The Year Of The Dog CNY Chinatown Celebration Guide
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| 2018 Year of the Dog |
In China, people usually have 7 consecutive days off from work from Chinese New Year’s Eve to the sixth day after Chinese New Year’s Day. Lunar New Year is also celebrated in Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Mongolian, and Tibetan cultures, as well as Chinatown’s world-wide.
Named one of the Top Ten Parades in the World by International Festivals and Events Association. The Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is watched by more than three million every year. There are more than 100 groups participating and filling the roads with banners, flags, lanterns and drums including several floats. The biggest and most famous is the 200 foot Golden Dragon. It takes more than 100 volunteers to maneuver it through the lanes of San Francisco.
Started in the 1860’s by the Chinese in San Francisco as a means to educate the community about their culture, the Parade and Festival have grown to be the largest celebration of Asian culture outside of Asia. Since 1958, the parade has been under the direction of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Parade highlights include elaborate floats, lion dancers, folk dancers, costumed elementary school groups, marching bands, stilt walkers, Chinese acrobats, and the 200+ foot long Golden Dragon.
Market and Second Street to Kearny and Jackson.
The event is free but Bleacher Tickets are $35 and can be purchased [HERE].
Be sure to watch the live broadcast on KTVU Fox 2 or KTSF Channel 26,
February 25
Chinese New Year Community Street Fair
San Francisco’s exhilarating Chinatown is the place to be during one of the most exciting times of the year. There will 120+ booths and concession stands, making this a shopper’s dream. The SF Chinese Chamber of Commerce has planned activities and entertainment for all ages. Enjoy Chinese folk dancing, opera, drumming and much more at the entertainment stage on Washington St. below Grant. Make sure you get a family photo with the giant puppets and other memorable artifacts from the Parade. Please note: This is a non-smoking event.
March 4
Sunday 8am start
Registration: 7am
Contact: (415) 576-9622
March 4
Chinatown YMCA Chinese New Year Run
5K/10K Run/Walk
The Chinatown YMCA will hold their 40th annual “Chinese New Year Run” on Sunday, March 4th at 8AM. Presented by the SF Chinese Chamber of Commerce, this scenic route starts at Sacramento and Grant, winds its way through Chinatown, North Beach, The Embarcadero and Downtown and finishes on Kearny between California and Sacramento. Registration info: www.ymcasf.org/Chinatown
You may also call (415 ) 576-9622 to request a registration form and get race details. The cost includes a T-shirt and finish line goodies for all runners as well as prizes for top winners in each age group.
The Tet Festival, the Vietnamese festivity of the New Year, happens at the U.N. square on Saturday that same weekend. Tet Nguyen Dan (also known as the Vietnamese Lunar New Year) is a traditional holiday celebrated annually by the Vietnamese to mark the beginning of both spring and the new lunar year.
Expect lion dances, performances, a firecracker show, games, and booths displaying New Year flowers or selling traditional Vietnamese foods, plus the handing out of lucky red envelopes to children
Oakland Chinatown:
Held in the heart of Oakland Chinatown, this two day event rings in the new lunar new year – the Year of the Dog. The event features vendors selling traditional new year decorations, flowers, gifts, candies, and other items of interest.
There will also be continuous live cultural entertainment featuring dragon and lion dancing, martial arts, Chinese cultural music, and a “Little Prince & Princess Contest presented by the Oakland Chinatown Lions Club.
Event is free to the public and hours are 10AM to 5PM.
Location: Oakland Asian Cultural Center – 388 9th St (Suite 290) Oakland
Chinese New Year at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach
Are you a rabbit or an ox? Perhaps you’re a dragon. (And if you are a dog, well, this is your year!) Learn more about your sign with Playland’s “Animals of the Lunar Zodiac” personality quiz. Kids can also decorate their own lion dance masks and we’ll have magician Fabulous.
Location: Playland-Not-at-the-Beach – 10979 San Pablo Avenue El Cerrito
Time: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cost: $15 per adult and $10 per child and senior
February 17
Lunar New Year at Children’s Fairyland
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Children’s Fairyland. With a special appearance by storyteller Clara Yen, who recreates the Chinese folk tales she learned from her parents. All attractions are… Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: Guests under age 1 FREE while it is $10 for everyone else.
February 25
The Year of the Dog starts off at Thien Hau Temple where attendees will experience traditional incense burning, make offerings to deities, watch traditional lion dancers, and witness 500,000 firecrackers in action.
756 Yale St Los Angeles CA 90012
COST: Free
Contact (213) 680-1860 for more in
Golden Dragon Parade
Other LA Events
Monterey Park
Lunar New Year Festival
Arcadia
Westfield Santa Anita
400 South Baldwin Ave
January 27th & 28th
February 3rd & 4rg and 10th & 11th
There will be traditional Chinese zither and flute musicians, Spring Festival foods prepared by the chefs of acclaimed restaurants such as Hai Di Lao and Dongpo Restaurant, Chinese ribbon, fan and lantern dancing, as well as lion dances and more.
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| Chinatown Plaza, Chinatown Las Vegas |
Las Vegas Chinatown:
February 16
Lunar New Year Celebration at the Fashion Show Mall
Celebrate Lunar New Year in the Desert at the Fashion Show Mall with dragon dance and cultural performances. Participate in the opening ceremonies, ribbon cutting and experience cultural performances by a Cultural Performance Troupe from China. Also a Fashion Runway Show (Saks Fifth Avenue)
Location: The Great Hall
Date: February 16, 2018: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
February 25
Chinese New Year Celebration & Asian Food Festival
Over 5000 people will flock to Chinatown Vegas’s Chinatown Plaza to celebrate the New Year, The Year of the Dog. There will be Lion Dances, Japanese Taiko Drums, Dragon Parade, Japanese Dance, Chinese Martial Arts, Chinese Acrobat, Chinese Dance, Korean Dance, Dragon Dancers as well as Chinese Arts & Crafts, Calligrapher, Chinese Fortune teller and over 30 different retail vendors.
Admission is $3.00 for adults, $1 for Children ages 6-12. Children 5 and under are free.
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| Chicago Chinatown |
2018 Chinese Lunar New Year Dinner
Cai Restaurant
2100 S. Archer Ave., 2F
Chicago, IL 60616
February 25
More than 30,000 with attend the Chinatown Chicago Parade on February 25. Kick off is at at 1:00 PM at 24th Street and Wentworth Avenue and will head north to Wentworth to Cermak Road. The parade will feature marching bands, colorful floats, traditional lion dances and a special appearances. As this is the year of the dog, up to 28 dogs will be invited to participate in the parade). You may do so by completing the following 2018 Dog’s On Parade Entry Form.
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| Manhattan Chinatown |
February 16
Chinese New Year Firecracker Ceremony and Culture Festival
Over a 1/2 of a million firecrackers will go off to welcome the Year of the Dog and ward off evil spirits. There will also be lion dances giveaways, craft vendors and food booths selling traditional delicacies. It’s said that the more dumplings you eat at the celebration, the more money you will make in the new year.
Grand St at Forsyth St.
February 17
Lunar New Year Family Festival
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| Photo by Dan Pollard/courtesy of the museum |
On Saturday, February 17 the Museum of Chinese in America will hosts its annual event featuring zodiac-themed arts and crafts, dragon dancers, live dance performances and folk tales.
February 25
Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade and Festival
Over 500,000 people will watch the 19th annual Chinatown Manhattan Lunar New Year Parade and festival, one again brought to you by AT&T will begin at 1PM on Sunday February 25th. The pan-Asian procession, which includes Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Malaysian cultural performances
You can check out the Festivals Facebook page here
February 13
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| Queens Chinatow |
February 4
Lunar New Year’s Celebration at the Queens Museum
The Queens Museum will host a day-long festival dedicated to the Year of the Dog. The museum has up with the New York City Chinese Cultural Center to offer various dance and martial arts demos, storytelling, crafting of LED-powered paper lanterns, and a calligraphy workshop.
February 10 & 11
Chinese New Year Temple Bazaar
Bring your entire family to enjoy live performances, traditional crafts, and delicious foods and celebrate the 2018 Lunar New Year of the Dog. The 4th Annual Temple Bazaar is offered both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children. Parade will start at the Flushing Queens Library at 9:30 AM.
February 17
Queens Lunar New Year Parade and Celebration
Start the day off with coffee and donuts at the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce from 9:30 to 10:30am, and then head over to Union Street and 37th Avenue where the parade will begin at 11am.
Brooklyn Chinatown:
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| Brooklyn Chinatown |
February 10
Celebrating Chinese New Year 庆祝中国新年
Celebrate the Year of the Dog with New York Chinese Qipao Association. You can enjoy some traditional Chinese songs, dancing, and an amazing fashion show.
Dyker singers will be presenting some sing-a-long Chinese songs with all of you!
From 2-3PM
Dyker Library
8202 13th Ave. (@ 82nd St.)
Brooklyn, NY 11228
February 11
Lunar New Year Celebration: The Year of the Dog
Hosted by Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, the oncoming arrival of spring will be celebrated with an all-new, family-friendly festival of Chinese music and dance commemorating the Year of the Dog, the faithful guardian and loyal friend to mankind. Enjoy the elegant splendor and rich culture of one of Brooklyn’s most vibrant communities with this performance by the prestigious Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, featuring live music performed by the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York (紐約中國民族樂團) and a special performance by internationally-acclaimed acrobat and Guinness Book of World Records holder Lina Liu.
Lunar New Year Celebration at International House
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| PHOTO COURTESY INTERNATIONAL HOUSE |
The annual Lunar New Year celebration at the International House will feature a variety of exciting music, a Lion Dance and martial arts performances. There will also be traditional Chinese cuisine at the reception that follows the show.
From 7-9 p.m.
International House, 3701 Chestnut Street
$15, general admission; $10, members; $5, children (ages 5-12) and residents
Celebrate the year of the Dog in Philadelphia’s Chinatown!
The annual tradition of lion dance performances which will begin at the intersection of 10th and Race Street. Performed by the Philadelphia Suns, you can expect an exciting night of fun and entertainment.
Chinatown Celebration Tips and Suggestions:
– Grab a meal and energize yourself before the event
– Get there early (the area will be packed!)
– Wear weather appropriate clothing
11pm to 1AM
10th & Race streets
February 17
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| Philadelphia Chinatown |
Lunar New Year at the Independence Seaport Museum
The Independence Seaport Museum hosts a Lunar New Year event for the whole family that acknowledges the traditions of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese cultures. In honor of 2018 being the Year of the Dog, the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) joins in the fun this year by bringing some of their lovable (and adoptable!) dogs to the event.
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
Free with museum admission: $16, general admission; $12, children (3-12), military (active & retired) and seniors (65 & over)
Chinese New Year at Reading Terminal Market
Reading Terminal Market and Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation team up for a festive, food-filled Chinese New Year event. A special Lion Dance and other celebratory performances around the market are sprinkled in between exclusive cooking demonstrations, one by Alice Ye of Five Spice Philly and another by Michael Chow of Sang Kee Peking Duck.
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Reading Terminal Market, 51 N. 12th Street
February 18
The Philadelphia Suns Lion Dance Parade
Celebrate the New Year with the Philadelphia Suns on Sunday, February 18th! Get some dim sum and watch lions and dragons dance through the streets of Chinatown. Make sure you get a good spot during the parade, by checking the schedule below:
11:00am – 11:30am – 10th & Race to 9th & Race
11:30am – 11:45am – 9th & Cherry to 9th & Winter
11:45am – 1:30pm – 10th & Winter to 10th & Arch
1:30pm – 1:45pm – 9th & Arch to 11th & Arch
1:45pm – 2:15pm – 11th & Arch to 11th & Winter
2:15pm – 2:45pm – 11th & Race to 10th & Race
Seattle Chinatown:
February 10
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| Chinatown Seattle |
The Year of the Dog is here so don’t forget to save the date for the 2018 Lunar New Year Celebration! Over the last few years, the Lunar New Year Celebration is one of the largest event of its kind in the region and showcases diversity, richness and culture of the Asian community. The collaboration with other neighborhood businesses/organizations has helped draw thousands of visitors from throughout the region for a day of festivities. The celebration include traditional dragon and lion dances, Japanese Taiko Drumming, martial arts and other cultural performances on the Main Stage. Combined with arts, crafts and a variety of family friendly activities there is something for everyone.
Don’t forget the return of the neighborhood’s Annual $3 Food Walk presented by Delta Air Lines
| 11:00 am | Lion Dance | NW Kung Fu Fitness |
| 11:30 am | Martial Arts Demonstration | Wudang International Martial Arts Academy |
| 12:00 pm | Hawaiian/Tahitian Dance | Seattle University Hui O’ Nani |
| 12:15 pm | Odissi Solo | NrityShastra School of Dance |
| 12:30 pm | Traditional Thai Dance | Thai Cultural Society |
| 1:00 pm | 9th Annual Lunar New Year Costume Contest | Northwest Asian Weekly/Seattle Chinese Post |
| 1:45 pm | Chinese Cultural Dance |
Tanya Woo |
| 2:15 pm | Hawaiian Dance |
Halau O Makanaokalani |
| 2:30 pm | Martial Arts Demonstrations | Northwest Wushu |
| 3:00 pm | Traditional Korean Dance | Oolleemm, Korean Traditional Performing Arts |
| 3:30 pm | Taiko Drumming | Seattle Kokon Taiko |
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| Millennium Gate, Vancouver’s Chinatown |
Vancouver Chinatown:
February 18
Vancouver Chinatown Spring Parade
The Chinese New Year Parade will return for the 45th time on Sunday, February 18, 2018. This signature event of Vancouver’s Chinatown will feature lion dances, cultural dance troupes, marching bands, martial arts performances and much more.
For more info, please visit www.cbavancouver.ca.
11 am on Sunday, February 18th, 2018 and will take about two and a half hours to complete.
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| Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese New Year Garden – Photo credit: Carol Browne Flickr |
February 18
Celebrate the Year of the Dog in London, with the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations outside Asia.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people descend on the West End to enjoy a colourful parade, free stage performances and traditional Chinese food, and to wish each other “Xin Nian Kuai Le” (Happy New Year in Mandarin) or “San Nin Faai Lok” (in Cantonese).
10 am
Charing Cross Road
February 2 & 3
11th International Lion Dance Competition
The annual event which has gone into its 11th year will see more than 10 reputable top troupes from Singapore and Asia Pacific, all vying for the grand prize and the honour of being recognised as ‘the best of the best’ as they pit against one another with skillful stunts and intricate manoeuvres on the meihuazhuang.
6.30pm – 10.30pm
Banda Street (off Sago Lane)
Single Show ticket on 2 OR 3 February 2018: S$10
Two Shows ticket on both 2 & 3 February 2018: S$15
February 15
Chinatown Chinese New Year Countdown Party
Live performances in the heart of Chinatown will kick start the Year of the Dog. Singers, skits and firework display.
From 9.30pm – 12.30am – New Bridge Road and Eu Tong Sen Street
February 25
Chingay Parade @ Heartland
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