As you glide through a week of New Year’s celebrations, a visit to this Chinese mini–mall can be an event in and of itself. If you can get past the stone lions guarding the door, you’ll find rows of home décor, jewelry, clothing, musical instruments, books and more. The emporium, according to owner Fei–hong “Lily” Song, aims to represent Chinese culture and offer a diverse selection of Chinese merchandise. Stop in to pick up some Lunar New Year celebration supplies or to just browse around. This is a perfect prelude to your evening of Lion Dance and firecracker mania.
Chinatown Flower Market 10th Street Plaza (10th & Vine St.) Feb. 9, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Flowers might be a rare sight among February’s drab days, but Chinatown can remedy that. At Chinatown’s second annual Flower Market, merchants will flood the scene with festive blossoms, fruits, candies, handmade lanterns and red envelopes. This flower market follows in the footsteps of those of Chinese cities and other Chinatowns around the world in celebration of the Lunar New Year. As symbols of growth and rebirth, these festive blooms will help usher in your wishes for an auspicious year.
Philadelphia Suns Lion Dance And Parade Lion Dance: 10th & Race St Feb. 9, 11 p.m. Parade: 10th & Spring St. Feb. 10, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Amid the pounding of drums, dancers perform a traditional Chinese ritual inside a giant lion costume complete with intricate swirling tassels, flapping ears and fluttering eyelashes. Celebrating Chinese culture and the joy of the New Year, the lively spectacle will be performed by members of the Philadelphia Suns, a local athletics nonprofit. The Suns continue the festivities the following day with the Lion Dance Parade, an afternoon of dancing and exploding firecrackers trailing the parading lion around Chinatown.
Chinese New Year at the Free Library of Philadelphia 18 S. 7th St. Feb. 13, 4:30 p.m. & Feb. 20, 12:30 p.m.
The typical “silence in the library” rule is about to be broken in the name of New Year’s revelry. The Free Library’s Independence Branch is hosting two festive Lunar New Year celebrations for the debut of the Year of the Snake. On February 13, the Pennsylvania Chinese Dance Club will spice up the boring library scene with traditional Chinese folk dance. Then, on February 20, the kids of Holy Redeemers Elementary School will join the celebration to perform the custom Lion Dance, followed by a reading of traditional Chinese folktales by Librarian Jennifer Chang.
Lunar New Year Party at International House Philadelphia 3701 Chestnut St. Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m. ($12)
If you want to celebrate and absorb the Lunar New Year and Chinese culture-—and eat while you’re at it—head to International House, located right at the edge of campus. A residential building and community for Penn's international students, IHP assists international students and hosts programs and events to celebrate diverse cultures. In honor of the New Year, IHP’s Lunar New Year Party will feature performances of the Lion Dance and other traditional Chinese presentations, including an appearance by special guest Zhang Wenpang, a prominent performer of the Shanxi opera style.
