Free Activities for the Chicago Chinese New Year – Feb 6-14

According to the Chinese zodiac, the new year—4708, the Year of the Tiger—doesn’t start until February 14, but there are lots of free events and activities in Chicago to celebrate the city’s largest Chinese cultural celebration.

The highlight of Chinatown’s annual Lunar New Year Parade, the Mystical Dragon Dance is performed using a 100-foot silk and bamboo costume. Chinatown’s Chinese New Year Parade celebrates the Lunar New Year — this year is the “Year of the Tiger”. This colorful parade marches right through the middle of Chicago’s Chinatown and features marching bands, elaborate floats, Miss Friendship Ambassador, lion dance teams, and a 100 foot long paper dragon made out of silk, paper, and bamboo. Parade steps off at 12:30 p.m. (subject to change)

WHERE:  Wentworth Ave between 24th St and Cermak Ave;
WHEN:  February 14, 2010 at 1pm,  free event.

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Happy Chinese New Year – Year of the Tiger – Come with the children and ring in the Year of the Tiger with activities, crafts, and treats for kids. Suggested for ages 6-12.

Date: Sat. February 06, 2010
Time: 2:00 pm
Location:  Independence
3548 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago 60618
Phone: 312 744-0900

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Learn a bit about Asian heritage at Navy Pier’s annual Chinese New Year Celebration. Join us in the Crystal Gardens for this free celebration of Chinese arts and culture featuring lion dancers, choral groups, folk dancers, traditional music, craft activities, and more. Navy Pier gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Chinese Fine Arts Society in the development of Chinese New Year programming.  This year’s free festivities include traditional music, puppet shows, calligraphy demos and a performance of the lion dance—a thousand-year-old ritual designed to ward off evil spirits in the upcoming year.

WHERE: 600 E Grand Ave (312-595-7437, navypier.com).
WHEN: Sunday, February 14th, 2010,  12:00pm – 5:30pm
In the Crystal Gardens
Free Admission!Click here for the event schedule.