Thursday, Feb. 19, marks the beginning of the new year according to the lunar calendar. In celebration of the Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, institutions in and around the city are hosting parades, dinners and parties. 2015 will be the Year of the Goat, taking over for 2014's Year of the Horse. Happy new year!
To usher in the new year as it rings out, the
Philadelphia Suns dancers will parade through Chinatown and bestow luck on it with the traditional lion dance, complete with firecrackers and big crowds.
Wednesday, February 18
11:30 p.m. | Free admission
Chinatown
10th and Race streets
Kids will love learning to write Chinese characters, meeting Billy the Goat, hearing Chinese stories and watching ribbon dancers. Plus, Mel Hsu & The Philly Superhero Collective will play traditional Chinese kids songs with a fun twist.
Thursday, February 19, through Saturday, February 21
9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Free with admission ($17)
Please Touch Museum
4231 Avenue of the Republic
(215) 581-3181
This International House tradition includes music, dancing and traditional Chinese cuisine for a night of community-wide celebration.
Friday, February 20
6 p.m. | $5-$12
International House
3701 Chestnut St.
(215) 387-5125
Pay tribute to the goat and discover East Asia-Pacific cultures through craft-making, martial arts demonstrations, dancing from the
Penn Chinese Dance Club and Chinese storytelling. Also, sample dumplings prepared by the student chefs of the
JNA Institute of Culinary Arts.
Saturday, February 21
11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Free with admission ($10-$13.50)
Independence Seaport Museum
211 S. Columbus Blvd & Walnut St.
(215) 413-8655
A big parade will celebrate the new year during the day - perfect for little ones who couldn't see the midnight performance! The Philadelphia Suns will dance and there will be martial arts performances and much more.
Sunday, February 22
11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Free admission
Chinatown
10th and Spring streets
Stephen Starr's Buddakan will host a special brunch service for the Chinese New Year that includes traditional dim sum, edamame dumplings, lion dancers and traditional red envelopes for good luck. The restaurant will also serve holiday specials Thursday, Feb. 19, through Friday, Feb. 27.
Sunday, February 22
Noon-3 p.m. | Pay as you go
Buddakan
325 Chestnut St.
(215) 574-9440
A show of traditional Chinese music, dance, poems and martial arts will be followed up by a culture fair featuring craft stations for paper cutting, calligraphy and more. Chinese food and snacks will be available, too.
Sunday, February 22
1-5 p.m. | Free admission
Great Valley High School
225 N. Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, Chester County
(610) 308-2624
Revel in a traditional banquet featuring 10 courses of delicious food accompanied by cultural performances.
Tuesday, February 24
6-8:30 p.m. | $65
Sang Kee Peking Duck House
238 N. 9th St.
(215) 922-2156
Students from Holy Redeemer Elementary School will perform the traditional lion dance with drummers to encourage good luck for the new year, and Jennifer Chang, director of Northeast Regional Library, will tell Chinese folktales.
Wednesday, February 25
12:30 p.m. | Free admission
Free Library Independence Branch
18 S. 7th St.
(215) 685-1633
Join the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corp. for its annual fundraising banquet, which includes cocktails and dinner. The banquet supports the PCDC mission in projects like creating affordable housing.
Friday, February 27
5:30 p.m. | $85
Ocean City Restaurant
234 N. 9th St.
(215) 922-2156
Media will celebrate with a parade that takes over all of State Street, beginning and ending at
Margaret Kuo's and featuring the lion dancers of the
Hung Gar Kung Fu Academy.
Saturday, February 28
Noon | Free admission
State Street, Media, Delaware County
