‘Gung Hay Fat Choy! ~ Best Wishes and Congratulations!’
.
The Chinese New Year is an important traditional Chinese Holiday that is celebrated on the first day of the year of the Chinese calendar. In China, the New Year is also known as the Spring Festival and traditionally, the festival was a time to honor deities as well as ancestors.
The Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally run from Chinese New Year’s Eve, the last day of the last month of the Chinese calendar, to the 15th day of the first month. The Chinese New year never falls on the same date two years in a row and can fall on any date between January 21 and February 20.
The New Year for 2022 is February 1 and ends February 25. This year marks the ‘Year of the Tiger’. (More Info on Year of the Tiger) People born in a year of the Tiger are predicted to be brave, competitive, unpredictable, and confident. They will experience their zodiac birth sign year (benmingnian) in 2022, which is considered bad luck. It is believed that wearing red underwear and socks will help Tigers ward off misfortune.
The most notable dates of the Lunar New Year 2022 are these three days:
- New Year’s Eve on January 31st, 2022
- New Year’s Day on February 1st, 2022
- The Lantern Festival on February 15th, 2022
Throughout the city, there will be a number of Lunar New Year traditional events and virtual programs. You can also support the local restaurants in Chinatown. Come celebrate the Chinese New Year with your friends and family, exploring an unique culture.
Celebrations will look a bit different this year because of the pandemic, and events have been organized with health and safety in mind. If you’re heading out, be sure to mask up and follow the City of Philadelphia’s Covid guidelines.
List of Chinese New Year Celebrations in Philly
• Chinese New Year Celebration at Dilworth Park (CANCELED)
January 29 ~ FREE ~ 5 pm – 7 pm at Dilworth Park at 1 S. 15th Street. Guests are invited to celebrate Lunar New Year with a prancing lion, traditional Chinese dancers and a delicious menu in the Rothman Orthopedics Cabin. Ice skating sessions will be available throughout the evening. ~ Chinese New Year Celebration at Dilworth Park ~
• Lunar New Year Celebration from the Main Line Chinese Culture Center
January 30 ~ FREE – POSTPONED (check back for a new date) – 1 pm – 5 pm – The Main Line Chinese Culture Center hosts its annual Lunar New Year shindig online this year. The event promises traditional Chinese music, martial arts demonstrations, a chopsticks competition and more. Tune in for the live event on YouTube. ~ Main Line Chinese New Year ~
• The Philadelphia Suns Lion Dance Parade
January 31 ~ FREE ~ From 10 pm – midnight at 10th, Race and Spring Streets at various establishments, the festivities will continue throughout Chinatown with firecrackers, martial arts performances, the Philadelphia Suns’ lion dance, and so much more to welcome in the Chinese New Year. For details, click here. To sign up (FREE and or to donate), click here for Chinese New Year to donate.
• Chinese New Year Dinner at Buddakan
February 1 ~ Tuesday 4 pm – 10 pm at Buddakan in Old City. $65 & serves four. Enjoy a la carte menu, that of Spring Rolls, Dumplings, Noodles, Fried Rice, Pekin Duck and fish. ~ Call: (215) 574-9440. For details, Click Here.
• The Philadelphia Suns Lion Dance Parade
February 5 ~ FREE – At noon at the Reading Terminal Market. Enjoy martial arts performances, the Philadelphia Suns’ lion dance, and so much more to welcome in the Chinese New Year. For details, click here. To sign up (FREE and or to donate), click here for Chinese New Year to donate.
• The Philadelphia Suns Lion Dance Parade
February 5 ~ FREE ~ At 2:30 pm at The Rail Park at Noble Street, N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19123 (MAP). Enjoy the Lion Dance performance, family activities, and light refreshments. For info, click here.
• The Philadelphia Suns Lion Dance Parade
February 6 ~ FREE ~ At 11 am in Chinatown. (Listen for and follow the drums if you are in the area but don’t see them.) Enjoy live firecrackers, martial arts performances, the Philadelphia Suns’ lion dance, and so much more to welcome in the Chinese New Year. For details, click here. To sign up (FREE and or to donate), click here for Chinese New Year to donate.
• Chinese New Year Celebration at Dilworth Park
February 12 ~ FREE ~ 5 pm – 7 pm at Dilworth Park at 1 S. 15th Street. Guests are invited to celebrate Lunar New Year with a Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers performance, festive décor and lucky red envelopes with secret prizes for skaters upon rink admission check-in, while supplies last. Ice skating sessions will be available throughout the evening. ~ Chinese New Year Celebration at Dilworth Park ~
• Chinese New Year Banquet at the Crane Community Center
February 25 ~ 5 pm – 8:30 pm at the Crane Community Center at 1001 Vine Street. The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation hosts its event to raise funds to increase equitable outcomes for the Asian American Pacific Islander immigrant community. ~ Chinese New Year Banquet at the Crane Community Center ~
Main Photo Courtesy of KCBrownPhotography.com
.
Follow Us!