Where are the biggest Chinese New Year festivals in the US?
Chinese New Year is coming on Saturday, February 10, and many US cities are ready to celebrate. Where will the biggest festivals in the country be held?
Chinese New Year will arrive on Saturday, February 10, ushering in the year of the wood dragon. The celebration is an important tradition observed by East Asians, but many countries all over the world join in the festivities, including the US.
Where are the biggest Chinese New Year festivals in the US?
Some of the grandest celebrations of the Spring Festival in the United States are held in cities with large Chinese-American communities. These festivals feature colorful parades, traditional performances, cultural exhibits, and numerous activities marking the Lunar New Year.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco plays host to one of the most prominent Lunar New Year celebrations in the country. According to the San Francisco Chinese New Year and Parade website, it “is the largest celebration of its kind in the world, attracting over three million spectators and television viewers throughout the US, Canada, and Asia.”
The parade, which will be held on Feb. 24, this year, is definitely the star of the show, but the city’s Lunar New Year celebration has been expanded to a month-long festival including street fairs, a basketball jamboree, and a public art project.
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New York City, New York
Over on the East Coast, New York City’s Chinatown in Manhattan holds a vibrant Chinese New Year celebration with a parade that attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators. The parade features colorful floats, lion and dragon dances, martial arts demonstrations, and performances by cultural groups.
Festivities also include street fairs, food vendors, and cultural exhibitions catering to the large Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese community in the area.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago hosts a lively Chinese New Year celebration featuring a parade, cultural performances, and traditional ceremonies. The festival includes floats, lion and dragon dances, marching bands, and performances by community members.
There are also cultural expos, food stalls, and family-friendly activities. The city’s Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade will take place on Sunday, Feb. 18, while the Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration will be held the day before, on Saturday, Feb. 17.
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Spokane, Washington
While the scale of celebrations in Spokane may not be as large as in some other cities, there are still many ways that the city observes Chinese New Year. They celebrate the holiday with various cultural events, festivities, and community gatherings that highlight the traditions and heritage of the local Chinese community.
The Spokane Chinese Association will observe the Lunar New Year with traditional Chinese folk dances, choir performances, Taichi, Chinese martial arts, a dragon dance, and Chinese music. They will also have a free admission cultural fair with activities such as Chinese calligraphy and painting, as well as cuisine sampling. These events provide opportunities for city residents to come together, enjoy festive entertainment, and learn about Chinese culture.