One of the world’s most colorful celebrations – Chinese New Year
(also known as Spring Festival) – kicks off on January 23rd and carries
on until the 15th day of the first lunar month (Lantern Festival). The
holiday is the most important in China and will be met with scores of
fireworks and festivities in China, Taiwan, and Chinese communities
around the world. This year’s celebrations will be particularly special
as 2012 marks the Year of the Dragon （龙年）– the most powerful and
auspicious of all the 12 Chinese Zodiac signs.
Year of The Dragon Begins With Chinese Lunar New Year Celebrations
Here is our pick of the best Chinese New Year celebrations in cities across the globe:
Beijing Temple Fairs
Beijing’s temples and parks open their gates at Spring Festival for
miao hui, raucous social events that integrate fun, commerce and a
smidgen of spirituality. Dongyue Temple Fair in the east of the city
dates back to the Yuan Dynasty, with five days of drum troupes, opera
singers, storytellers, calligraphers and acrobats. Stilt-walkers and
puppet shows will keep the kids occupied, but they’ll have more fun at
Ditan Park Temple Fair trying to win a cuddly toy at one of dozens of
carnival sideshows. Throngs of locals cram Ditan’s pathways, scoffing
grilled mutton skewers and candied hawberries while sporting the de
rigueur novelty accessory of the season. This time it’ll probably be a
dragon cap – a few years back, the star of the show was, bizarrely, an
inflatable poo on a stick.
• Dongyue Temple Fair runs from 23-28 January, 8.30am-4.30pm. Ditan Park
Temple Fair takes place from 22-29 January, 9am-5pm. Entry for each is
CNY10 (about £1)
Hong Kong Fireworks
In a land where it’s normal for husbands,
wives and kids to spend months at a time apart because of work ties,
Chinese New Year is a time to congregate, cut loose, and blow things up.
Fireworks (and firecrackers) are a sort of mass exhale, a collective
banishment of the year’s tribulations. They’re also hugely hazardous –
enough to scorch a skyscraper to twisted metal in Beijing in 2009. In
Hong Kong, proceedings are rather more orderly, but no less spectacular.
Many thousands of revellers lined both sides of Victoria harbour to
“ooh” and “ahh” over 23 minutes of fireworks launched against one of the
world’s great skylines. To mark the Year of the Dragon, the ICC
Building, Hong Kong’s tallest, has a 1,000-foot long golden beastie
garlanded around the walls inside its observation deck.
• The Hong Kong fireworks take place on 24 January at 8pm. To beat the
crowds, consider a harbour cruise – Gray Line Tours (+852 2368 7111,
grayline.com.hk) operate fireworks cruises starting at HK$800pp (about
£66). If you’re in town the night before, 23 January, be sure to catch
the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade running
through Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, starting at 8pm
Harbin Snow and Ice Festival
-
Harbin Snow and Ice Festival
In China’s shivering far north, the city of Harbin has evolved a
tradition of ice carving said to originate from fishermen freezing water
in buckets to make ice lanterns. Fast forward a few hundred years to a
spectacle best described as Narnia on acid: palaces, towers, monuments
and statues, all cut from ice, inset with lurid neon lights and laid out
on an astonishing scale. Everything from the Eiffel Tower to Lhasa’s
Potala Palace has been reimagined in frozen form. In 2008, the festival
sported a Tower Bridge and a Westminster Abbey. Despite temperatures
that can drop as low as 25C below, visitors hurtle down ice slides
carved to look like the Great Wall, and try their hands at ice-climbing,
skidoo racing and even ice mini golf.
• The Harbin Snow and Ice Festival runs daily from 9.30am-9pm from 5
January to the end of February, or when the ice begins to melt. Adults
about £30, children about £16, children under 1.2m free
Shanghai Lantern Festival
-
Shanghai Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival marks the last hurrah of the New Year
celebrations, where Chinese eat sticky sweet orbs of rice flour called
tangyuan, guess riddles inscribed on paper lanterns and explode any
remaining munitions. In Shanghai’s Yuyuan Garden, it’s a press of
crowds, chaos and colour as themed lanterns of various shapes and styles
are paraded through the grounds. It’s especially loved by kids – expect
dancing, music and, of course, stack-loads of snacks. Grilled spicy
squid, fried pork with rice cakes and little trays of deep-fried
“stinky” bean curd are all consumed with gusto. Throughout the park
there are opportunities to admire poetry and brush up on your Chinese
mythology, but commercialism is never far away. Expect Mushu, the dragon
from Disney’s film Mulan, to make an appearance ahead of the planned
opening of Disneyland Shanghai in 2016.
• The Lantern Festival takes place on the 15th day of the lunar New Year
– 6 February in 2012. Like most New Year events, human congestion is a
given – word is entry will be for ticket-holders only, so arrive early.
Tickets cost in the region of £8. Call +86 21 6355 999 for details
Horse Racing in Hong Kong
-
Horse Racing in Hong Kong
Introduced by the British in the 1840s, horseracing remains the
principal sporting passion in Hong Kong. The Lunar New Year Race Day
kicks off on the third day of the New Year, when punters of all
persuasions descend on Sha Tin Racecourse in the New Territories, north
of Kowloon, to try their luck, pick a winner and, this year, hope to be
one of 1,000 visitors to win a 24K gold-plated “fortune horse”. As well
as large mammals dashing about, the Hong Kong Jockey Club puts on a feng
shui display in the forecourt and a variety show in the parade ring,
featuring dragon and lion dances, and live appearances by TV
personalities. In the track food court, a menu of auspicious dishes has
been dreamed up for the occasion, including Rags to Riches, a fish maw
and sea cucumber stew.
• The Lunar New Year Race Day takes place on the third day of Chinese
New Year – 25 January in 2012. Gates open at 10.30am, first race
12.30pm. Tickets from the Hong Kong Jockey Club (hkjc.com) about £10
Year of the Dragon is welcomed in China and beyond
You don’t have to be in China to celebrate the arrival of the year of
the dragon, Jan. 23. From Singapore to New York City to Vancouver,
there are parades, performances and other events marking the Lunar or
Chinese New Year around the world.
Singapore
Singapore is ushering in the Year of the Dragon with the annual
Chingay Parade, including the world’s first ever moving parade on a
360-metre stretch of water. Centred on the theme of ‘love, care and
kindness everywhere’ viewers will be taken on a colourful celebration
of love in all its guises.
In honour of the Dragon Year, a gripping all-dragon show will open
the parade with an array of pyrotechnics splashing out against the
night sky. The dramatic finale is no doubt the most highly anticipated
segment of the parade with the entrance of three magnificent sailboats
accompanied by a squad of dazzling performers and an extravaganza of
glittering floats.
Taking place on the 3rd and 4th of February, Singapore promises a
truly memorable celebration of the turn of the Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year Celebrations Around The World Mark The Year Of The Dragon
Vancouver
In Vancouver, in British Columbia, Canada, a parade is scheduled for
Jan. 29 at noon starting at Millennium Gate on Pender Street, with a
cultural fair planned as well, http://www.cbavancouver.ca/parade.html.
The neighboring city of Richmond, which is 65 percent Asian and easily
reachable by train from Vancouver, is also a center of new year
activities, including special menus at some of the 200-plus Asian
eateries on Alexandra Road, along with performances, demonstrations and
other events at the city’s three large Hong Kong-inspired malls.
Richmond’s International Buddhist Temple also hosts new year events,
including a flower bazaar Jan. 18-Jan. 23 and a chant and group prayer
10 p.m. to midnight Jan. 22,
http://www.buddhisttemple.ca/.
London
Trafalgar Square is welcoming in the year of the dragon with
traditional Chinese dragon and lion dances as well as modern music,
parades and a special fireworks display. Chinatown will also be
specially decorated, with plenty of Chinese food on offer.
Although Chinese New Year actually takes place on Monday 23rd January
2012, the London parade and festival in Trafalgar Square happens a
little later on Sunday January 29th, with more events taking place
throughout London well into February.
Chinese New Year 2012 Where to Celebrate Year of the Dragon in the U.S.
Chinese New Year 2012: Where to Celebrate Year of the Dragon in the U.S.
Cities across the U.S. will also celebrate the 2012 Chinese New Year.
Take a look at the biggest parades, festivals and events that will ring
in the Lunar New Year in Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San
Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
Chicago
Chinese New Year will be celebrated with a parade for the Year of the
Dragon on Jan. 29 in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood. In addition, a
number of restaurants will celebrate the Lunar New Year with a dining
tour and special menus. For more details, take a look at the
schedule of events.
Las Vegas
In Las Vegas, the Year of the Dragon will be celebrated with an
all-day festival and parade,
featuring dances, martial arts, Chinese acrobats and more. Las Vegas
casinos will also ring in the New Year with elaborate decorations,
special dinner menus and festive cocktails.
Chinese New Year celebrations kick off Year of the Dragon
Los Angeles
On Jan. 28 and Jan. 29, Los Angeles will ring in the Lunar New Year
with the 113th Golden Dragon Parade and a Chinese New Year Festival. In
addition, during the Chinese New Year period, “The Undiscovered
Chinatown Highlighted Walking Tour” will give Los Angeles natives the
opportunity to explore the history, restaurants and shopping in
Chinatown. Some restaurants in Los Angeles will also have a special
Chinese New Year menu on Jan. 23. For more details, take a look at the
schedule of events.
New York
In New York City, Asian Americans will embrace the New Year with a
Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival in Roosevelt Park in
Chinatown on Jan. 23, where over 600,000 firecrackers will ward off evil
spirits. On Jan. 29, the New York Chinese Cultural Center will present
an indoor family cultural day at the World Financial Center. Celebrating
the year of the dragon will continue with the Chinatown Lunar New Year
Parade and Festival on Jan. 29 in Roosevelt Park in Chinatown and a
similar parade on Feb. 4 in Flushing, Queens. The Elisa Contemporary Art
Pop-up Gallery is also hosting a new exhibit from Jan. 6 to Mar. 31
called “Enter the Dragon,” which features the work of Amy Cheng and Mimi
Chen Ting. For more details, take a look at the
schedule of events.
San Francisco
In San Francisco, a city rich in Chinese food and culture, the New
Year will be honored with a 5k and 10k run on Feb. 19 and a parade
celebration at the San Francisco Zoo on Jan. 29. The city will also host
an enormous nighttime parade on Feb. 11. It is one of the biggest
Chinese New Year parades outside of Asia and will feature floats,
elaborate costumes, lions, firecrackers, a smiling Miss Chinatown U.S.A
and a 250 inch golden dragon. For more details, take a look at the
schedule of events.
Seattle
For Seattle residents the Chinese New Year festivities will begin on
Jan. 28 at the Chinatown-International District in Hing Hay Park. The
event will include cultural activities for children, Lion and Dragon
dances, Taiko drumming, martial arts and a Children’s Parade contest.
Seattle will also host a the 2nd Annual Lunar New Year Food Walk with a
$2 Tasting Menu on Jan. 28. For more details, take a look at the
schedule of events. For more details, take a look at the schedule of
events.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. will host a major Chinese New Year Parade on Jan. 29
through the city’s Chinatown neighborhood. On Feb. 3, a special
exhibit, “Dragons, Nagas, and Creatures of the Deep,” will also be held
at the Textile Museum. For more details, take a look at the schedule of
events.
Chinese New Year:: Dining and events guide in Las Vegas
Monday, January 23:
Chinese New Year display at Palazzo and Venetian: The Venetian and
The Palazzo celebrate Chinese New Year with an authentic dragon dance
and festive feng shui decor including a 128-foot fire-breathing dragon
in The Waterfall & Atrium Gardens of The Palazzo, along with
resort-wide décor, specialty cocktails, and tasting menus, starting
Jan. 23 at 1 p.m. The display will be up until February 28. The dragon
will breathe fire at 1 and 5 p.m. daily until February 5. The
ceremonial dragon dance, complete with firecrackers and eye painting
ceremony will begin at The Venetian porte cochere, making its way
through The Palazzo, starting at 1 p.m. on the 23rd.
Chinese New Year display and concert: Through March 4, Bellagio’s
Conservatory & Botanical Gardens invites guests to celebrate the
Year of the Dragon during Chinese New Year with an elaborate display
honoring the dragon, a feng shui-inspired sanctuary and live
entertainment. The Las Vegas-based Beijing Trio performs traditional
folk and pop music with authentic Chinese instruments including the
erhu, ruan and pipa. Complimentary performances take place from 5 to 6
p.m., daily.
Lion and dragon dance at M Resort: The M Resort hosts a traditional
Chinese lion and dragon dance performed by the Lohan School of Shaolin.
The dance will include a 30-person assembly with a 63-foot dragon
including adult and baby lion dancers, Buddhas, musicians and festive
flags. The dance will begin in the lobby at 6 p.m. The M will also
celebrate with festive décor including tangerine trees, welcome
banners, lanterns and selections of Asian favorites like Satsuma,
spring rolls, beef lo mein and more at its Studio B Buffet beginning
January 23. For those looking for a souvenir, a Year of the Dragon
collectible chip is available for purchase at the casino cage for $8
while supplies last.
Chinese New Year celebration: Palace Station will kick off year 4709
on the Chinese calendar with a lion dance around the casino area.
Guests are invited to watch the dance, which begins around 8:30. Food
Express restaurant is located near “Pit 8,” a special section of the
casino dedicated to Asian gaming, and offers tableside gaming food
service.
Tuesday, January 24:
Chinese New Year celebration: Mayor Carolyn Goodman will participate
in the opening ceremonies of the first-ever downtown Chinese New Year
celebration at Fremont Street Experience. Guests can enjoy a live
authentic dragon dance performed by the Las Vegas Lohan School of
Shaolin complete with virtual firecrackers on Viva Vision, an eye
painting ceremony and a parade. Additionally, a ribbon cutting to start
the opening ceremonies will consist of 888 people for extra luck.
Other local dignitaries scheduled to take part in the event include
Councilwoman Gerri Schroder, Mayor Pro-Tem Stavros Anthony, Deputy
Superintendent Pedro Martinez, Former Lt. Governor Lorraine Hunt-Bono,
Duncan Lee of the State Economic Development Commission, President of
Fremont Street Experience Jeff Victor, and President of CHD David
Huang. The downtown festivities will continue from January 24-28 with
nightly dragon and lion dance performances, a vendor village and a
virtual dragon dance on the Viva Vision screen, beginning at 6 p.m.
Dragon and fan dances: In addition to festivities beginning on
January 23, The Grand Canal Shoppes and The Shoppes at The Palazzo will
feature additional dragon and fan dances, along with a chance to
receive complimentary center gift cards, chocolates and more. The
dragon dance will start in the great hall of The Grand Canal Shoppes
and will conclude near Table 10 at The Shoppes at The Palazzo, on
Tuesday, January 24 at 1 p.m. The fan dance will take place near the
canal turnaround where The Shoppes at The Palazzo and The Grand Canal
Shoppes meet, on Wednesday, January 25 at 1 p.m.
MGM Resorts International lion dances: MGM Resorts International
celebrates Chinese New Year with lion dances at its various properties.
Each lion dance will be held in the respective resort’s main valet and
porte cochere:
• ARIA – Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 1 p.m.
• Crystals – Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 1:30 p.m.
• The Mirage – Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 4 p.m.
• MGM Grand – Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m.
• Bellagio – Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, January 27:
Dragon and lion dance ceremony at Wynn: This Chinese New Year, Wynn
Las Vegas celebrates The Year of The Dragon with a traditional dragon
and lion dance ceremony on January 27 at 6:30 p.m. starting in the
South Valet area. Guests can participate in the ceremony and follow the
18-foot dragon and performers as they parade through Wynn and Encore
to live music. Wynn’s atrium will feature Chinese-inspired floral and
sculpture displays including over 8,000 red and yellow chrysanthemums,
silk dragons, and 8 feet tall golden dragon sculptures through Feburary
6. Wynn and Encore also feature Chinese New year specials in their
spas. Call 702-770-3900 (Wynn) or 702-770-4772 (Encore) to schedule an
appointment.
Saturday, January 28:
Wakin Chau in concert: Caesars Palace welcomes the Year of the Dragon
with lion dances and a concert by Chinese Mandopop star Wakin Chau at
The Colosseum. His platinum albums such as
You Make Me Happy and Sad, Flower’s Heart, Music Brings Us Together and
Friends
have won awards in Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Other Caesars Entertainment events include lion dances at the following
venues:
On January 27: at 5 p.m. at Harrah’s Las Vegas, 6:15 p.m. at Imperial
Palace Las Vegas, 7 p.m. at Flamingo Las Vegas and 10 p.m. at Rio
All-Suite Hotel & Casino.
On January 28: at noon at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, 1
p.m. at Paris Las Vegas, 2 p.m. at Bally’s Las Vegas and 5 p.m. at
Caesars Palace.
Wednesday, February 1:
Lion dance parade: The Gold Coast Hotel and Casino welcomes the Year
of the Dragon with a variety of Chinese New Year events and promotions.
The Lohan School of Shaolin will perform a traditional lion dance
parade through the casino on February 1 at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Chinese New
Year decorations and lucky citrus trees will adorn the casino floor
and popular restaurants Ping Pang Pong and Noodle Exchange will serve
authentic and delicious dishes.
Dining options:
Enjoy dim sum brunch at Wynn’s award-winning Chinese restaurant, Wing
Lei where guests enjoy a variety of options including pork spareribs,
steam barbeque pork bun, lotus leaf sticky rice, Malaysia cake and
shrimp dumpling. The dim sum brunch is offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
January 23-28 and is priced at $58.88 per person. For reservations,
call 702-248-3463.
Dragon Noodle Co. & Sushi Bar celebrates with a special pre-fixe
menu focusing on traditional Chinese cuisine and ingredients. The menu
features gong hei fat choy, ha ha smile, Buddha delight. The menu is
$29 per guest.
Beijing Noodle No. 9 at Caesars Palace celebrates the Lunar New Year
with an à la carte menu that features many customary Chinese dishes,
including an assorted braised seafood platter and dishes like Wealth
and Fortune, a dish with fried fish and shrimp; and Auspicious
Beginning, with Napa cabbage and dried baby shrimp. For reservations,
call 702-731-7267.
Empress Court at Caesars Palace offers two separate prix fixe menus,
each for a party of ten. Priced at $1,280 or $1,080 for the entire
group, the feast includes ten dishes traditionally served in Chinese
New Year celebrations such as lobster salad with walnuts, roasted baby
squab as well as head chef Kin Sun Sui’s signature sweet and sour
scallops and squid. For reservations, call 702-731-7267.
Ming’s Table at Harrah’s offers a special à la carte menu, available
from January 23-29. Items on the menu are specially designed and named
for the New Year including sautéed bamboo skin with asparagus and deep
fried tofu topped with sautéed seafood. For reservations, call
702-862-3530.
At Aria, Blossom and Lemongrass will each feature authentic Chinese
and Thai cuisine through Wednesday, Feb. 1. Blossom will be open for a
dim sum lunch from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 p.m. –
10:30 p.m. Lemongrass will be open daily with a full menu from 11 a.m. –
2 a.m. For reservations, call 702) 590-7111.
At Bellagio, Jasmine and Noodles will offer guests a dim sum lunch
buffet at each restaurant through Sunday, January 29. Jasmine will
serve lunch daily from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and its regular dinner menu
from 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Noodles will offer its lunch specialties and
regular menu items from 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. For reservations, call
702-693-7223.
At MGM Grand, Pearl will offer a traditional Chinese menu in addition
to a dim sum lunch through Monday, January 30. Grand Wok will feature
a special menu with a variety of select delicacies through Saturday,
February 4. Shibuya will offer special dishes through Friday, Jan. 27.
For reservations, call 702-891-1111.
At Mandalay Bay, Noodle Shop and the buffet will feature authentic
Chinese cuisine for lunch and dinner through Thursday, February. 9 from
11 a.m. – 1 a.m. For reservations, call 702-632-7200.
At The Mirage, Fin will be open for dinner and present special
Chinese dishes through Monday, January 30 from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. For
reservations, call 702-791-7111.
At Luxor, Rice & Co. will offer a $65, three-course pre-fixe
dinner menu to celebrate Chinese New Year through Thursday, February 9.
Open nightly from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m., reservations can be made by
calling 702-262-4000.
Happy Chinese New Year 2012 - Year Of The Dragon
