Howard County Welcomes the Year of the Fire Horse
Community Connections
By Eileen Wu
A large crowd filled two floors of Columbia Mall to watch Howard County’s Lunar New Year celebration on Feb. 7, 2026. People from diverse backgrounds gathered in the bustling community hub to enjoy the festivities and share a common hope for the coming year.
Lunar New Year marks the first day of the year on the lunisolar calendar, so its date on the Gregorian calendar changes each year. The holiday is a time of togetherness, when scattered family members reunite, and a time of hope. Traditions include cleaning the house, wearing red, setting off firecrackers and watching performances. Elders in a family typically give symbolic red packets containing money to members of the younger generation.
This year marks the Year of the Fire Horse. The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac — rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig — rotate in a 12-year cycle, while the five elements — fire, earth, metal, water and wood — cycle every five years. Because the two cycles align only once every 60 years, a Fire Horse year occurs just once in six decades and is traditionally associated with progress, energy and breaking old patterns.
Howard County’s celebration included speeches by elected officials, booths with related products and vibrant performances. Many couples brought their children, some in strollers and some on their laps, to watch the performances.
The event began with the thundering sounds of drums and cymbals, attracting curious mallgoers. Three lion dancers pranced among the crowd to the beat of the music. Then a bald monk performer took the stage, subduing the lead lion in a reenactment of the legend of the Nian monster, a traditional Chinese folktale about Lunar New Year.
The lion dance, performed by the U.S. Jow Ga Martial Arts group, provided a rousing start. Next, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball commended the Howard County Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission, the event’s organizer.
“This is a time of not only celebration, but a time of coming together, a time of fresh beginnings, new starts, and a time of seeing hope on the horizon,” he said. “Today is about beginning to write that next chapter in our community story.”
Other officials also spoke. Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth said, “What gives me hope every single day is that in the face of all of the chaos … we are able to come together as a community to celebrate what makes us truly great, which is our diversity, our vibrancy, and our ability to always lead with our values.”
A series of cultural performances followed, including a Korean samulnori percussion ensemble, a fusion dance blending classical Indian kathak with Bollywood flair and a demonstration of Chinese tai chi. The vibrant program capped the celebration, showcasing Asian American heritage and pride.
Eileen Wu is a student at the Bryn Mawr School and is passionate about civic engagement and journalism.
