February marks the start of the Lunar New Year, or “Losar” in Himalayan cultures. On February 6, families are invited to the Museum to enjoy art-making, music performances, and tours in celebration of the Year of the Fire Monkey! Learn more about the New Year and partake in a number of monkey-inspired activities at the Rubin’s Family Losar Day.
Monkey Around
Families will have the chance to go on a special monkey scavenger hunt, taking them throughout the Museum galleries in search of some furry friends.
After seeing some of the monkey masks in our special exhibition, Becoming Another: The Power of Masks, visitors can make make their own monkey masks, inspired by the exhibition and the New Year.
Explore Himalayan Culture
Like last year, Tashi Chodron, the Rubin’s Assistant Manager of Himalayan Cultural Programs will set up a pop-up Tibetan teahouse in our art studio with a costume area where children can discover and dress up in traditional Tibetan celebratory clothing.
Throughout the afternoon, the art studio will also host a master butter sculptor, who will create statues and torma, colorful sculptures made from flour and butter. Families may be inspired to create their own mini clay “torma.”
Reflect on the New Year
Learn about the Year of the Monkey and participate in our “Find Your Birth Year Animal” activity. Families can also make wishes for the New Year and add them to the “Wishes Wall.” Some of the wish highlights from last year included: “I wish for summer,” “I wish for cotton candy,” “I wish you were here,” and “I wish for a Pegasus.”
There’s plenty more for kids to discover at Family Losar Day. We hope to see you there!
Learn more about the celebration and check out a recap of last year’s event.