Celebrate Lunar New Year with a Match Offer + Free Curriculum from Panda Express

When classrooms celebrate world cultures as part of an affirming and expansive learning environment for students, young children are more able to develop a positive sense of identity and build self-esteem. 

Lunar New Year is one of the world's most vibrant holidays centered around good fortune, lucky foods, and togetherness. This year, Lunar New Year falls on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Celebrated by more than 1.5 billion people worldwide, this colorful and rich holiday provides a great opportunity for teachers looking to bring other cultures into the classroom. For the third year in a row, we’re partnering with Panda Express, the largest family-owned and operated Asian dining concept in the U.S., for our Lunar New Year partnership, doubling donations to related projects and sharing a free Lunar New Year curriculum.

Starting today, December 18, Panda invites you to create a project to help students learn about and celebrate Lunar New Year for doubled donations.

Create a project

Panda Express’ Let’s Explore! Lunar New Year Program

In addition to doubling donations, Panda Express is sharing its “Let’s Explore!: Lunar New Year” program, a fun, free and educational resource for educators who are looking for ideas to bring Lunar New Year to life in their classrooms. 

The curriculum includes eight interactive activities that explore the rich traditions of Lunar New Year, like the meaning behind lucky foods eaten during the 15-day long celebration, the symbolism of lucky red envelopes, the importance of zodiac animals, and more. 

In addition to the digital curriculum, you’ll be sent a physical activity booklet that includes matching games, coloring templates, trivia, and step-by-step directions on how to make a Chinese Lantern and more, while supplies last. We encourage you to sign up for this limited-time interactive program! 

Learn more and sign up

Lunar New Year Project Inspiration

Looking for inspiration to take your classroom celebration to the next level? We want to share a few of our favorite Lunar New Year projects funded by Panda last year!

Mrs. Martes requested paper lanterns, dragon decorations, and books to help her students learn about Lunar New Year as part of a school-wide emphasis on celebrating culture.

“I am a firm believer that students who learn about different cultures during their education feel more comfortable and safe with these differences later in life.”

Mrs. Goo requested what she needed for read aloud stories and crafts with her first graders.

“My students are very inquisitive and always have questions to ask. Celebrating Lunar New Year is important to our classroom family.”

Ms. Jimenez brings her own culture into the classroom by teaching her students about Chinese holidays, especially Lunar New Year.

“This project is very important to me, and sharing the Lunar New Year books, decorations, and Chinese foods from Panda Express will bring a new experience to my students. We will learn about the Lunar New Year using the Panda Express curriculum along with eating foods from their restaurant.”

Want a few more ideas? Check out all the Lunar New Year projects funded by Panda Express last year!

We hope you’ll join us in deepening cultural education for today’s youth and acknowledging the cultural significance of one of the world’s most celebrated holidays! Create your project.