Free admission for all!
Ring in the Year of the Rat with free admission at the Museum of Fine Arts to celebrate Lunar New Year! Explore Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese traditions while enjoying a variety of activities, demonstrations, and performances throughout the day.
More information here
Music and Dance
Lion Dance: Gund Kwok
11:30 am–12:15 pm and 1:30–2:15 pm, Remis Auditorium
Watch a Chinese Lion Dance performed by Gund Kwok Asian Women’s Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe. Join Gund Kwok after to try on costumes and learn techniques.
Free performance ticket required. Limited availability: first come, first served. Tickets available at Remis Auditorium Box Office starting 60 minutes before show times.
Assistive Listening System
ASL Interpreter
1:30–2:15 pm
Traditional Korean Music and Dance
11 am–Noon and 1:30–2:30 pm, Alfond Auditorium
Hear a clever fusion of jazz and earthy gugak (traditional Korean music) followed by a performance in traditional Korean dress by Janet Park. Close out with a performance by the Boston Korean Traditional Dance group, led by Jessica Park.
Free performance ticket required. Limited availability: first come, first served. Tickets available at Alfond ticket desk starting 30 minutes before show times.
Assistive Listening System
Chinese Performing Arts
11–11:30 am and 1–1:30 pm, Gallery 260
A demonstration of Chinese culture through the sounds of traditional Chinese instruments played by the Youth Orchestra of Boston Chinese Musicians Association.
Vietnamese Music and Dance
3–3:30 pm, Shapiro Family Courtyard
Enjoy music and dance evoking traditional Vietnamese themes of celebrating at home together.
Demonstrations
Kung Fu
10:30–11 am and 12:30–1 pm, Shapiro Family Courtyard
Enjoy an interactive demonstration by instructors and children from the Wah Lum Kung Fu and Tai Chi Academy. Enjoy traditional kung fu and an exciting lion dance to ring in the Lunar New Year.
ASL Interpreter
12:30–1 pm
Saebae
11 am–Noon, 1–2 and 3–4 pm, Gallery 250
Participate in a traditional bowing and greeting ceremony practiced in Korea during New Year celebrations, hosted by members of the Korean Cultural Society of Boston.
Vietnamese Martial Arts
1:30–2 pm, Shapiro Family Courtyard
Watch a martial arts and dragon dance demonstration to honor Tet, the Vietnamese New Year celebration. Presented by the Vietnamese-American Community of Massachusetts.
Tours and Talks
American Sign Language Highlights Tour
11 am, Meet at Sharf Visitor Center
Look at great art from the Museum’s collections with tour guide Leon Jerfita.
ASL only
No voice interpretation
Mandarin Highlights Tour: Art of Asia 中文導覧
11–11:30 am and Noon–12:30 pm, Meet at Sharf Visitor Center
Join a tour in Mandarin Chinese 中文, featuring masterpieces from the MFA’s Asian art collections.
Assistive Listening System
Beyond Asia: Highlights of the MFA Collections
2–3 pm, Meet at Sharf Visitor Center
Offered in both Mandarin Chinese 中文 and English.
Spotlight Talks: Art of Asia
1–4 pm, Talks begin on the hour and half hour
Visit any gallery below for a 15-minute talk to learn about works in the MFA’s Asian Art collections.
Gallery 176 | Vietnamese Ceramics
Gallery 178 | Weng Family Chinese Collection
Gallery 179 | Korean Gallery
Gallery 271 | Chinese Sculpture Gallery
Gallery 274 | Song Dynasty Gallery
ASL Interpreter
2–4 pm
Meet interpreter at Sharf Visitor Center for Spotlight Talk of your choice
Family Activities
Door Guardians
10 am–4 pm, Gallery 268
A Lunar New Year tradition, door guardians are placed on fronts of doors on New Year’s Day to keep bad spirits away. Create your own Lunar New Year door guardian.
ASL Interpreter
10 am–12:30 pm
Meet interpreter in Room 159 for activity of your choice
Blind or Low Vision Access
Clay Tea Cups
10 am–4 pm, Education Center in Druker Family Pavilion, Room 159
On the first day of the Chinese New Year, the younger generation offers tea to their elders. In Gallery 223, look at The Blue Cup, then make your own clay cup.
ASL Interpreter
10 am–12:30 pm
Meet interpreter in Room 159 for activity of your choice
Blind or Low Vision Access
Zodiac Ink Scrolls
10 am–4 pm, Education Center in Druker Family Pavilion, Room 160
Discover your Chinese zodiac sign and paint it on a scroll. Look in the galleries to find an animal that looks like your zodiac animal.
ASL Interpreter
10 am–12:30 pm
Meet interpreter in Room 159 for activity of your choice
