Where to Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Philly
Ring in the Year of the Dragon with parades, performances, and more.
The Philadelphia Suns the perform the Lion Dance for Lunar New Year. / Photography by Laura Swartz
The Year of the Dragon begins February 10th, and there are so many events around town to celebrate. From parades to all-day festivals — and, of course, lots of lion dance performances! — here’s what Philly has planned to ring in the year.
Performances at the Please Touch Museum
On Saturday, January 20th, Philadelphia Suns will come to PTM for two performances exploring the lion dance with costumes, movement and music at 2 and 3 p.m. The museum will also host a special storytime and calligraphy workshop. All activities are included with museum admission.
January 2oth, Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic.
CultureFest at the Penn Museum
The Penn Museum’s annual celebration (going strong since 1981!) explores the traditions of Lunar New Year with a full schedule of family-friendly activities. Activities include dance performances, storytelling, live music, a marketplace, make-and-take crafts, and a Lion Dance finale. All activities are included with museum admission.
January 27th, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Penn Museum, 3260 South Street.
Dumpling Academy Classes
Yin, the self-proclaimed “Dumpling Queen,” leads special dumpling-making classes throughout the month for Lunar New Year. Learn to make tangyuan, round Chinese desert dumplings traditionally eaten on holidays. Tickets are $115, available online, and include all ingredients and instruction. Bring a container to take home leftovers.
February 4th, 9th-11th, 14th, 17th, 18th and 24th; Philadelphia location disclosed upon registration.
Vietnamese Lunar New Year Dinner at Banh Mi and Bottles
In the first of a new monthly collaboration series at Banh Mi and Bottles, owner Tuan Phung is presenting a special Tết dinner with fellow chefs Jacob Trinh of Little Fish, Andrew Dinh Vo of Café Nhạn, Tay Cao of Le Viet and Victor Nguyen of Ba Le Bakery, along with event curator Roland Bui. They’ll serve a five-course menu of traditional Tết dishes like gỏi gá (Vietnamese chicken salad), thịt heo ngâm mắm (pork belly cured in fish sauce), slow-braised oxtail and more. Reservations required; tickets are $88 per person.
February 5th, 6 p.m., Bahn Mi and Bottles, 712-14 South Street.
Chinatown’s Lunar New Year Parades
First, gather in Chinatown for a nighttime celebration with lion dancing and merriment on the street from 10 p.m. to midnight on Friday, February 9th. The party continues that Sunday with lots of drums, firecrackers, and colorful excitement — and, of course, more dancing lions! (The local businesses give them lettuce to “eat” and spit out for good luck.)
February 9th, 10 p.m.-midnight and February 11th, 11 a.m., 10th and Spring streets.
PCDC Chinese New Year Celebration
Come to the Crane Center for a day of arts, crafts and fun. Events include a calligraphy workshop, a floral market, mahjong social, and a food tour. Stay tuned for sign-up links.
February 10th, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Crane Community Center, 1001 Vine Street.
Lunar New Year at the Rail Park
The free event includes a ballet performance and K-Pop workshop with Ballet SunMi, a lion dance performance by the Philadelphia Suns, as well as family-friendly crafts and light refreshments.
February 10th, 1-3 p.m., The Rail Park, 1300 Noble Street.
Family Festival at the Art Museum
Enjoy pay-what-you-wish admission as artists from China’s Zhejiang Province bring hands-on art activities and demonstrations.
February 11th, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Wonton Project x Grace Lin Lunar New Year Brunch
Award-winning YA author Grace Lin comes to High Street for a special Lunar New Year brunch including a food-focused chat and a reading from her new book, Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods. The four-course menu includes handmade wontons from Ellen Yin’s mother’s recipe, as well as festive cocktails and mocktails for all ages. There will also be a special dance performance. Tickets are $55 per adult and $25 per child, and each adult ticket includes a copy of Lin’s book.
February 11th, 10:30 a.m., High Street, 101 South 9th Street.
Kids’ Lunar New Year at Independence Library
The Independence branch of the Free Library hosts a free kids’ celebration including storytime, playtime, crafts and goodie bags.
February 12th, 4 p.m., Independence Library, 18 South 7th Street.
Lunar New Year at Fashion District
Head to the 9th and Market entrance (“the Cube”) for an afternoon of celebration. There’ll be a Philadelphia Suns lion dance around the mall, free kids’ crafts, and a storytelling and dance presentation by Ballet SunMi.
February 17th, 1-3 p.m., Fashion District, 9th and Market streets.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Dilworth Park
Rothman Rink is celebrating with a prancing lion and traditional Chinese dancers from the Philadelphia Suns by the ice. Inside the cabin, there will be menu specials.
February 17th, 5-7 p.m., Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street.
