AASA's Lunar New Year Festival Rings in the Year of the Fire Horse

The University of Miami's Asian American Student Association hosts its largest annual celebration, drawing hundreds of students to honor the Lunar New Year.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The University of Miami's Lakeside Patio was transformed into a vibrant cultural fair as the Asian American Student Association (AASA) hosted its 14th annual Lunar New Year Festival on February 20, 2026. The event, which drew between 400 and 500 attendees, celebrated the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse, a rare zodiac cycle associated with fierce independence and transformative energy. AASA's festival featured interactive cultural activities, Asian cuisine, and performances from student organizations and professional artists.

Why it matters

The Lunar New Year Festival is one of AASA's largest and most anticipated events, serving as a celebration of the diverse Asian and international communities on UM's campus. The festival's growth over the years reflects the increasing visibility and engagement of these communities, providing a space for cultural exchange, learning, and a sense of belonging for students.

The details

The Lakeside Patio was transformed into a bustling cultural fair, with ten student organizations hosting interactive tables where students could complete activities like origami and cultural trivia to earn stamps redeemable for free Asian cuisine and boba. The lineup of participating organizations reflected the range of UM's Asian and international communities, including the newly formed Vietnamese Student Association and the revived Filipino Student Association. The festival also featured a lineup of performances, including the traditional lion dance, high-energy drumming, contemporary dance, and martial arts demonstrations.

  • The Lunar New Year officially began on February 17, 2026.
  • AASA hosted its celebration on February 20, 2026 to allow students to honor the holiday collectively on campus.
  • This year marked the first time in six decades that the Lunar New Year welcomed the Year of the Fire Horse.

The players

Keira Tellado

AASA president and a junior studying industrial engineering.

Katie Wang

President and founder of the Vietnamese Student Association, which is in its first official semester as a COSO-approved organization.

Elijah Corpus

Sophomore and general E-board member of the Filipino Student Association.

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What they’re saying

“This year is more about going in with a stronger mindset. Previous years are meant for clearing the slate, but the Fire Horse is about renewal. It only comes every 60 years, so it feels special to celebrate it with the whole community.”

— Keira Tellado, AASA president

“Last year we were running as an unofficial group. Now that we're approved and getting funding, we hope to do more Vietnamese-oriented events.”

— Katie Wang, VSA president and founder

“We're trying to be more active this semester and bring the club back. FSA is an extension of AASA, but we focus on bringing together the Filipino community on campus.”

— Elijah Corpus, FSA general E-board member

The takeaway

The Lunar New Year Festival showcases the vibrant and diverse Asian and international communities at the University of Miami, providing a space for cultural exchange, learning, and a sense of belonging for students. As the Year of the Fire Horse begins, the festival's growth and continued popularity reflect the increasing visibility and engagement of these communities on campus.