The biggest draw in Chinatown is the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration (Year of the Rat, 4706 on the lunar calendar), which runs Feb. 2-20 this year. The Firecracker Ceremony & Cultural Festival (Feb. 7, 11am-3pm, in Chatham Square) marks the first day of the 2008 Lunar New Year. Following a controlled firecracker detonation, a traditional Lunar New Year practice, a dozen lion, dragon and unicorn dance troupes will march down the main streets, with all-day performances by traditional and contemporary Asian and Asian-American singers and dancers.
The Lunar New Year Parade (Feb. 10, 1-5pm, Mott St. btw. Canal & Bayard Sts.) is the celebration's highlight. A colorful spectacle featuring floats, Lion and Dragon dancers, marching bands, antique cars, beauty queens, Asian musical performers, magicians, and acrobats will travel though the major streets. For additional events and more information, visit www.explorechinatown.com.
