Chinese New Year is one of my favorite celebrations in New York City. I look forward to dressing in red for the yearly festival, devouring delicious pastries, and drinking (too many) Tsingtao beers at a traditional Lunar New Year feast.
photo: Kathleen Ebbitt | Me, chewing on a delicious pastry
The festivities for Chinese New Year this year begin on February 19th, bidding farewell to the Year of the Horse. There is confusion over the Zodiac sign for this year, with debate over whether it’s the year of the sheep, goat, or ram. In Mandarin “yang,” or “horned animal” covers all three of the cloven footed creatures leading to a lack of clarity (which do you think it is?).
photo: wikipedia commons
Whatever the animal, there is sure to be fireworks, mass travel to New Years celebrations across the world, and lots of tasty food (my personal favorite: nian gao, a sticky cake).
This celebration comes from China, but has spread around the world. Join me in looking at the beautiful images of Chinese New Year celebrations across the globe!
1.) Ditan Park, Beijing
photo: youtube clip
A live snake is swallowed by a woman as she showcases acts of magic and unique physical feats at a temple in Ditan Park (also known as the Temple of Earth) in Beijing (My boss, Brandon, has been and says its super fun! Bucket list!).
2.) Manila's Chinatown, Philippines
photo: wikipedia commons
Lion dancers perform to frighten away evil spirits in the New Year showcasing acrobatic feats and physical strength.
3.) Solo, Central Java, Indonesia
photo: wikipedia commons
Performers dance during a parade to welcome the Chinese New Year. Individuals of Chinese descent in the world’s most populous Muslim nation are gearing up to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
4.) Bangkok, Thailand
photo: wikipedia commons
Traditional Chinese New Year’s masks are worn in a parade through the streets of Bangkok’s Chinatown.
5.) Yokohama, Japan
photo: wikipedia commons
Lion dancers perform in Yokohama celebrating the Chinese New Year. Yokohama has the largest Chinese community in Japan, with thousands of people gathering to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Sheep/Goat/Ram!
5.) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
photo: flickr
Talk about a performance! Divers perform an aquatic Chinese lion dance at the Aquaria KLCC in Kuala Lumpur in honor of Lunar New Year. This watery performance doesn’t cool the lion’s fire!
6. Hong Kong, China
photo: wikipedia commons
Children dressed in traditional costumes pose during celebrations for the New Year.
7.) London, England
photo: nydailynews
Prince Charles of Wales and Duchess Camilla of Cornwall usher in the Chinese New Year with a visit to London’s Chinatown. Both royals look somewhat frightened, don’t they?
8.) New York, New York
photo: Kathleen Ebbitt
Fireworks, dancing lions, and sticky cakes - Chinese New Year is one of my favorite celebrations in New York! I go down to Channel Street yearly to watch the festivities (and get my fill of Chinese pastries!!).
9.) San Francisco, California
photo: Flickr
The Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco has been namedone of world’s top ten parades, and is the largest celebration of its kind outside of Asia.
10.) Kingston, Jamaica
photo: Chinese Benevolent Association of Jamaica
Chinese Jamaicans celebrate with large parades in Kingston, Jamaica. Jamaica is host to a large Chinese diaspora and has a large parade with Caribbean flair.
11.) Paris, France
photo: wikipedia commons
Festivities abound in Paris as individuals dress in traditional garb and parade throughout the city of lights.
12.) Seattle, Washington
photo: wikipedia commons
Dancers entertain during a Chinese New Years Celebration in Seattle, Washington.
13.) Kek Lok Si Temple, Malaysia
photo: wikipedia commons
The Kek Lok Si Temple is lit up with hundreds of thousands of decorative lights during the Chinese New Year.
14.) Vancouver, Canada
photo: wikipedia commons
In the Vancouver Chinatown, performers include traditional Chinese dragon and lion dancers, along with Mexican, Thai, and Korean performers in a multicultural lineup.
15.) Taipei, Taiwan
photo: wikipedia commons
Red packets for sale in a Taipei market. Red packets containing money are given to family members as a New Years gift. This is a tradition that I have appropriated with some of my buddies in New York. I buy red packets in Chinatown and give them as gifts to friends on Chinese New Year, and also birthdays. Cause who doesn’t like money?
Whatever hoof split animal of your preference, Chinese New Year proves to be a colorful festivity worldwide. Whether celebrated in China, by the global Chinese diaspora, or by people who just love a good celebration, it’s a holiday that has been celebrated since the 14th century. Chinese New Year has regional variations, but the event is always an occasion for families to come together. For me, I am excited to meet friends for a Chinese New Year’s feast in New York’s Chinatown and exchange red packets!