Sometimes called the "Chinese New Year", the Lunar New Year is a more inclusive term that includes other East Asian countries which celebrate the Lunar calendar, such as Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The date of the commencement of the Chinese New Year changes from year to year, depending on the Lunar calendar. In 2024, it falls on Saturday, February 10. Celebrations, however, will take place before, during and after.
The origin of the Chinese New Year festival dates to a mythological ancient battle against a monster called the Nien, which comes each year to eat livestock and people and create mayhem. To scare it away, people show red paper, burn bamboo, light candles and wear red clothes. Not only do these traditions continue into the 21st Century, but also today's festivals include giving money in red envelopes.
Traditionally, people clean house around the beginning of the new year to “sweep away” the previous year’s bad luck and to honor their dead ancestors by giving them food before the living themselves eat at the reunion dinner. Firecrackers are used to scare away evil and to prepare for good things in the new year, while the lion and dragon dances also bring prosperity to the new year. Superstition instructs on essential things not to do on New Year's Day, such as sweeping the house, so that happiness and prosperity are not swept away but instead will be abundant in the coming year.
Cities around the USA -- some having historic Chinatown areas -- are world-renown for their festivities, parades and special events during the Lunar New Year celebrations. Herein below are a few.
SAN FRANCISCO:
San Francisco has the largest, most vibrant Chinatown of any city in the USA. Celebrations have been taking place there for more than 160 years, since the 1860s. Its Chinese New Year Parade is one of the few remaining illuminated night parades in North America, and is the most extensive parade for this event outside of Asia. The 2024 parade date is on February 24th.
NEW YORK CITY:
Second only in size and scope to San Francisco, the biggest and best offering on the East Coast can be found in Manhattan in New York City. Additionally, there are other Lunar New Year celebrations happening the New York City and its various boroughs -- especially Queens, where a large Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese community resides. Chinatown is located in Lower Manhattan The event has a street party vibe, with performance artists and vendors keeping everyone energized.
CHICAGO:
Chicago welcomes the Year of the Dragon with a parade on February 18, 2024. Planned by the Chicago Chinese Community Foundation, the parade will feature the traditional dragon and lion dancing teams, colorful floats, marching bands and other performing groups.
LOS ANGELES:
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(Primary Sources: timeout.com; Chicago Chinatown Community Foundation)
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