Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year, ranging from late January to mid-February, (basically on the second new moon after the winter solstice.)
The day itself falls on January 26 2009, but unlike our western New Year, celebrations aren't tightly focused on one date. Festivities can occur on weekends before or after, and many cities celebrate with a big parade.
San Francisco, for example has a giant night parade, that's been a tradition since just after the Gold Rush: the parade has floats, lion dancers, acrobatics, 201-ft.-long Golden Dragon.
Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York also have major parades and celebrations.
- Read more about Chinese New Year festivities
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*photo © Teresa Plowright
