This year, the Lunar New Year begins on January 22nd. This holiday is one of the most important celebrations of the year among East and Southeast Asian cultures. In 2023, we ring in the Year of the Rabbit. Partake in the celebration with delicious food, fireworks, dragon dances, and so much more. Chicago offers plenty of events, restaurants, and places to celebrate the predicted year of hope.
CCC Lunar New Year Parade
The Chicago Chinatown Community Foundation is throwing a Lunar New Year celebration on Sunday, January 29th, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Full of beloved traditions, this is the best way to celebrate the lunar new year in Chicago and properly ring in the year of the rabbit. The parade will feature dragon and lion dancing teams, beautifully crafted floats, and upbeat tunes from the marching band.
The parade will start at the intersection of 24th Street and Wentworth Avenue and travel north on Wentworth towards the viewing stand at Cermak and Wentworth.
Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration
The Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration has been a time-honored way of celebration in Chicago for over 40 years. This free event will involve several community groups, cultural institutions, dancers, and performers. Not only will you observe a magnificent parade, but there will also be activities all day long. The parade kickoff at Argyle St. and Winthrop Ave on Saturday, January 28th and goes from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Lunar New Year Stories and Crafts
Chicago Public Library, 400 S. State Street Chicago, IL 60605
The Argyle Lunar New Celebration offers fun activities for participants to celebrate with the ones they love the most. On Saturday, January 28th, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., bring your little ones for rabbit-themed stories and rhymes to ring in the year of the rabbit. Then, make rabbit ear headbands or rabbit doodles with glasses. It will surely be a time they will look back on for years to come.
Image Credit: Chinese Fine Art Society
World Music Wednesday: Chinese Lunar New Year Concert
Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
This year’s concert features artists like the Chinese Zhong Ruan player Tzu-Tsen Wu, The University of Chicago’s Jade Chinese Music Ensemble, Ruan and Hide, and special guest Tamir Hargana. Enjoy these harmonious notes at no cost on January 18, 2023 from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.. This concert pays homage to this significant celebration.
Chinese New Year Celebration at the Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
The Lunar New Year is traditionally celebrated with rich and colorful displays. These often include dragon and lion Dances. The Field Museum’s celebration will feature fierce dragon dances, harmonious music, and other forms of movement. The celebration is scheduled for January 22, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Image Credit: Chicago Cultural Center
Lantern Festival Celebration
Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall, 78 E Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602
On February 5, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., partake in the Lunar New Year festivities at the Chicago Cultural Center. This festival closes out the year’s celebration in a way that is fitting of its importance. There will be traditional lion dances, engaging music, inspired food, and so much more.
Global Connections: Lunar New Year Presented by ComEd at Navy Pier
Apn Grand Ballroom, 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
This celebration is everything you could ask for to ring in the year of the rabbit. On January 28th, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., join ComEd at Navy Pier for an interactive, engaging, and experiential celebration for the whole family. Come watch some of Chicago’s most talented performers, artists, dancers, and musicians. And come hungry, there will be tons of food vendors.
Lunar New Year Mochi Donuts & Red Packages at 2d Restaurant
3155 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657
To celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year, 2d restaurant is hosting a slew of exciting events for its customers in the Chicago area. From January 19th to 27th, Chef Kevin Yu Kyu will offer the traditional Vietnamese snack Bánh chưng as part of a complimentary tasting when purchasing a “Fortune Six Mochi Donut Box”, inspired by his childhood memories in Taiwan and featuring many Asian lunar new year flavors from pineapple to persimmon.
Showcasing their commitment to the community, 2d restaurant also has a red envelope giveaway event featured on January 21st through 23rd, offering 100 envelopes per day for anyone who enters or dines in the restaurant. The red envelopes contain different gifts from lucky coins, gift cards to one $100 cash gift.
Finally, 2d restaurant has collaborated with the Chicago Bulls and Haines Elementary School students to create a special Lunar New Year donut – all proceeds that are earned will be donated entirely to a local Chicago non-profit, Bear Necessities. Such fun festivities truly demonstrate 2d restaurant’s care and love for those around them!
Chinese New Year Dumpling Making Dinner
Hing Kee Restaurant, 2nd Floor 2140 South Archer Avenue Chicago, IL 60616
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture, cuisine, and stories to celebrate the year of the rabbit on Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Z.J. Tong has been hosting this event since 2005 to allow everyone to celebrate family style with the Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute. Ditch the store bought dumplings and come make them by hand to celebrate with friends and family.
Chinese New Year Dinner with The Peninsula Chicago
108 E. Superior St, Chicago IL 60611
For those who can appreciate a celebration for their palette, join The Peninsula for an unforgettable Chinese New Year dinner. From Friday, January 20 through Sunday, January 22, 2023, guests can feast on a six-course meal of authentic Chinese dishes. The price is $168 per guest.
Featured Image: 2d resaturant
The post How to Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Chicago this Year appeared first on UrbanMatter.
