The beginning of the Chinese/Lunar New Year is fast approaching; this year, it’s extra special. That’s because it’s the Year of the Dragon, with the dragon the most powerful of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals. Moreover, the dragon is a beloved symbol in Asian culture and represents traits like good fortune, intelligence, authority, and power. In celebrating the Lunar New Year, several events will be held in the coming days and weeks, including Chinese New Year parades, festivals, and more. Here are some of the best Chinese/Lunar New Year events in America for you to enjoy this particular year.
Best Chinese New Year Celebrations In America
Chicago Lunar New Year Celebration
24th St. and Wentworth Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2024
Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Several Lunar New Year events are held in Chicago from February 10 to 25. This includes not one but two Lunar Year parades, which are held on two consecutive days. If you want to see both parades, the first is the Argyle celebration in Uptown, with a parade at 1 p.m. Then there’s the Chinese New Year parade, beginning in the heart of historic Chinatown. If that’s not enough, there are celebrations at Navy Pier, Preston Bradley Hall, and the Fashion Outlets of Chicago. While several restaurants will also celebrate, the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce will host an LNY dinner at Phoenix Restaurant on February 15.
(credit: Voice of America)
Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade
Canal and Mott Streets
New York, NY 10013
www.betterchinatown.com/lnyparade
Date: Sunday, February 25, 2024
Time: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
It should come as no surprise that there will be several Year of the Dragon celebrations in New York. After all, it’s America’s largest city and has the largest ethnic Chinese population of any city in the country. Among these events are two that may be of particular interest to you. First of all, there is the 26th New Year Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival at Sara D. Roosevelt Park on February 10. That’s followed by the 26th Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade that kicks off at Canal and Mott streets. Coinciding with the parade is the Year of the Dragon festival in the heart of Chinatown. In all, there will be LNY celebrations across New York, including at Hudson Yards and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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Chinese New Year Parade & Festival
Market and Second Streets
San Francisco, CA 94104
www.chineseparade.com
Date: Saturday, February 24, 2024
Time: 5:15 p.m.
Community Street Fair
Dates: Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25.
Times: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
The Chinese New Year Parade and Festival in San Francisco is not just America’s largest celebration of its kind. In fact, it’s known as the world’s largest, drawing over three million spectators to Chinatown. While the highlight of this year’s celebration is the Chinese New Year parade, Chinatown will host several events. This includes the Flower Market Fair, held the weekend before the Chinese New Year on February 10. However, if you plan to see the parade, you should also visit the Community Street Fair, held on February 24 and 25. Because of the large crowd that will be on hand, it’s recommended that you purchase bleacher seats.
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Chinese New Year (CNY) in the Desert
Las Vegas, Nevada
Dates: February 15-17, 2024
www.cnyinthedesert.com
Now in its 13th year, the CNY in the Desert will be bigger and certainly better than ever. As a matter of fact, there will be several CNY events in Las Vegas, including at the Venetian Resort’s Grand Canal Shoppes and in the Fremont East Entertainment District. The annual Spring Festival Parade begins at 11th and Fremont streets, then proceeds up Fremont to Seventh Street. The “After Party” event at the Downtown Container Park follows the parade, with food and entertainment. Among the other events are the LNY celebration at City Hall and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Grand Canal Shoppes.
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DC Lunar New Year Parade
616 H. St. NW
Washington, DC 20001
www.dcparade.com
Date: Sunday, February 11, 2024
Time: 2 p.m.
The nation’s capital is an exciting destination to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. For instance, there are LNY events are the Smithsonian Art Museum and the National Museum of Asian Art. However, the premiere event is the DC Lunar New Year Parade hosted by the local Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. In fact, this event has been among DC’s top annual events for over 50 years, according to the Washington Post. The parade begins at Sixth and I streets, before traveling through Chinatown at Gallery Place. Among the notable parade participants are DC police, US Army Fife and Drum Corps, West Point cadets, and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser. Due to the expected large crowds, it is advised that you take the DC Metro to the Gallery Place/Chinatown station.
Disney’s California Adventure Lunar New Year Celebration
1313 Disneyland Dr.
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 781-4636
www.disneyland.com.lunar-new-year
Dates: January 23 through February 18, 2024
Times: 12:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.
The Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney California Adventure is the first of many spectacular signature events this year at Disneyland. Of the many things to see and do during this festive season, the highlight is Mulan’s LNY Procession. Held four times daily, the parade features Mushu, Mulan, and many of your favorite Disney characters. For instance, you might see Goofy and Chip & Dale, along with dancers, acrobats, and the colorful dragon dance. Of course, there will be excellent food to enjoy as well as many family-friendly activities. While the LNY celebration at Disney California Adventure isn’t quite authentic, you’ll have many opportunities to see a parade, and it’s certainly among the most entertaining.
Golden Dragon Parade & Chinese New Year Festival
Chinatown Los Angeles
Hill and Ord Streets
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.lachinesechamber.org
Date: Saturday, February 17, 2024
Time: 1 p.m.
This year, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 125th Golden Dragon Parade in historic Chinatown-International District. With that in mind, you might see well over 100,000 spectators who will line the parade route. The parade begins at Hill and Temple streets behind city hall and then proceeds up Hill towards the heart of Chinatown. The procession will then turn onto Bernard, then down North Broadway, before concluding near the Chinatown Gateway Monument. Due to large crowds, it’s recommended that you take public transportation as you may not find a place to park. If you take the Metro, you can deboard at Union Station or Chinatown Station.
Night in Chinatown Festival/Lunar New Year Parade
Beretania St. and A’ala Park
Honolulu, HI 96817
www.chinatown808.com/nightinchinatown
Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Honolulu in early February, consider making plans for their Chinatown Festival and Parade. What’s more, this event precedes the start of the Year of the Dragon by exactly one week. Although attendance might not be as high as the Honolulu Festival in March, you can still expect to see a sizable crowd at the festival and parade. The parade begins in front of the Hawaii State Capitol and then proceeds along Hotel Street into Chinatown. The festival will feature arts and crafts and food vendors, as well as live music and a skate park.
San Diego Chinese New Year Faire
428 Third Ave.
San Diego, CA 92101
www.facebook.com/SDChineseNewYearFair/
Dates: February 24-25, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Held since 1983, the San Diego Chinese New Year Faire is the largest of its kind in California’s second-largest city. The two-day event hosted by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association draws over 15,000 people to enjoy food, music, lantern parades, and dragon dancers. What’s more, there will be arts and crafts vendors, along with special guests and emcees. The Faire will be held in downtown San Diego’s Chinatown, near Third Avenue and J Street. In addition to this admission-free celebration are other LNY events, including the San Diego Tet Festival and San Diego Lunar New Year Festival in Henwood Memorial Park.
Seattle Chinatown Lunar New Year Celebration
423 Maynard Ave. S
Seattle, WA 98104
www.seattlechinatownid.com/lunarnewyear
Date: Saturday, February 24, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Despite having a sizable Asian population, Seattle doesn’t have an exceptionally large Chinese New Year parade. In fact, the parade begins at noon, and awards for the best costumes follow at 12:30 p.m. However, combined with the accompanying festival, the entire event is among the largest annual celebrations in the Emerald City. In some detail, you can expect food vendors, music, and, of course, colorful lion dancers. Because of the expected crowds and traffic, you should consider taking Seattle’s light rail or streetcars.
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About the Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012-2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University.
