NYREADERS.COM - Happy the Year of the Dragon! Chinese people around the world including those living in New York City, one of the largest Chinese communities in the U.S. has celebrated the beginning of the Lunar New Year on February 10.
In New York City, the celebration was not only held on that day but various performances and cultural events will be held through to the end of February.
According to the Lunar calendar, the Lunar New Year usually comes a few weeks after January 1, starts with the first new moon and ends 15 days later on the first full moon. This year, Lunar New Year starts on Feb 10 and ends on Feb 24. The celebration is also known as the 'Spring Festival,'
For all Chinese communities around the world, the Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays of the year.
This year is the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac. Those who are born in the year of the dragon (2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, and 1952) are said to be strong and independent figures who yearn for support and love.
This year’s celebration in New York will be marked by various events, including the Lunar New Year parade, a lion dance performance, music, crafts, an exhibition, and so much more. These events will be centralized in Chinatown, the Chinese community's enclave in the city.
This year’s major Chinese New Year parade and festival will be held on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, which will kick off at 1 pm. The parade will head down Mott and Canal Streets to Chatham Square to East Broadway toward the Manhattan Bridge, completing on Eldridge and Forsyth Streets towards Grand Street next to Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Visitors could enjoy the festival booths in the heart of Chinatown.
There are also other places to celebrate the Lunar New Year this year, including the Lunar New Year at Queens Botanical Garden. The celebration consists of a lion dance performance, music, crafts, and manymore.
There is also the Spring Festival at Avant Gardner; the Lunar New Year at Hudson Yards and the Lunar New Year celebration at the Empire State Building.
Another upcoming major event will be the Lunar New Year Gala at the New York Philharmonic on Feb. 20, 2024, at 6 pm. The symphony orchestra New York Philharmonic is hosting a Lunar New Year event at Lincoln Square, Manhattan, honoring philanthropist, business entrepreneur, and NY Phil Board Member Misook Doolittle.
Do not miss the upcoming celebration to mark the first full moon in the year of the Dragon with a lantern festival on Feb 24 from 3-4 pm at Museum of Chinese in America, on 215 Center St, New York, NY 10013. It will be marked by colorful lanterns, lantern riddles, Chinese customs, music and dance. The festival will also feature Kung Fu performance. For more information, visit the website www.mocanyc.org (*)
