The Thần Phúc Lion Dance team performs during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa.
Emily Curiel
ecuriel@kcstar.com
The Lenexa Public Market was a flood of vibrant red Sunday as several people gathered to attend a Lunar New Year celebration filled with performances, art and lucky red envelopes.
The Lunar New Year, which marks the beginning of a new year according to lunar calendars, is an ancient Chinese tradition and is celebrated with festivals around the world.
In Lenexa, student volunteers from the Lee’s Summit West High School National Chinese Honor Society helped guests practice Chinese characters. The Thần Phúc Lion Dance team of KC performed in colorful, traditional dragon dance costumes. And people received lucky red envelopes as part of a Lunar New Year tradition symbolizing good luck and joy.
See the scene at the market, captured by The Star’s Emily Curiel.
Performers dance during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
A guest receives a lucky red envelope during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Guests attend a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Chinese lanterns are displayed along a railing during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Seventeen-year-old Giah Burns, a student volunteer with the Lee's Summit West High School National Chinese Honor Society, helps a guest practice Chinese characters during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Guests watch a performance during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Performers wave a hand fan painted with a dragon during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa, Kan. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
The Thần Phúc Lion Dance team performs during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
A stack of lucky red envelopes sit in a box as they are handed out to guests during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Hoikei Au performs a dance during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa, Kan. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
The Thần Phúc Lion Dance team performs during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
A child gives a dollar bill to a member of the Thần Phúc Lion Dance team during a performance at a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa, Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
A lion dance head is seen during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
People laugh as the Thần Phúc Lion Dance team performs at a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Families pose for photos with the Th?n Phúc Lion Dance team after a performance during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa, Kan. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
People gather around the Thần Phúc Lion Dance team for photos after a performance during a Lunar New Year celebration at the Lenexa Public Market on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Lenexa. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Lenexa Public Market at 8750 Penrose Ln., is pictured on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in Kansas . Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Emily Curiel, is a visual journalist at The Star. With a broad scope of coverage, Curiel navigates subjects including breaking news, sports, features and long-form narratives. She is a first-generation graduate from San Francisco State University and a native of Los Angeles.
