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Lunar New Year
A number of free Lunar New Year celebrations will be taking place around the Tri-Valley this month, starting with the Pleasanton Senior Center this Saturday (Feb. 14) from 1-3 p.m.
The event, which is part of the city’s 2026 Cultural Celebration Series, will feature “traditional performances by Xiaopei Chinese Dance and Kungfu Dragon USA, along with storytelling, crafts, and interactive activities celebrating cultural traditions observed across Asia and beyond”.
Dublin’s Hacienda Crossings Shopping Center will also be welcoming visitors to celebrate the Lunar New Year during its own event, which will take place on Sunday (Feb. 15) from 1-3 p.m. at the shopping center near the Ike’s Love & Sandwiches. The event will also feature traditional dances along with face painting and balloon artists for kids and families.
The San Francisco Premium Outlets in Livermore will have its own Lunar New Year celebration next Saturday (Feb. 21) from 1-3 p.m. at 2774 Livermore Outlets Drive. The event will similarly feature festive dance performances, retailer pop-ups and food trucks.
Restaurant Week
Visit Tri-Valley is getting ready to host its sixth annual Taste Tri-Valley Restaurant Week, which will run from next Friday (Feb. 20) through March 1.
The 10-day food event will highlight the region’s best restaurants, wineries and breweries and offer food lovers exclusive deals, special events and unique menus to showcase the Tri-Valley’s diverse culinary cuisine, according to the destination marketing organization.
This year’s Taste Tri-Valley will officially kick off with an opening dinner at Pippal, an Indian restaurant in Dublin, on Thursday (Feb. 19) from 6-7 p.m.
For more information on Taste Tri-Valley and participating locations and offerings throughout the 10 days, go to visittrivalley.com/restaurantweek.
PAL competition
The Pleasanton Art League is currently accepting entries for its 2026 Youth Art Competition.
The nonprofit is seeking 2-D and 3-D original artwork from middle school and high school students to be featured in the Museum on Main’s PAL exhibit, which will be displayed from March 20 to April 4. PAL will also have a total of $750 in awards that will be divided up between the various winners.
Students will have until March 1 to submit their artwork. For more information on the competition, visit www.pal-art.com.
Local student ensembles perform at national festival
Two orchestras from schools in the Tri-Valley are set to participate this month at the 2026 American String Teachers Association National Orchestra Festival in San Francisco.
Among the festival participants are Emerald High School’s Chamber Orchestra with director Jasper Tran as well as Livermore High School’s Honors Chamber Orchestra with director Justin Enright.
According to Kristian Zoerhoff, vice president of outreach for booster organization Livermore Music, the LHS orchestra was invited to the festival following a “highly competitive adjudicated process” that included ensembles from across the nation.
“An invitation to participate is a distinguished honor, showcasing the excellent music program at the school,” Zoerhoff explained.
During the event, ensembles perform for a live audience and nationally-renowned adjudicators with each group also participating in a workshop with a clinician.
The festival is scheduled to run from Feb. 25-28 at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square. For more information, visit the American String Teachers Association website at astastrings.org.
The LHS Honors Chamber Orchestra is set to present a preview of their festival performance at 7 p.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 25) at the campus theater. Admission is free and open to the public.
CalFresh application assistance
Alameda County-based nonprofit organization Hively is set this month to help members of the community apply for CalFresh benefits during a three-day event dubbed Livermore CalFresh Spring Fling.
Hively’s enrollment specialists, including bilingual staff, will be available 1-4 p.m. from Monday to Wednesday (Feb. 23-25) at Hively’s Livermore office located at 164 North L Street.
Free items such as diapers, wipes, books and clothing, regularly offered through the organization’s van Hive on Wheels, will be available onsite Feb. 23, according to the Hively website.
All applicants will be entered to win a grocery basket valued at $75.
To sign up for a CalFresh application assistance appointment, visit the Hively website at behively.org.
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