The 2023 Chinese Lunar Year commences on Sunday, January 22. While most of the world celebrates New Year on January 1, which is based on the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese New Year in based on the lunar calendar or lunisolar calendar.
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We leave the tiger from 2022 and begin the year by rabbit, one of the 12 Zodiacs in Chinese astrology, which represents intellect and cautiousness.
The celebration is huge in Asia and among Asian Diaspora. Since the United States is home to a huge Asian population, the holiday is celebrated in multiple cities.
Here’s where you can celebrate Chinese New Year 2023 in the United States –
1. California: The city of San Francisco has one of the most vibrant than any other city in the States. The holiday has been celebrated since 1860s. This year, a flower market fair could be spotted along with basketball jamboree for the January 28th. The celebrations are full of events like Miss Chinatown pageant, coronation ball and the Chinese New Year parade. The Chinatown YMCA will wrap things around March 5.
2. New York: The biggest celebrations in the east coast can be spotted at Manhattan in New York City. New York’s Chinatown is located in lower Manhattan, with an street party vibe. From performance artists to street vendors, all will make you feel at home. Another great place to celebrate the holiday is Queens, where the majority of Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese community resides.
3. New Jersey: New Jersey will host its first Lunar New Year celebrations this year. For the first time the city will host publics events, starting with an opening ceremony in the Central Market on January 22. The festival will run up until February 5, and will include food markets, music, entertainment, Asian art, cultural demonstrations, talks and workshops, said itv.
4. Texas: North Texas is kicking off the celebrations with Dallas organizing a free festival which will include live rabbits, a story time, and a performance by the Dallas Asian Wind Symphony, at NorthPark Center on January 21, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
5. Florida: A central Florida dragon parade is scheduled for on Sunday, February 5, 2023. This years marks the 11th annual parade to be held, which would be hosted by Asia Trend, Mills 50 (an Orlando Main Street District), R.E.A.C.H (Recognizing, Experiencing Asian Cultural Heritage) and Y.E.S.S. (Youth Enrichment and Senior Services)
6. Pennsylvania: Several Pennsylvania cities have planned events to mark this occasion, including Harrisburg, Hershey, Lancaster and Millersville. The Little Star Chinese Language School, located at the Charlton Church, 5920 Jonestown Road, will organize several activities including teacher student dance, and the children will be taken for a visit to Hershey’s Chocolate World.
7. Washington DC: Several exciting events have been scheduled in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, with National Museum of Asian Art Lunar New Year organizing a traditional lion dance, cooking demonstration, special gallery tour and Chinese Culture Institute Lunar New Year Celebration planning a buffet dinner with networking opportunities and cultural activities including tea tasting and calligraphy demos.
