It’s been a month into 2024, but many countries are just now celebrating the New Year. Here’s why.
Each year, the date for the Lunar New Year changes because the Asian countries that celebrate Lunar New Year follow the lunar calendar. This year, the celebration begins February 10th and ends February 24th.
Lunar New Year is marked with red decorations, lion dancing, and lots of food to honor and celebrate Asian culture.
The Lunar New Year can be called various different terms, such as Tết in Vietnamese and Seollal (설날) in Korean.
The lunar calendar includes animal zodiacs for each year, with this year being Year of the Dragon.
Here is how you can prepare for and celebrate the New Year.
It is customary to clean your house to remove any bad luck in your house from the previous year. In addition, it is advised that you pay off any debts to start the new year with good fortune.
Red is the color associated with good luck and prosperity. Many people will wear red and hang red decorations as a way to attract fortune in the new year.
During the time of preparation, many people will visit their ancestors’ graves and clean them before returning home to prepare the dishes for the celebration.
Each country serves different foods; however, many common foods include dumplings, steamed fish, noodles, and rice cakes.
During the celebration, elders will hand out red envelopes with money to children and friends. The small red envelopes symbolize good luck and happiness.
Fireworks are set off to symbolize warding away monsters and evil spirits according to Chinese legends.
It is advised to wear red, not black or white during the new year, as black and white are colors associated with grief and mourning.
Whether you celebrate the Lunar New Year or not, or are simply interested in learning about the culture, there are various celebrations happening in the local area over the next few weeks. Here are a few celebrations happening in the heart of Philadelphia.
- February 10th, 1-3 pm, The Rail Park, 1300 Noble Street
This celebration is a free event that includes a ballet performance and K-pop workshop with BalletSunMi. The Philadelphia Suns will be featured as well, performing a lion dance. There will also be crafts and light refreshments suitable for all ages!
- February 11th, 10 am - 3 pm, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
In honor of this year being the Year of the Dragon, the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be hosting an event for special artisans from Zhejiang Province, China to share their crafts. Activities include tea-whisking, sugar painting, spring couplet writing, and taishun puppets. There will also be other small workshops and activities throughout the day.
- February 13th, 4-5 pm, McNichol Art Gallery at Neumann University
At Neumann University, the Student Government Association will be hosting a Lunar New Year bingo event. Dumplings will be provided. Come out to learn about the celebration and to test your luck with lucky red envelopes!
- February 17th, 1-3 pm, Fashion District, 9th and Market Streets
To ring in the year, Fashion District will be hosting a family-friendly event in The Cube. There will be lion dance, crafts, and a special presentation by BallentSunMi. Stories about the history of Lunar New Year, as well as a small K-pop dance workshop, will be presented to all participants.
- February 17th, 5-7 pm, Dilworth Park, 1 South 15th Street
Temple University will be hosting a Lunar New Year celebration that includes lion dancing, catering from Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin, ice skating, and red envelope giveaways.
Whether or not you celebrate Lunar New Years, it is worthwhile to go to Philadelphia to experience authentic Asian culture and cuisine during the celebration.
Tracy Nguyen
