The Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth (JASDFW), the Crow Museum of Asian Art, and the Center of Asian Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas, along with collaborating partner the Dallas Japanese Association, have announced the 2026 Mochitsuki New Year's Celebration. The event will take place on Sunday, January 11, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Edith and Peter O'Donnell Jr. Athenaeum on The University of Texas at Dallas campus. Admission is free, and all attendees will receive free freshly made mochi, a traditional Japanese New Year treat.
Mochitsuki, the traditional ceremony of pounding rice into mochi, is one of Japan's most iconic ways to welcome the New Year. The celebration symbolizes good health, longevity, and community unity. This annual event invites the Dallas-Fort Worth community to experience this tradition firsthand through demonstrations, tastings, and hands-on cultural activities and performances.
Event highlights include live Mochitsuki demonstrations, freshly prepared mochi for all guests, and traditional Japanese New Year activities such as calligraphy, nengajo card displays, kendama, koma, fukuwarai, and more. Cultural performances by local artists will be featured, along with displays or demonstrations of ikebana or bonsai, pending confirmation. A special exhibit of Nengajo contest winners from JASDFW outreach schools will be on display, and attendees can tour the Crow Museum of Asian Art.
"We are excited to welcome the community to celebrate the New Year and experience the rich traditions of Japanese culture," said Grant Hiroshi Ogata, President of Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth. "This event is a wonderful opportunity for families and individuals to learn, participate, and enjoy cultural exchange in a warm and festive environment at the beautiful new building at the Crow Museum of Asian Art at The University of Texas at Dallas campus."
The Mochitsuki New Year's Celebration is sponsored by the Crow Museum of Asian Art and the Center for Asian Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas, whose ongoing support continues to make this vibrant community gathering possible. The event will be held at the Crow Museum of Asian Art on the UT Dallas campus, located at 777 Loop Rd. SW, Richardson, TX, 75080. Admission and parking are free, and attendees are encouraged to RSVP via Eventbrite.
The Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth (JASDFW) connects North Texas and Japan by providing opportunities for friendship, understanding, and meaningful exchange. Through cultural, business, and educational programming, JASDFW strengthens the partnership between Japan and Texas while cultivating mutual respect and appreciation.
