Celebrate Chinese New Year all over Chicago
Chicago’s Chinese New Year has always been a festive, fun (and usually frigid) way to bring in the new year. Finish it off with a stop for dim sum (Phoenix and Three Happiness are perennial personal favorites), and you’ve had a great afternoon. This year’s celebrations will be from Uptown to Chinatown, with a little something for everyone.
The kickoff is Friday, January 31 at noon in Daley Plaza, with dance, music, martial arts and Lion Dancer performances.
From January 31 to February 2 you’ll find a lot of options, most for free.
Millennium Park Ice Rink will be bathed in shifting, colorful lights — sure to be a crowd pleaser. Not too far away, at the Chicago Cultural Center, you’ll find a “celebration of light and projection inspired by Chinese philosophy, art, architecture and folklore. Macy’s windows will have shadow puppets and shadow play integrated with Chinese traditional art.
The Argyle Street Lunar New Year Parade starts in Uptown also at noon, heading east down Argyle, south onto Sheridan, west on Ainslie to Broadway, and back to Argyle.
The traditional Chinatown parade is at 1pm on Sunday.
Be sure to stop by The Shops at North Bridge as there are deals galore, including a Big Bowl dumpling class on February 1. If you were born in the year of the horse, you’ll even get a free entree.
For a more cultural experience, the Year of the Horse Chinese New Year Celebration is February 1, 2-4pm at the Chinese-American Museum, 238 W. 23rd St. It’s $12 for nonmembers and includes new year traditions: the big clean up, staying up all night on the even and red packets, the Lion Dance, and plenty of tasty treats.
After all that, we’re still not done. Sunday, February 16, 12-3pm, at Navy Pier‘s Crystal Gardens features dance, music and multi-arts performances along with a marketplace.
Plenty to keep you busy during the winter freeze!
