Boston's Best Ways To Celebrate Lunar New Year

Fireworks, dragons and snakes, oh my! Throughout Asia, Lunar New Year is the biggest festival of the year, as families travel across continents to celebrate together. With a large Asian population in the United States, we'll see plenty of celebrations here in America, too. Look out for these events to celebrate the lunar new year in and around Boston – and learn about Asian cultures in the process.

Boston Chinese Lion Dance Parade 2013
Beach St. and Harrison Ave.
Boston, MA 021111
(617) 350-6303
www.facebook.com/BOSCMS

Hours: Feb. 10  – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: Free

The annual Lion Dance Parade in Boston's Chinatown, (accessible by the MBTA) begins the Lunar New Year Celebrations. The lion dance tradition dates back thousands of years. The lion stops at Dim Sum restaurants within the area, and restaurants open their doors to feed delicacies and small plates of specialty items to him. Following the parade, enjoy your own Sim Dum at restaurants like China Pearl, Chau Chow City, Winsor Dim Sum Cafe and Great Taste Bakery and Restaurant. KungFu students and lion dance troupes will be in attendance, surrounding the parade with color, drums, cymbals and gongs.

Lunar New Year Weekend Festival
Peabody Essex Museum
161 Essex St.
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 745-9500
www.pem.org

Date: Feb. 9 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: Adults $15/Seniors $13/Students $11/free to Youth (16 and under) and Salem, MA residents

Fulfill the celebration of the Lunar New Year with folk dancing, traditional Chinese yo-yo performances, arts activities and an interactive snake presentation at the Peabody Essex Museum. Work together to form a snake sculpture of silk and ribbons in the East India Marine Hall, or sit back and enjoy the colorful dance troupes performing in the Atrium. Hear storytellers tell tales of the zodiac new year and listen to songs and traditional rhymes in the Morse Auditorium. Gund Kwok, an Asian Women's Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe brings a lion dance and a Chinese folk art workshop includes Diabolo, drumming and folk dancing. The event runs throughout the day.

Zoo New England
1 Franklin Park Road
Boston MA 02121
(617) 989-2000
www.zoonewengland.org
Date: Jan. 26 - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Price: Adults $17/Seniors $14/Youth $11/free to children under 2/free to members

Franklin Park Zoo celebrates the year of the snake at its campus in Jamaica Plain. The entire day is dedicated to the lunar new year FPZNE partners with the community bringing the Winchester School of Chinese Culture and the Tian Yue Academy of the Arts together for a celebration that will include dance, music, exhibits of Asian culture and art activities. Safe snake encounters from the tropical forest region will be handled by zookeepers, teaching the mysteries and history behind the year of the snake. Don't forget "Giddy Up Grill" for meals and refreshments, or to stop by the "Things Wild Gift Shop" to bring home a keepsake of this family event.

Shen Yun Chinese New Year Spectacular
539 Washington St.
Boston MA 02108
(617) 259-3400
www.bostonoperahouseonline.com

Date: Feb. 8 - 7:30 p.m., Feb. 9 - 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Feb. 10 - 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Price: $50 - $150

The Boston Opera House hosts Shen Yun, a dance troupe that brings classical China to life through poetic movement, imperial drama and a touch of magic. This ballet has garnered rave reviews around the world. Experience choreography to defy the senses, exquisite costumes and world-class dancing. Shen Yen brings the backdrop of China to the stage in a mesmerizing traveling production. Mandarin and English linguistics are combined to reach its audience with shocking accuracy. The Boston Opera House is located in the heart of the theatre district.

New England Chinese Professionals 2013 Lunar New Year Gala & Community Enrichment Forum
Marriott Boston-Newton Hotel
2345 Commonwealth Ave.
Newton, MA 02461
www.cpnweb.org
Date: Feb. 10 – 1:30 p.m.
Price: $60 to $75; $40/Students

This Gala is presented by Chinese Professionals and the Boston Chinese Alumni Associations Coalition. Celebrate in style by ringing in the Lunar New Year with a Chinese banquet, ball room dancing, a talent competition karaoke and cultural performances. Social cocktail hour for singles, forums of community enrichment, life style and professional consultations are mixed into the evening, giving a unique outreach function to the event. Dress code is formal, semi formal or Chinese traditional. Chinese/Hin Sang Flower Market will have flowers and new year goods available for the event.

Related: A Guide To Chinese New Year In Boston's Chinatown