Celebrate Tanabata at The Woodlands Children’s Museum on July 7

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – The Woodlands Children’s Museum invites you to celebrate Tanabata, the Japanese Star Festival, with traditional Japanese dance and art activities on Tuesday, July 7, in the MUSE.

Tanabata commemorates the ancient Japanese legend of the Cowherd Star (Altair) and the Weaver Star (Vega), lovers separated by the Milky Way who are only allowed to meet once a year – on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Each year on July 7th, children and adults commemorate the event by writing their wishes on narrow strips of colored paper called tanzaku and hang them on bamboo branches so that they may come true.

In addition to learning the story of Tanabata, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in the Star Festival by making and hanging their own tanzaku wish on a bamboo tree inside the MUSE.

“Wishing on stars is something that transcends both age and culture,” said Angela Colton, executive director of the museum. “I am looking forward to seeing our own bamboo tree decorated with the brightly colored wishes of our visitors.”

In addition to the ongoing Tanabata art activities, traditional Japanese dance performances will take place in the MUSE at 10:45 and 11:30 a.m., and again at 12:15 p.m. Dancer Risa Tallent said “In celebration of this special day, I will perform ‘Sakura Sakura’ which honors the cherry blossom, the national flower of Japan.”

The cost of the Tanabata event is included in the cost of museum admission, which is $5 for ages 2 and older. Museum members and children younger than 2 are admitted without charge.

For more information about the Tanabata celebration and other events at The Woodlands Children’s Museum, call 281-465-0955 or visit woodlandschildrensmuseum.org.