Peabody Essex Museum To Host Year Of The Horse Festival

The festival will include traditional dance, art-making, a scavenger hunt and self-guided tours of the museum.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts will host a festival on February 21, 2026 to celebrate Lunar New Year and the Year of the Horse. The festival will feature a dance performance, art-making activities, a scavenger hunt, and self-guided tours of the museum.

Why it matters

The Lunar New Year is a significant cultural celebration in many Asian countries, and the Peabody Essex Museum's festival aims to showcase the diverse traditions and customs associated with this holiday.

The details

The festival will include a dance performance by the Asian Women's Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe, led by Gunk Kwok, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the museum's main atrium. Following the performance, attendees can participate in a Zodiac Quest scavenger hunt and art-making activities from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. A meet-and-greet with Gund Kwok and the dance troupe will be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the ground level. Self-guided tours of the museum will be available every 30 minutes from 12:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

  • The Year of the Horse festival will take place on February 21, 2026.
  • The dance performance will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • The Zodiac Quest scavenger hunt and art-making activities will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • The meet-and-greet with Gund Kwok and the dance troupe will be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
  • The self-guided tours will be available every 30 minutes from 12:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

The players

Peabody Essex Museum

A museum located in Salem, Massachusetts that focuses on art, culture, and history.

Gunk Kwok

The host of the dance performance by the Asian Women's Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe.

Asian Women's Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe

A dance troupe that will perform traditional lion and dragon dances at the festival.

Vanessa Platacis

The instructor for the drop-in art-making class during the festival.

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The takeaway

The Peabody Essex Museum's Year of the Horse festival is an opportunity for the local community to learn about and celebrate the diverse cultural traditions associated with Lunar New Year, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of Asian heritage.