegetarian food for sale. The event is free to attend, and food vouchers ($20) are available for purchase online at Xian Yun Temple’s website.

UMLAUF After Dark: Lunar New Year
Tuesday, February 4
Umlauf Sculpture Garden promises an unforgettable evening at the After Dark: Lunar New Year event with art, culture, and specialty cocktails. Patrons can enjoy live gong meditation and music from Audio Telepathy, a glow-in-the-dark dragon and lion dance, plus other activities. The event is free for Umlauf members, and tickets ($12) available for purchase at umlaufsculpture.org

Lunar New Year Events at Austin Public Library
Various dates
The Austin Public Library has free and family-friendly Lunar New Year events throughout different branches. For more detailed information visit library.austintexas.gov

Saturday, January 25: The Cepeda branch is celebrating with a Diabolo Chinese Yo-Yo show, while Southeast and Twin Oaks have Texas lion and dragon performances.
Tuesday, February 4: Kids Create at the Milwood branch gives kids the chance to make and decorate their own paper snakes.
Saturday, February 8: The Yarborough location celebrates with a Lunar New Year dance party.

Meanwhile Brewing Co.
Saturday, February 15
Meanwhile is bringing back its Lunar New Year celebration featuring a market with local Asian-American vendors, music from DJ Mike Swing, and a special beer collab with Kaiju Cut & Sew. The rice lager Lucky Leaves will be available in the Meanwhile taproom for a limited time. There are also LNY specials at their food trucks. This event is free to attend.

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