On Feb. 17, the Year of the Fire Horse begins, a rare and powerful moment in the Chinese zodiac. 

“The Lunar New Year is not only a holiday, but also a time centered on family, renewal, and community,” said Huajing Maske, the director of UNLV’s Sands Institute for Chinese Language and Culture. “It provides a wonderful entry point for cultural learning and shared celebration on campus.”

Maske joined UNLV in fall 2025 and brings decades of experience in global education and cross-cultural leadership to the university. Most recently, she oversaw international partnerships at Wayne State University, and prior to that she led the Office of China Initiatives for the University of Kentucky. In these roles, she built a distinguished record for establishing international partnerships and advancing cross-cultural engagement. 

As director of the Sands Institute, now in its second year, Maske is leading programs that connect the university and broader Southern Nevada communities with the culture, people, and traditions of China. And that includes hosting a series of Lunar New Year events and activities to kick off the Year of the Fire Horse. 

So why is the Lunar New Year the most important celebration in Chinese culture? What makes the year of the Fire Horse so special compared to other Chinese zodiac signs? Maske shares how this vibrant tradition connects billions of people and why the Fire Horse is bringing enough heat to make this year truly unforgettable.

On the significance of Lunar New Year and the traditions behind this holiday.

“You’ll often hear Lunar New Year called Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival interchangeably, but regardless of the name, it is essentially the 'Super Bowl' of holidays across China and much of East and Southeast Asia,” Maske says.

Because it follows the lunar calendar, the dates shift a bit every year, but it usually lands somewhere between late January and mid-February. It’s not just a one-day celebration, either; it's a two-week cultural marathon. Lunar New Year 2026 begins Feb. 17 and builds all the way up to the Lantern Festival on March 3.

“The focus is on family and fresh starts,” Maske says. “The celebrations bring together generations of families, an array of festive feasts featuring traditional dishes, a sea of red decorations that symbolize good fortune including red envelopes filled with ‘lucky money,’ spectacular firework displays, elaborate lion and dragon dances, and plenty of opportunities to exchange well wishes for health, prosperity, and happiness in the year ahead.” 

Why Lunar New Year in the U.S. has transitioned in recent years from local community celebrations into a mainstream holiday.

“There’s a universal appeal to the themes of Lunar New Year,” says Maske. “At its core, the holiday is about family, gratitude, and the hope for a fresh start. Those are values that resonate with everyone, regardless of their background.”

She credits the shift of Lunar New Year celebrations from niche to ‘mainstream’ holiday to a few factors. 

“First, we’re seeing the impact of a fast-growing and incredibly vibrant Asian American community that is eager to share its heritage,” Maske says. “Education has played a major role, too. For example, when a school district recognizes Lunar New Year as an official holiday or a university like UNLV hosts a campuswide festival and events, it sends a message that these traditions belong to everyone.”

Maske says there  is also a strong desire within the Asian community to share these celebrations. 

“At UNLV, for example, student clubs are excited to host Lunar New Year events and the university has done a wonderful job supporting and empowering them to bring these activities to life,” she says. This includes a community-focused “Night Market” that the Sands Institute and partners are hosting on Feb.18. 

“It’s been a fascinating shift to witness Lunar New Year become more visible and culturally relevant among people of all backgrounds,” Maske says. 

How increased visibility of celebrations like Lunar New Year serve as a form of ‘cultural diplomacy. 

“These celebrations serve as a powerful form of ‘grassroots diplomacy.’ While official relations between countries like the U.S. and China can be complex, cultural exchange happens at a human level by sharing a meal, a dance, or hope for a better future,” Maske says. 

“Ultimately, these gatherings remind us that we have more in common than we have differences. When our students and community engage with traditional cultural celebrations like Lunar New Year, they are learning to move beyond stereotypes and build the kind of genuine empathy that is essential for global citizenship.”

On what makes the Year of the Fire Horse special.

Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac (cycling through signs such as the dragon, tiger, and horse) and with one of the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water). The Year of the Horse is traditionally linked to vitality, determination, and bold progress. The pairing of the Horse sign and fire element is rare, only occurring every 60 years. 

“It brings an extra layer of passion, creativity, and intense growth to the year, but also a bit of a 'wild' streak,” Maske says. “It’s the perfect opportunity to take action on making your goals and resolutions a reality, finding your rhythm through movement to supercharge your health, and building sustainable habits that help you move forward in your life.”

How the Sands Institute is celebrating the Lunar New Year, and what’s in store for 2026.

In addition to the Sands Institute’s Galloping Forward Chinese New Year celebration for UNLV faculty and staff, and Lunar New Year events for the community, Maske views community engagement through events and celebrations as a primary way to promote cultural understanding and create lasting connections. 

“As we enter our second year, our goal is to turn the Sands Institute into a bridge connecting UNLV with the wider community through cultural experiences that are both meaningful and, honestly, just a lot of fun," Maske says. "We really believe that the best way to learn is to celebrate culture together.” 

Activities planned for the year include Mandarin language and cultural courses, Chinese ink painting and calligraphy and Tai Chi. The institute is also planning Chinese Medicine Week, a Chinese Bridge Speech Contest for students from UNLV and local high schools, and a film premiere about Chinese storytelling and heritage.

“Ultimately, we’re laying the groundwork for traditions that will connect UNLV with the community for years to come,” Maske says. “We’re focused on creating new opportunities for everyone on the campus and in the community to connect, learn, and move forward together.”