Livingston Chinese Culture Day Draws Thousands Of Attendees

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of a Patch Livingston community member. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

At the height of winter’s coldest stretch, Livingston felt anything but frozen. The 24th Livingston Chinese Culture Day (LCCD) unfolded across two weekends — January 31 and February 7 — bringing warmth, movement, and vibrant New Year spirit to the community.

Hosted by Livingston Chinese School and co-organized by the Livingston Chinese Association, Livingston Huaxia Chinese School, Living Stone Christian Church, and the Livingston High School World Languages Department, the celebration marked the 24th consecutive year of a tradition that has become a recognized part of Livingston’s winter calendar.

The Lunar New Year Gala was held on January 31 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the 600-seat auditorium at Livingston High School, which was filled to capacity. Nearly 450 attendees gathered for an evening that blended tradition and contemporary expression with confidence and creativity. More than 300 performers participated in a program that moved seamlessly across genres — from traditional folk dance and martial arts to modern hip-hop; from beloved Chinese pop solos to Michael Jackson’s We Are the World; from the dramatic art of Bian Lian (Sichuan opera face-changing) to a striking fusion ensemble featuring guzheng, pipa, ruan, violin, cello, percussion, and the ethereal tones of the handpan. Martial arts performances brought strength and discipline to the stage, while language-based theatrical pieces presented by Livingston Huaxia Chinese School added humor and heart. Bilingual hosting in Mandarin and English carried the evening forward, with Livingston High School AP Chinese students delivering sharp, playful bilingual lines that drew warm laughter across the auditorium. Behind the scenes, 50 adult volunteers and 55 high school student volunteers coordinated logistics, stage transitions, and guest reception, ensuring the evening proceeded smoothly. The lights-and-sound student crew, guided by their teacher, used the newly installed projector to create an unforgettable stage atmosphere for the performance.

Before the performance, a special VIP Reception welcomed approximately 50 invited guests, including Livingston Township elected officials, public school district leaders and Board of Education members, municipal department representatives — including police, fire, first aid, and library leadership — as well as cultural and civic organization representatives from within Livingston and across New Jersey. In a festive and welcoming setting, guests and community leaders connected in conversation ahead of the evening program, strengthening relationships and opening doors for continued collaboration.

On February 7, the celebration continued with the New Year Fun Fair, held from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Livingston High School Fitness and Wellness Center. Over 2,500 people entered the event during the afternoon, filling the expansive space with movement and energy. Lion and dragon dances opened the event, setting an auspicious and lively tone, followed by music, dance, and martial arts demonstrations presented in an open, interactive setting.

High school volunteers arrived early to support the Livingston Huaxia Chinese School–led decoration team, filling the gym and hallways with vibrant touches that set a festive tone long before the first guests stepped inside. The venue layout offered a full community experience: a central exhibition area with 60 booths; a front-stage performance area; children’s activities along the sides; and food vendors lining the hallways. The exhibition area included commercial vendors alongside municipal departments and charitable organizations, creating a space where businesses and community services met residents directly. The Fun Fair also welcomed approximately 40 invited special guests and community leaders who attended to show support. Student emcees hosted trilingually in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English, reflecting Livingston Chinese School’s strength in Traditional Chinese and Cantonese instruction. The Fun Fair was supported by 85 adult volunteers and 40 high school student volunteers who managed coordination and on-site operations throughout the afternoon.

High school volunteers brought extra energy to the celebration, supporting both the children’s activity area organized by the Livingston Chinese Association and the arts-and-crafts tables hosted by Livingston Chinese School. The children’s zone—always one of the liveliest corners of the event—quickly filled with little ones wearing huge smiles. Lines formed quickly and laughter rarely paused. As volunteers like to joke, no matter how carefully they plan, the prizes never quite seem to be enough — and this year proved it again. Months of preparation by LCA volunteers made it possible for children of all backgrounds to jump in, play hard, and walk away grinning.

For the third consecutive year, organizers provided complimentary booth space to Livingston municipal departments and selected charitable institutions, including representatives from the Police Department, Fire Department, First Aid Squad, Public Library, the Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities (LACD), and the Livingston Committee for Diversity & Inclusion (LCDI). Complimentary space was also extended to Livingston-founded charitable initiatives such as Cycle for Survival, Shiv’s Third Eye, and Annie’s Army, while other registered nonprofit organizations were offered discounted participation. This approach reflects LCCD’s commitment to building bridges across communities and increasing awareness of local resources and services.

A longstanding tradition of LCCD continued upstairs, where Living Stone Christian Church organized a dedicated senior session. Yang Ge dance and traditional performances were arranged in a comfortable setting, accompanied by thoughtful holiday gifts. Honoring and caring for seniors remains an important part of the celebration’s spirit.

At a recent Livingston Town Council meeting, Councilman Al Anthony praised the LCCD during his councilman report, echoed by Mayor Shawn Klein and other council members. At a Board of Education meeting, Board member Fang Gong expressed appreciation for district support, and BOE President Parul Khemka extended thanks on behalf of the Board to the Chinese community. LCCD Chair Shuk Leung also addressed the BOE virtually, noting the importance of school district partnership in making the celebration possible.

The 2026 celebration was made possible in part through the generous support of its leading sponsors. Platinum Sponsor Dana Dang of Garden Home Realty and Gold Sponsor Sharon Liang were joined by 63 additional sponsors, whose contributions strengthened both scale and quality.

Planning for the 24th LCCD began in late September. Months of coordination across organizations, performers, volunteers, and families brought the dual-weekend celebration to life. With music, laughter, and neighbors coming together under one roof, LCCD once again turned winter into a season of warmth and connection. As the Year of the Fire Horse begins — a symbol of courage, strong will, and dynamic energy — we wish the entire Livingston community a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here.