Where to Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Philly
Ring in the Year of the Snake 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 Snake begins January 29th, 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.
Lunar New Year at Comcast Technology Center
In honor of Lunar New Year, the Universal Sphere is themed to Kung Fu Panda through February 17th. Sign up for a free ride to Panda Village in “Po’s Awesome Lunar New Year Adventure,” then color in your own lantern and scan it to watch it fly in the air. For even more Kung Fu Panda fun, you can meet Po at the Comcast Technology Center on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. And it all culminates with a big Lunar New Year celebration on February 17th. (School’s out that day, FYI!) There will be free activities including Chinese zodiac animal face painting, calligraphy, and even Kung Fu Panda character drawing classes with DreamWorks story artist Jon Magram. Plus, more Po meet-and-greets and lion dance performances by the Philadelphia Suns.
January 13th-February 17th, Comcast Technology Center, 1800 Arch Street.
Performances at the Please Touch Museum
PTM is kicking things off really early. On Saturday, January 11th, Philadelphia Suns will come to PTM for two performances exploring the lion dance with costumes, movement and music. The museum will also host a special storytime and art workshop. All activities are included with museum admission.
January 11h, 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 live performances, a marketplace, make-and-take crafts, and a Lion Dance finale. All activities are included with museum admission.
January 25th, 10 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 $125, available online, and include all ingredients and instruction.
January 25th & 26th, February 2nd, 8th & 9th; Philadelphia location disclosed upon registration.
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.
January 27th, 3 p.m., Independence Library, 18 South 7th Street.
Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tết) Dinner
Com.unity is hosting a six-course collaboration dinner at Le Viet to celebrate. The dinner features Andrew Dinh Vo from Cafe Nhan, Tuan Phung from Banh Mi & Bottles, Le Viet’s Tay Cao, Victor Nguyen from Ba Le Bakery, Jacob Trinh of Little Fish, and Thanh Nguyen from Gabriella’s Vietnam. Plus, a mini market with AAPI vendors and a lion dance. Tickets are $108, and there are two seatings. Reserve here.
January 27th, 5 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Le Viet, 1019 South 11th 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 Tuesday, January 28th. 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.)
January 28th, 10 p.m.-midnight and February 2nd, 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, mahjong social, and more. Sign up online to reserve your spot.
February 1st, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Crane Community Center, 1001 Vine Street.
Lunar New Year at the Rail Park
The free event includes live performances (including a lion dance performance by the Philadelphia Suns), a flower market, family-friendly crafts and light refreshments — the Bao Bar returns!
February 1st, 1-4 p.m., The Rail Park, 1300 Noble 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 and parade around the mall, free kids’ crafts, and photo ops.
February 1st, noon-2 p.m., Fashion District, 9th and Market streets.
Lunar New Year at Franklin Square
Celebrate with the Philadelphia Suns lion dancers, crafts for children with Asian Arts Initiative, red envelope surprise giveaways, and a free dumpling workshop with Michael Chow from Sang Kee.
February 1st, 5-7 p.m., Franklin Square, 200 North 6th Street.
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 from Ellen Yin’s Wonton Project. In addition to the performances, the evening will include free kids’ crafts and a calligraphy workshop.
February 1st, 5-7 p.m., Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street.
Lunar New Year Celebration at Parkway Central Library
The library hosts a free afternoon of Asian music and dance performances for all ages.
February 8th, 12:15 p.m., Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street.
Family Festival at the Art Museum
The Art Museum hosts a day of hands-on art activities, storytime and celebration, including an artmaking takeover of the Great Stair Hall Balcony by local artist Madeleine Conover. Kids always get free admission at PMA.
February 9th, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Dim Sum Brunch at High Street
High Street celebrates the Year of the Snake with chef Kurt Evans of Black Dragon Takeout serving up a special Lunar New Year meal including wontons, whole steamed fish, specialty teas and cocktails, and more. Reserve online.
February 8th, High Street, 101 South 9th Street.
