Chinese New Year is the largest and most important traditional holiday celebrated not only in China but also throughout much of Southeast Asia, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, and other nations with a significant Chinese population. Celebrations begin on the first day of the first lunar month, typically falling sometime in late January through mid-February. Traditional festivities last fifteen days, with each day dedicated to different rituals and events. According to legend, the loud noises and red colors prominent in these festivities were used to scare away the nian, a man-eating beast that came down from the mountains of China every twelve months. By participating in the New Year celebrations, villagers ensured good fortune, prosperity, and safety for the year.
Chinese New Year, is also known as the "Spring Festival", and falls on a different date each year, ranging from late January to mid-February. This year the big day falls on January 26, 2009, and marks the 'Year of the Ox'.
This is a time when family and friends gather and offer prayers to their ancestors and deities followed by a lavish dinner to usher in the New Year.
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 7 2009 5:15 pm. San Francisco has other Chinese New Year celebrations too: a community street fair, a Spring Festival, and more.
Seattle Lunar New Year Celebration
Seattle's Chinatown/International District is the setting for lion and dragon dances, live cultural performances, children's activities, arts & crafts, food court; location in past years has been at the Union Station Great Hall, 401 South Jackson Street, with free admission. Check site for updates.
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 2009 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 in this popular theme park. Previous years have seen 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.
Chinese New Year in New York City
New York City offers a roundup of this year's celebrations.
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.
Washington DC: Chinese New Year Parade
Chinese Lunar New Year is celebrated in Chinatown with parade, Lion and Dragon Dances, and other festivities. Look out for a giant 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.
