Chinese New Year 2012-Year Of The Dragon-Best Events around the world

Chinese Lunar New Year 2012 - The Year Of The Dragon- Best Events around the world

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 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

• 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