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Chinese New Year: events in major cities
Chinese New Year -- also known as the "Spring Festival"-- falls on a different date each year, ranging from late January to mid-February, (basically on the second new moon after the winter solstice.)
Unlike our western New Year, celebrations aren't tightly focused on one date.
The big day itself may be February 7 2008, but festivities can occur on weekends before or after that date -- often with a flamboyant Parade.
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Here's a sampling of some cities with major Chinese New Year (or Lantern Festival, or Lunar New Year) events. Many events include Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese communities.
note: please check dates carefully, in case a site hasn't updated for 2008.
San Francisco: Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade
A giant illuminated night parade, that's been a tradition since just after the Gold Rush. Elaborate floats, martial arts, stilt walkers, lion dancers, acrobatics, 201-ft.-long Golden Dragon ("Gum Lung"), exploding firecrackers. Saturday, February 23, 2008 5:30 pm.
- Chinese New Year Parade --About's guide for California for Visitors has photos from past San Francisco parades.
Seattle Lunar New Year Celebration Free admission, at the Union Station Great Hall, 401 South Jackson Street in Seattle's Chinatown/International District. Lion dance, dragon dance performance, live cultural performances, children's activities, arts & crafts, food court.
Los Angeles Golden Dragon Parade Celebrated for over a hundred years; over 110,000 people line the route; takes place in LA's Chinatown, and 2008 date is Feb. 9. Los Angeles also has a Chinese New Year Festival, with family fun.
Los Angeles: Universal Studios Hollywood
Look for festivities for the Lunar New Year and Chinese Lantern Festival to this popular theme park. 2007 saw a 2-hour spectacle and nearly 200 performers: dancers, acrobats, stilt walkers, singers from the Beijing Opera Troupe... all included with regular park admission. Also, a parade through the Universal CityWalk entertainment zone.
Queens: Lunar New Year Parade
Flushing, Queens, is home to a large Chinese population, rivaling Manhattan's Chinatown. Other east Asian communities -- especially Koreans-- join in a major Lunar New Year Parade, with dragon dancers, steel drummers, and fireworks. About's Guide for Queens has details, above.
Washington DC: Chinese New Year Parade
Chinese Lunar New Year is celebrated in Chinatown with parade, Lion and Dragon Dances, and other festivities. About's Guide for Washington DC for Visitors has details. 2008 parade is on February 18. Look out for a 5-storey high firecracker!
Honolulu's Chinatown Many festivals and traditions for Chinese New Year, including Lion Dance, Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat races.
Vancouver, BC Vancouver has a large Chinese community, and the Spring Parade is held annually in Chinatown on the first Sunday of the Lunar New Year, with entertainment and lion dance. Call the Vancouver Touristinfo Centre, 604-683-2000, or check HelloBC. Nearby are activities at the beautiful (admission-by-donation) classical Gardens: music, fortune telling, craft demonstrations, etc.
Toronto Lunar New Year Check for updates for 2008: typically an event takes place at Exhibition Place, with lion dances, acrobats, magic shows, Asian foods, market fair.
Round the World: Chinese New Year Celebrations Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, London... find out about events at Festivals.com. (Just enter "Chinese New Year" in the search box.)
London
About's Guide for London for Visitors covers Chinese New Year festivities in London. 2007 saw a parade and Lion Dance from Chinatown to Trafalgar Square, and festival in Trafalgar Square with performances throughout the day, and celebrations in Chinatown all weekend.
Singapore
Major festivities! All-night "Parade of Dreams" (huge fireworks, two parades, 3000 performers, pyrotechnic floats; annual Chinatown "light up" and over a month of celebrations; riverside cultural exposition (music, crafts, fireworks) and visit from the "God of Fortune".
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