Top 5 Places in Philly to Celebrate the Chinese New Year

Today is the start of the new lunar year or as many refer to it, the Chinese New Year.  As tonight’s celebration kicks-off in Chinatown, not many are aware that events are happening all week.  So if you are looking to usher in The Year of the Goat, here are 5 places in Philly to celebrate!

Midnight Lion Dance Performance

Feb. 18th | 10th & Race St. | 11:30 pm

To officially ring in the New Year at midnight there is no other place you’ll want to be than in Chinatown.  Think of it as Time Square for NYE.  As part of the festivities to ring in the Year of the Sheep there will be a midnight parade as well as the tradition of setting off firecrackers at this festive event. The Philadelphia Suns’ lion dancers will also be in attendance to bestow good luck and fortune to all Chinatown businesses.

Chinese New Year Celebration at the Please Touch Museum

Feb. 19th-21st | Please Touch Museum

For a more family friendly atmosphere, check out the Please Touch Museum, where kids will get the opportunity to learn Chinese characters with ink brushes, check out a puppet show, Chinese New Year themed story times, ribbon dancing, and live music performances.

15th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration

Feb. 20th | International House Philadelphia | 6 pm

With 15 years celebrating the Chinese New Year, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better celebration in town.  This year IHP will celebrate the Year of the Sheep with traditional music and dance performances as well as sampling of authentic traditional Chinese cuisine.

Lunar New Year Celebration at The Independence Seaport Museum

Feb. 21st | Independence Seaport Museum

For a more education experience head over to the Independence Seaport Museum and discover an afternoon of culture during their Lunar New Year event. The celebration will pay tribute to the Year of the Goat which represents good fortune and prosperity. Seaport Museum visitors will enjoy cultural activities, crafts, dancing and more from China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam.

Chinese Year of the Sheep Parade

Feb. 22nd | 10th & Spring St. | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m

Think of this as almost an encore performance of the Feb. 18th midnight festivities with martial arts performances, firecrackers, and another performance from the Philadelphia Suns’s lion dance.