Starting February 16, 2018, the Chinese New Year, the "Year of the Dog," has begun. This means celebrations to welcome good fortune are taking place all over the world. So, for U.S. immigrants, Chinese-Americans, overseas Chinese, and fellow countrymen, where should you go to celebrate the Lunar New Year in the United States!
The Los Angeles Times, citing the Daily Meal website, reports that there are approximately 3.8 million people of Chinese descent in the United States. Across the country, various celebratory ceremonies and parades will be held, featuring respected cultural customs and delicious food. This article summarizes the cities across the U.S. with the most authentic Lunar New Year celebrations, which you can visit whether you are a devout observer or simply curious.
If you are fortunate enough to live in these cities, you should definitely attend these celebrations; if you do not live in these cities, you might consider driving or flying to these top destinations to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
1. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is home to the third-largest Chinese community in the United States. The city boasts the only Chinatown in the New England region. Boston holds an annual Chinese New Year parade, where traditional lion dances, drumming, firecrackers, and lanterns are highlights to look forward to.
2. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago has a large Chinese population, both on the south and north sides of the city. A grand celebration will be held at Navy Pier, and another large-scale event will take place in the northern Argyle area, which attracts many Asian residents. The Art Institute of Chicago will host a lantern festival, and there will also be a Chinese Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown. This year, Chicago's popular Fat Rice restaurant will be making good-luck fortune cookies, complete with cheeky messages.
3. Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is one of the most beautiful locations in the U.S. to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Celebrations include the Narcissus Queen Pageant, said to be the oldest ethnic pageant of its kind in the country, as well as New Year's festivities in Chinatown, lion dance performances, and magnificent lantern displays.
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas always goes all out with holiday decorations, and the Chinese New Year is no exception. Restaurants, hotels, resorts, and even The Strip are adorned in red and gold. Las Vegas also offers dragon dance performances and stalls selling traditional foods, such as mooncakes, dumplings, and noodles, which symbolize longevity.
5. Monterey Park, California
Bypassing downtown Los Angeles, Monterey Park is the best place in Southern California to celebrate the Chinese New Year. According to the City of Monterey Park website, the Lunar New Year festival attracts between 50,000 and 100,000 people. There are also food stalls offering golden mooncakes, dumplings, and noodles, as well as lion dance performances, fireworks, firecrackers, and, of course, entertainment, shopping, and a carnival.
6. New York, New York
The streets of New York's Chinatown become packed due to the spectacular performances of the Lunar New Year parade. On the day of the event, there will be fireworks, firecrackers, stalls selling lucky snacks, and hosts dressed in qipao and changshan. Even if you are not a fan of parades, do not forget that New York has some of the best Chinese food in the country.
7. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Independence Seaport Museum, International House Philadelphia, and the Penn Museum all host Chinese New Year-related celebrations. Philadelphia's Chinatown also holds a parade, which features a diverse range of Asian cultures, not just Chinese.
8. Portland, Oregon
There is so much to do in Portland during the Chinese New Year. The Lan Su Chinese Gardens will feature dragon dance shows and a lantern festival. The Oregon Convention Center will host the annual Chinese New Year Cultural Fair. Furthermore, the so-called "Old Town Chinatown" is truly one of the oldest neighborhoods in Portland.
9. San Francisco, California
The Chinese New Year in San Francisco is grand, with most activities taking place in the historic Chinatown, which is one of the oldest in the United States. The parade procession includes dragon and lion dances, fireworks, firecrackers, gongs and drums, and even an appearance by Miss Chinatown USA. Moreover, you can taste some of the best dim sum in the country at any Chinese restaurant in San Francisco.
10. Seattle, Washington
What makes the Lunar New Year in Seattle special is the "$3 Food Walk" event. During the event, many restaurants in Seattle's Chinatown-International District offer Asian delicacies. The city is very culturally diverse, and one week before the Chinese New Year, the Seattle Center will also host a Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration.
11. Washington, D.C.
To celebrate the "Year of the Dog," Washington, D.C. will feature parades and celebrations including kung fu demonstrations and live entertainment. The Kennedy Center will host a "Family Day" event, focusing on the home of the giant panda, the Chengdu Plain in China. Be sure to dine at a Chinese restaurant and order long noodles, as they are a symbol of longevity.
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